Craighead County Court Records
Craighead County court records are kept at two courthouse locations and cover civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases filed across both judicial districts. You can search these records online through the statewide portal or visit either office in person. This guide explains where records are held, how to request them, and what fees to expect when you need certified copies or file new documents.
Craighead County Court Records Overview
Craighead County Circuit Clerk Offices
Craighead County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two active courthouse locations. The main office sits at 511 South Main Street, Room 200, Jonesboro, AR 72401, phone (870) 933-4520. This eastern district office handles the bulk of case filings and is the primary point of contact for most residents. A second office operates in Lake City for the western district, serving that side of the county with the same scope of record types.
Both offices keep standard hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Circuit Clerk at each location maintains civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile case files. If you are not sure which office handled a specific case, the online search tool at Search ARCourts will show you which district and courthouse applies. That can save a trip to the wrong location.
The Craighead County Circuit Clerk website lists contact details, service hours, and guidance on requesting copies. Staff can tell you whether a record is available electronically or requires a paper pull from archive storage.
Note: Cases filed before January 1, 2009 may require in-person requests since the online database does not include all older records.
Search Craighead County Records Online
The fastest way to find Craighead County court records is through caseinfo.arcourts.gov, the state's official public case search tool. The system replaced the older CourtConnect portal and now provides a cleaner search experience. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Results include case type, filing date, judge assigned, case status, upcoming events, and in many cases links to documents.
Craighead County participates fully in the statewide system. Both the Jonesboro and Lake City district records are searchable. Search results for civil and criminal matters are generally available to the public, though some case types carry access restrictions. Juvenile records are not public. Sealed or expunged files will not appear in results. These restrictions follow Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19, which sets the rules for what court data can be shared publicly.
The screenshot below shows the Craighead County Circuit Clerk's website, which links to online services and office information. The Craighead County Circuit Clerk portal is a good starting point before you head to the statewide search.
The clerk's site covers both Jonesboro and Lake City districts and is updated when procedures or fees change.
The statewide Search ARCourts portal shown below lets you search Craighead County court records without visiting the courthouse.
Search results show case status, parties, hearing dates, and documents for most active Craighead County cases.
Craighead County Case Types and Fees
The Circuit Clerk in Craighead County handles several broad categories of court records. Civil cases cover disputes between parties where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors to felonies. Domestic relations records include divorce, custody, and support matters. Probate records deal with estates, wills, and guardianships. Juvenile records exist but are not open to the public except in limited circumstances.
Standard copy fees apply at both Craighead County courthouse locations. Regular copies cost $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Certified copies carry a base fee of $5.00 plus the per-page copying cost. New civil case filings require a $165.00 filing fee. If you need a document recorded, expect to pay $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. These fees are set by state law and apply countywide.
Note: Attorneys must use the state e-filing system for new filings; paper submissions are no longer accepted in circuit courts statewide.
Craighead County Land and Property Records
Property records in Craighead County include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments that affect real estate. The Circuit Clerk acts as the recorder of these documents. You can search Craighead County land records through ActDataScout, which provides ownership history, assessment data, and transfer records for both districts.
The ActDataScout database is a useful tool if you need to confirm current ownership, review a lien history, or check transfer dates before a real estate transaction. The data covers both the Jonesboro and Lake City portions of the county. For the most current information, especially on recently recorded documents, contact the Circuit Clerk directly or use the clerk's office search terminals during business hours.
ActDataScout covers both Craighead County districts and is updated regularly with new filings from the clerk's office.
Craighead County Government and Court Services
The Craighead County Government website provides links to all county offices including the Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff. Court services for the county operate under the authority of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also covers several neighboring northeast Arkansas counties. Judges rotate through divisions that handle civil, criminal, domestic, and probate dockets.
The county government site is the best place to find current contact details, office hours, and links to judicial services in both the Jonesboro and Lake City districts.
E-filing through eFLEX is mandatory for licensed attorneys in all Craighead County circuit courts. Pro se litigants can also register for e-filing. The system accepts electronic checks, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. New case filings include a $20 electronic filing fee in addition to standard statutory fees.
Requesting Records by Mail or In Person
If you cannot search online, you can request Craighead County court records by mail or in person. Written mail requests should be addressed to the Circuit Clerk at 511 South Main Street, Room 200, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Include the case number or party names, the specific documents you need, whether you need regular or certified copies, and a check or money order for the estimated cost. Turnaround time varies but is generally within three business days for standard requests.
Arkansas public records law under the Freedom of Information Act (Ark. Code Ann. ยง 25-19-101 et seq.) requires that public records be made available within three working days. Court records that are not sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted are generally available to any member of the public. You do not need to state a reason for requesting them.
If you need legal help understanding records or navigating a court proceeding, contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 or Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224. Both organizations serve low-income residents across the state.
Nearby Counties
Looking for court records in counties near Craighead? The following counties have their own circuit clerk offices and online search options.