About Van Buren County

Population 15,936 residents
County Seat Clinton
Named After Martin Van Buren
Area 724 square miles
Established 1833

Van Buren County is located in north-central Arkansas, covering approximately 724 square miles of diverse terrain that includes portions of the Ozark Mountains and the scenic Greers Ferry Lake. Van Buren County seat is Clinton, a small town situated at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 65 and Arkansas Highway 16. Van Buren County was established on November 11, 1858, and named after Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States. As of the 2020 Census, Van Buren County had a population of approximately 15,796 residents. Van Buren County is characterized by rugged topography, forested hills, and significant recreational attractions centered around Greers Ferry Lake, which was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963. Major landmarks include the Ozark National Forest, the historic Fairfield Bay planned community, and numerous outdoor recreation areas that draw tourists year-round. Van Buren County Courthouse is. Van Buren County Recorder maintains land and property records, while the County Clerk handles vital records, marriage licenses, and election administration. Van Buren County Assessor, located in the courthouse, manages property tax assessments and maintains parcel information. Van Buren County's economy historically relied on timber, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing, but tourism and recreation now play increasingly significant roles due to Van Buren County's natural beauty and lake access.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Citizens may request arrest records by submitting written requests to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting police department.
  • Processing times and fees for record requests vary, with agencies permitted to charge reasonable copying and research fees.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Van Buren County, AR are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Public Records Search | Van Buren, AR - Official Website.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Van Buren County, AR are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Van Buren County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

Courts & Case Records

  • The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Van Buren County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
  • Not all historical records are available online, and some sealed or expunged records are restricted from public access.
  • Copying fees are typically $0.25 to $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost additional fees as established by Arkansas law.
451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031

Property & Public Records

  • Van Buren County Assessor's Office, also located in the courthouse (phone: 501-745-5954), maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, property descriptions, and valuation data.

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered simultaneously, while death certificates cost $10 each.
  • Processing times typically range from 2-4 weeks for mail requests.
  • Online ordering is available through VitalChek at arkansas.gov/health/vital records, though expedited service incurs additional fees.

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • This database is freely accessible and provides information on active, dissolved, and withdrawn businesses.
451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031 • Phone: 501-745-2109

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Van Buren County, Arkansas?
To search for someone recently arrested in Van Buren County, Arkansas, you can contact the Van Buren County Detention Center. They maintain an inmate lookup process that can be accessed by calling their office directly at (501) 745-2112. You may visit the Sheriff's Office website for more information on recent arrests and inmate details.
Mugshots or booking photos in Van Buren County, Arkansas, can be obtained from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these images through their official website or by visiting their office in person. For online access, check if they have an inmate search portal that includes booking photos.
To obtain a criminal background check in Van Buren County, Arkansas, you should contact the Arkansas State Police, which handles background checks through the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). Locally, you can visit the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office for guidance on submitting a request for a background check, which may involve completing specific forms and paying a fee.
To look up sex offenders in Van Buren County, Arkansas, you can use the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry, which is managed by the Arkansas Crime Information Center. This online registry allows you to search for sex offenders by name, address, or proximity to a specific location within the county. The registry provides detailed information about registered offenders, including their current status and location.
Voter registration in Van Buren County is handled by the Van Buren County Clerk's Office at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031 (phone: 501-745-2109). You can register online at sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information or submit a paper application to the County Clerk. Arkansas requires registration at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote. Absentee ballots are available for qualified voters who meet specific Arkansas criteria and must be requested through the County Clerk's office with applications due seven days before Election Day.
Property and land records in Van Buren County are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031 (phone: 501-745-2107), where you can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. The Van Buren County Assessor's Office (phone: 501-745-5954), also in the courthouse, maintains property tax assessment records and ownership information. Online access to property records may be limited, and many searches require visiting the courthouse in person or contacting the office directly. Some assessment data may be available through the Assessor's office or county website.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Van Buren County can be requested from the Arkansas Department of Health, Division of Vital Records at 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, or through the Van Buren County Clerk's Office at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031 (phone: 501-745-2109). Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy and death certificates cost $10 each. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks for mail requests, and you must be an immediate family member or have a direct legal interest. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at arkansas.gov/health/vital records with expedited service options.
Business records in Van Buren County can be found through multiple sources depending on the type of business. For DBA (Doing Business As) and assumed name registrations, contact the Van Buren County Clerk's Office at 451 Main Street, Clinton, AR 72031 (phone: 501-745-2109). For formal business entities like corporations and LLCs, search the Arkansas Secretary of State's free online database at sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services. Local business licenses and permits for specific municipalities should be requested from the respective city clerk's offices, while county-level zoning and building permits are handled by the Van Buren County Planning Department or County Judge's office.

Nearby Counties

Faulkner County AR Pope County AR Cleburne County AR Conway County AR Stone County AR Searcy County AR
Quick Access
Arkansas Public RecordsState records directory
County Info
StateArkansas
County SeatClinton
Population15,936
Area724 sq mi
Founded1833
Arkansas Resources
Arkansas Public RecordsState directory
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