Yell County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Yell County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to government activities in Arkansas may access a range of documents through YellRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. Yell County maintains a variety of records that may be inspected or obtained by eligible requestors, subject to applicable state law. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Yell County official government portal provides access to county services and department contacts. Members of the public may search Arkansas court records through the Arkansas judiciary case search system, which allows retrieval of case information without registration. The Search ARCourts platform provides access to actual case filings, though some information is restricted under Arkansas law. The Arkansas Sex Offender Registry allows searches by address, city, or county through the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry public portal.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Yell County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The Yell County Courthouse serves as the primary location for in-person record access. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the records sought. Staff will locate responsive records and make them available for inspection during regular business hours.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests must identify the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate them. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-105, agencies are required to respond within three business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Yell County Clerk (Danville): (479) 495-4850
- Yell County Clerk (Dardanelle): (479) 229-4404
What Are Public Records in Yell County?
Public records in Yell County are defined under Arkansas law as writings, recorded sounds, films, tapes, electronic or computer-based information, or data compilations in any medium required by law to be kept or otherwise kept and that constitute a record of the performance or lack of performance of official functions. Under Arkansas Freedom of Information Act § 25-19-103, public records are broadly defined to promote government transparency.
The following record types are currently maintained by Yell County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk / Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | County Clerk / Arkansas Dept. of Health |
| Tax assessment records | County Assessor |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk / Election Commission |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Judge's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Office |
The Yell County government website provides department contacts and links to available online resources for each record category.
Is Yell County an Open Records County?
Yell County operates in full compliance with Arkansas's statewide open records framework. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), § 25-19-101 et seq., all government records are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. The Arkansas FOIA is among the strongest open records laws in the nation and applies to all county government bodies, including Yell County.
As stated in the Arkansas FOIA, "It is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that the electors shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the affairs of government." This foundational principle governs all public records requests submitted to Yell County offices.
The Arkansas Attorney General's office provides guidance on FOIA compliance and has stated that "the policy of the state is that all government records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State of Arkansas." County offices are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request in most circumstances.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Yell County?
The current fee structure for public records in Yell County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most record requests include:
- Copies (paper): $0.25 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
- Copies (larger format): Actual cost of reproduction
- Certification of records: Varies by document type; typically $5.00–$15.00 per certified copy
- Electronic records: Actual cost of duplication, not to exceed the cost of the medium used
- Search fees: Not permitted under Arkansas FOIA for standard public records requests
- Inspection: No fee charged for in-person inspection of records
Under Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-109, fees for copies may not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fees for certified vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) are set separately by the Arkansas Department of Health and are subject to change. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are not expressly mandated by Arkansas FOIA, though individual offices retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances.
Does Yell County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Yell County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. Several categories of records are also accessible at no cost through online government portals.
Free online resources currently available include:
- Arkansas court case information: The Arkansas judiciary case search allows free searches of court case records statewide, including Yell County cases.
- Sex offender information: The Arkansas Sex Offender Registry is available to the public at no charge and is updated as offender information changes.
- County government information: The Yell County official website provides free access to county department information, meeting agendas, and select public documents.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no cost, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Yell County?
Any person may request public records in Yell County under Arkansas law. The Arkansas FOIA does not restrict access to residents of the state; non-residents retain the same right to inspect and copy public records as Arkansas residents. Requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most categories of public records.
Specific provisions apply in limited circumstances:
- Identification: May be required when requesting records that contain personal information about the requestor (e.g., personal vital records).
- Residency: Not required for access to general public records.
- Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
- Restricted record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files or juvenile records, require a court order or demonstrated legal standing to access.
Members of the public requesting their own records (e.g., personal criminal history, vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
What Records Are Confidential in Yell County?
Not all government records in Yell County are subject to public disclosure. Arkansas FOIA § 25-19-105 enumerates specific categories of records exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with a pending investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Protected under both Arkansas law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services.
- Personnel records: Employee evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records are exempt, though base salary and job title are public.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Yell County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Yell County operates two courthouse locations due to its dual-seat county structure. Records may be maintained at either location depending on the record type and the district in which the matter originated.
Yell County Clerk's Office – Danville (Western District)
101 Court Square, Danville, AR 72833
(479) 495-4850
Yell County Clerk – Danville
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Yell County Clerk's Office – Dardanelle (Eastern District)
208 Ouachita Avenue, Dardanelle, AR 72834
(479) 229-4404
Yell County Clerk – Dardanelle
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Yell County Circuit Court Clerk
101 Court Square, Danville, AR 72833
(479) 495-4850
Arkansas Judiciary – Court Records Search
Yell County Assessor's Office
101 Court Square, Danville, AR 72833
(479) 495-4880
Yell County Assessor
Yell County Sheriff's Office
520 N. Main Street, Danville, AR 72833
(479) 495-4838
Yell County Sheriff
As noted by the Arkansas judiciary, "Some information in court cases is not considered public information under Arkansas law," and requestors should be aware that access to certain filings through the Search ARCourts system may be restricted based on case type or court order.