Arkansas Public Records
Accessing Arkansas Public Records Online
Public records in Arkansas are important resources for individuals, businesses, and legal professionals looking to gather information on various subjects, such as criminal histories, property ownership, court proceedings, and more. These records are made available to the public under Arkansas's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs the right to access certain types of records collected by the government. In this article, we will explore the different types of public records available from the various government agencies, as well as how to access Arkansas public records online for free.
Types of Arkansas Public Records
Public records are often classified into several categories, depending on the type of information they contain. These can be criminal civil, vital, business, property, and government, to name a few. Here are some of the most commonly sought-after public records categories and what types of records are publicly available:
1). Criminal Records: Criminal records provide detailed information about a person's convictions, and criminal history. These may include arrest reports, criminal charges, convictions, warrants, and incarcerations. These records are collected and managed by various law enforcement agencies, county courts, and correctional facilities.
2). Court Records: Civil and criminal court proceedings, convictions, outcomes and sentencings are all public domain. The various cases that are publicly available include civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and other legal cases filed within the state. These records may also include filings, judgments, orders, and court transcripts. They are typically maintained by the court in which the case was heard.
3). Vital Records: Vital records include documents such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. In Arkansas, these records are maintained by the Department of Health's Vital Records Office.
4). Property Records: Real estate and property records contain information on real estate ownership, property taxes, and land transactions. These records are usually maintained by county assessors and recorders. These records are often used in real estate transactions, tax assessments, and legal contracts.
5). Business Records: Business records include documents related to the formation, operation, and dissolution of businesses that are registered in Arkansas. These records, such as DBAs, articles of incorporation, annual reports, and business licenses, are typically maintained by the AR Secretary of State's office.
6). Inmate and Jail Records: The AR Department of Corrections maintains records of incarcerated inmates in the state's prison system. These records include information on conviction records, inmate sentences, parole status, and release dates.
7). Government Contracts and Meeting Minutes: Under the state's transparency laws, government contracts, meeting minutes, and other operational documents are made public. These records help ensure transparency in government operations and let people know more about the operations within the state and local governments.
How to Search Arkansas Public Records
Running an Arkansas public records search can be done through various methods, depending on the type of record being sought. Many records are available online through either state, local, or third party resources. The process of searching for records begins with identifying what type of record you would like to find, and the respective government agency that manages these records. The next step is to visit that state or local government website and search for the records of interest on their platform. For those AR public records that are difficult to find, you can try using a third party public records website. These resources allow users to search statewide with just a first and last name. While these resources are intended for reference only, it's a good starting point to find out what is available.
Online Search: Many public records are available through online databases maintained by state or county agencies. For example, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety offers online criminal background checks, while the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts provides an online court case information system.
Requesting in Person: For certain types of records, such as property or business records, you may need to visit a local government office, such as a county clerk or the Arkansas Secretary of State's office. Some vital records, like birth and death certificates, may also need to be requested in person or through mail via the Arkansas Department of Health.
Third-Party Services: Some third-party companies offer public record search services, which can make the process of gathering records from multiple sources easier. These services typically charge a fee for their convenience.
- Freedom of Information Requests: In some cases, individuals may need to file a FOIA request to access specific public records. This can be done by contacting the applicable government agency and submitting a formal request for the records you seek. The agency may charge a fee for the time and resources required to fulfill the request.
What Public Records Are Available in Arkansas?
There are a multitude of publicly available records in Arkansas including criminal records, civil records, court records, police records, vital records, property records, business records, driving records and vehicle records. These can all be resourced from the respective government agencies that collect and manage them.
