Arkansas Judgments & Liens Search — at a Glance
Search Arkansas court judgments, tax liens, mechanics liens, and UCC filings through official public record sources.
UCC-1 Filings
Secured-creditor filings on personal property — usually at Secretary of State.
Civil Judgments
Court judgments searchable through the state judiciary case index.
Real-Property Liens
Mechanic's, mortgage, and tax liens recorded at the county recorder.
State Tax Liens
Arkansas Department of Revenue liens for unpaid state tax.
Federal Judgments
U.S. District Court judgments via PACER (federal search).
How to Remove a Lien
Satisfaction of judgment, UCC-3 termination, and statutory expiration.
1Arkansas Judgments & Liens Guide
2Introduction: Understanding Judgments and Liens in Arkansas
Judgments and liens represent legal claims against property or individuals that can significantly impact financial standing, creditworthiness, and property ownership in Arkansas. A judgment is a court's formal decision in a lawsuit that typically orders one party to pay money to another, while a lien is a legal claim against property as security for a debt or obligation. Understanding how these instruments work in Arkansas is essential for creditors seeking payment, debtors protecting their assets, real estate professionals conducting title searches, and anyone involved in property transactions.
3Types of Judgments in Arkansas
Civil judgments in Arkansas result from lawsuits filed in circuit courts, which have general jurisdiction over cases exceeding $25,000, or district courts, which handle matters under that threshold. Once a plaintiff proves their case and the court enters judgment, that judgment becomes a matter of public record. Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-56-114, judgments rendered in Arkansas courts remain valid and enforceable for ten years from the date of entry. This represents a significant enforcement window during which creditors can pursue collection activities.
4Types of Liens in Arkansas
Arkansas mechanics lien law, codified in Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 18-44-101 through 18-44-115, provides contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers with security for payment when they improve real property. To perfect a mechanics lien in Arkansas, the claimant must file a verified lien statement with the circuit clerk and recorder in the county where the property is located within a specific timeframe. For general contractors, the deadline is 60 days after completing the work or last furnishing materials. Subcontractors and suppliers have 90 days from their last day of work or material delivery.
5How to Search for Judgments in Arkansas
The Arkansas Judiciary maintains CourtConnect, an online case management system accessible at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov. This free public service allows users to search for circuit and district court cases, including those resulting in judgments, across all Arkansas counties. Users can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date. While CourtConnect provides case information, docket entries, and judgment details, it may not include the most recent filings, as there can be a delay in updating records.
6Arkansas UCC Filings
Arkansas adopted the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 governing secured transactions in personal property. Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 4-9-501, the Arkansas Secretary of State serves as the central filing office for financing statements covering most types of collateral. This centralized system allows lenders to perfect security interests by filing UCC-1 financing statements that provide public notice of their claims to collateral.
7How Judgments Affect Credit and Real Estate in Arkansas
Judgments create significant consequences for debtors in Arkansas, affecting both creditworthiness and property ownership. Once a judgment creditor files the judgment with a county circuit clerk and recorder, it becomes a lien against all real property the debtor owns in that county under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-65-107. This lien attaches automatically without additional action by the creditor beyond recording the judgment.
8Collecting on a Judgment in Arkansas
Obtaining a judgment is only the first step in debt collection; Arkansas law provides several post-judgment remedies for creditors to collect what they're owed. These enforcement mechanisms are governed by Arkansas Code Annotated Title 16, Chapter 110, and Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.
9Removing or Satisfying Liens and Judgments in Arkansas
When judgments are paid or otherwise resolved, proper documentation must be filed to clear public records and release liens. Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-65-111 requires judgment creditors to file a satisfaction of judgment with the court and county recorder within 60 days of receiving full payment. The satisfaction must be acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer and filed in the same court where the judgment was entered and with the recorder in each county where the judgment was filed as a lien.
10Do-It-Yourself Resources for Arkansas
Arkansas provides several resources for individuals handling judgment and lien matters without attorneys. The Arkansas Judiciary offers self-help information through its website at https://www.arcourts.gov, including general guidance on court procedures and links to forms. While Arkansas doesn't maintain comprehensive self-help centers like some states, circuit court clerks can provide procedural information and forms, though they cannot give legal advice.
11Frequently Asked Questions
Judgments in Arkansas remain enforceable for ten years from the date of entry under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-56-114. Before this ten-year period expires, judgment creditors can file a motion to revive or renew the judgment for an additional ten years under § 16-56-116. This renewal process can continue indefinitely, provided the creditor takes action before each expiration. If a creditor fails to renew before the ten-year deadline, the judgment becomes unenforceable, though it remains on public records.
