About Drew County
Drew County is located in the southeastern region of Arkansas, covering approximately 836 square miles of fertile Delta and timberland terrain. The county seat is Monticello, a city of roughly 9,400 residents that serves as the commercial and governmental center for the county's total population of approximately 18,500 people. Drew County was established on November 26, 1846, from portions of Arkansas and Bradley counties, and was named after Thomas Stevenson Drew, who served as Arkansas's third governor.
The county is home to the University of Arkansas at Monticello, a significant educational and cultural institution that shapes the region's character. Major landmarks include Willow Beach on the Ouachita River, Lake Monticello, and extensive timberlands managed by major forestry companies. The Drew County Courthouse, located at 210 South Main Street in Monticello, houses essential county offices including the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and County Judge.
The Drew County Recorder's office maintains land records and property documents, while the County Assessor's office at 107 East Oakland Street handles property valuations and tax assessments. The county's economy has historically centered on timber production, agriculture (particularly cotton, soybeans, and rice), and more recently, manufacturing and education sectors. Drew County's proximity to major transportation corridors and its natural resources have made it an important regional center in the Arkansas Delta.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Drew County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office is tasked with patrolling these regions, ensuring public safety, and enforcing the law. The Sheriff's Office also manages the Drew County Detention Facility, where individuals arrested within the county are held. Additionally, the office processes arrests and maintains criminal records, which are essential for legal and administrative purposes.
Police Departments
Drew County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Drew County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Monticello Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within the city of Monticello, responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing laws within city limits. Other municipalities, such as Wilmar and Tillar, may have their own police departments or rely on the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Drew County Sheriff's Office, located at 400 East McCloy Street in Monticello, Arkansas 71655, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (870) 367-6211 and operates the Drew County Detention Center at the same location. Inmates currently housed at the Drew County jail can be searched through the detention facility's roster, which is typically available by contacting the jail directly during business hours.
- Arrest records and booking information can be requested in writing to the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office, and requesters should include the subject's full name and date of birth when available.
- Processing fees for copies of arrest records typically follow the standard Arkansas FOIA fee schedule, which allows agencies to charge actual costs for duplication.
The Sheriff's Office handles arrest records requests pursuant to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-19-101 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy public records. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Monticello Police Department, serving the county seat, and the Wilmar Police Department in the small community of Wilmar. Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Arkansas and may be obtained through formal FOIA requests to the Drew County Sheriff's Office, though some restrictions apply for juvenile arrestees and certain sensitive cases.
The detention center does not currently maintain a publicly accessible online inmate search portal, so inquiries must be made by phone or in person during regular business hours.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Drew County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Drew County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are essential for background checks and legal proceedings. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Arkansas State Police, which provides comprehensive reports for individuals within the state.
- These records are crucial for ensuring public safety and transparency within the community, allowing residents to stay informed about criminal activities in their area.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Drew County are maintained by the Drew County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records document the details of an individual's arrest, including the charges, date, and location of the arrest. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the relevant law enforcement agency, often requiring a formal request under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Arrest records typically include the individual's personal information, details of the alleged offense, and any court proceedings related to the arrest.
- The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act ensures transparency and public access to such records, allowing citizens to obtain information about arrests in their community.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Drew County Detention Facility is the primary jail facility in the county, where individuals arrested by local law enforcement are booked and held. The booking process involves recording personal information, taking fingerprints, and capturing mugshots. Inmate information can be accessed by the public through the Sheriff's Office, which may provide an online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules at the facility are specific, often requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process in Arkansas allows arrested individuals to be released from custody while awaiting trial, provided they meet the conditions set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Drew County are taken and retained by the Drew County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can often be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a formal request. While some third-party websites may also provide access to mugshots, the most reliable source is the official law enforcement agency. Arkansas does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted.
- The availability of mugshots is subject to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, which governs public access to such records.
