Search Ouachita County Deed Records
Ouachita County deed records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Camden, Arkansas. All property transfers, mortgages, liens, and related instruments recorded in Ouachita County are part of the public record and available for inspection. This page covers how to access those records, what the fees are, and what online tools are available for Ouachita County property research.
Ouachita County Deed Records Overview
Find Deed Records in Ouachita County
The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office is the primary source for all deed and property records in the county. The office sits at 145 Jefferson Street SW in Camden, Arkansas. The clerk records every deed, mortgage, lien, plat, and related instrument filed for Ouachita County land. Each document gets indexed by grantor and grantee name, giving you a way to search the chain of title from any known owner's name. Records date back to the county's formation in 1842.
The Ouachita County Service Portal provides online access to property-related records and county services. You can use this portal to view and search property records without driving to Camden. The portal links to county officials, assessment data, and other services that support property research in Ouachita County.
Under Arkansas Code § 14-15-404, recording a deed in Ouachita County gives constructive notice to all future buyers and lenders from the moment the instrument is filed. This race-notice recording system means the buyer who records first, without knowledge of a prior unrecorded transfer, generally wins in a title dispute. That is why recording promptly after closing is so important.
The Ouachita County Service Portal is an online access point for county property records, assessment data, and other official county services based in Camden.
Ouachita County Circuit Clerk Information
The Circuit Clerk serves as the ex-officio recorder for Ouachita County under Arkansas state law. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 145 Jefferson Street SW, Camden, AR. The main recorder phone line is (870) 837-2310. The County Clerk is Britt Williford, reachable at (870) 837-2220 at 145 Jefferson Street in Camden.
When you visit in person, bring the document you want recorded along with the correct fees. The clerk needs the original instrument or a certified copy. Plain photocopies are not accepted for recording. The clerk will stamp the document with the recording date, time, book, and page number, then return the original to you. Mail submissions are accepted. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope when sending documents by mail so they can be returned after recording.
The Ouachita County Assessor's office maintains ownership records, legal descriptions, valuations, and parcel maps. The assessor's office is also in the courthouse complex in Camden. Checking both the deed index and the assessor's records gives the most complete view of a property's ownership and tax status. Assessor records show who the current owner of record is for tax purposes, while the deed index shows the full chain of transfers.
Ouachita County deed records are indexed by grantor name, grantee name, and legal description. Some older records are available in bound deed books at the courthouse, while more recent instruments may be available in digital format. Call the clerk's office to find out what format is available for the time period you are researching.
Recording Fees and Document Requirements
Recording fees in Ouachita County follow the statewide schedule under Arkansas Code § 21-6-306. The base fee is $15 for the first page of any recorded instrument. Each additional page costs $5. For instruments up to five pages, the standard $15 base fee applies. Two-sided pages each count separately. Multiple instruments in one document may each carry their own base recording fee.
Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees. Plain copies typically run $0.25 to $0.50 per page depending on the county. A certified copy, which carries the clerk's official seal, costs $5.00. Contact the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk's office for the current copy fee schedule before placing a request.
The Real Property Transfer Tax is collected at recording. The rate is $3.30 per $1,000 of the sale price on any transaction over $100. Common exemptions include gifts between spouses or close family members, transfers to and from a living trust, and divorce-related transfers. The clerk must also get the grantee's mailing address at the time of recording so tax statements can go to the new owner after the transfer.
All documents must meet formatting rules under Arkansas Code § 14-15-403. Paper size is 8.5 by 11 inches. The top right corner of the first page needs a 2.5-inch blank margin for the recorder's stamp. Side margins are at least half an inch. The bottom of the last page needs a 2.5-inch margin. The first page must state the document title, grantor name, grantee name, and the name and address of the person who prepared it. Deeds must be signed before a notary public or two disinterested witnesses.
Starting August 5, 2025, individuals filing a deed in Ouachita County must present a valid photo ID under Arkansas Act 752. Licensed attorneys, real estate brokers, bank representatives, and government employees acting in their official capacity are exempt.
Types of Property Records Kept in Ouachita County
The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk records a wide range of property instruments. Warranty deeds are the most common type. They transfer title and include the grantor's promise to defend against all claims. Quitclaim deeds convey whatever interest the grantor holds, with no warranty. Special warranty deeds limit the warranty to claims that arose during the grantor's ownership only.
Beyond transfers of ownership, the clerk records deeds of trust and mortgages that lenders use to secure loans against real property in Ouachita County. Releases and satisfactions show when those loans are paid off. The office also records mechanic's liens, federal and state tax liens, powers of attorney, lis pendens notices, plats, and survey plats. Each of these can affect the title to a parcel, and each must be checked in a complete title search.
Ouachita County has been a seat of commerce in southern Arkansas since 1842. The courthouse in Camden holds deed books going back to the county's formation. Some older records may be on microfilm. For records predating the modern indexing system, in-person research at the courthouse is usually the most efficient approach.
State-Level Resources for Ouachita County Research
The Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands handles tax-delinquent properties across all 75 counties, including Ouachita. If a property has gone delinquent on taxes, the COSL may hold auction records and parcel maps relevant to that parcel. Winning bidders at COSL auctions get a limited warranty deed. Browse upcoming sales and past results at auction.cosl.org.
The Arkansas Judiciary Case Search covers court cases in Ouachita County that affect property title. Foreclosure actions, judgment liens, and probate proceedings all appear in circuit court records. Running a case search alongside the deed index helps you spot issues that would not appear in the deed books alone.
For older deeds and historical records, the Arkansas Digital Archives holds collections of early land records including patents, swamp land applications, and forfeited deeds. Ouachita County was settled in the early 1800s, and some records from that period survive in state archive collections. The Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives also covers this region of the state.
When a business entity holds title to Ouachita County property, check the Arkansas Secretary of State for certified entity records. These confirm whether an LLC, corporation, or other entity is in good standing and authorized to do business in Arkansas.
Nearby Arkansas Counties
Ouachita County is in southern Arkansas. Deed records for neighboring counties are held by those counties' Circuit Clerks.