Pulaski County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Pulaski County?

Public records in Pulaski County are defined under Arkansas law as any 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. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-103, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) broadly defines public records to include documents created, received, or maintained by any governmental body in the course of its official duties.

Members of the public may access a wide range of record types maintained by various Pulaski County offices, including:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and real estate instruments recorded with the Circuit Clerk's office
Vital records — marriage licenses and divorce decrees held by the Circuit Clerk; birth and death certificates maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health
Business records — fictitious name filings, business licenses, and permits maintained by the County Clerk and applicable municipal offices
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Pulaski County Assessor and Collector
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Pulaski County Election Commission
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Quorum Court, county boards, and commissions maintained by the County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — appropriations, expenditures, and audit reports available through the County Judge's office
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available through the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — planning permits and zoning decisions maintained by the Pulaski County Planning and Development office

Official county records bearing the Circuit Clerk's seal are among the most frequently requested documents, commonly sought by agencies such as the Social Security Administration, financial institutions, and legal professionals.

Is Pulaski County an Open Records County?

Pulaski County fully complies with Arkansas's statewide open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas during regular business hours of the custodial office. This provision reflects the Arkansas General Assembly's declared policy that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that electors are advised of the performance of public officials.

Key provisions of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act applicable to Pulaski County include:

Custodians of records must make public records available for inspection and copying within three business days of a written request
Agencies may not require requestors to state a reason for seeking records, except in limited circumstances involving exempt categories
Fees charged for copies must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction

Pulaski County government bodies, including the Quorum Court and all county departments, operate in compliance with Arkansas's sunshine laws, which require that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be provided. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions already established in state law.

How to Find Public Records in Pulaski County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Pulaski County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Step 1 — Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office maintains the record. Court filings, marriage licenses, and real estate documents are held by the Circuit Clerk. Property tax records are held by the Assessor and Collector. Vital statistics such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health.

Step 2 — Submit a written FOIA request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate custodial office. No specific form is required under state law, but the request must reasonably describe the records sought.

Step 3 — Search online portals. Members of the public may use the Arkansas Judiciary's court case search portal to locate civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations case information without visiting a physical office. The portal provides access to docket entries, case summaries, and, where available, scanned documents.

Step 4 — Visit the office in person. For records not available online, members of the public may inspect documents at the relevant office during regular business hours. Staff are available to assist in locating records within the office's filing systems.

Step 5 — Request certified copies if needed. Certified copies bearing an official seal are available for a fee and are required for legal, financial, and governmental purposes. Requests for certified court documents may be submitted through the Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk office.

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

Current fees for public records in Pulaski County are governed by Arkansas law and the fee schedules established by each custodial office. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(d), fees charged for copies of public records must not exceed the actual costs of reproduction, including the cost of the medium used.

Standard fees applicable to Pulaski County records include:

Photocopies — typically $0.25 to $0.50 per page for standard black-and-white copies, depending on the office
Certified copies — fees vary by record type; court-certified documents generally carry a per-page fee plus a certification charge
Electronic records — where records are provided in digital format, fees reflect the actual cost of the electronic medium or transmission
Real estate recording fees — established by state statute and assessed at the time of document recording

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly established by county ordinance; however, indigent parties in court proceedings may petition for waiver of certain court-related fees through the presiding judge.

Does Pulaski County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Arkansas law, which requires custodial offices to permit on-site review of records without charge. The fee structure applies only to reproduction, not to inspection itself.

Several government-maintained resources currently provide free access to Pulaski County records:

The Arkansas Judiciary's case search tool allows members of the public to search court case information, including civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations matters, at no cost
The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's official portal provides access to court records and filing information without a fee for basic searches
The Pulaski County Assessor's online property search tool allows free lookup of property assessment data and ownership information
The Arkansas Secretary of State's business entity search provides free access to registered business filings statewide

Who Can Request Public Records in Pulaski County?

Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, any citizen of Arkansas is entitled to inspect and copy public records maintained by state and local government bodies. The statute does not require requestors to be residents of Pulaski County specifically, and non-residents of Arkansas may also access many records, though the statutory right of inspection is expressly extended to Arkansas citizens.

Requestors are generally not required to:

Provide government-issued identification for routine record inspections
State the purpose for which records are being sought
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records requested

Certain record categories carry additional access requirements. Individuals seeking records that contain personal identifying information about themselves — such as their own court files or tax records — may be asked to verify their identity before access is granted. Records pertaining to third parties that fall within protected categories, such as juvenile records or sealed court files, are not accessible to the general public regardless of the requestor's identity or stated purpose.

Non-residents retain the practical ability to access many Pulaski County records through online portals and by submitting written requests, even where the formal statutory right of inspection is limited to Arkansas citizens.

What Records Are Confidential in Pulaski County?

Not all government records in Pulaski County are subject to public disclosure. Arkansas law establishes specific categories of exempt records that custodial offices are prohibited from releasing. The following record types are currently exempt from public inspection under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b) and related statutes:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to individuals under the age of eighteen in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential
Ongoing criminal investigation records — investigative files that, if disclosed, would reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services
Personnel records — employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents are exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under assurances of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records whose disclosure could compromise public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the Arkansas FOIA's severability provisions.

Pulaski County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Pulaski County Circuit Clerk serves as the primary custodian of court records, real estate documents, marriage licenses, and related official filings. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or electronic communication during regular business hours.

Pulaski County Circuit Clerk 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-8500 Arkansas Pulaski County Circuit Clerk

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Probate division forms and filings are also available through the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms page.

Pulaski County Assessor's Office 201 S. Broadway, Suite 310, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-6170 Pulaski County Assessor

Pulaski County Tax Collector 201 S. Broadway, Suite 150, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 340-6040 Pulaski County Collector

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office 3001 W. Roosevelt Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 340-6900 Pulaski County Sheriff

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