Clay County Court Records

Clay County court records are available through two courthouse locations because the county operates under a dual-seat system. Corning serves as the seat for the Western District, and Piggott serves the Eastern District. The Circuit Clerk keeps records at both sites covering civil cases, felony criminal proceedings, domestic relations matters, probate filings, and juvenile cases. You can search Clay County court records online for free, visit the appropriate courthouse in person, or send a written mail request. This page explains where to go and what to expect at each step.

Clay County Circuit Clerk - Two Courthouse Locations

The Clay County Circuit Clerk maintains records at the Western District courthouse in Corning and the Eastern District courthouse in Piggott. Cases are filed at the courthouse for the district where the event occurred or where the parties reside. Before you request records, confirm which district handled the case so you go to the right location.

Both offices keep standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For in-person requests, bring the case number or party names. Plain copies run $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Mail requests are accepted at either courthouse. Send a written request with case details, your return address, and a check or money order payable to the Clay County Circuit Clerk.

Clay County was established in 1873. A courthouse fire in Piggott in 1893 destroyed some early records in the Eastern District, so certain historical documents may be incomplete or unavailable. Current records from the late 1890s forward are maintained at both locations. The Circuit Clerk also records real estate instruments for the county, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.

Search Clay County Court Records Online

The statewide Search ARCourts system at caseinfo.arcourts.gov includes Clay County circuit court cases from both districts. You can search by party name, business name, case number, or citation. Results show case type, filing date, assigned judge, case status, parties, and hearing schedules. Some records also include links to publicly available case documents.

The portal runs 24 hours a day at no charge. Records before January 1, 2009 may have limited online availability and may require a direct clerk request. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile cases are not accessible through the public portal under Administrative Order 19. For portal technical issues, call (501) 410-1900 or toll-free (866) 823-5778.

The screenshot below shows the Search ARCourts portal used for Clay County case searches from both districts.

Through Search ARCourts, you can find Clay County civil, criminal, domestic, and probate cases from both the Corning and Piggott courthouse locations.

This free tool is available any time and covers both Clay County districts in a single search interface.

What Cases the Circuit Court Handles

The Clay County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the full range of serious legal matters in the county. Felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, domestic relations cases including divorce and child custody, probate and estate administration, and juvenile cases all go through circuit court. The circuit court also hears appeals from the Clay County District Court.

District courts handle the lower-level matters: misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, preliminary felony hearings, civil claims under $25,000, and small claims. District court records are part of the statewide Search ARCourts database for participating courts. The Arkansas circuit court directory lists all 28 judicial circuits and the counties they serve, including Clay County's circuit in the northeast.

Clay County Land and Property Records

The Circuit Clerk in Clay County records real estate instruments including deeds, mortgages, releases, and liens at both courthouse locations. For the Eastern District, records go to the Piggott courthouse; for the Western District, they go to Corning. Online property research is available through ActDataScout's Clay County land records, which provides current ownership data, tax assessment information, and property transfer history.

Keep in mind that the 1893 courthouse fire in Piggott may mean some early Eastern District land records are missing or incomplete. For any historical title work in that area, a thorough search may require checking multiple sources including the Arkansas State Archives, which maintains historical county records and may have some reconstructed documents.

Recording fees are $15 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. Standard copy fees apply for copies of already-recorded instruments.

The ActDataScout land records portal below shows property data for Clay County.

The ActDataScout Clay County property records database lets you search ownership history, tax assessments, and real estate transfers covering both the Corning and Piggott districts.

Use this for initial research and then contact the clerk at the appropriate courthouse for certified copies.

Search ARCourts and Online Access

The statewide case search tool provides a single access point for records from both Clay County courthouse locations. This is the most efficient way to do an initial search without knowing which district handled a specific case. The Search ARCourts system was developed and is maintained by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts.

For cases or documents not found through the online portal, the Arkansas State Archives at archives.arkansas.gov may have historical court records and other county documents. The archives maintain records going back to 1837 and can be a valuable resource for older Clay County matters.

The image below shows the statewide Search ARCourts interface available for Clay County case searches.

The Search ARCourts portal covers Clay County cases from both districts and allows you to search without knowing which courthouse handled the case.

From this single interface, you can check both Clay County courthouse records simultaneously using a party name or case number.

Public Access Rights and Legal Help

Clay County court records are public under Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq. Any Arkansas citizen can request inspection or copies of public records. The clerk must respond within three working days. Fees can only cover actual reproduction costs. Under Administrative Order 19, social security numbers, financial account numbers, minor children's names, and certain medical data must be redacted before release.

For legal help in Clay County, contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423, Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224, or the State Bar referral line at (501) 375-4606. Courthouse kiosks at both Clay County courthouse locations allow self-service access to records, forms, and legal aid connections through the AOC program.

Nearby Counties

Clay County sits in the far northeast corner of Arkansas along the Missouri border. Cases or property records may involve adjacent counties in the region.

Neighboring counties include Greene County, Randolph County, Craighead County, and Lawrence County. All participate in the statewide Search ARCourts system.