St. Francis County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in St. Francis County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in St. Francis County, Arkansas, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. StFrancisRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may relate to records maintained by St. Francis County offices. The types of information that may be found through official sources include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, business licenses, and voter registration data. Availability and completeness of records vary by record type, custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records in St. Francis County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online government portals.
Online Access:
- The St. Francis County Clerk's office maintains an online portal where members of the public may access land records, marriage records, business licenses, and voter registration information.
- Court records may be searched statewide through the Arkansas Judiciary's public case search portal, which provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case information filed in Arkansas courts.
- Property tax records and payment history are accessible through the Arkansas Property Tax Center, which allows property owners and the public to view assessment and payment data.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most state and county portals; however, certain document downloads may require account creation.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the St. Francis County Clerk's Office at 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City, Arkansas 72335. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Upon arrival, requestors should identify the record type sought and provide any known identifiers such as names, dates, or parcel numbers. Staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the St. Francis County Clerk, 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City, AR 72335. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-105, custodians are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- St. Francis County Clerk: (870) 261-1725
- Email contact may be initiated through the county's official website portal.
What Are Public Records in St. Francis County?
Public records in St. Francis County are defined under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 25-19-103, 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. The following categories of records are maintained by county offices:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the St. Francis County Circuit Clerk
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats maintained by the County Clerk and Assessor
- Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health; marriage and divorce records maintained by the County Clerk
- Business records — business licenses and fictitious name registrations maintained by the County Clerk
- Tax records — property tax assessments and payment records maintained by the County Assessor and Collector
- Voting and election records — voter registration rolls and election results maintained by the County Clerk
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county quorum court and board meeting records maintained by the County Clerk
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Judge's office
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the county planning department
The St. Francis County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for the majority of county-level public records.
Is St. Francis County an Open Records County?
St. Francis County fully complies with Arkansas's statewide open records framework. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas during the regular business hours of the custodian of the records. Arkansas FOIA is among the strongest open records statutes in the nation, establishing a presumption of openness for all government-held documents.
As stated by the Arkansas Attorney General's office, "The FOIA reflects a legislative judgment that the public interest in knowing what government is doing generally outweighs the public interest in keeping government records confidential." This principle governs all records requests submitted to St. Francis County offices. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all access requests uniformly. Compliance with Arkansas's sunshine laws extends to all county boards, commissions, and elected offices operating within St. Francis County.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Francis County?
The fee structure for public records in St. Francis County is governed by state law and the policies of individual custodial offices. Under Arkansas FOIA, fees charged for copies must not exceed the actual costs of reproduction.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $12.00 (first copy); $10.00 (each additional) |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of reproduction medium |
| Document search | No charge for routine searches |
| Certification fee (court documents) | Varies by document type |
- Inspection of records at the custodian's office is provided at no charge.
- Certified copies of birth and death records ordered through the Arkansas Department of Health vital records program are subject to a $12.00 fee for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary by department.
- Fee waiver provisions are not explicitly codified under Arkansas FOIA; however, custodians retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does St. Francis County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at the offices of the custodian during regular business hours, as required by Arkansas FOIA. No fee is assessed for viewing records in person at the County Clerk's office or Circuit Clerk's office.
The following resources provide free online access to St. Francis County records:
- The Arkansas Judiciary's court records search system provides free public access to case index information for cases filed in Arkansas courts, including those in St. Francis County.
- The Arkansas Property Tax Center provides free online access to property tax assessment and payment records.
- The St. Francis County Clerk's online portal provides free access to land records, marriage indexes, and voter registration data.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain personal records, such as a requestor's own voter registration information, may be obtained at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in St. Francis County?
Under Arkansas FOIA, any citizen of the State of Arkansas holds the right to inspect and copy public records. Arkansas courts have interpreted this provision broadly, and in practice, non-residents and entities also submit records requests that are routinely fulfilled by county offices. The statute does not require requestors to state a purpose for their request, nor does it require requestors to provide identification for inspection of non-restricted records.
- Residency in Arkansas is not a prerequisite for accessing most public records.
- Identification is not required for general inspection requests, though it may be required for certified copies of vital records.
- Requestors seeking their own vital records must provide proof of identity and eligibility as defined by the Arkansas Department of Health.
- Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same open access standards, except where specific exemptions apply.
- Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to submit records requests on equal terms.
What Records Are Confidential in St. Francis County?
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas law. Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105(b) enumerates specific exemptions that custodians are required to apply when responding to records requests. The following records are currently exempt from public disclosure:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Social Security numbers and personal financial account information
- Medical records and protected health information under HIPAA
- Adoption records and related proceedings
- Child welfare and protective services case files
- Personnel records of government employees, except for certain employment-related information
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure details
As noted by the Arkansas Attorney General, "The exemptions in the FOIA are to be narrowly construed, and the burden is on the custodian to justify withholding records." Custodians are required to segregate exempt material and release all non-exempt portions of a responsive record. A balancing test applies in limited circumstances where privacy interests are weighed against the public interest in disclosure.
St. Francis County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
St. Francis County Clerk's Office 313 South Izard Street Forrest City, AR 72335 (870) 261-1725 St. Francis County Clerk
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Additional Offices:
St. Francis County Circuit Clerk 313 South Izard Street Forrest City, AR 72335 (870) 261-1725
St. Francis County Assessor 313 South Izard Street Forrest City, AR 72335 (870) 261-1735
St. Francis County Sheriff's Office 100 East Broadway Street Forrest City, AR 72335 (870) 633-1411
Arkansas Department of Health – Vital Records 4815 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 661-2336 Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records