Garland County Court Docket
Garland County court docket records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Hot Springs and include civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases filed in the county's courts. This page explains how to search the Garland County court docket online, where to find the clerk's office, what case types the courts handle, and how to request copies of filed records.
Garland County Court Records Overview
Search Garland County Court Docket Online
Garland County is a full participant in the Arkansas CourtConnect system. The Search ARCourts portal provides free public access to basic case information for Garland County Circuit Court records. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or judge. Records go back to January 1, 2009, and the county's full participation means coverage is comprehensive for that range.
To search, go to the CourtConnect portal and select "Garland" from the county list. Enter a last name or a case number in the search fields. Results display the case type, filing date, party names, and current status. Clicking a case opens the full docket sheet showing all documents filed. Viewing document images requires a registered account and may cost a per-page fee, but docket information is free to browse.
Garland County handles a high volume of cases due to the size of the Hot Springs area. This means the CourtConnect results for the county can be extensive. Narrow your search with a case number if you have it. For cases filed before 2009, visit the courthouse in Hot Springs. The Arkansas Court Kiosk and the Arkansas Courts online services page provide additional tools.
Garland County Circuit Clerk Office
The Garland County Circuit Clerk maintains all official court records for the county and handles new case filings, certified copy requests, and public docket access. The office is at the Garland County Courthouse in Hot Springs and is open during regular business hours on weekdays.
Garland County Circuit Clerk
501 Ouachita Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: (501) 622-3600
The clerk's office keeps records of all civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases filed in Garland County. Staff can search by name or case number, provide copies of documents, and help with new filings. Garland County is one of the busier counties in Arkansas for court filings, so visiting during off-peak hours can reduce wait time. Morning visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays tend to have shorter lines than Monday mornings or Friday afternoons.
Standard fees apply: $0.50 per page for copies, $5.00 for a certified document, $2.50 for a summons, and $20.00 for writs. Filing a new civil case costs $165. Bring the case number or party name when you visit. The clerk's staff cannot give legal advice but can explain filing requirements and point you to the right forms.
Case Types in the Garland County Docket
The Garland County Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction trial court for the county. It handles the broadest range of case types in the local system. All circuit-level cases are part of the public docket and are searchable through CourtConnect.
Cases filed with the Garland County Circuit Court include felony criminal prosecutions, civil matters with claims exceeding $25,000, domestic relations proceedings such as divorce, child custody, and support enforcement, probate and estate matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from District Court. Given the size of the county, Garland County Circuit Court also maintains specialty court divisions including drug court and other diversion programs.
The Garland County District Court handles lower-level matters. This court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and civil claims up to $25,000. Small claims proceedings are also in the District Court. The District Court is in Hot Springs. Garland County District Court participates in CourtConnect, which means many traffic and misdemeanor records are searchable online as well as Circuit Court records.
Note: Garland County's high case volume means the CourtConnect database has a large number of entries. Use the full case number when possible to get directly to the record you need, rather than relying on name searches alone.
Getting Copies of Garland County Court Records
Garland County court records are public and accessible through CourtConnect, in person at the Hot Springs courthouse, or by mail. Online is the easiest starting point for recent cases. In-person visits are best for older records or certified copies.
For in-person access, go to the Garland County Circuit Clerk at 501 Ouachita Avenue in Hot Springs. No appointment is needed. Bring the case number or party name. Staff will pull the record and make copies at the standard rate. Payment is due at the counter. Given the office's workload, it helps to come prepared with as much identifying information as possible.
Mail requests can be sent to Garland County Circuit Clerk, 501 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Include the case number or party name, a description of what you need, and a check or money order for estimated fees. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (501) 622-3600 before mailing to confirm the fee amount.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act protects your right to access public court records. Most docket entries and filed documents are available without a formal FOIA request. Sealed records and certain juvenile files are exceptions. If access is denied, you can challenge the denial through the court.
Filing Fees in Garland County Courts
Court filing fees in Garland County follow the state fee schedule. A new civil case in Circuit Court costs $165. This applies across all Arkansas counties. Additional fees may be assessed during the case for service of process and certain filings.
Copy fees are $0.50 per page and $5.00 for certified copies. A summons is $2.50 and writs are $20.00. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask for an in forma pauperis application. The court evaluates income and may waive fees for qualifying parties. For District Court fees, contact the District Court office directly since rates there are set separately.
Electronic Filing in Garland County
Attorneys with Garland County Circuit Court cases can file electronically through the Arkansas eFiling portal. The system accepts documents and payments online, and submissions appear in CourtConnect once the clerk processes them. This saves a trip to the Hot Springs courthouse for routine filings.
Self-represented parties should contact the Circuit Clerk at (501) 622-3600 to ask whether eFiling is available for their specific case type. Some categories allow pro se electronic filing; others require paper submissions at the courthouse. The clerk can walk you through the current requirements for your matter.
Federal Court Records for Garland County
Federal cases involving Garland County are filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, not with the county court. Federal jurisdiction covers federal criminal cases, civil rights lawsuits, and bankruptcy filings. These records do not appear in CourtConnect.
Search federal records through the PACER system at pacer.uscourts.gov. For document copies from federal proceedings, contact the U.S. District Court clerk's office. Federal fees and procedures are separate from the state court system.