How to Search Arkansas Vital Records

Arkansas vital records (births, deaths, marriages, divorces) are maintained by the state Department of Health (or equivalent). Older records may be at county clerks or the state archives. Some records are restricted by privacy law.

  • Order birth, death, marriage, divorce: through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office.
  • Order online: vitalchek.com — authorized vendor for most states.
  • Historic records: contact the Arkansas State Archives.
  • Marriage license: apply at any county clerk's office.
  • Genealogy research: state historical societies and FamilySearch.org carry many historical vital records.
Population
3,067,732
Households
1,194,800
Median Income
$54,539
Median Home Value
$162,300

Vital Records Databases

15 official Arkansas vital records sources.

Vital Records

Deaths | Cemetery Records
Official Free
Use this site to search Arkansas cemetery gravestone inscriptions.
Divorces | Certificates
Official Free
Arkansas information for application for divorce certificate and mailing address only.
Pulaski County Marriages
Official Free
Pulaski County Clerk database marriage licenses.
Washington County | Marriages 1845-1941
Official Free
Washington County archives of recorded marriages from 1845 through 1941.
Ashley County | Obituaries
Official Free
Ashley County Ledger records of published obituaries since 1965.
Births and Baptisms 1880-1893
Official Free
Arkansas birth, baptism, and christening records 1880-1893.
Bradley County Obituaries 1884-1930
Official Free
Bradley County, Arkansas obituaries extracted from the Arkansas Methodist newspaper | 1884-1930.
Deaths | Deaths & Burials 1882-1963
Official Free
Arkansas deaths and burials recorded between 1882 and 1929, and between 1945 and 1963.
Deaths | Social Security Administration
Official Free
Social Security Administration records for deaths in Arkansas.
Marriages | 1837-1944
Official Free
Arkansas marriages recorded between 1837 and 1944.
Marriages | 1837-1957
Official Free
Search over 1 million marriages recorded in Arkansas counties between 1837 and 1957 and view record images.
Nevada County Cemetery Records
Official Free
Search for cemetery records in Nevada County.
Prairie County Deaths | 1914-1950
Official Free
Browse this RootsWeb database by name for deaths recorded in Prairie County between 1914 and 1950.
Siloam Springs Cemetery Records
Official Free
Siloam Springs in Benton County, Arkansas. Burial records from Oak Hill Cemetery.
Fort Smith Cemetery Records
Official Free
Browse by name the Oak Cemetery records in Fort Smith.

Arkansas Counties

All 75 Arkansas counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Order from the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office, online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at a county clerk.

Most Arkansas vital records have access restrictions. Recent records may require proof of relationship. Older records (typically 50+ years for births, 25+ for deaths) are usually public.

Marriage licenses are issued by county clerks. Both parties typically apply in person. Fees and waiting periods vary by county.

For records before state-level recording began, contact the Arkansas State Archives or the county where the event occurred.

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