What are Benton County Public Records?
Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Benton County public records include writings, recordings, and other data compilations in any medium held by public offices or by public employees. Exceptions exist. Benton County public records do not include:
- Software acquired by purchase, lease, or license;
- State income tax records;
- Medical records, adoption records, and education records;
- Minutes of a grand jury;
- Unpublished drafts of judicial or quasi-judicial opinions and decisions;
- Undisclosed investigations by law enforcement agencies of suspected criminal activity;
- Unpublished memoranda, working papers, and correspondence of public officials;
- Documents or records protected from public disclosure by court order or rule of court;
- Personnel records to the extent that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
- Personal contact information.
Benton County Crime Statistics
The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) of the Arkansas State Police Department compiles and maintains crime statistics submitted by various county law enforcement agents. According to the 2018 report, Benton County recorded a total of 14,252 reported crimes across all 17 cities of the county. Narcotics violations and drug-related offenses topped the ranks with over 4,000 reported incidents. This was followed by theft and larceny with 1,885 reported incidents, and simple assault and destruction of property with 1194 and 1024 occurrences respectively. In total, crimes against persons proved the least subset of offenses with only 3.041 incidents while crimes against property accounted for more than 6,700 reported incidents - nearly half the total number of crimes recorded.
Are Benton County Criminal Records Public?
Following Arkansas state laws, Benton County criminal records are open records accessible to interested members of the public. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office maintains local records of arrests and convictions in the county. However, the Arkansas State Police Department processes requests for criminal history records and background checks of persons residing in Benton County and other parts of the state. Requests may be processed manually or electronically. Requesters who submit manual requests will be provided with information regarding felony and misdemeanor arrests, whether or not the subject is a sex offender, and pending court charges. Requesters are required to complete the ASP-122 request form, which must be notarized by the subject of the record or background check. The notarized application should then be sent along with a self-addressed envelope and a cheque or money order payment of $25 to:
Arkansas State Police
Identification Bureau
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Mail queries are processed within 10 days of the request. The electronic process requires requesters to obtain the written consent of the subject and register on-line to have their requests approved. Interested parties can then register with the Information Network of Arkansas (INA) to obtain a unique password with which to view the requested criminal history information using the Online Criminal Background Check System. Validated users may require the fingerprints of the subjects to conduct a search using the System. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office offers fingerprinting services.
How to Obtain Benton County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office generates and maintains copies of Benton County arrest records, police reports, accident reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement-related documents. It provides copies of accident reports at $10 per copy. Interested persons can request accident reports online or request other records online. Alternatively, in-person and mail request for these records to Sheriff’s Office at the address below:
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
1300 SouthWest 14th Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-1008
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Benton County?
The ACIC is the state-designated registry for missing persons, sex-offenders, and related information. Interested persons may find information about sex offenders resident in Benton County using the ACIC Sex Offender Registry Search. It provides information on sex offenders within Level 2-4 risk levels. Offenders may be searched by name or location. Location can be searched with street name, city, zip code, and county. There is a part for non-mappable offenders. Benton County residents can also register for sex-offender related email notifications on the site.
Alternatively, Benton County residents may locate sex offenders in specific vicinities using the Benton County Map of Registered Sex Offenders.
How to Find Benton County Inmate Records?
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office manages all information relating to Benton County Jail inmate roster and welfare, jail specifications, and visitation requirements. Specific information regarding current inmates can be obtained by querying the Sheriff’s Office or Jail Clerk’s Office at:
Benton County Jail
1300 South West 14th
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 271-1011
There is also an online Inmate Roster that provides users with information about persons currently incarcerated in the county jail. It can be searched by the inmate’s name, race, sex, date in custody, arrest date, release date, and held for the agency. The portal provides this information as well as the inmate’s date of birth and details on what the inmate is charged with.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Benton County Jail?
Inmate visitation at the Benton County Jail is for 15 minutes. An inmate can be visited twice a week. Visits can be done remotely or on-site. Visiting days are Monday to Friday. The hours of visitation are 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Prospective visitors should contact the jail facility to schedule visits and obtain information about visitation at the facility.
Court Records
Benton County courts include two Circuit Courts and 14 District Courts. These courts handle cases involving civil, criminal, probate, family, small claims, traffic, and juvenile matters. The documents and records that relate to these cases are maintained by the courts and made available to interested persons upon request.
