Find Court Records in St. Francis County
St. Francis County court records are kept by Circuit Clerk Alan T. Smith at the courthouse in Forrest City, Arkansas. The office maintains all civil, criminal, domestic, probate, and juvenile filings for the county. Records date back to 1827 for court matters and 1865 for marriage records. You can search recent cases for free through the state's online portal, or contact the clerk directly for copies, certified documents, and older records not yet digitized.
St. Francis County Court Records Overview
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Alan T. Smith runs the records office for the St. Francis County circuit court. The main office is at 313 S. Izard Street, Suite 8, Forrest City, AR 72335. You can reach the office at (870) 261-1715 or by fax at (870) 261-1723. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1775, Forrest City, AR 72336. Email inquiries go to alan.smith@sfcircuit.com. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The clerk's office is where you file new cases, submit motions, and pick up documents in person. Staff can search by case number or party name. The office handles records for circuit court divisions covering civil, criminal, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. Court records for St. Francis County date back to 1827. Marriage records begin in 1865 and probate records from 1866. For anything that old, you'll need to request a physical search since most older records aren't in the digital system.
Filing a new case in St. Francis County costs $165.00. Reopening a closed case runs $50.00. Summons and subpoenas are $2.50 each. Standard copies are $0.25 per page.
Note: The Circuit Clerk and County Clerk are separate offices in St. Francis County; contact each office independently for the specific records you need.
Online Case Search for St. Francis County
The state offers free online access to St. Francis County court records through Search ARCourts. This portal replaced the older CourtConnect system and lets you look up cases by party name, business name, case number, or case type. You'll find filing dates, court locations, presiding judges, attorneys of record, scheduled hearings, and docket entries for cases in the system.
The screenshot below shows the St. Francis County CourtConnect portal, which gives public access to case information for the circuit court.
The online case search is free to use and requires no account or registration. Keep in mind that cases filed before January 1, 2009, sealed files, juvenile records, and expunged cases are not available through this tool.
District Courts in St. Francis County
St. Francis County has two district courts that handle misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, small claims, and preliminary felony hearings. The Forrest City District Court is located at 615 East Cross Street, Forrest City, AR 72332, and can be reached at (870) 261-1410. The second court is Madison District Court at 302 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, P.O. Box 109, Madison, AR 72359, phone (870) 633-2172.
District court records are separate from circuit court records. If you're looking for traffic tickets, small claims judgments, or misdemeanor convictions, you'll need to contact the appropriate district court directly. Some district court records also appear in the state's online search system, but coverage varies.
The screenshot below shows the St. Francis County website with links to both courts and other county departments.
Both district courts in St. Francis County maintain their own filing systems, so contact them directly if the circuit clerk does not have what you need.
Note: District courts in Arkansas handle civil matters under $25,000, so small claims and landlord-tenant disputes typically appear in district court files rather than circuit court records.
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk Website
The St. Francis County Circuit Clerk page on the county website gives you direct access to office contact details, links to court portals, and general information about filing procedures. It's a good starting point before calling or visiting. The site also links to the state e-filing system used by attorneys in the county.
The screenshot below shows the circuit clerk's department page on the county website.
Checking the county website first can save you time. Many common questions about hours, fees, and available services are answered there without needing to call.
Requesting Records by Mail or In Person
To get copies by mail, write to the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk at P.O. Box 1775, Forrest City, AR 72336. Include the case number or the names of all parties, the type of records you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Standard copies are $0.25 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Allow several business days for mail requests, especially for older files.
In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring any case numbers or names you have. Staff can pull files quickly and help you figure out where else to look if the record you need isn't in circuit court. The office is at Suite 8, 313 S. Izard Street in Forrest City.
Under Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act, public records must be made available within three working days. Most records are available immediately. If a request is denied, you have the right to appeal and can contact the Attorney General's office for guidance.
Legal Help and Self-Help Tools
If you need legal help in St. Francis County, two organizations offer free civil legal services to qualifying residents. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services can be reached at (501) 376-3423. Legal Aid of Arkansas serves this part of the state and can be contacted at (870) 972-9224. Both handle family law, housing, and other civil matters that go through the circuit court.
The Arkansas Judiciary website also has self-help resources, downloadable court forms, and instructions for people who represent themselves. Courthouse kiosks located in every circuit court give walk-in access to forms, records, and legal aid applications at no cost.
Note: Court kiosks in the St. Francis County Courthouse let self-represented parties access forms and legal aid resources without needing to schedule an appointment or pay for assistance.
Nearby Counties
Looking for records in counties near St. Francis? These pages may be helpful: