Arkansas County Divorce Filing: Pulaski, Benton, Washington, Sebastian, and More

Why Your County Matters

Arkansas has 75 counties, each with its own circuit clerk's office handling domestic relations filings. The statutory filing fee ($165 paper, $185 eFlex) is uniform statewide, but several practical details vary by county: how the clerk handles uncontested finalizations, whether the local judge requires an in-person hearing or accepts divorce by affidavit, and how the clerk's office schedules prove-up hearings.

The venue rule is straightforward under § 9-12-303(a): file in the county where the plaintiff resides. If the plaintiff lives outside Arkansas, file in the county where the defendant resides. You don't get to choose — filing in the wrong county results in a venue transfer that adds weeks to your timeline.

Pulaski County

Pulaski County (Little Rock) handles the highest volume of domestic relations cases in Arkansas. The Domestic Relations Division operates separately from the general civil division.

• Filing location: Circuit Clerk's Office, Pulaski County Courthouse, 401 W. Markham St., Little Rock
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Uncontested finalization: Pulaski County judges generally allow divorce by affidavit for fully uncontested cases — meaning you submit your signed documents and proposed decree to the judge's office without appearing in person
• Typical prove-up scheduling: If a hearing is required, expect 2–4 weeks from the date you submit your hearing request to the actual hearing date
• Process server fees: Sheriff service runs $50–$75; private process servers charge $75–$140

Pulaski County's clerk's office has a self-help window, but staff cannot provide legal advice or review your documents for completeness — they can only confirm whether the filing fee is correct and the cover sheet is included.

Benton County

Benton County (Rogers, Bentonville) is the fastest-growing county in Arkansas and sees heavy domestic relations volume.

• Filing location: Benton County Circuit Clerk, 215 E. Central Ave., Suite 217, Bentonville
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Uncontested finalization: Benton County judges vary — some accept divorce by affidavit, others require a brief in-person prove-up hearing. Check with the clerk's office about your assigned judge's preference.
• Parenting class providers: Northwest Arkansas has multiple approved providers offering online and in-person options
• Note: Benton County's docket moves relatively quickly for uncontested cases due to the county's efficient scheduling system

Washington County

Washington County (Fayetteville, Springdale) serves the University of Arkansas area and the broader Northwest Arkansas corridor.

• Filing location: Washington County Circuit Clerk, 280 N. College Ave., Suite 300, Fayetteville
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Uncontested finalization: Most Washington County judges accept the written deposition/affidavit route for uncontested cases
• Typical timeline: Uncontested cases with complete paperwork finalize in 35–50 days from filing in most divisions

Sebastian County

Sebastian County (Fort Smith) operates two district courthouses — one in Fort Smith and one in Greenwood.

• Filing location: Sebastian County Circuit Clerk, 35 S. 6th St., Fort Smith (Fort Smith District) or Greenwood District Courthouse
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Key detail: Make sure you file in the correct district within Sebastian County. The Fort Smith District handles the majority of domestic relations cases.
• Uncontested finalization: Sebastian County judges typically require a brief prove-up hearing for the plaintiff and corroborating witness rather than accepting affidavits alone

Craighead County

Craighead County (Jonesboro) serves Northeast Arkansas.

• Filing location: Craighead County Circuit Clerk, 511 S. Main St., Jonesboro
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Two divisions: Craighead County operates both a Jonesboro District and a Lake City District — domestic relations cases go to the Jonesboro division
• Uncontested finalization: Judges in Craighead County generally accept divorce by deposition, allowing finalization without a personal court appearance

Garland County

Garland County (Hot Springs) handles a moderate domestic relations caseload.

• Filing location: Garland County Circuit Clerk, 501 Ouachita Ave., Hot Springs
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Uncontested finalization: Garland County judges typically accept the written deposition route
• Scheduling: Prove-up hearings (when required) are usually scheduled within 2–3 weeks of request

Saline County

Saline County (Benton, Bryant) is part of the Little Rock metropolitan area and growing rapidly.

• Filing location: Saline County Circuit Clerk, 200 N. Main St., Suite 115, Benton
• Filing fee: $165 (paper) / $185 (eFlex)
• Uncontested finalization: Practice varies by assigned judge — confirm whether your judge accepts divorce by affidavit or requires a hearing
• Proximity advantage: Being adjacent to Pulaski County, Saline County filers have access to many of the same legal aid resources and parenting class providers

What Every County Requires

Regardless of which county you file in, the core documents are identical statewide:

1. Complaint for Divorce
2. Domestic Relations Cover Sheet (Administrative Order No. 8)
3. Summons (issued by the clerk after filing)
4. Confidential Information Sheet (if minor children involved)
5. Affidavit of Financial Means (Administrative Order No. 10)
6. Resident Witness Affidavit (corroborating residency)
7. Proposed Decree of Divorce
8. Marital Settlement Agreement (uncontested cases)

The Arkansas Divorce Filing Process Guide includes county-specific notes and contact information to help you confirm local procedures before your filing date — so you don't discover your judge requires a hearing after you've already prepared everything for the affidavit route.

See more Arkansas guides →