Howard County Court Records
Howard County court records are filed and maintained at the Howard County Courthouse in Nashville, Arkansas. The Circuit Clerk handles all civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile case records. You can search many of these records online for free through the statewide Search ARCourts portal, or visit the clerk's office in person to get copies of court documents you need.
Howard County Court Records Overview
Howard County Circuit Clerk Office
The Circuit Clerk for Howard County is Angie Lewis, and her office is located at the Howard County Courthouse in Nashville. The Circuit Clerk serves as the official keeper of all court records for the county. That means every civil lawsuit, criminal case, domestic relations filing, probate matter, and juvenile case that goes through the circuit court is recorded and stored by this office. If you need a certified copy of any Howard County court record, this is where you go.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Standard copy fees apply. Uncertified copies run $0.25 to $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page copy charge. You can visit in person, send a written request by mail, or call to ask about a specific case. The Howard County Circuit Clerk page has current contact details and office information.
Howard County has a combined Sheriff-Tax Collector office as well, which is worth knowing if you need to look into property tax records or law enforcement related matters alongside court documents.
Note: The Howard County Circuit Clerk's office in Nashville handles all circuit court filings, and most requests can be fulfilled the same day you visit in person.
Search Howard County Records Online
The fastest way to check on a Howard County court case is through Search ARCourts, the official Arkansas judiciary case search tool. This free online portal replaced the older CourtConnect system and gives you access to circuit court case data across most Arkansas counties, including Howard. You can search by party name, business name, or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, the judge assigned, hearing dates, and the current status of the matter.
The Howard County CourtConnect page at Search ARCourts lets you pull up cases without any login or fee. The system covers circuit court records. Some older records from before January 1, 2009 may have redacted confidential information, and sealed or expunged files are not accessible through this tool. Juvenile cases are also restricted. For those records, you would need to contact the Circuit Clerk directly.
The screenshot below shows the Search ARCourts interface where you can begin a Howard County case search.
This is the same portal used by courts across all 75 Arkansas counties, so the interface will look familiar if you have searched other counties before.
Property and Land Records in Howard County
Beyond court case filings, Howard County also has property records that can be useful when researching a person, a business, or a piece of land. Real estate documents are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, who also serves as the county recorder for property instruments. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related documents are part of the official public record once filed.
For online property record searches, the ActDataScout platform provides access to Howard County data. The database includes ownership information, parcel details, and assessment records. This can be a good secondary source when you are researching someone involved in a court case and want to see their property holdings or lien history in the county.
The screenshot below shows the Howard County land records search interface through ActDataScout.
Property records in Howard County are separate from circuit court case records but are maintained in the same courthouse building.
Note: Real estate documents filed with the Howard County Circuit Clerk become public records and can be searched through the ActDataScout database or in person at the courthouse.
Types of Court Records in Howard County
The Howard County circuit court handles a wide range of case types. Civil matters include lawsuits between individuals or businesses where damages exceed $25,000. Criminal cases cover felony charges, which are the more serious offenses that go through circuit court rather than district court. Domestic relations cases include divorce filings, child custody disputes, child support orders, and adoption matters. Probate handles the administration of estates and wills.
Here is a summary of the main record categories maintained by the Howard County Circuit Clerk:
- Civil court filings and judgments
- Felony criminal case records
- Domestic relations and divorce records
- Probate and estate filings
- Juvenile court records (restricted access)
- Real property recordings and liens
District court records for Howard County cover misdemeanor cases, traffic matters, and small claims under $25,000. Check the Arkansas Circuit Courts page for current information on which courts serve Howard County and their jurisdictional limits.
How to Request Howard County Court Records
There are a few ways to get records from Howard County. The easiest is the free online search through Search ARCourts. That gives you case information right away with no cost. For actual document copies, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk.
In-person requests are the most straightforward. Go to the Howard County Courthouse in Nashville during office hours and ask the clerk for the documents you need. Bring as much case information as you have: the case number, the names of the parties, and the approximate filing date will all help staff find the record quickly. You pay per page for copies on the spot.
Mail requests also work. Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk's office with the case details, your contact information, and a check or money order for the expected copy fees. Allow several days for processing and return mail. For certified copies needed for legal or official purposes, specify that in your request so the clerk knows to apply the certification seal.
Electronic filing through the state's eFLEX system is mandatory for attorneys practicing in Arkansas circuit courts. Pro se litigants can also register and file electronically. This system streamlines the filing process and gives you a record of submission with timestamps.
Note: Arkansas FOIA rules at arkansasag.gov require most court records be made available within three working days of a written request.
Arkansas Judiciary and State Court Resources
Howard County courts are part of the broader Arkansas judiciary system. The Arkansas Judiciary website is the official source for court information statewide. It provides directories of all courts, downloadable court forms, rules, and self-help resources for people who do not have an attorney.
The screenshot below shows the Arkansas Judiciary website, which is the main hub for all state court information including resources that apply to Howard County cases.
From this portal you can find forms for common filings, read court rules, and access the opinions database for appellate decisions.
If you need legal help and cannot afford an attorney, two organizations serve Arkansas residents. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services can be reached at (501) 376-3423. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves the northern and eastern parts of the state and can be reached at (870) 972-9224. Both provide free or low-cost legal help to qualifying individuals.
Nearby Arkansas Counties
If you are researching cases that may span county lines, or if you need records from a neighboring area, here are the counties that border Howard County: