St. Francis County Public Records /St. Francis County Property Records

St. Francis County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in St. Francis County in 2026

StFrancisRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in St. Francis County, Arkansas. Members of the public may find data pertaining to the following record categories:

Ownership and deed records
Property tax assessments and payment history
Recorded liens and encumbrances
Land and parcel information
Sales history and transfer documents
GIS and mapping data

Records can be searched through official county and state resources. The primary official channels for accessing St. Francis County property records include the St. Francis County Clerk's Office, the County Collector, the County Assessor, and the Arkansas GIS Office.

Official Resources for Searching Property Records:

Resource	Primary Use	Access
St. Francis County Clerk	Deeds, liens, recorded documents	In-person, online
St. Francis County Collector	Tax records, payment history	Online, in-person
St. Francis County Assessor	Property valuations, parcel data	In-person
Arkansas GIS Office	Parcel mapping, spatial data	Online
Arkansas Property Tax Center	Statewide tax lookup	Online

1. Property Appraiser Website

The St. Francis County Assessor serves as the primary resource for property valuation and parcel information. The Arkansas GIS Office parcel data for St. Francis County provides polygon datasets used for real estate ad valorem tax valuation, research, and assessment purposes.

Search Options Available:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID number
By legal description
By GIS map location

Information Available Through the Assessor:

Current owner name and mailing address
Legal description and parcel number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size)
Assessed value of land and improvements
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history

How to Search:

Visit the St. Francis County Assessor's office in person or access the Arkansas statewide assessment portal
Select search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
Enter search criteria
Review the results list
Select the property for full details
View the property card, maps, and sales history
Print or save the information as needed

St. Francis County Assessor
313 S Izard St
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1735
St. Francis County Government

2. County Clerk Official Records Search

The St. Francis County Clerk maintains official recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The County Clerk's office provides access to land records, property records, and other recorded instruments.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller)
Grantee name (buyer)
Document type
Recording date range
Book and page number

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
Easements and restrictions
Plats and surveys
Lis pendens notices

How to Search:

Visit the St. Francis County Clerk's office at the courthouse
Request access to the grantor/grantee index
Enter search criteria (names, dates, document type)
Review results and note book and page or instrument number
Request document images or certified copies as needed
Pay applicable copy fees at the counter

St. Francis County Clerk
313 S Izard St, Suite 7
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1725
County Clerk – St. Francis County

3. Tax Collector Website

The St. Francis County Collector maintains personal property and real estate tax records. Members of the public may search St. Francis County tax records and pay property taxes through the Collector's online portal.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel or account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill and amount due
Payment history
Outstanding balances
Exemptions applied
Delinquency status

St. Francis County Collector
313 S Izard St
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1740
Collector – St. Francis County

4. GIS and Mapping System

The Arkansas GIS Office maintains parcel polygon data for St. Francis County through the County Assessor Mapping Program. This dataset supports interactive mapping, property boundary identification, and spatial analysis.

How to Use:

Navigate the map to the desired location
Click on a parcel to view property information
Access linked assessment and ownership records
View zoning layers, flood zones, and aerial photography
Measure distances and view multiple map layers

In-Person Searches:

Members of the public may visit the St. Francis County Courthouse to conduct in-person searches. Staff at the Clerk's office can assist with grantor/grantee index searches, retrieval of recorded documents, and access to plat books. Public access computers are available at the Assessor's office for property card lookups.

By Mail Requests:

Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted to the County Clerk. Requestors should specify the document by book and page number or instrument number, include the property address and approximate date range, and enclose payment for applicable copy fees. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.

Mailing Address:
St. Francis County Clerk
313 S Izard St, Suite 7
Forrest City, AR 72335

Through Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and provide abstracts of title and title insurance commitments. Real estate attorneys handle complex ownership issues and disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties and comparable sales.

Search Tips:

When searching by owner name, try last name first and check spelling variations
When searching by address, try with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
Verify results by cross-referencing the parcel ID number
For historical records not available online, contact the Clerk's office directly for retrieval from books or microfilm

What Is St. Francis County Property Records

St. Francis County property records are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices and accessible to the public as a matter of law. These records constitute the legal foundation for property ownership, encumbrances, and tax assessment within the county.

Purpose of Property Records:

Establish legal ownership and chain of title
Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
Document property transfers and sale prices
Assess property taxes and determine taxable value
Protect property rights and enable title insurance
Facilitate real estate transactions

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Transfer records and ownership history
Life estate deeds and trust documents

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and tax bills
Payment history and exemptions
Special assessments and delinquency records

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Zoning information and land use designations
Code violations

Who Maintains Property Records:

The St. Francis County Clerk records and indexes official instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens pursuant to Arkansas Code § 14-15-404, which governs the recording of instruments affecting real property in Arkansas. The County Assessor maintains property valuations and parcel characteristics. The County Collector administers tax billing and payment records. The Arkansas GIS Office maintains spatial and parcel polygon data in support of the County Assessor Mapping Program.

