Lonoke County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Lonoke County?
Public records in Lonoke County are official documents, files, and information created, maintained, or received by government agencies in the course of their official business. According to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-103, public records include "writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium" that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions.
Lonoke County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Lonoke County Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale listings
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Lonoke County Clerk's Office maintains many of these records, while specialized records may be held by specific departments such as the Lonoke County Assessor for property assessments or the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk for court records.
Is Lonoke County an Open Records County?
Lonoke County adheres to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) § 25-19-101 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Act explicitly states that "public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas during the regular business hours of the custodian of the records."
Under § 25-19-105 of the Arkansas FOIA, all public records are presumed to be open unless specifically exempted by law. The statute provides that "except as otherwise specifically provided by this section or by laws specifically enacted to provide otherwise, all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas."
Lonoke County government agencies comply with these state sunshine laws by making records available for public inspection during regular business hours. The county does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance but follows the state law requirements for records access, retention, and disclosure.
The Arkansas Attorney General's Office provides guidance on FOIA compliance that Lonoke County officials follow when processing public records requests.
How to Find Public Records in Lonoke County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Lonoke County may follow these procedures to access information:
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Identify the appropriate records custodian. Different types of records are maintained by specific county offices:
- For property records, contact the Lonoke County Circuit Clerk
- For voter registration and election information, contact the Lonoke County Clerk
- For property tax records, contact the Lonoke County Assessor
- For court records, contact the Lonoke County Circuit Court
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Submit a written request. While verbal requests are permitted under Arkansas FOIA, written requests are recommended for documentation purposes. Requests should include:
- Specific description of records sought
- Requestor's contact information
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)
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Access online resources. Many Lonoke County records are currently available through online portals:
- Court records can be searched through the Arkansas Judiciary's online case information system
- Property records and tax information can be accessed via the Lonoke County Assessor's website
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Visit in person. Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate county office:
Lonoke County Courthouse
301 N. Center Street
Lonoke, AR 72086
(501) 676-2368
Lonoke County Government
- Allow processing time. Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105(e), agencies must respond to requests within three business days. If records are in active use or storage, the custodian must set a date within three business days for when the records will be available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lonoke County?
Lonoke County charges fees for public records in accordance with Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105(d)(2)(A), which permits agencies to charge "the actual costs of reproduction, including the costs of the medium of reproduction, supplies, equipment, and maintenance, but not including existing agency personnel time associated with searching for, retrieving, reviewing, or copying the records."
Current standard fees for public records in Lonoke County include:
- Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $5.00 to $25.00 depending on size
- Electronic records: Actual cost of digital media (CD/DVD/USB drive)
- Research fees: $15.00 per hour after the first hour (for extensive searches)
Payment methods accepted by Lonoke County offices typically include:
- Cash
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (in some offices, with processing fee)
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request is determined to be in the public interest. The determination of fee waivers is made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.
For specialized records such as vital records, specific statutory fees apply:
- Birth certificates: $12.00 for the first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy
- Death certificates: $10.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage licenses: $10.00
Does Lonoke County Have Free Public Records?
Lonoke County provides free inspection of public records in compliance with Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105, which states that all public records shall be open to inspection by any citizen of Arkansas during regular business hours. While copying fees may apply, the inspection of records is available at no cost.
Free public records resources in Lonoke County include:
- In-person inspection: Citizens may examine non-exempt public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
- Online resources: Several free online databases provide access to Lonoke County records:
- The Arkansas Court Connect system provides free access to basic court case information
- The Lonoke County Assessor's website offers free property assessment information
- Lonoke County meeting agendas and minutes are available at no cost on the county website
- Voter registration verification is available through the Arkansas Secretary of State's website
County offices may provide limited free copies for certain records when required by law or when the request is minimal in scope (e.g., 1-2 pages).
Who Can Request Public Records in Lonoke County?
Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105(a)(1)(A), "any citizen of the State of Arkansas" may request public records. This includes:
- Individual Arkansas residents
- Arkansas-based businesses and organizations
- Representatives acting on behalf of Arkansas citizens
The Arkansas FOIA differs from many state public records laws by limiting access to state citizens rather than allowing any person to request records. Records custodians in Lonoke County may request identification to verify Arkansas citizenship status.
Requestors generally do not need to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain why they want the records
- Demonstrate a "need to know"
However, certain specialized records may have additional requirements:
- For vital records (birth, death certificates), requestors must demonstrate a direct relationship or legitimate interest as defined in Arkansas Code § 20-18-305
- For adoption records, specific legal procedures must be followed under Arkansas Code § 9-9-217
- For certain law enforcement records, additional verification may be required
Non-Arkansas residents do not have statutory rights under the Arkansas FOIA but may be able to access certain records through other means, such as federal Freedom of Information Act requests for federally-maintained records or through commercial data providers.
What Records Are Confidential in Lonoke County?
While Arkansas FOIA establishes a presumption of openness, Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b) exempts numerous categories of records from public disclosure. In Lonoke County, the following records are generally considered confidential:
- Personal information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, personal financial information, and medical records
- Juvenile records: Court proceedings involving minors, except under limited circumstances specified in Arkansas Code § 9-27-309
- Adoption records: Sealed by court order under Arkansas Code § 9-9-217
- Personnel records: Employee evaluation/job performance records are exempt when disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Law enforcement records: Ongoing investigation files, information that would impair law enforcement proceedings, or records that would disclose confidential informants
- Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice and work product prepared by county attorneys
- Security information: Records that would jeopardize public safety or security infrastructure
- Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Tax records: Individual tax return information beyond what is publicly available on assessment rolls
- Sealed court records: Cases sealed by judicial order
- Child maltreatment investigations: Protected under Arkansas Code § 12-18-104
- Grand jury proceedings: Confidential under Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure
The Arkansas FOIA also includes a balancing test for personnel records, requiring custodians to determine if disclosure would constitute a "clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" by weighing the public's right to knowledge against an individual's right to privacy.
Records custodians in Lonoke County must redact confidential information from otherwise public records when possible, rather than withholding entire documents.
Lonoke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lonoke County Circuit Clerk's Office
301 N. Center Street, Suite 101
Lonoke, AR 72086
(501) 676-2368
Lonoke County Circuit Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal/state holidays
The Lonoke County Circuit Clerk serves as the county recorder and is responsible for recording, filing, and maintaining various public records including:
- Deeds, mortgages, and property transfers
- Liens and judgments
- Marriage licenses
- Military discharge papers (DD-214)
- Notary public commissions
- UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings
For property tax records and assessments:
Lonoke County Assessor's Office
301 N. Center Street, Suite 102
Lonoke, AR 72086
(501) 676-2379
Lonoke County Assessor
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal/state holidays
For voter registration, election records, and general county records:
Lonoke County Clerk's Office
301 N. Center Street, Suite 101
Lonoke, AR 72086
(501) 676-2368
Lonoke County Clerk
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal/state holidays