Courts & Case Records
The Drew County Circuit Court, located at 210 South Main Street in Monticello, Arkansas 71655, serves as the court of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, major civil matters exceeding $25,000, domestic relations including divorce, juvenile cases, and probate matters. The Circuit Clerk's office can be reached at (870) 460-6260 and maintains all court records for circuit-level proceedings. Drew County also has a District Court that handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
- The Circuit Clerk's office provides case record searches for a fee, typically charging $6.00 per case file search plus copying costs at $0.25 per page for standard documents and $0.50 per page for certified copies.
The Monticello District Court is located at 725 North Main Street and can be contacted at (870) 367-4416. Arkansas Rule of Access to Court Records governs public access to judicial records in the state, establishing that most court records are presumptively open to the public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute. While Drew County does not currently offer a comprehensive online case lookup system, certain case information may be available through CourtConnect, Arkansas's statewide case management portal at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov, though coverage varies by court division.
Probate records, including wills, estate administrations, and guardianships, are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Probate Division. Researchers seeking court records should be prepared to provide case numbers, party names, and approximate filing dates to facilitate searches.
Property & Public Records
The Drew County Recorder's office, part of the Circuit Clerk's functions at 210 South Main Street in Monticello, Arkansas 71655, maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanics liens, tax liens, easements, rights of way, and subdivision plat maps. The office can be reached at (870) 460-6260 for information about recording fees and document retrieval. Drew County land records are indexed by grantor, grantee, and legal description, with some records dating back to the county's founding in 1846.
- The office charges recording fees based on Arkansas statute, typically $13.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page for most instruments.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost approximately $5.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page.
The Drew County Assessor's office, located at 107 East Oakland Street in Monticello, phone (870) 367-6226, maintains property tax records, assessment rolls, parcel maps, and ownership information for all real and personal property in the county. Property tax assessment records are public and can be searched at the Assessor's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Drew County Tax Collector handles collection of current and delinquent property taxes.
While Drew County does not currently offer a comprehensive online GIS mapping system or property database accessible to the public, property information can be obtained by visiting the Assessor's office in person or by calling with a parcel number or property address. Researchers conducting title searches or property due diligence should visit the Recorder's office to examine the complete chain of title, as some older documents may not be digitized.
Vital Records
Vital records for Drew County, Arkansas, are maintained at both the county and state levels. The Drew County Clerk's office at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, Arkansas 71655, phone (870) 460-6260, issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Drew County and maintains marriage records. The fee for a marriage license in Arkansas is $60.00 if neither party has completed a premarital counseling course, or $45.00 with proof of counseling completion. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification to obtain a marriage license.
- However, the Drew County Health Unit may provide information and application assistance for vital records requests.
- Birth certificates cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $10.00 per copy.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com for an additional convenience fee.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Drew County are officially maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, located at 4815 West Markham Street in Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Applicants must complete the appropriate application form, provide valid photo identification, demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record (as required by Arkansas Code Annotated § 20-18-305), and allow processing time of approximately 2-4 weeks for mail requests or potentially same-day service for in-person requests at the state office in Little Rock. Divorce decrees are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted, which would be the Drew County Circuit Clerk for divorces finalized in Drew County, with copies available for $6.00 for the first page and $0.50 per additional page plus certification fees.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Drew County, Arkansas, involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Drew County Clerk's office at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, phone (870) 460-6260, handles DBA (Doing Business As) filings and fictitious name registrations for businesses operating under assumed names in the county. The filing fee for registering a trade name or fictitious business name is typically $25.00.
- State-level business entity formation, annual reports, and registered agent information are all handled through the Secretary of State's office rather than at the county level.
For comprehensive business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and registered agents, researchers should consult the Arkansas Secretary of State Business and Commercial Services Division, which maintains a free online searchable database at www.sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php. Businesses selling tangible goods must obtain a sales tax permit from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, which can be applied for online at www.arkansas.gov/dfa. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and healthcare providers are issued by their respective Arkansas state licensing boards rather than county offices.
Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits for businesses within Monticello city limits are handled by the Monticello Building Inspector's office at City Hall, 725 North Main Street, phone (870) 367-4400. For unincorporated areas of Drew County, building permits and land use questions should be directed to the Drew County Judge's office at (870) 460-6260. The Monticello Regional Chamber of Commerce, located at 434 West Gaines Street and online at www.monticelloarkansas.com, provides resources for businesses including networking opportunities, economic development information, and community business directories.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Drew County, Arkansas, are administered by the Drew County Clerk, who serves as the county's election commissioner. The County Clerk's office is located at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, Arkansas 71655, and can be reached at (870) 460-6260 for voter registration and election information. Voter registration in Arkansas can be completed online through the Arkansas Secretary of State website at www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information, by mail using a voter registration application, or in person at the County Clerk's office.
- Arkansas law requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
- The 2024 general election saw turnout in Drew County consistent with typical rural Arkansas counties, approximately 58-62% of registered voters participating in the presidential election.
Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling place, and view sample ballots through the Arkansas Voter View system at www.voterview.ar-nova.org by entering their name and date of birth or their voter registration number. The County Clerk maintains public election records including voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted per Arkansas Code Annotated § 7-1-101), candidate filing documents, precinct-level election results, and campaign finance reports for county-level candidates. The next major election will be held on November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate midterm races along with Arkansas state constitutional offices including Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and state legislative seats. Arkansas voters may request absentee ballots if they will be unavoidably absent from their polling site on election day, are unable to attend due to illness or physical disability, or meet other statutory criteria under Arkansas Code Annotated § 7-5-402. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Drew County Clerk's office no later than seven days before the election, with earlier submission recommended.
Early voting is available at the County Clerk's office and designated early voting sites beginning 15 days before any election and continuing through the day before election day, Monday through Friday during regular business hours and the final Saturday before the election. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, election records including poll books, vote tallies, and most election administration documents are public records subject to inspection, though the Clerk's office may charge reasonable copying fees for extensive requests.
Economy & Demographics
Drew County's economy is anchored by several key sectors including timber and forestry products, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. The University of Arkansas at Monticello is one of the largest employers in the county, providing not only educational services but also significant economic impact through employment of faculty and staff, student spending, and research activities.
- Major manufacturing employers include International Paper Company's container plant and various wood products manufacturers that process the region's abundant timber resources.
- The median household income in Drew County is estimated at approximately $41,000, below both state and national averages, reflecting the rural character and economic challenges facing many Arkansas Delta counties.
The timber industry remains critically important to Drew County's economic base, with companies like Potlatch Deltic Corporation operating significant timberland holdings and wood products manufacturing facilities in the region. Agriculture continues as a traditional economic driver, with approximately 100,000 acres in cultivation producing soybeans, rice, corn, cotton, and wheat. The county unemployment rate has historically tracked slightly above state averages, ranging between 4.5% and 6.5% in recent years depending on seasonal factors.
Economic development efforts are coordinated through the Monticello Economic Development Commission and the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, focusing on attracting advanced manufacturing, distribution facilities taking advantage of the county's transportation access, and value-added agricultural processing. Healthcare services provided by Drew Memorial Health System also constitute a significant employment sector. Recent economic development initiatives have included industrial park expansions, workforce training partnerships with the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and infrastructure improvements to support business recruitment and retention.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online (CourtConnect partial) | Property: ⚠️ In-Person/Phone Required | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person Only | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Office | Business: ✅ State Online (Secretary of State) | Elections: ✅ State Voter View Online | Overall Score: 5/10 — Drew County provides standard access through in-person requests and phone inquiries, but lacks comprehensive online portals for most county-maintained records, requiring visitors to contact offices directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Drew County, Arkansas?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Drew County, Arkansas?
How do I get a criminal background check in Drew County, Arkansas?
How can I look up sex offenders in Drew County, Arkansas?
How do I register to vote in Drew County, Arkansas?
How do I look up property records in Drew County, Arkansas?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Drew County, Arkansas?
How do I find business license records in Drew County, Arkansas?
Cities & Towns in Drew County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Drew County, Arkansas.
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Drew County.