Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need access to Arkansas public records. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses, and so on.

Arkansas public records are held by the federal, state, and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although they're accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department and state. You can always visit state departments and offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online.

When researching AR public records, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in AR vital records but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the Arkansas records you get are up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching Arkansas state public records. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search Arkansas public records when researching real estate options

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites, like county offices. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Real Marketing is a major online resource that provides links to Arkansas county assessor's offices, county recorder's offices and county treasurer's offices. You can find comprehensive property information by visiting these resources.

Consider checking Arkansas court records before you hire an employee

As a business owner, it's smart to run Arkansas background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring childcare providers and teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background check, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: The Arkansas Police Department's Online Criminal Background Check System can help you obtain criminal records. Additionally, you can do an Arkansas court record search on the website of the Arkansas Judiciary.

Track down anyone with an Arkansas vital records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any person, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find records of marriage, divorce, birth and death at the Arkansas Department of Public Health. PeopleFinders.com can help you track someone down using a variety of information, but they do require a fee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, such as Arkansas bankruptcy records, are collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.