As stated in the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division's guidance, "the county assessor is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within the county." The Arkansas Property Tax Center further notes that "the amount of property tax owed is based on the assessed value of the property, which is determined by the county assessor."

Are Property Records Public Information in St. Francis County?

Property records in St. Francis County are public information. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas. Property records maintained by the County Clerk, Assessor, and Collector are subject to this statute and are accessible to any member of the public without requiring a stated purpose or special authorization.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (§ 25-19-105)
Arkansas recording statutes governing instruments affecting real property
Common law tradition of public land records
Constitutional protections for property rights

Why Property Records Are Public:

The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation. The recording system provides constructive notice to all parties of existing interests in real property, which is a foundational principle of American real property law. Commercial users including title companies, lenders, and appraisers rely on public access to conduct title searches and underwrite transactions.

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment history
Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Under current Arkansas law, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from recorded documents prior to public release. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain personal financial information and are subject to separate disclosure policies administered by the County Assessor.

Who Can Access Property Records:

No residency requirement, ownership interest, or business purpose is required to access St. Francis County property records. The following parties routinely access these records:

Prospective buyers and sellers
Real estate agents and brokers
Title companies and abstractors
Lenders and mortgage servicers
Attorneys and legal researchers
Property appraisers
Investors and developers
Genealogists and historians
Journalists and members of the media

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Commercial aggregation of public property records is permitted under Arkansas law. Title insurance companies, data services, and subscription platforms may compile and redistribute public property information. Anti-harassment statutes and fair housing laws continue to apply regardless of the public nature of the underlying records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in St. Francis County?

The cost to obtain property records in St. Francis County depends on the type of record requested and the method of access. Online viewing of assessment and tax information through the County Collector and the Arkansas Property Tax Center is available at no charge. The following fee structure applies to copies and certified documents obtained through the County Clerk's office.

Standard Copy and Certification Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.25–$0.50 per page
Certified copy of recorded instrument	$5.00 per document (first page) + $0.25 per additional page
Recording a new instrument	$15.00 for first page + $5.00 per additional page
Plat copies	Varies by size
Online document viewing	Free (basic search)

Fees for recording instruments in Arkansas are governed by Arkansas Code § 21-6-306, which establishes the schedule of fees collectible by county clerks for recording and certifying documents.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash
Check (payable to St. Francis County Clerk)
Money order
Credit or debit card (availability subject to office policy)

What Is Available at No Cost:

Online viewing of tax records through the St. Francis County Collector portal
Online property tax lookup through the Arkansas Property Tax Center
In-person inspection of public records at the Clerk's office (no copy fee for inspection only)
GIS parcel data viewing through the Arkansas GIS Office

Fee waiver provisions may apply to requests submitted by governmental agencies or pursuant to court order. Members of the public seeking fee waivers should submit a written request to the County Clerk explaining the basis for the waiver.

What's Included in a St. Francis County Property Record?

A complete St. Francis County property record encompasses information drawn from multiple county offices, including the Assessor, Clerk, and Collector. The following categories of information are maintained as part of the official property record.

Ownership Information:

Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners on the deed, the ownership type (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, trust, LLC, or corporation), the acquisition date, and the deed book and page or instrument number. Previous ownership information provides the chain of title, including prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references.

Property Identification:

Each parcel is identified by a site address, legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes and bounds), parcel ID number, and tax account number. Condominium units carry additional unit-specific identifiers.

Physical Characteristics:

Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, zoning classification, and land use designation. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and additional features such as garage spaces, pools, fireplaces, and HVAC systems.

Valuation Information:

Assessment records reflect the land value, building value, total assessed value, and market value as determined by the County Assessor. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained and accessible. Agricultural classification values are recorded separately where applicable.

Tax Information:

Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Tax payment history and delinquency records are maintained by the County Collector.

Exemptions Applied:

Arkansas law provides for homestead exemptions, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions, among others. Exemption amounts and eligibility criteria are administered by the County Assessor.

Sales History:

Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, and sale type designations (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, foreclosure, tax deed, or gift). Documentary stamp amounts are recorded where applicable.

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens are indexed in the official records maintained by the County Clerk. Easements, restrictions, covenants, and lis pendens notices are also part of the official record.

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification, land use code, special district assignments (school, fire, water), deed restrictions, and subdivision covenants are included in the property record. Flood zone designations (FEMA) and environmental constraints are reflected in GIS data maintained by the Arkansas GIS Office.

Maps and Images:

Property records include GIS maps with parcel boundaries, aerial photographs, plat maps, and property sketches. The Arkansas GIS Office maintains parcel polygon data for St. Francis County as part of the County Assessor Mapping Program.

What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
Private agreements not submitted for recording
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
Interior photographs

How Long Does St. Francis County Keep Property Records?

Property records in St. Francis County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the historical importance of land records to the public.

