Union County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Union County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Union County, Arkansas may access a range of publicly available information through UnionCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data related to county-level records. The Union County Arkansas official government portal serves as the primary authoritative source for residents and non-residents alike. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, though availability and completeness vary by record type and the custodial office.
Online Access:
Members of the public may search court records through the Arkansas court case search portal, which provides access to civil, criminal, and probate case information statewide. The Arkansas.gov state portal offers additional links to state agency databases, licensing records, and other publicly maintained information. No registration is required to conduct basic searches through these platforms.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Union County Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The office is located at 101 N. Washington Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will assist in locating responsive documents.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted to the Union County Clerk's Office at 101 N. Washington Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. 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:
The Union County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (870) 864-1940. Additional departmental contact information is available through the Union County government website.
What Are Public Records in Union County?
Public records in Union County are defined under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act 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. The following record types are maintained by county offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Union County Circuit Clerk
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments): Maintained by the Union County Assessor and Circuit Clerk
- Vital records (marriage records from 1885 to present): The Union County Clerk's office maintains marriage records, probate court filings, small estate records, guardianship, commitment, adoption, and ministers' records
- Business records (licenses, permits): Maintained by the County Clerk and relevant state agencies
- Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Maintained by the Union County Tax Collector and Assessor
- Voting and election records: Maintained by the County Clerk
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Maintained by the County Clerk and individual boards
- Budget and financial documents: Available through the County Treasurer's office
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted): Maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the County Planning and Development office
Is Union County an Open Records County?
Union County operates in full compliance with Arkansas state open records law. Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-19-101 et seq., commonly known as the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. As stated in the Act, "It is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that the electors shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are made by such officials on their behalf."
The Arkansas FOIA applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies. Union County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all public records requests submitted to county offices. The Arkansas Attorney General's office provides interpretive guidance on the application of the FOIA to county government operations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Union County?
The fee structure for public records in Union County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-19-109, fees charged for copies of public records must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 per page (varies by office) |
| Certified copies | $5.00–$15.00 per document (varies by record type) |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of reproduction medium |
| Search fees | Not permitted under Arkansas FOIA |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
Accepted payment methods at the Union County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order. Fees for certified vital records such as marriage certificates may differ from standard copy fees. Fee waiver provisions are not expressly mandated under the Arkansas FOIA for general requestors, though custodians retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Union County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public under Arkansas law. Custodial offices are required to permit in-person inspection of non-exempt records at no charge. The following resources provide free access to Union County records:
- The Union County government portal provides free online access to general county information, office directories, and select public documents
- The Arkansas court case search system allows free online searches of court case information without registration
- Search ARCourts provides simplified, no-cost access to public court information maintained by the Arkansas Judiciary
- In-person inspection at the Union County Clerk's Office is available at no charge during regular business hours
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may inspect records without charge, fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested.
Who Can Request Public Records in Union County?
Any person may request public records in Union County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act does not require requestors to be Arkansas residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. As the Arkansas Attorney General has noted, "The FOIA does not require a requester to state a reason for wanting to inspect or copy public records."
Specific provisions apply to certain record categories:
- Requestors seeking their own records (e.g., personal court filings, tax records) follow the same process as any other requestor
- Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same open records standards, with applicable exemptions for protected personal information
- Attorneys, journalists, and researchers are not granted preferential access under state law; all requestors hold equal standing
- Minors may submit requests, though practical access may require a parent or guardian to facilitate in-person visits
What Records Are Confidential in Union County?
Certain records maintained by Union County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas law. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and related statutes identify the following categories of confidential records:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas Code
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations are exempt
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA provisions
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- 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 confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety
Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-19-105(b) enumerates specific exemptions and requires custodians to segregate exempt material from non-exempt material when a record contains both types of information, releasing the non-exempt portions.
Union County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Union County Clerk's Office
101 N. Washington Ave., Room 101
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-1940
Union County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
The Union County Clerk's Office maintains marriage records dating to 1885, probate court records, small estate filings, guardianship records, commitment records, adoption records, and ministers' records, as documented on the county clerk's official page.
Additional Offices:
Union County Circuit Clerk's Office
101 N. Washington Ave.
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-1960
Union County Arkansas
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Union County Assessor's Office
101 N. Washington Ave.
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-1920
Union County Arkansas
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Union County Tax Collector's Office
101 N. Washington Ave.
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-1930
Union County Arkansas
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Union County Sheriff's Office
300 E. Faulkner St.
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-1960
Union County Arkansas
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM