Cleburne County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Cleburne County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Cleburne County, Arkansas may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. CleburneRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available data related to Cleburne County government records. The types of records that may be found through official sources include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Tax records and property assessment data
Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
Business licenses and permits
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Cleburne County official government website provides access to county department information and select public records.
The Arkansas Judiciary maintains the Arkansas court case search portal, which allows members of the public to search civil and criminal court records statewide, including those filed in Cleburne County Circuit Court.
Property tax records are accessible through the Arkansas Property Tax Center, where users may locate assessment and payment information by county.
No registration is required to perform basic searches on most state-maintained portals.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Cleburne County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of public records. The office is located at 301 W. Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide any known identifying information (such as a name, date, or parcel number), and submit a written or verbal request to the clerk on duty.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Cleburne County Clerk's Office at 301 W. Main Street, Heber Springs, AR 72543. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. 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:

Cleburne County Clerk's Office: (501) 362-8149
Cleburne County Circuit Clerk's Office: (501) 362-4620

What Are Public Records in Cleburne County?

Public records in Cleburne County are defined under Arkansas law 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. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-103, public records are broadly defined to encompass documents produced or received by government bodies in the course of their official duties.

The following record types are maintained by Cleburne County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk's Office
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Clerk's Office
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Arkansas Property Tax Center
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Arkansas Department of Health / Arkansas Vital Records
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk's Office
Voting and election records	County Clerk's Office
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Clerk's Office
Budget and financial documents	County Judge's Office
Arrest logs and incident reports	Cleburne County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning Office

As noted on the Cleburne County government website, the county maintains multiple departments responsible for distinct categories of public records.

Is Cleburne County an Open Records County?

Cleburne County operates in full compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which is among the most expansive open records laws in the United States. Under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105, all public records are open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas during regular business hours, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The Arkansas Attorney General has stated that the FOIA "reflects a strong public policy in favor of open government," and that exemptions to disclosure are to be narrowly construed. The law applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies that receive public funding or exercise governmental authority, including all departments within Cleburne County government.

The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access. County offices are required to designate a custodian of records for each department, and that custodian is responsible for responding to public records requests within the statutory timeframe.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cleburne County?

The current fee structure for public records in Cleburne County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Standard Copy Fees:

Item	Fee
Standard paper copies (per page)	$0.25 – $0.50
Certified copies of court documents	$5.00 per document (plus per-page fee)
Certified copies of vital records	$12.00 (state fee, through Arkansas Department of Health)
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies by office
Search fees	Not permitted under state law for standard requests

Under Arkansas FOIA, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction and are prohibited from charging fees for the time spent searching for or reviewing records. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodian. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should submit a written explanation with their records request.

Does Cleburne County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Cleburne County offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review records in person at no charge; fees apply only when physical or electronic copies are requested.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Arkansas court case search portal maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary allows free online searches of court case information, including cases filed in Cleburne County.
The Arkansas Property Tax Center provides free online access to property tax and assessment records by county.
The Cleburne County Clerk's Office permits free in-person inspection of land records, deeds, and other documents maintained in the office.
The Cleburne County government website provides free access to select public documents, including meeting minutes, agendas, and budget summaries.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection is free, obtaining a physical or certified copy requires payment of the applicable fee.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cleburne County?

Any person may request public records in Cleburne County. Under Arkansas FOIA, the right to inspect and copy public records extends to all citizens of the State of Arkansas. Arkansas courts have interpreted this provision to include non-residents in practice, though the statute's text references Arkansas citizens specifically.

Requestors are not required to be residents of Cleburne County.
Requestors are not required to state a purpose or reason for their request for most record types.
Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records, though identification may be required for certain sensitive records or certified copies.
Individuals requesting their own records (such as personal vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship.

Certain record types carry additional eligibility requirements. For example, as noted in the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office FAQs, "The Sheriff's Office is prohibited by law from providing criminal history or background information of any kind from the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) to the general public." Requests for such information must be directed to the appropriate state agency.

Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are subject to the same general access rules as members of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions beyond those established by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Cleburne County?

Not all government records in Cleburne County are subject to public disclosure. Arkansas FOIA enumerates specific categories of exempt records under Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b). The following records are exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with a pending investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Arkansas Department of Human Services regulations.
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents are exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to government agencies under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Arkansas Attorney General's office provides guidance on applying the balancing test between disclosure and privacy interests.

Cleburne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cleburne County Clerk's Office 301 W. Main Street, Suite 1 Heber Springs, AR 72543 (501) 362-8149 Cleburne County Clerk

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.

Cleburne County Circuit Clerk's Office 301 W. Main Street Heber Springs, AR 72543 (501) 362-4620 Arkansas Judiciary Case Search

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Cleburne County Sheriff's Office 1000 W. Main Street Heber Springs, AR 72543 (501) 362-2822 Cleburne County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (administrative functions) Dispatch and emergency services: 24 hours

Arkansas Department of Health – Vital Records 4815 W. Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 661-2336 Arkansas vital records requests