Legal Basis for Retention:

The Arkansas Records Retention Schedule, administered by the Arkansas History Commission, establishes retention requirements for county government records. Recorded instruments affecting real property are classified as permanent records under Arkansas law. The Arkansas History Commission's guidance states that "county records of permanent historical value shall be preserved and made accessible to the public."

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
All recorded liens and lien releases
Plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
Court documents affecting title
Powers of attorney affecting real property

Format and Storage:

Historical records in St. Francis County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording. Very old records are maintained in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records may be available on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scans in electronic document management systems. The County Clerk's office maintains climate-controlled storage for original books and microfilm archives, with digital backups for electronically recorded documents.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Time Period	Availability
Recent (last 20 years)	Online in most cases
Moderate age (20–50 years)	Microfilm or digital at courthouse
Historical (50+ years)	In-person at courthouse; staff retrieval
Very old (100+ years)	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Property Appraiser Assessment Records:

Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently by the County Assessor. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years in accordance with the Arkansas Records Retention Schedule.

Tax Collector Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates are maintained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution.

Accessing Historical Records:

Members of the public seeking historical records not available online should contact the St. Francis County Clerk's office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from books, microfilm, or digital archives. Retrieval time is same-day for most requests, though very old records in archive storage may require advance notice. Standard copy fees apply to all retrieved documents.

St. Francis County Clerk (Historical Records)
313 S Izard St, Suite 7
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1725
County Clerk – St. Francis County

How To Find Liens on Property in St. Francis County?

Liens on property in St. Francis County are recorded with the County Clerk and indexed in the official records system. Members of the public may search for liens using the grantor/grantee index maintained at the Clerk's office or by requesting a lien search in person.

Types of Liens Recorded:

Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration)
Judgment liens arising from court proceedings
Mechanic's liens filed by contractors and materialmen
HOA assessment liens
Code enforcement liens
Child support liens

Search Methods:

To search for liens on a specific property, members of the public should follow these steps:

Visit the St. Francis County Clerk's office and request access to the official records index
Search by the property owner's name as grantor or grantee
Filter results by document type (lien, judgment, tax lien)
Note the book and page or instrument number for each lien found
Request copies of the lien documents for review
Cross-reference with the parcel ID to confirm the lien attaches to the subject property

Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the County Clerk pursuant to Arkansas Code § 26-36-204, which governs the filing of tax liens in Arkansas. State tax liens are similarly filed with the County Clerk and are searchable through the same index.

Judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county where the judgment is recorded. Members of the public may search circuit court judgment records through the Arkansas Judiciary's online case management system to identify judgments that may have been converted to liens.

Online Lien Search Resources:

St. Francis County Clerk's office — recorded lien index
Arkansas Judiciary case search — judgment records
Arkansas GIS Office parcel data — parcel identification for cross-referencing

In-Person Lien Search:

St. Francis County Clerk
313 S Izard St, Suite 7
Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 261-1725
County Clerk – St. Francis County

Title companies and real estate attorneys conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A professional title search will identify all recorded liens, encumbrances, and clouds on title, and is the standard method used in real estate transactions to ensure clear title prior to closing.

What Is Property Owner Rule in St. Francis County?

The property owner rule in Arkansas is a legal doctrine that permits a property owner to testify as to the value of their own real property in legal proceedings, without being qualified as an expert appraiser. This rule is recognized under Arkansas common law and has been affirmed by Arkansas appellate courts in multiple decisions.

Under the property owner rule, an owner of real property is presumed to have sufficient knowledge of the value of their property to offer an opinion on its fair market value. This opinion is admissible as lay opinion testimony in condemnation proceedings, property tax appeals, and other civil matters involving property valuation. The rationale is that ownership itself confers a sufficient basis for a value opinion, even in the absence of formal appraisal credentials.

Application in St. Francis County:

In St. Francis County, the property owner rule is relevant in the following contexts:

Property tax assessment appeals: A property owner may appear before the St. Francis County Board of Equalization and offer their own opinion of the property's fair market value as evidence that the Assessor's valuation is incorrect. The Board of Equalization hears assessment appeals annually following the mailing of assessment notices.
Eminent domain and condemnation proceedings: In proceedings before the St. Francis County Circuit Court, a property owner may testify as to the value of property taken or damaged by a governmental entity.
Civil litigation: In disputes involving property damage, boundary disputes, or other matters where property value is at issue, the owner may offer lay opinion testimony on value.

Limitations of the Property Owner Rule:

The property owner rule does not render a property owner's value opinion conclusive. The opposing party may challenge the opinion through cross-examination or by presenting expert appraisal testimony. Courts retain discretion to weigh the owner's testimony against other evidence of value. The rule applies to the owner of record; a lessee or contract purchaser does not qualify as an "owner" for purposes of the rule unless they hold a sufficient ownership interest.

Property Tax Assessment Appeals:

Property owners in St. Francis County who dispute the Assessor's valuation of their property may file an appeal with the County Board of Equalization. The appeal process is governed by Arkansas law and requires the property owner to present evidence supporting their claimed value. The Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division provides guidance on the assessment appeal process statewide.