What are Little Rock Public Records?
According to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), not all documents created or stored by a government agency are open to the public. The definition of public records depends entirely on its content. Exemptions to public records include:
- State income tax records
- Medical records, adoption records, and education records
- The site files and records maintained by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the Arkansas Archeological Survey
- Grand jury minutes
- Undisclosed investigations by law enforcement agencies of suspected criminal activity
- Correspondence of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and the Attorney General
- Security functions of a computer system or network, including any data residing therein
- Personnel records
- Materials, information, examinations, and answers to examinations used for purposes of testing applicants for licensure by state boards or commissions;
- Vulnerability assessments submitted by a public water system
- Records containing information relating to any Department of Human Services risk or security assessment
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Little Rock Crime Statistics
The Little Rock Police Department compiles and publishes criminal statistical data for the city. According to the 2017 report, the city recorded a 1% increase in the crime rate compared to 2016 data. The most notable decline was recorded in robbery incidents, which slid 24.73%, going from 659 incidents in 2016 to 496 in 2017. Motor vehicle theft also declined by 4.6% to 1,107 incidents in 2017. However, larceny held steady with only a 0.06% change and 10,411 incidents within the year. On the other hand, violent crimes spiked by 6.3%, with reported aggravated assault and homicide increasing incidents by 15% and 23%, respectively to 2557 and 52 incidents each.
Are Little Rock Criminal Records Public?
Access to little rock public records varies on a case-by-case basis. The Little Rock City Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency of the city and the primary custodian of locally generated crime records and data. However, requests for criminal records and background checks are processed by the Arkansas State Police Department, which maintains the central repository of statewide criminal history information.
How to Get Criminal Records
Interested persons may request Little Rock criminal records from the Arkansas State Police Department. Depending on the preferred process of the requester, searches may be processed manually or electronically. To obtain criminal history records manually, the requesting party is required to complete and notarize an identification bureau record check request form. The subject of the check is also required to give their consent to the check by notarizing the form. The completed form 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 records should also include information about the subjects, arrests, pending court charges and sex offender information if available.
Electronic requests can be made using the Online Criminal Background Check System. This will require that the requesting party register with the Information Network of Arkansas (INA) in order to obtain login information with which to access the site.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Little Rock
Sex offender information is maintained by the Department of Public Safety. Interested parties may perform an online search for offenders by:
- Name
- Street Name
Record seekers may also register for email or phone notification by selecting 'Notification' on the online portal. Individuals may view a list of registered sex offenders. For more information contact:
Arkansas Crime Information Center
322 S. Main Street, Ste. 615
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 682-2222
How to Find Little Rock Inmate Records
Inmate records in Little Rock are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC). The office maintains an online inmate roster containing comprehensive information of inmates currently in custody. Interested persons may obtain information of inmates by searching the roster using the searchable fields available, including the inmate's name, age, race, age, and primary charge.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Little Rock Police Department Jail
Visitors must complete a visitation application and return it to the Unit Visitation Clerk at the jail. The Warden approves or denies applications. Visitors are required to provide a valid photo ID for entry. You may review the entry procedures for the control of contraband. Video and phone visitations are allowed for a maximum duration of 30 minutes. The fee for video visitation is $12.99. Contact the jail at:
Arkansas Department of Corrections
1302 Pike Avenue, Suite C
North Little Rock,
AR 72114
Court Records
The Office of the Pulaski County Circuit maintains and disseminates all court records of cases heard within its jurisdiction, including Little Rock City. Interested persons may access court records by making in-person queries to the circuit clerk's office or by sending a written request stating all relevant details of the case, including the case number and filing date to:
Pulaski County Circuit Court
401 W Markham St, #100,
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 340-8500
Fax: (501) 421-0293
For expeditious record retrieval, the requesting party may also self-serve using the Arkansas Administrative Court Connect Website. Court records can be searched by date, business name, etc. Examples of court records maintained by the record department are:
- Ministers' credentials
- Doing Business As (DBA) registrations
- Medical licenses
- Going out of business licenses
- County court orders
- County contracts
- Annexation, road closing, and dedication petitions
- Special improvement district applications
- Pulaski County Board of Equalization appeals
Locations of Courts in Little Rock
Little Rock District Courts
600 W Markham St,
Little Rock, AR 72201,
United States
North Little Rock Traffic Court
200 W Pershing Blvd,
North Little Rock, AR 72114,
United States
Pulaski County Circuit Court
401 W Markham St,
Little Rock, AR 72201,
United States
Arkansas Supreme Court
625 Marshall St,
Little Rock, AR 72202,
United States
Court of Appeals
625 Marshall St,
Little Rock, AR 72201,
United States
US Bankruptcy Court
300 W 2nd St #2400,
Little Rock, AR 72201,
United States
Pulaski County Quorum Court
201 Broadway St # 410,
Little Rock, AR 72201,
United States
Are Little Rock Court Records Public?
