Little Rock, Arkansas Public Records

The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Pulaski County, housed in the Pulaski County Courthouse at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8500, handles serious criminal matters including felonies, as well as civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations (divorce, custody, adoption), probate, guardianship, and juvenile matters. The Circuit Court is divided into several divisions including criminal, civil, probate, and domestic relations. For smaller civil disputes, the Pulaski County Small Claims Court, part of the District Court system, handles claims up to $5,000. Cases are heard at various district court locations throughout the county. Arkansas offers online access to court records through CourtConnect, the statewide case management system, at courtconnect.arkansas.gov. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to view case information, docket entries, and in many instances view filed documents. Access to certain records, particularly in juvenile and sealed cases, is restricted. Filing fees vary by case type. As of 2024, certified copies of court documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Civil filing fees range from approximately $165 for small claims to over $200 for standard civil cases. Criminal case records may be obtained through the Circuit Clerk's office, though fees and procedures vary depending on the record type and whether the case is sealed or expunged.

The Arkansas Crime Information Center also offers resources for accessing criminal records, ensuring that Pulaski County residents have the necessary information for personal and professional purposes.

The database is updated regularly and provides free access to assessment information for all properties in Pulaski County including Little Rock. The Pulaski County Recorder of Deeds, located in the Pulaski County Courthouse at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8335, is responsible for recording and maintaining permanent records of real property documents. Recorded documents include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens (including tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens), easements, releases, assignments, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Recorder's office provides online access to recorded documents through the Pulaski County Land Records system at publicrecordsarkansas.org. Users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, book and page, or date range. Most documents from recent decades are available as downloadable images at no charge for viewing, though fees apply for certified copies. To conduct a property search, residents can use the Assessor's parcel search for current ownership and tax assessment data, then cross-reference with the Recorder's database to view the chain of title and recorded documents. Pulaski County also offers a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, providing interactive parcel maps with property boundaries, ownership information, and links to assessment data. In-person research is available at both offices during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Baptist Health Medical Center is another major healthcare employer with multiple facilities throughout the metro area. Retail giant Dillard's maintains its corporate headquarters in Little Rock, employing hundreds in executive and support functions. Windstream Communications, a telecommunications company, has substantial operations in the city. The financial sector is well-represented with Bank of America, Simmons Bank, and Metropolitan National Bank maintaining significant presence. Technology and information services have grown with companies like Acxiom (now part of IPG) contributing to diversification efforts. Little Rock Air Force Base, located adjacent to the city limits, provides both military jobs and civilian employment while contributing significantly to the regional economy. The Clinton Presidential Center has boosted tourism and development along the Arkansas River Trail and River Market District. The median household income in Little Rock is approximately $51,000, slightly below the national average but reflecting the city's role as a regional center serving a largely rural state. Recent economic development has focused on downtown revitalization, with new apartment buildings, restaurants, and retail establishments transforming formerly underutilized areas. The technology and creative sectors have seen growth, particularly in the East Village and South Main Street districts. As the county seat and dominant municipality in Pulaski County, Little Rock drives most of the county's economic activity, though suburban cities like North Little Rock, Maumelle, and Jacksonville contribute manufacturing, logistics, and retail employment. The broader Central Arkansas region benefits from Little Rock's role as a distribution and logistics hub due to its central location and transportation infrastructure.

The Little Rock Police Department serves the city's residents from its headquarters at 700 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 371-4829. The department's website at littlerock.gov/police provides information on services, crime prevention, and records requests. To obtain police reports or incident records, requesters can visit the Records Division in person at the main station, submit written requests by mail, or call the Records Division. Arkansas law requires requesters to provide specific case numbers or incident details, and fees apply for copies (typically $0.25 per page for standard copies). Reports involving ongoing investigations or containing protected information may be withheld or redacted under FOIA exemptions.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, located at 2900 South Woodrow Street, Little Rock, AR 72204, phone (501) 340-6600, website pulaskisheriff.org, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Pulaski County and operates the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. The Sheriff's Office has concurrent jurisdiction with LRPD in some areas and handles civil process, warrants, and court security throughout the county.

Arrest records and jail bookings for Pulaski County can be searched through the Pulaski County Sheriff's online inmate roster at pulaskisheriff.org/inmates. The searchable database shows current inmates' names, booking photos (mugshots), booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates. The detention facility provides 24-hour booking information at (501) 340-7001.

All public records requests in Little Rock and Pulaski County are governed by the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-19-101 through § 25-19-107. Under Arkansas FOIA, citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. Agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable time and may charge actual costs for copies. Certain records are exempt, including active criminal investigation files, personnel records, and records protected by attorney-client privilege.

