How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records
Finding Arkansas Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
- 1917 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1917[edit | edit source]
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1957 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,001,777 |
Can't access Ancestry? | Visit your local family history center or your local public library. |
No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.
OR
- View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
- Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
- Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
- Some microfilm may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Marriages Before 1917[edit | edit source]
- Ancestry, United States Marriages – Arkansas, 1779-1966 ($) index and images
Marriages 1917 to Present[edit | edit source]
- 1917 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
- Arkansas Marriages, 1779-1992 Index only ($)
- United States Marriages – Arkansas, 1779-1966 ($) index and images
- Arkansas Marriages, 1820-1949 Index only ($)
- Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957 Index only ($)
- Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957 Index and images.
- Arkansas, Marriages, 1837-1944 Index only.
- Arkansas Marriages to 1850 Index only ($)
- Arkansas Marriages, 1851-1900 Index only ($)
- Arkansas, Marriage Index, 1933-1939 Index only.
- Arkansas Marriage Index, 1933-1939 Index only ($)
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Marriage Indexes and Digital Images | |||
Database Name - Index and Image | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1957 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,001,777 | |
Findmypast, United States Marriages – Arkansas, 1779-1966 | On Findmypast ($) index and images |
If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try: | |||
Database Name-Index Only | Link or links to access database | # of records | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1837-1957 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 3,554,066 |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1837-1944 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 1,001,777 | |
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1933-1939 | On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years | 421,079 | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1933-1939 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 421,079 |
RootsWeb, Marriages, 1934-1939 | On RootsWeb; free; arranged by bride. | Undisclosed | |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1779-1992 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 202,790 |
Ancestry, Marriages, 1820-1949 | Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers | $, Use your own Ancestry subscription | 39,640 |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
Church Records |
Census Records |
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the county clerk.
OR
- Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the Arkansas Department of Health.
To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
From County of Marriage | From AR Dept. of Health | ||
Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
- United States Vital Records
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
- Locating United States Vital Records