Find Johnson County Marriage Records

Johnson County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk in Clarksville and span back to 1833 when the county was organized. The clerk's office on Main Street handles every marriage license issued in the county and holds the official record after each ceremony is filed. Johnson County is in the Arkansas River Valley in western Arkansas, with Clarksville serving as its main population and service center. This page covers how to get a marriage license, what documents you need, how to order certified copies of existing records, and where to find historical records for genealogy research.

Johnson County Clerk Marriage Office Details

The Johnson County Clerk is located at 215 W. Main Street, Clarksville, AR 72830. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clerk's phone number is (479) 754-2172. The Johnson County website has contact details and general information about county services.

The clerk issues all marriage licenses in Johnson County and keeps the official record of every marriage that takes place here. Both parties must appear in person when applying. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk's office, where it is filed permanently. That filed record is what you later request when you need a certified copy.

Clarksville is the county seat and home to Arkansas Tech University, a major four-year institution in western Arkansas. The City of Clarksville has local service contacts and city information. With a university in town, Johnson County sees a regular flow of marriages connected to the campus community.

Marriage License Requirements in Johnson County

Johnson County follows Arkansas state law, which sets uniform rules for marriage licenses across all counties. Under Arkansas Code Title 9, anyone 18 or older can get a license without parental consent. A 17-year-old must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Anyone under 17 requires both parental consent and a court order.

Once the clerk issues the license, a 72-hour waiting period begins. The ceremony cannot occur until that time has passed. The license remains valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not take place within that window, the license expires and the couple must reapply. No blood test is required in Arkansas, and there is no residency requirement.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the application. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. If either person was previously married, bring proof that the prior marriage ended, either a divorce decree or a death certificate. Both documents must be originals or certified copies, not photocopies.

Arkansas has not recognized common-law marriage since 1941. A formal ceremony conducted by an authorized officiant is required for a valid Johnson County marriage. Authorized officiants include ordained ministers, circuit judges, district judges, and justices of the peace. The clerk's office can sometimes help identify a local justice of the peace if needed.

Getting Copies of Johnson County Marriage Records

The best way to get a certified copy is to visit the Johnson County Clerk in person. Bring your photo ID and the names of both parties, along with the approximate year of the marriage. The clerk can usually search and issue a certified copy the same day. A fee applies for each copy.

If you cannot get to Clarksville, mail a written request to the Johnson County Clerk, 215 W. Main Street, Clarksville, AR 72830. Include the full names of both parties, the marriage year or date, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. The office will process your request and mail the copy back. Allow several business days for turnaround by mail.

The Arkansas Department of Health holds statewide marriage coupons from 1917 forward. These summaries confirm a marriage was registered but are not certified copies of the original license. The ADH office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Call (501) 661-2336 or visit healthy.arkansas.gov for details. You can order online through VitalChek for a $10 fee.

The City of Clarksville is the county seat of Johnson County and the location of the courthouse where all marriage licenses are issued and records are stored.

The Clarksville courthouse on Main Street has been the center of Johnson County records since 1833, and the clerk's office there handles all current license applications and records requests.

Historical Johnson County Marriage Records

Johnson County was established in 1833, and its marriage records span nearly two centuries. For records from the 1800s and early 1900s, the Arkansas State Archives and FamilySearch are the primary resources beyond the county clerk's files.

The Arkansas State Archives holds microfilm and original county records, including material from Johnson County. Staff can help researchers identify what is available and how to access it. Some records can be copied and sent by mail or email upon request.

The FamilySearch Johnson County page lists the digitized record collections for the county. Marriage indexes and images from earlier periods have been scanned and are free to view. This is a strong option for searching Johnson County records remotely without a trip to Clarksville or Little Rock.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas has contextual material on Johnson County that can help with genealogical research. For a statewide guide to Arkansas records, see the University of Arkansas Libraries genealogy guide. The Arkansas Genealogical Society can help locate records that have not been digitized.

Name Change After Marriage in Johnson County

A certified copy of your Johnson County marriage record is the document you need for every official name change. Start at the Social Security Administration. Take your certified record and current photo ID to the nearest SSA office. The name change in the federal system is free and is the required first step.

After the SSA updates your record, visit the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for an updated driver's license. Bring your updated Social Security card and certified marriage record. For a passport name change, submit your current passport, the certified record, and the appropriate State Department form. Processing times vary, so plan ahead if you need the passport quickly.

Banks, insurance carriers, and other institutions also typically require the certified marriage record for name changes. Order at least two certified copies when you first request them. More information on Arkansas state-level name change processes is available through the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Nearby Counties with Marriage Records

Johnson County is in western Arkansas and borders several other counties. If a marriage may have been recorded in a nearby county, check with the clerks listed below.

• Pope County - Russellville
• Franklin County - Ozark and Charleston
• Crawford County - Van Buren
• Logan County - Paris and Booneville
• Conway County - Morrilton
• Yell County - Danville and Dardanelle