Lawrence County, Arkansas Vital Records

 

Vital records consist of birth, death, divorce and marriage records of an individual. These are useful to genealogists and historians who are tracing a person’s history. Additionally, vital records can put together a genealogic picture of a person’s life. However, Arkansas is very selective when it comes to releasing these records. For instance, birth records and death records only become public after a waiting period of 100 & 50 years (respectively), unless you are the person who is on the record, authorized attorney, or a member of the immediate family (then you can view the records anytime). Marriage and divorce records are different – they are never available to the public; only the wife, husband, their lawyers and the immediate family may view the information contained on a marriage or divorce record.

 

Birth Records

 

Birth record requests require a payment of $12 (also non-refundable) for the first copy that you request and $10 for additional copies; you also must include this form: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Documents/vr-7_birth_certificate_application.pdf. Lastly, to better guide the clerks, include the following information: the full name of the person on the birth certificate (including maiden name), date of birth, city or town and county of birth, father’s and mother’s full names (including the mother’s maiden name), your relationship to the person on the birth record, and the reason you’re requesting a birth record.

 

Death Records

 

Death record requests are very similar to birth record requests. They require a payment of $10 for the first copy, non-refundable, and $8 for each copy that you request thereafter. This form also needs to be included with your payment: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Documents/vr-8_death_certificate_application.pdf, along with this information: the full name of the deceased, the date of death, the county or city of death, the name of the funeral home (optional), your relationship to the deceased and your reason for requesting the certificate.

 

Online Requests

 

Please place your request online with one of these two vendors: http://www.vitalchek.com/ or www.ExpressVitalRecords.com.

 

County Requests

 

Request a copy in person at:

 

Lawrence County Health Unit - Walnut Ridge

1050 W. Free Street
Walnut Ridge, AR 72476

Phone number: (870) 886-3201

Fax number: (870) 886-1722

Administrator: Bobby Bridges

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Website with map: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/localPublicHealthOffices/Pages/huDetails.aspx?show=Lawrence County Health Unit - Walnut Ridge

 

State Requests

 

Any vital records request can be handled through the state’s health department at: Arkansas Department of Health, 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205.

 

Marriage and Divorce Records (Coupons)

 

The County Clerk is the person to talk to about obtaining actual marriage and divorce records; coupons (which are basically the same as records) are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health. Each coupon is $10, and the proper following form needs to be included with your request:

 

Marriage coupon: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Documents/vr-9_marriage_app.pdf.

Divorce coupon: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Documents/vr-10_divorce_app.pdf.

 

See above for the Arkansas Department of Health’s mailing address. You can call the office at (501) 661-2336 or (800) 637-9314 with questions.

 

County Clerk of Lawrence County

 

Send your request for a marriage or divorce record to the Lawrence County Clerk, located at 315 West Main, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476. Call with questions at (870) 886-1111.