Location of Courts in Benton County
Benton County Circuit Courts
Benton County Circuit Court
Benton County Courthouse
102 NorthEast A Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 271-1015
Fax: (479) 271-5719
Benton County Circuit Court - Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
1301 Melissa Drive
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 271-5702
Benton County District Courts
Benton County District Court - Bella Vista
612 West Lancashire Boulevard
Bella Vista, AR 72715
Phone: (479) 367-7625
Benton County District Court - Bentonville
2706 South Walton Boulevard
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 271-3120
Fax: (479) 271-3134
Benton County District Court - Bethel Heights
530 Sunrise Drive
Bethel Heights, AR 72764
Phone: (479) 751-7481
Fax: (479) 750-1698
Benton County District Court - Cave Springs
134 North Main Street
P.O. Box 36
Cave Springs, AR 72718
Phone: (479) 248-1040
Fax: (479) 248-7521
Benton County District Court - Centerton
220 Municipal Drive
Centerton, AR 72719
Phone: (479) 795-4431, extension 2
Benton County District Court - Decatur
P.O. Box 459, Gentry, AR 72734
Phone: (479) 736-8579
Fax: (479) 736-8743
Benton County District Court - Gentry
P.O. Box 459
Gentry, AR 72734
Phone: (479) 736-8579
Fax: (479) 736-8743
Benton County District Court - Gravette
604 1st Avenue SouthEast
Gravette, AR 72736
Phone: (479) 787-5757
Fax: (479) 787-5018
Benton County District Court - Little Flock
1500 Little Flock Drive
Little Flock, AR 72756
Phone: (479) 636-2081
Fax: (479) 636-2318
Benton County District Court - Lowell
216 North Lincoln Street
Lowell, AR 72745
Phone: (479) 770-0166
Benton County District Court - Pea Ridge
City Hall
977 Weston Street
P.O. Box 10
Pea Ridge, AR 72751
Phone: (479) 451-1122
Fax: (479) 358-9126
Benton County District Court - Rogers
1901 South Dixieland Road
Rogers, AR 72756
Phone: (479) 621-1138 (Civil, Small Claims)
Fax: (479) 621-6058 (Civil, Small Claims)
Phone: (479) 621-1132 (Criminal, Traffic)
Fax: (479) 621-1136 (Criminal, Traffic)
Benton County District Court - Siloam Springs
410 North Broadway
P.O. Box 80
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: (479) 524-4947
Fax: (479) 238-0995
Benton County District Court - Sulphur Springs
P.O. Box 145
Sulphur Springs, AR 72768
Phone: (479) 298-3103
Fax: (479) 298-3515
Are Benton County Court Records Public?
Access to Benton county court records is decided on a case-by-case basis. While the majority of Benton County court records are open to the public, some records, such as juvenile court records, are exempted from public access. Courts may also order that a case and certain information related to it be exempted from public access. The Benton County Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian of official court records of Benton County.
Can you look up a Benton County Court Case Online?
Members of the public may search civil and criminal indexes for relevant court records using the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Public CourtConnect portal and the Arkansas Judiciary Public CourtConnect portal. They house case records, docket filings, judgment, and other court record information. Users can search the AOC by person name, business name, or case type. They can also search for judgments against a person or business. The portal also generates docket reports, check case information and activities, search cases filed by date search, search docket filings by date search. The second portal can also be searched by person name, business name, or case ID. It also provides options to search case filings and docket filings. The Benton County Circuit Clerk also provides an online search portal for members of the public to search court records.
How to Obtain Benton County Civil Court Case Records?
The Benton County Circuit Clerk is tasked with processing requests to view and/or copy Benton County civil court case records. Interested persons may access copies of court records by researching records in person at the Benton County Circuit Clerk’s Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Monday through Friday at:
Benton County Circuit Clerk
215 East Central
Room 202
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-1015
How to Obtain Benton County Criminal Court Records?
The Benton County Circuit Clerk keeps copies of Benton County criminal court records and processes requests of persons interested in these records. Residents of the county may request copies of court records by researching records in person at the Benton County Circuit Clerk’s Office at:
Benton County Circuit Clerk
215 East Central
Room 202
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-1015
What are Benton County Vital Records?
Benton County vital records are official documents that provide details of vital events that happened within the county. Vital records include marriage, divorce, birth, and death records. Vital records can be obtained at state-managed departments or county level. The Vital Records Office of the Arkansas Department of Health is the central repository of all state vital records. Interested and eligible persons may obtain Benton County divorce, marriage, death or birth records by querying the Vital Records Division of the department. Similarly, divorce and marriage records are available at the county level at the office of the Benton County Circuit Clerk and the Benton County Clerk.
Where and How to Obtain Benton County Divorce Records?
