Union County Marriage Records

Union County marriage records are held by the County Clerk in El Dorado, Arkansas, and include every marriage license issued and filed in this south Arkansas county since 1829. The records cover nearly two centuries of family history in one of Arkansas's oldest counties, and the clerk's office provides certified copies for legal use, processes new license applications, and responds to research requests from genealogists and individuals who need documentation for insurance, estate, or other matters.

Union County Clerk Office for Marriage Records

The Union County Clerk is at 101 N. Washington Street in El Dorado, AR 71730. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is the office you contact for all marriage record requests, whether you are applying for a new license, requesting a certified copy of a past license, or searching the records for genealogical purposes. Call (870) 864-1910 before you visit to confirm current fees and what identification is required. The clerk can also let you know if the specific record you need is already in their system.

When applying for a marriage license in Union County, both parties must appear at the clerk's office in person with valid photo identification. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without additional approval. A 17-year-old may marry with parental or guardian consent. Anyone under 17 requires a court order in addition to parental consent. Arkansas has no blood test requirement. Once the license is issued, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place, and the license remains valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Union County is one of Arkansas's older counties, formed in 1829. Its seat, El Dorado, grew into a significant city after oil was discovered nearby in 1921, bringing workers and families to the region rapidly. That growth means the county's marriage records include a dense period of filings in the 1920s and 1930s that can be particularly useful for genealogists tracing families who came to south Arkansas during the oil boom era. The Union County government website has current office contact information.

Getting Certified Copies in Union County

Certified copies of Union County marriage records carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts, banks, the Social Security Administration, insurance companies, and most government agencies. To request a certified copy, contact the clerk in person, by mail, or by phone. You will need the full legal names of both parties and the approximate year the marriage occurred. A fee is charged per copy; call ahead to confirm the current amount before mailing a request with payment.

Records from before 1917 exist only in the clerk's office ledger books or original paper files. Not all older records have been digitized, which means some early Union County requests take longer to process. If a record cannot be found through the clerk, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock is the next logical step. The archives hold records transferred from counties over the years, along with microfilm copies of many original county registers.

The Union County official website provides current contact details and department information for the County Clerk and other county offices.

Union County government offices, including the County Clerk that maintains marriage records, are located in El Dorado.

State-Level Marriage Records Through ADH

The Arkansas Department of Health holds a statewide marriage index covering records from 1917 to the present. The Vital Records office is at 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205, and the phone number is (501) 661-2336. The standard fee is $10. ADH provides summary records, often called "coupons," which list the parties' names and the date but are not certified copies of the original license. For most legal and financial purposes, you will still need the certified copy from the Union County Clerk.

The ADH index is helpful when you know a marriage took place in Arkansas but are unsure of the county. Use the ADH search to identify the county, then request the full certified copy from that county clerk. VitalChek processes online orders for ADH records if you prefer to start the request remotely. The CDC's Arkansas vital records page explains the structure of the state system and can help you decide which office to contact first.

South Arkansas College in El Dorado is a community resource that also maintains historical connections to the region and may have materials useful for local research.

South Arkansas College is one of the key institutions in El Dorado and Union County, and its library resources can supplement official record searches.

Genealogy and Historical Research in Union County

Union County has a long history that spans from its founding in 1829 through early settlement, the Civil War era, and the oil boom of the early 20th century. Each of those periods brought distinct waves of migration and family formation that are documented in the county's marriage records. The county was named for the concept of union, reflecting the national sentiment of the era when it was formed.

FamilySearch's Union County page outlines what records have been digitized and where they are held. FamilySearch is the first free resource to check for any Union County genealogy project. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas provides detailed historical context about the county. For deeper research, the University of Arkansas Special Collections genealogy guide can direct you to original materials held at that library. The Arkansas Genealogical Society has member databases and can connect you with people who know Union County records well.

The oil boom period after 1921 is particularly well-documented in county records because the population growth was rapid and the legal system kept pace with it. Researchers who are tracing families from that era may find more complete records for Union County than for some less-populated Arkansas counties.

El Dorado City Resources and Marriage Records

El Dorado is the largest city in Union County and the county seat. It has its own local government and city services, but marriage records for any ceremony that took place anywhere in Union County are held by the County Clerk, not the city. The City of El Dorado website provides contact information for city departments and may list community services that are useful if you are new to the area and need to navigate local government. City offices can sometimes help you find the right county department if you are unsure where to start.

For residents who need a marriage license or a certified copy, the County Clerk at 101 N. Washington Street is the only office that can help. City hall does not handle marriage records. If you are getting married in El Dorado, you still get your license from the county clerk, not from any city department.

Anyone moving to El Dorado from out of state and needing to update records should note that the County Clerk can provide certified copies quickly in person. Mail requests typically take longer, especially for older records that may need to be pulled from physical storage. Plan ahead if you have a deadline from an insurance company or a court.

Nearby cities with pages on this site include El Dorado, where city-specific resources and legal aid information are listed.

Nearby Counties for Union County Searches

Union County borders Ouachita County to the north, Columbia County to the west, Calhoun County to the northwest, Bradley County to the northeast, and Ashley County to the east. If a marriage took place near a county line or if you are unsure which county issued a license, checking adjacent counties is worth the effort. All Arkansas counties maintain their own marriage records through their respective county clerks. The Arkansas county directory links to all county pages.