12Browse by State
13Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Arkansas's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Arkansas state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
Use PACER to find federal civil judgments and federal tax-lien enforcement actions. Federal liens and judgments never appear in state UCC or county recorder indexes.
https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ (pacer.uscourts.gov)
Federal tax liens are filed in the local county recorder office but originate from the IRS under 26 U.S.C. § 6323. The IRS publishes guidance on lookup, withdrawal, and release at irs.gov.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/understanding-a-federal-tax-lien (irs.gov)
The International Association of Commercial Administrators publishes the model UCC rules used by most Secretaries of State. Useful for understanding what a UCC-1 search actually covers.
https://www.iaca.org/ (iaca.org)
Judgments & Liens Search by State
Judgments & Liens Search is organized by state. Select another state to see its guide.
Arkansas Judgments & Liens Search — FAQ
How long does a judgment last in Arkansas?
Judgments in Arkansas remain enforceable for ten years from the date of entry under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-56-114. Before this ten-year period expires, judgment creditors can file a motion to revive or renew the judgment for an additional ten years under § 16-56-116. This renewal process can continue indefinitely, provided the creditor takes action before each expiration. If a creditor fails to renew before the ten-year deadline, the judgment becomes unenforceable, though it remains on public records.
How do I search for liens on property in Arkansas?
To search for liens on Arkansas property, start with the circuit clerk and recorder's office in the county where the property is located. Many counties offer online access to land records, including Pulaski, Benton, Washington, and Garland counties. You'll need the property owner's name or the property's legal description. Search for judgment liens, tax liens, mechanics liens, and mortgages. Additionally, check the Arkansas Secretary of State's UCC database for personal property liens. For comprehensive searches, title companies conduct professional title examinations that reveal all recorded encumbrances.
Can a judgment creditor take my home in Arkansas?
Arkansas provides one of the strongest homestead exemptions in the nation. Under the Arkansas Constitution Article 9, Section 3, and Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-66-210, your primary residence on up to one-quarter acre in a city or 160 acres of rural property (if married or head of household) is fully protected from judgment creditors, regardless of value. This exemption doesn't apply to mortgages you voluntarily granted, tax liens, or mechanics liens for improvements to the property itself. A judgment creditor cannot force sale of your homestead to satisfy ordinary debts, though the judgment lien will remain attached to the property and must be paid if you sell or refinance.
How do I file a mechanics lien in Arkansas?
To file a mechanics lien in Arkansas, you must prepare a verified lien statement containing the property owner's name, legal property description, amount claimed, description of work or materials provided, and dates of first and last work. General contractors must file within 60 days of completing work; subcontractors and suppliers have 90 days from their last day of work or delivery. File the lien statement with the circuit clerk and recorder in the county where the property is located. Within seven days of filing, send a copy to the property owner. You must file a lawsuit to enforce the lien within one year of filing, or the lien expires. Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 18-44-101 through 18-44-115 governs this process.
What income is exempt from garnishment in Arkansas?
Arkansas law exempts several income sources from garnishment under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-110-406, including Social Security benefits, SSI disability payments, veterans' benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation benefits, and certain pension and retirement benefits. For wages subject to garnishment, creditors can only take the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount by which weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage under § 16-110-403. Child support and tax debts follow different, more aggressive garnishment rules.
How do I get a judgment removed from my credit report in Arkansas?
As of 2017, the major credit bureaus generally no longer include civil judgment information in consumer credit reports due to a settlement agreement. However, judgments remain public records and appear in background checks and public records searches. To clear a judgment from public records, you must either pay it and ensure the creditor files a satisfaction of judgment under Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-65-111, or wait for it to expire after ten years without renewal. If you've paid a judgment but the creditor hasn't filed satisfaction, you can file proof of payment with the court and request an order directing the creditor to satisfy the judgment. You can also dispute inaccurate credit report information directly with credit bureaus using their online dispute processes.
Can I set aside a default judgment in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas law allows courts to set aside default judgments under limited circumstances. Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 55(c) permits setting aside entry of default for good cause shown. Rule 60(b) allows relief from final judgments for reasons including mistake, excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, fraud, or void judgments. You must act quickly—motions under Rule 60(b) for mistake or excusable neglect must be filed within one year of the judgment. To succeed, you typically must show: (1) good reason for your default, such as lack of proper service or excusable neglect; (2) you acted promptly upon learning of the judgment; and (3) you have a meritorious defense to the underlying claim. Courts balance your interest in defending the case against the creditor's interest in finality.
How do I domesticate an out-of-state judgment in Arkansas?
Arkansas has adopted the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act under Arkansas Code Annotated §§ 16-66-401 through 16-66-410. To domesticate a judgment from another state, file an authenticated copy of the judgment with the circuit clerk in any Arkansas county where the debtor has assets. Include an affidavit stating your name and address as creditor and the debtor's last known address. Pay the filing fee. The clerk treats the foreign judgment as an Arkansas judgment, making it enforceable through all Arkansas collection remedies. You must mail notice to the debtor at the address shown in your affidavit. The debtor has 30 days to seek to vacate or stay the judgment on limited grounds such as lack of jurisdiction in the original state or pending appeal. This process is significantly faster and cheaper than re-litigating the case in Arkansas courts.