Dallas County Court Records
Dallas County court records are held at the Fordyce courthouse and are open to the public through the statewide search portal and in-person requests to the Circuit Clerk. Cases handled here include civil disputes, criminal matters, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile proceedings. This page explains how to find Dallas County court records online, what fees you will pay for copies, and how to contact the clerk's office when you need specific documents or certified records.
Dallas County Court Records Overview
Dallas County Circuit Clerk
The Dallas County Circuit Clerk is Dori Keeton. The office is at the Dallas County Courthouse in Fordyce, Arkansas. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk handles civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile cases filed in Dallas County. The office also records real property instruments and serves as the county's official recorder for deeds, mortgages, and liens.
When you need a copy of a Dallas County court record, your first step is to contact the clerk's office to confirm the file exists and is available. For cases from 2009 forward, the online portal can confirm this quickly. Older records may require an in-person or mail request. The clerk can tell you the exact cost before you submit payment, so there are no surprises.
For general Dallas County government information and office listings, the Dallas County Government website covers all county departments and services. The circuit clerk section there links to current procedures and contact information. The county website is also the right place to find the county judge's office, the assessor, and other elected officials.
Note: Dallas County circuit court records are part of a judicial circuit that covers several south-central Arkansas counties, so some administrative functions are shared.
Find Dallas County Cases Online
The free statewide portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the main online tool for searching Dallas County court records. You can search by party name, case number, or date of filing. Results include case type, current status, presiding judge, attorney names, and scheduled hearings. For many cases, documents are available to view online. This system, called Search ARCourts, replaced the older CourtConnect system and is faster and easier to navigate.
Dallas County court records available through this portal include civil cases, criminal cases from misdemeanor to felony level, domestic relations filings like divorce and custody, and probate matters. Juvenile records are not publicly accessible through any online tool. Sealed and expunged records are also hidden from search results. These restrictions are set by Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19, which governs what data can be released to the public through electronic systems.
The Search ARCourts portal provides free access to Dallas County case filings and lets you search by name, case number, or date range without creating an account.
Dallas County Land Records
Property documents in Dallas County are recorded through the Circuit Clerk's office. Deeds, mortgages, releases, and judgment liens all go through that office for recording. Dallas County participates in the ARCountyRecords.com system for online land records. The system covers records from 1997 to present with real-time updates. You can search by party name, legal description, or instrument type. Frequent users can subscribe for unlimited access, which is useful for title companies and real estate attorneys.
The ARCountyRecords system gives online access to Dallas County property records from 1997 to present, including deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments from the Circuit Clerk's office.
For records older than 1997 or for certified copies of recorded documents, contact the Dallas County Circuit Clerk directly. The clerk can pull physical files and provide certified copies for a standard fee. If you are doing a title search or confirming a chain of title, the clerk's office is the authoritative source for anything not covered by the online database.
Fees and How to Request Records
Dallas County court records fees follow state guidelines. Regular copies cost $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the certification plus copying costs. New civil case filings require a $165.00 filing fee. Recording a new instrument costs $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page.
To request records by mail, address your request to the Dallas County Circuit Clerk in Fordyce. Include the case number or full names of the parties, the documents you need, whether you want standard or certified copies, and a check or money order for the estimated cost. The state's Freedom of Information Act at arkansasag.gov requires that public records be provided within three working days. Most standard court record requests at Dallas County are filled within one to two business days.
Self-represented parties can find Arkansas court forms at courts.arkansas.gov/directories/resources. Forms are available for a wide range of case types including domestic relations, small claims, and probate. The courthouse kiosk at the Dallas County courthouse also lets you access forms, search records, and find legal aid referrals.
Arkansas Judiciary and Court System
Dallas County is part of the broader Arkansas circuit court system administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts in Little Rock. The Arkansas Judiciary website at arcourts.gov provides rules, forms, court directories, and self-help resources for all 75 counties. If you have a question about court procedures, filing deadlines, or case types that go beyond what the local clerk's office can answer, the statewide judiciary site is a helpful resource.
The official Arkansas Judiciary site covers all state courts and is the authoritative source for rules, forms, and administrative orders that apply to Dallas County courts.
The Center for Arkansas Legal Services at (501) 376-3423 and Legal Aid of Arkansas at (870) 972-9224 offer free or reduced-fee legal help for qualifying residents. If you are facing a court proceeding in Dallas County and need help understanding the process, these organizations can provide guidance.
Nearby Counties
Dallas County is in south-central Arkansas. These neighboring counties also maintain public court records accessible online.