Jefferson County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Jefferson County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Jefferson County, Arkansas, may access a range of publicly available information through JeffersonARRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. This resource aggregates data related to public records maintained by Jefferson County agencies, though the completeness and currency of any individual record may vary depending on the originating office and the nature of the document.

Records that may be available through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Business licenses and permits
Property tax records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Online Access: Members of the public may search Jefferson County court records through the Arkansas judiciary case search portal, which provides access to publicly available case information statewide. The Search ARCourts platform also links to documents for select public court records, allowing users to view actual filings in a case. Property and assessment records may be accessed through the Jefferson County Assessor's online portal. Some records require account registration or in-person verification before full access is granted.

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's Office or the County Clerk's Office to inspect or obtain copies of records. The Circuit Clerk's Office is located at 101 W. Barraque Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by the custodian.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the relevant custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, the custodian must respond within three business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email:

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk: (870) 541-5360
Jefferson County County Clerk: (870) 541-5322

What Are Public Records in Jefferson County?

Public records in Jefferson County are defined under Arkansas law as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept and that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions. This definition is established under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-103.

The following record types are currently maintained by Jefferson County offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Probate and family court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Property deeds and mortgages	County Clerk's Office
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Tax Collector
Vital records (birth, death)	Arkansas Department of Health
Marriage and divorce records	County Clerk / Circuit Clerk
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk's Office
Voting and election records	County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Judge's Office
Law enforcement records	Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Department

The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court filings and related judicial records. Property instruments are recorded with the County Clerk, while tax-related records are held by the Assessor and Tax Collector.

Is Jefferson County an Open Records County?

Jefferson County operates in full compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which mandates public access to government records. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records of every public entity in the state are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas during the entity's regular business hours.

As stated by the Arkansas Attorney General's office, "The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act reflects a strong public policy in favor of open government. The FOIA is to be liberally interpreted in favor of disclosure, and exemptions are to be narrowly construed." This principle applies to all county-level agencies in Jefferson County, including the Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, Sheriff's Office, and all boards and commissions.

The county does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance beyond the state FOIA framework. All custodial offices are required to comply with the state statute, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may seek review through the Arkansas Attorney General's office or pursue legal remedies in circuit court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jefferson County?

The current fee structure for public records in Jefferson County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under Arkansas FOIA, fees charged for copies must not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
Certified copies (vital records): Fees set by the Arkansas Department of Health; birth and death certificates are currently $12.00 for the first copy
Certified court document copies: Fees vary by document type; the Circuit Clerk charges a per-page fee plus a certification fee
Electronic records: Provided at actual cost of duplication; no additional search fee is permitted under state law
Inspection: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records

Accepted payment methods at Jefferson County offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Credit card acceptance varies by department.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office. No statutory fee waiver mandate currently applies to county-level records in Arkansas beyond the prohibition on charging for inspection.

Does Jefferson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at all Jefferson County custodial offices during regular business hours. Under Arkansas FOIA, no fee may be charged simply for viewing records on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Free online access to certain records is currently available through the following official resources:

Arkansas judiciary case search: The Arkansas judiciary case search portal provides free access to publicly available court case information, including case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status.
Property assessment records: The Jefferson County Assessor's office provides free online access to property assessment data through the county's official web portal.
Election and voting records: Voter registration information and election results are available at no cost through the Arkansas Secretary of State's office.
Meeting minutes and agendas: County commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted publicly on the county's official website at no charge.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to inspect any non-exempt public record at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Jefferson County?

Any person may request public records in Jefferson County. Under Arkansas FOIA, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all citizens of Arkansas. In practice, Jefferson County offices do not restrict access based on residency, and non-residents may also submit records requests.

Requestors are not required to:

Provide a reason or purpose for the request
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
Be a resident of Jefferson County or Arkansas

However, requestors may be asked to provide identification when requesting certain sensitive records, such as vital records, or when the request involves records that contain exempt information requiring redaction. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court filings or arrest records — follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for records containing personal identifying information.

Certain record types carry additional eligibility requirements. Access to sealed court records, juvenile records, and adoption records is restricted by statute and requires a court order or demonstrated legal standing. Law enforcement agencies may require a formal written request and may redact information related to ongoing investigations pursuant to Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b).

What Records Are Confidential in Jefferson County?

Not all government records in Jefferson County are subject to public disclosure. Arkansas FOIA enumerates specific categories of exempt records that custodians are required to withhold or redact. The following record types are currently exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with a pending investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Arkansas Department of Human Services
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and home addresses of government employees are exempt, with limited exceptions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

As noted by the Arkansas Attorney General, "Exemptions from disclosure must be construed narrowly, and the burden is on the custodian to demonstrate that a specific exemption applies." When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Jefferson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Jefferson County Circuit Clerk's Office
101 W. Barraque Street, Room 101
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-5360
Jefferson County Circuit Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Jefferson County Clerk's Office
101 W. Barraque Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-5322
Jefferson County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Jefferson County Assessor's Office
101 W. Barraque Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-5334
Jefferson County Assessor

Jefferson County Tax Collector's Office
101 W. Barraque Street
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-5313
Jefferson County Tax Collector

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
410 E. 2nd Avenue
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 541-5351
Jefferson County Sheriff

Arkansas Department of Health – Vital Records
4815 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 661-2336
Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records