Little Rock court records are available for public viewing. However, some records are exempted from access. Examples include:
- Unpublished drafts of judicial or quasi-judicial opinions and decisions
- Personal contact information and home addresses of non-elected state employees, non-elected municipal employees, non-elected school employees, and non-elected county employees contained in employer records
- Documents that are protected from disclosure by order or rule of court
- The identities of law enforcement officers currently working undercover
- Military service discharge records or Dishonorable Discharge Form for veterans discharged from service less than 70 years from the current date
- Records pertaining to the issuance, renewal, expiration, suspension, or revocation of a license to carry a concealed handgun and all records pertaining to a criminal or health history check conducted on the applicant or licensee
- The date of birth and contact information of a person who is under 18 years of age at the time of the request made
- Information related to taxes collected by particular entities
- Records containing information relating to security for any public water system or municipally owned utility system.
- Personal information of current and former public water system customers and municipally owned utility system customers
- Electronic data information maintained by a disaster recovery system;
What are Little Rock Vital Records?
Vital records provide information on life events that occur in the city, such as birth certificates, death certificates, issued marriage licenses, and divorce records. The Arkansas Department of Health is the central repository of all vital records. Interested and eligible persons may obtain Little Rock divorce, marriage, death, or birth records by querying the Vital Records Division of the department. Similarly, marriage, birth and death records are co-managed by various departments at the county level. However, records are more easily obtained at the state level.
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
(800) 462-0599
Where and How to Obtain Little Rock Divorce Records
Little Rock divorce records are maintained by The Arkansas Department of Health. Divorce records dating from January 1923 to the present can be obtained by providing personal information, contact information, a valid government ID, date of birth, and appropriate proof of relationship documents. Requesters may also obtain divorce records by submitting a completed form along with a copy of their government-issued ID, and a fee to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Little Rock
Little Rock marriage records are maintained by The Arkansas Department of Health. Marriage records can be requested by providing the right personal information, contact information, a valid government ID, date of birth, and appropriate proof of relationship documents. Eligible parties may also obtain marriage records by submitting a completed form along with a copy of your government-issued ID and a fee to the:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Marriage licenses are also maintained by the County Clerk Records Department. Users may search online for a marriage license or contact the clerk's office at (501) 340-8766.
Where and How to Find Little Rock Birth Records
Little Rock birth records are maintained by The Arkansas Department of Health. To obtain copies of a record, applicants will need to provide a valid government ID, date of birth, and appropriate proof of relationship documents. Requesters may obtain birth records via mail by submitting a completed form along with a copy of their government-issued ID, and a fee to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Where and How to Find Little Rock Death Records
The Arkansas Department of Health maintains Little Rock death records. Eligible parties cna obtain death records by submitting a completed form along with a copy of their government issued ID, and a fee to:
Arkansas Department of Health
Vital Records, Slot 44
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