Arkansas offers online ordering through VitalChek at vitalchek.com with expedited processing available for an additional fee, though service fees apply. Birth records are available from February 1914 forward, and death records from February 1914 forward. Only eligible parties may request vital records: the registrant (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a court order. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. Marriage licenses in Pulaski County are issued by the Pulaski County Clerk's office at 401 West Markham Street, Room 100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8500. The marriage license fee is $60.00, reduced to $45.00 for couples who complete a premarital counseling course. Arkansas has no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10.00 each and can be obtained from the County Clerk's office. Marriage records are public and searchable. Divorce records are maintained through the Circuit Court where the divorce was granted. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8500, for $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The Arkansas Vital Records office also maintains a divorce index and can provide verification of divorce for $10.00, though the actual decree must be obtained from the court.

Home-based businesses, contractors, and retail establishments all require appropriate city licensing. Pulaski County requires fictitious business name (DBA - "doing business as") registrations to be filed with the Pulaski County Clerk's office at 401 West Markham Street, Room 100, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8500. The filing fee is $25.00 for the initial registration. Arkansas law also requires DBAs to be published in a newspaper of general circulation. The County Clerk maintains records of filed DBAs, which can be searched by contacting the office. Arkansas Secretary of State maintains the statewide database for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities. The Arkansas Business Entity Search is available free online at sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs. Users can search by business name, filing number, or registered agent to view entity status (active, dissolved, revoked), formation date, registered agent name and address, principal office address, and officers or managers. Annual reports and documents of dissolution are also accessible through this portal. Business entity filings are handled through the Secretary of State's Business & Commercial Services division at 1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (888) 233-0325. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which establish secured interests in personal property and are used for lien searches, are filed with and searchable through the Arkansas Secretary of State's UCC Division at sos.arkansas.gov/ucc-search. The online database allows free searches by debtor name or filing number. Commercial property owners can look up property tax assessments through the Pulaski County Assessor's online database at pulaskicountyassessor.net, searching by business name, property address, or parcel number to view assessed values for land, improvements, and equipment.

Little Rock voters are served by the Pulaski County Election Commission, located at 500 West Markham Street, Suite 125, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone (501) 340-8336, website votepulaskicounty.com. The Election Commission handles voter registration, maintains polling places, manages early voting sites, conducts elections, and certifies results for all elections in Pulaski County including those for Little Rock city offices, county positions, state legislative districts, statewide races, and federal contests.

Arkansas residents can register to vote online through the Arkansas Secretary of State's website at sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-registration. The deadline to register is 30 days before any election. Voters must provide an Arkansas driver's license number or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Arkansas does not require party registration. First-time voters who register by mail must provide identification when voting. Acceptable forms include driver's license, passport, employer ID with photo, U.S. military ID, student ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck showing name and address.

Little Rock municipal elections for mayor and city board (city council) are held in nonpartisan races, typically in November of odd-numbered years. Little Rock has a mayor-council form of government with a mayor elected at-large and ten city directors elected from seven wards (three at-large, seven ward positions). The next Little Rock municipal elections are scheduled for November 2025, when voters will elect the mayor and all city board positions. Local ballot measures, including bond issues for infrastructure and public safety improvements, also appear on municipal election ballots.

Little Rock residents can find their assigned polling place by using the voter view lookup tool at voterview.ar-nova.org, operated by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Users enter their name and date of birth to view registration status, polling location, sample ballots, and elected officials. Pulaski County operates numerous voting centers on Election Day, and early voting is available at multiple locations including the Pulaski County Regional Building at 501 West Markham Street beginning 15 days before Election Day.

Arkansas election records are public under state law. Voter registration lists are available for purchase from county election commissions for political purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State and searchable online at financial-disclosures.ar.gov. Candidate filings, including statements of financial interest, are public records. Precinct-level election results are published by the Secretary of State and county election commissions following certification.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Pulaski County recorded approximately 165,000 votes cast, representing roughly 60% turnout of registered voters. Pulaski County was one of the few Arkansas counties carried by Democratic candidates in statewide races, reflecting Little Rock's more diverse and urban electorate compared to rural Arkansas.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for Arkansas voters. All four U.S. House seats representing Arkansas districts will be on the ballot, with Little Rock split primarily between the 2nd Congressional District. State constitutional officers including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, and Land Commissioner will all be elected to four-year terms. All 35 Arkansas State Senate seats (elected to four-year terms) and all 100 Arkansas State House seats (elected to two-year terms) will be decided, with Little Rock residents voting in multiple legislative districts. Pulaski County offices on the ballot include County Judge (chief executive), Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, Coroner, and Surveyor. Judicial retention elections for circuit court judges and possibly state appellate judges may also appear. Little Rock voters should watch for any local ballot measures including bond issues or charter amendments.

Arkansas offers absentee voting by mail for voters who will be unavoidably absent from their polling site on Election Day, unable to vote due to illness or disability, or serving as an election official. Applications for absentee ballots must be submitted to the Pulaski County Election Commission and can be downloaded from votepulaskicounty.com. Voted ballots must be returned by 7:30 PM on Election Day to be counted.