State records guide
Property title search in Arkansas
Facts below are taken from the Clark County circuit clerk's page, the Code of Arkansas Rules for the Commissioner of State Lands and a federal Census guide, each linked, each checked on the date shown. General information, not legal advice.
Arkansas has 75 counties; the Clark County page describes its circuit clerk as ex officio county recorder. Parcels the state receives from counties for unpaid taxes are offered no earlier than one year later, and redemption petitions and payment must arrive before the petition expires or 4:00 p.m. CT on the last business day before the sale.
What an Arkansas title search has to account for
| Where deeds are recorded | The Clark County page linked states that its circuit clerk is the clerk of the circuit court and juvenile court and, as ex officio county recorder, records deeds, mortgages, liens and instruments which involve property within the county, and maintains a file of all cases pending in either court and a record of all past court cases. Source: Clark County, Arkansas, Circuit Clerk: office functions and responsibilities, checked 2026-11-06. |
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| Recording jurisdictions | Arkansas has 75 counties, each governed by a county judge and justices of the peace. The search is run in the county where the parcel lies. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Guide to State and Local Census Geography: Arkansas, checked 2026-11-06. |
| Foreclosure sales (Clark County page) | The Clark County Circuit Clerk page linked states that the office only handles judicial foreclosures or sales ordered by the court, and that all non-judicial foreclosure sales are posted on the first floor in a glass case. Source: Clark County, Arkansas, Circuit Clerk: foreclosure sales, checked 2026-11-06. |
| Delinquent property tax sales | All parcels offered for sale by the Commissioner of State Lands have been turned over to the state by their county for nonpayment of real property taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs, and the sale date is no earlier than one year after the parcel reaches the Commissioner. The parcel is identified by legal description and parcel number, not by street address. Source: Code of Arkansas Rules, 26 CAR s. 400-104, Parcel offered for sale (Commissioner of State Lands), checked 2026-11-06. |
| Redemption after a tax sale | Until a tax-delinquent parcel is sold or otherwise disposed of by the state, a person who wishes to redeem it submits a petition to redeem to the Commissioner of State Lands together with the full amount of outstanding taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs due when the petition is received. Source: Code of Arkansas Rules, 26 CAR s. 400-108, Redemption of tax-delinquent parcels (Commissioner of State Lands), checked 2026-11-06. |
Who keeps Arkansas land records?
The Clark County page linked above describes the circuit clerk there as clerk of the circuit court and juvenile court and, as ex officio county recorder, responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens and instruments that involve property in the county. The same page says the clerk maintains a file of all cases pending in either court and a record of all past court cases and their disposition.
That page speaks for Clark County. The state has 75 counties, and the search runs in the county where the parcel lies. The report traces the chain of title as far back as the county's records go, with document images of the key instruments, and verifies findings with the assessor, tax office, recorder and courts.
What does the Clark County clerk say about Arkansas foreclosures?
The Clark County page linked above says the circuit clerk's office there only handles judicial foreclosures or sales ordered by the court, and that all non-judicial foreclosure sales are posted on the first floor in a glass case.
For a bidder, an auction title report reports the foreclosing lien's position and the liens that would survive, in dollars, for the bidder's attorney.
What happens to tax-delinquent land in Arkansas?
Rule 400-104 says all parcels offered for sale by the Commissioner of State Lands have been turned over to the state by the county where they are located for nonpayment of real property taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs, and the sale date is no earlier than one year after the parcel reaches the Commissioner. The rule identifies offered parcels by legal description and parcel number, not by physical address, and says they may be subject to liens or encumbrances, easements, building or use restrictions, or governmental interests.
Under rule 400-108, until a parcel is sold or disposed of by the state, a person who wishes to redeem submits a petition to redeem with the outstanding taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs due when the petition is received. The amount on a petition is valid for thirty calendar days unless the parcel has been sold, the county amends the records or more costs accrue. Petitions and payments must be received before the petition's expiration date or before 4:00 p.m. CT on the last business day before the sale date, whichever is earlier; postmarks are not accepted, and partial payments, incomplete petitions and incorrect petitions are not accepted. The report verifies tax sales and redemptions with the tax office and states the surviving liens, taxes and assessments in dollars.
How does an Arkansas death or divorce show up in the title?
A probate title search finds the decedent's property by name and reports vesting at death, how title passes, including joint tenancy, a trust or a life estate, and the liens to pay.
For a divorce, the report states the recorded deed or decree it finds, and an attorney reads the effect. The Clark County page linked above says its circuit clerk keeps a record of all past court cases and their disposition.
Which package fits an Arkansas property?
Every package covers Arkansas property wherever it is recorded. Pick by situation:
- Probate law firm: Find every property a decedent held, how it was vested and what has to be paid before it passes. $595 per estate.
- Real estate law firm: A preliminary report with schedule-style exceptions and print-ready exhibits for your matter. $695 per property.
- Builders and developers: Multi-parcel research on access, easements, restrictions, mineral reservations and entity ownership. $995 first parcel.
- Auction buyer: Know the total cost to own, which liens survive the sale and whether to bid at all. $395 for 1 property.
- Home buyer: Confirm the seller owns the home and learn what has to be cleared before you pay. $449 per property.
- Home seller: Find the old mortgage, judgment or name mismatch before a buyer's title company does. $449 per property.
Questions about a title search in Arkansas
Which office records deeds in Arkansas?
The Clark County page linked above says the circuit clerk there, as ex officio county recorder, records deeds, mortgages, liens and instruments which involve property within the county, and is also clerk of the circuit court and juvenile court. There are 75 counties in the state, and a title search is run in the county where the parcel lies.
Which foreclosures does the Clark County, Arkansas clerk handle?
The Clark County Circuit Clerk page linked above says the office only handles judicial foreclosures or sales ordered by the court, and that all non-judicial foreclosure sales are posted on the first floor in a glass case. An auction title report reports the foreclosing lien's position and the liens that would survive, in dollars, for the bidder's attorney.
Who sells tax-delinquent property in Arkansas?
The Commissioner of State Lands. Rule 400-104 says all parcels the Commissioner offers have been turned over to the state by their county for nonpayment of real property taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs, and the sale date is no earlier than one year after the parcel reaches the Commissioner. Parcels are identified by legal description and parcel number, not by physical address.
How is tax-delinquent land redeemed in Arkansas?
Until the parcel is sold or disposed of by the state, a person who wishes to redeem submits a petition to redeem to the Commissioner of State Lands with the outstanding taxes, penalties, interest, fees and costs. Petitions and payments must be received before the petition's expiration date or before 4:00 p.m. CT on the last business day before the sale, whichever is earlier, and partial payments are not accepted.
What does an Arkansas probate or divorce title search read?
A probate title search finds the decedent's property by name and reports vesting at death, how title passes, including joint tenancy, a trust or a life estate, and the liens to pay. For a divorce, the report states the recorded deed or decree it finds, and an attorney reads the effect. The Clark County page linked above notes that its circuit clerk keeps a record of all past court cases.