Benton County Circuit Clerk maintains copies of Benton County divorce records. These records can be obtained by certain eligible persons which include
- Individual age 16 and older (named on the coupons)
- Mother
- Father (if named on the birth certificate)
- Children
- Grandchild
- Maternal Grandparents
Interested persons can make in-person requests for divorce records at the Benton County Circuit Clerk’s Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Monday through Friday at:
Benton County Circuit Clerk
215 East Central
Room 202
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 271-1015
Interested persons may also obtain Benton County divorce records from the Arkansas Department of Health by making online, in-person, mail, or over-the-phone requests. A divorce record costs $10. Online requests can be made through the Vital Records Online Service. There is a $5 standard processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable identity verification fee charged for online requests. Additional fees will be added if a person chooses to expedite the process. Telephone requests can be made by calling (866) 209-9482.
To request and receive records via mail or in person, eligible persons should complete the Divorce Coupon Application. Enclose payment (money order or check made to the Arkansas Department of Health) and a copy of an acceptable ID to the completed form. The request can be made by mail to any of the following local health units:
Benton County Health Unit - Rogers
1200 West Walnut Street Suite 2200
Rogers, AR 72756
Phone: (479) 986-1300
Fax: (479) 986-1373
Benton County Health Unit - Siloam Springs
101 West University
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
(479) 549-3794
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records
Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Requests may also be made in person at the vital records office of the Arkansas Department of Health during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday. All request methods require requesters to verify their identities and pay applicable fees before obtaining the requested record.
Where and How to Get Public Benton County Marriage Records?
The Benton County Clerk issues all records of marriages licensed within the county and the County Clerk Archives functions as the primary repository of all Benton County marriage records. Benton County marriage certificates maintained in the archive can only be viewed in person. Interested persons are required to set up an appointment by calling (800) 637-9314, extension 2618. The Benton County Clerk archive is located at:
2111 West Walnut Street
Rogers, AR 72756
Requesters may be required to present a government-issued ID card and/or pay any applicable search and copy fees before obtaining the record of interest. Searches typically require relevant information about the spouses, including their names, any maiden names as well as the date and place of marriage. Interested persons can also search Benton County marriage licenses online.
The Vital Records Office of the Arkansas Department of Health also maintains copies of Benton County marriage. Interested persons can make their requests online, by telephone, via mail, or in person. Benton County marriage certificates can be requested online through the Vital Records Online Service, while phone requests can be made by calling (866) 209-9482. To make in-person or mail requests, fill out the Marriage Coupon Application (also available in Spanish). Forward the completed application along with a copy of an acceptable ID and payment to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Email: adh.vitalrecords@arkansas.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Benton County marriage certificates cost $10 per copy. In-person requesters can pay in cash, through credit or debit cards, or a check or money order addressed to the Arkansas Department of Health. Persons requesting via mail may only pay through checks and money orders. For more information about receiving records, residents can query the Vital Records office via email. Persons eligible to obtain Benton marriage records include:
- The record’s subject
- Mother
- Father (if named on the birth certificate)
- Children
- Grandchild
- Maternal Grandparents
Where and How to Find Benton County Birth Records?
Benton County birth records are kept and issued by the Vital Records Division of the Department of Public Health and the Benton County Health Unit. Eligible persons may request Benton County birth certificates online, by mail, in-person, or by telephone. Eligible persons include
- The record’s subject
- Mother
- Father (if named on the certificate)
- Child
- Spouse
- Maternal Grandparents
- Grandchild
- Guardian (with proper legal documentation)
Residents can order Benton birth records online by using the Vital Records Online Service. Alternatively, records seekers can submit a completed Birth Certificate Application (also available in Spanish) along with a copy of a valid ID to the:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Requests for birth records may also be done by calling the office at (866) 209-9482. Benton birth record costs $12 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record that is ordered at the same time. The Department only accepts checks and money orders for mail requests, while in-person requesters may also pay in cash and by credit or debit cards.
Where and How to Find Benton County Death Records?
The Vital Records Division of the Department of Public Health maintains and issues copies of Benton County death records. The following eligible persons may request Benton County death certificates online, by mail, in-person, or by telephone:
- Mother
- Father (if named on the certificate)
- Child
- Spouse
- Maternal Grandparents
- Grandchild
- Informant
- Funeral Home
- Beneficiary (with proper documentation)
Interested persons may obtain death records by requesting online from the Vital Records Online Service. To request in-person or by mail, complete the Death Certificate Application (also available in Spanish), and submit it together with valid ID and payment to
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Email: adh.vitalrecords@arkansas.gov
Alternatively, call the Vital Records Office at (866) 209-9482 to obtain Benton death records. Each copy of a Benton death record costs $10, while each additional copy attracts an $8 fee. Only checks and money orders options are available for mail requests. In addition to these, in-person requesters can also pay in cash, by credit or debit cards.
