How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
m (Text replacement - "index and images" to "index & images")
(Changed "Rating" to "Content".)
 
Line 21: Line 21:


| bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |  
| bgcolor="DC DC DC" style="width: 300px;" |  
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span> |2=1}}
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
{{Block indent|1=<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1917|Before 1917]]''' </span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1917|Before 1917]]''' </span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Marriages_1917_to_Present|1917 to Present]]''' </span>  
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Marriages_1917_to_Present|1917 to Present]]''' </span> |2=1}}
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>
{{Block indent|1=*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>|2=1}}


|}
|}
Line 128: Line 128:
'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''  
'''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 [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].  
{{Block indent|*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk]. }}
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]
{{Block indent|*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]}}


'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your 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 [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].
{{Block indent|*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].}}


''OR''  
''OR''  


:*View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:
{{Block indent|*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 [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.  
Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.  


::*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.  
{{Block indent|*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county. |2}}
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.  
{{Block indent|*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk. |2}}
::*Some microfilm may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
{{Block indent|*Some microfilm may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.|2}}
<center>[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Finding_Arkansas_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
<center>[[How to Find Arkansas Marriage Records#Finding_Arkansas_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
Line 232: Line 232:
'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''  
'''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 [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].  
{{Block indent|*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk]. }}
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records.]]
{{Block indent|*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records.]]}}


{| width="75%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto"
{| width="75%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto"
Line 250: Line 250:
'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your 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 [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].
{{Block indent|*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.arcounties.org/counties county clerk].}}


''OR''  
''OR''  


:*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Pages/MarriageandDivorceRecords.aspx Arkansas Department of Health].
{{Block indent|*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/certificatesVitalRecords/Pages/MarriageandDivorceRecords.aspx Arkansas Department of Health].}}


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
Line 281: Line 281:
== Wiki Articles  ==
== Wiki Articles  ==


:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records#Tips_about_Searching_United_States_Marriage_Records|Learn more about U.S. marriage records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to find U.S. birth records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]] }}
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]] }}
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]] }}
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]] }}
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] }}
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
{{Block indent|*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] }}
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
{{Block indent|*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]] }}
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]__NOTOC__
{{Block indent|*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]__NOTOC__}}


{{arkansas|arkansas}}  
{{arkansas|arkansas}}  


[[Category:Arkansas_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]
[[Category:Arkansas_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Latest revision as of 16:28, 19 August 2025


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

Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]

Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


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
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
Ancestry, Marriages, 1779-1992 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 202,790
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 142,055
Ancestry, Marriages, 1820-1949 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 39,640
Ancestry, Marriages, to 1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 18,173
Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local FamilySearch 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.
Search other records with marriage information.

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.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages Before 1917[edit | edit source]

Marriages 1917 to Present[edit | edit source]

  • 1917 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

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 & 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

Newspapers
Military Records
Obituaries

Census Records

Cemetery Records
Death Records
Bible 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
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]