Search Grant County Marriage Records

Grant County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Sheridan and go back to 1869 when the county was formed. The clerk's office is the primary source for marriage licenses, certified copies of marriage documents, and related filing services. Whether you need a new license or a copy of a record from decades ago, the Grant County Clerk is your first contact. This guide explains the process for getting a license, what documents you will need, how to request copies, and where to find older records for genealogy or legal use.

Grant County Clerk Office Information

The Grant County Clerk's office is located at 101 W. Center Street, Sheridan, AR 72150. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call (870) 942-2631 for questions about licenses, copies, or fees. The Grant County website has additional contact details and links to county services.

All marriages that take place in Grant County are recorded here. When a couple applies for a license, both parties must appear in person at the clerk's office. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, who files it as the official record. The clerk's office does not perform marriages.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID when you apply. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate. The clerk's staff will walk you through the application if you have any questions.

Grant County Marriage License Requirements

Arkansas sets the rules for marriage licenses across all counties. Grant County follows the same statewide rules. Under Arkansas Code Title 9, anyone age 18 or older can apply for a license without parental consent. A 17-year-old needs written parental or guardian consent. Anyone under 17 requires both parental consent and a court order.

After the clerk issues the license, couples must wait 72 hours before the ceremony can happen. The license stays valid for 60 days. If you don't use it within 60 days, it expires and you will need to reapply. There is no blood test requirement in Arkansas. No residency requirement exists either, meaning couples from other states or counties can get a license in Grant County.

Arkansas has not recognized common-law marriage since 1941. A legal marriage in Grant County requires a ceremony performed by a qualified officiant, followed by the officiant signing the license and returning it to the clerk's office. Ordained ministers, circuit judges, district judges, and justices of the peace can all perform marriages in Arkansas.

Requesting Copies of Grant County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Grant County marriage records can be obtained from the clerk's office or from the Arkansas Department of Health. For the most direct route, visit the Grant County Clerk at 101 W. Center Street in Sheridan. In-person requests can often be filled the same day. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties along with the approximate year of the marriage.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk with the full names of both parties, the marriage date or year, your return mailing address, and payment for the fee. The clerk accepts checks or money orders. Allow extra time for processing when requesting by mail.

The Arkansas Department of Health holds marriage record coupons statewide from 1917 onward. These summaries are useful for confirming a marriage and getting basic details, but they are not the same as a certified copy of the original license. The ADH office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Their phone number is (501) 661-2336, and you can learn more at healthy.arkansas.gov. Online ordering is available through VitalChek.

For name change purposes after marriage, most agencies want a certified copy with an official seal from the county clerk rather than an ADH summary. Get the certified copy first, then use it for your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport updates.

Historical Grant County Marriage Records

Grant County was created in 1869, and the clerk has held marriage records since that year. For older records dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s, the best sources beyond the clerk's office are the Arkansas State Archives and FamilySearch. The Arkansas State Archives holds microfilm and original documents from many Arkansas counties, and Grant County records are part of that collection.

The FamilySearch Grant County page lists what record collections are available, which ones have been digitized, and how to access them. Many early marriage indexes and images are free to view. This is one of the most useful resources for researchers working on Grant County genealogy.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas has background on Grant County that can help researchers understand the historical context of records. For a broader look at genealogy resources in the state, the University of Arkansas Libraries offers a genealogy research guide with county-level source lists.

The Arkansas Genealogical Society is also a useful contact. They maintain indexes and can help find records that have not yet been digitized. Researchers working on older Grant County family lines may benefit from reaching out directly.

For an overview of Arkansas vital records and where they are held statewide, the CDC Arkansas vital records reference page is a reliable starting point.

This federal resource outlines which state and county offices hold which records and what fees typically apply for copies.

Name Change After Marriage in Grant County

After your Grant County marriage, a certified copy of the license is the document you will use to change your name everywhere. Start at the Social Security Administration. Take your certified marriage record and a current photo ID to the nearest SSA office. They will update your name in their system at no charge.

Once your Social Security record is updated, go to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for a new driver's license. You will need your updated Social Security card and your certified marriage record. For a passport name change, file with the U.S. State Department using your certified record and current passport. More general information on state processes is available through the Arkansas Secretary of State.

The City of Sheridan website may also have local service information useful to newly married Grant County residents.

Nearby Counties with Marriage Records

Grant County shares borders with several other Arkansas counties. If a marriage may have been recorded in a neighboring county, the clerks below can help.

• Saline County - Benton
• Pulaski County - Little Rock
• Lonoke County - Lonoke
• Jefferson County - Pine Bluff
• Cleveland County - Rison
• Dallas County - Fordyce