Mississippi County Court Records
Mississippi County is unique in Arkansas because it has two separate county seats, each with its own Circuit Clerk office. Court records for the Northern District are kept in Blytheville, and Southern District records are in Osceola. Both offices handle civil, criminal, and domestic relations case filings. You can search case information online through the statewide portal, visit either courthouse in person, or request records by mail. This guide explains how to find and get Mississippi County court records from both locations.
Mississippi County Court Records Overview
Two Circuit Clerk Offices Serve Mississippi County
Mississippi County has two courthouse locations, which makes it different from most Arkansas counties. The Circuit Clerk is Leslie Mason, who oversees both offices. The Blytheville office serves the Northern District and is located at 200 W. Walnut St., Blytheville, AR 72315 (P.O. Box 1498). You can reach the Blytheville office at (870) 762-2332. The Osceola office serves the Southern District and is located at 200 W. Hale Ave., Osceola, AR 72370 (P.O. Box 466). The Osceola phone number is (870) 563-6471. The fax for both offices is (870) 762-8148.
When you need Mississippi County court records, it helps to know which district handled your case. Cases filed in the northern part of the county go to Blytheville. Cases from the southern part go to Osceola. If you are not sure which office has the records you need, call either location and staff can direct you. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, divorce, child custody, child support, eviction matters, and contract disputes over $25,000. Records from both districts are available through the statewide online portal, so you can search either one without knowing the specific courthouse in advance.
Note: Mississippi County is one of only a few Arkansas counties with two active courthouse locations, so always confirm which district handles your specific case.
Find Mississippi County Court Records Online
The Search ARCourts portal is the main online tool for finding Mississippi County court records. This free system is run by the Arkansas Judiciary and replaced the older CourtConnect system. You can search by party name, business name, case number, or case type. Results include the case ID, filing date, judge, case status, future events, and dispositions. Some records link directly to filed documents.
Both the Blytheville and Osceola districts are searchable through a single query on the portal. You don't need to pick a specific location before searching. The system covers circuit court cases from most Arkansas counties. Cases filed before 2009, sealed records, and juvenile cases may not appear online. If a case is missing from the online system, contact the appropriate Circuit Clerk office directly.
The Mississippi County Circuit Clerk page provides official contact information for both courthouse locations.
The circuit clerk page lists addresses, phone numbers, and services for both the Blytheville and Osceola offices.
Note: Search ARCourts covers circuit courts statewide, so you can look up Mississippi County cases from both districts in one search without choosing a location first.
Court Record History in Mississippi County
Mississippi County has a notable gap in historical records. A courthouse fire in 1865 destroyed many early county records. If you are looking for records from before the Civil War period, those documents may not exist in county files. For historical research, the Arkansas State Archives may have surviving documents, including pre-1917 marriage records and genealogical materials.
The Blytheville courthouse features marble with mahogany woodwork, while the Osceola courthouse features baked stone tile, marble, and wrought iron. Both buildings house active court operations today. The county itself was established in 1833, with Osceola as the original county seat. Blytheville became the northern seat in 1870 when population growth in the northern district made a second courthouse necessary.
For records that do exist, the Circuit Clerk offices have maintained consistent files since the late 1800s. Records created after the 1865 fire are generally intact and available through the normal request process.
Mississippi County Court Access and Resources
Mississippi County provides a dedicated court kiosk at the courthouse. You can find kiosk information through the Mississippi County Circuit Court kiosk page. These kiosks are part of a statewide program with 112 units installed across Arkansas. They let you access court records, print documents, find forms, and apply for legal aid without needing a computer at home.
The Arkansas Judiciary website has court forms, rules, and a directory of all circuit courts in the state. If you are representing yourself in a Mississippi County court case, the self-help section at arcourts.gov has guides and downloadable forms that can help you file correctly. Using the right form matters. An incorrect filing may delay your case or result in dismissal.
The statewide CourtConnect portal at Search ARCourts lets you look up Mississippi County cases from both court districts.
The online portal provides free case status, party information, and court event data for Mississippi County circuit court filings.
Copy Fees and How to Request Records
Standard copy fees in Mississippi County follow Arkansas state guidelines. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus per-page copying costs. If you need a certified copy, the Circuit Clerk's office will prepare the document and add the official court seal. Processing may take a few days depending on how busy the office is.
To request records by mail, send a written request to the appropriate Circuit Clerk office. Include the case name, case number if known, approximate filing date, and your contact information. Attach a check or money order payable to the Circuit Clerk. If you are unsure of the total cost, call the office first. Requests without proper payment may be returned.
Public records in Arkansas are governed by Arkansas Code Annotated ยง 25-19-101 et seq. Any Arkansas citizen has the right to request public court records. Agencies must respond within three working days. The first hour of staff time spent searching is free; additional time may be billed at the employee's salary rate.
Note: If you are unsure whether records belong to the Blytheville or Osceola district, calling either office will help you identify the correct location before mailing a request.
Federal Court Records for Mississippi County
Federal cases involving Mississippi County residents are handled by the Eastern District of Arkansas. The Eastern District has a location in Jonesboro, which is the closest federal court to Mississippi County. Records from federal civil and criminal cases are accessed through PACER, the federal courts' online access system. PACER charges $0.10 per page for documents accessed online. The Eastern District Clerk's Office is at 500 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 604-5351.
Federal cases are entirely separate from state circuit court cases. If you are looking for a federal matter such as a bankruptcy proceeding or federal criminal case, you will not find it through Search ARCourts. Use PACER for any federal case records.
Legal Aid Resources in Mississippi County
If you need legal help in Mississippi County and cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid of Arkansas serves this region. You can reach them at (870) 972-9224. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services covers other parts of the state at (501) 376-3423. Both organizations provide free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying individuals in matters such as family law, housing, and consumer issues.
The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation at arkansasjustice.org also offers self-help tools and connects residents to local legal resources. Court kiosks in both Mississippi County courthouses link to these services directly.
Nearby Counties
Mississippi County is in the northeast corner of Arkansas. If you need records from a neighboring county, the links below will take you to the right page.