Arkansas marriage records provide a vast amount of information for individuals who need this information most. Information contained in these records often includes the names of both individuals, addresses and even parent names. This can be an important part of a genealogy search or to use as proof of someone's life. There are many reasons to access this information and in Arkansas, most marriage records are public records, meaning you do not have to state why you need the information in order to obtain it.
 

In Arkansas, marriage record collection by the state did not begin until 1917. However, prior to this, many counties collected and maintained these records. If you do not find the information you need through a statewide search, consider choosing to look in the individual counties in Arkansas instead. Birth and death certificates, also which are needed in some cases to access information were not collected by the state until 1914.
 

Individuals seeking Arkansas marriage records prior to 1917 should write to the county clerk's office specifically. However, for those requested after 1917, the marriage records are available through the following address:
 

Division of Vital Records

Arkansas Department of Health

4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44

Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
 

You can gather additional information by calling the agency at 501-661-2336 however, you may need to visit the location in order to get the records necessary. You will need to pay a fee for the marriage records of $10, for those received after 1917. You may be able to receive a full, certified copy from the County Clerk for records prior to this date.
 

The information contained on Arkansas marriage records can vary, especially from those documents dating back to prior to 1917. However, most documents will include the following information on them:

·         The name of both spouses, including the maiden name of the bride

·         The name of the parents of both individuals

·         The address associated with the couple, which may be one or two addresses depending on where the couple lived after marriage

·         The officiating, licensed professional which may be a priest or other religious figure or a court figure

·         The location of the marriage, including the date and time of it

This information is then usable for many reasons, depending on your needs. If you are a married couple, getting Arkansas marriage records for your marriage is easy enough to do. The hard part is tracking down older information from those who may not have the most detailed backgrounds to learn about.
 

For those doing a genealogy search, it pays to have more information about those who were involved in the records. If you do not have all information, such as the date or the location of the marriage, it can prove harder to find such records. However, most Arkansas marriage records from those after 1917 are easily obtainable through the state's system. Keep in mind that the costs associated with obtaining this service can range in some situations.

 

• Arkansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

• Arkansas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

• Arkansas Marriage Certificates & Records

• Arkansas Marriage License Laws