Find Deed Records in St. Francis County
St. Francis County deed records date back to 1864 and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office in Forrest City, Arkansas. All recorded instruments have been scanned and are indexed with book and page numbers. Whether you need a warranty deed copy, want to check for liens, or are researching the chain of title on a Forrest City property, the Circuit Clerk office in Suite 8 at 313 South Izard Street is the starting point.
St. Francis County Deed Records
St. Francis County Deed Recording System
St. Francis County was formed in 1827, and the Circuit Clerk has maintained deed records since 1864. All records have been scanned for digital access and indexed with unique book and page numbers. The county holds warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, gift deeds, mortgages, mortgage assignments and releases, federal and state tax liens, mechanic's liens, medical liens, and judgment liens. That broad scope means a single visit to the Forrest City courthouse can give you a reasonably complete picture of any property's encumbrance history.
Under Arkansas Code § 14-15-404, recording a deed gives constructive notice to all future buyers and lenders from the date of filing. Arkansas uses a race-notice system, meaning the party who records first without actual notice of a prior unrecorded transfer holds the stronger title. Getting a deed recorded at or right after closing is the standard practice, and it protects buyers and lenders alike.
The Circuit Clerk indexes every instrument by grantor name and grantee name. This lets you search the chain of title in either direction from any owner. Staff can help you locate documents by name and date range, but they are not in a position to interpret what a chain of title means for a pending sale. That is attorney or title company work.
The ARCountyData St. Francis County page pulls property ownership, assessment values, and tax data from county records, giving you a free starting point for property research.
Circuit Clerk Office Contact Details
The St. Francis County Circuit Clerk is located at 313 South Izard Street, Suite 8, Forrest City, AR 72335. The mailing address is PO Box 1775, Forrest City, AR 72335. The main phone number is (870) 261-1715 and the fax is (870) 261-1723. You can also reach the office by email at sfccircuitclerk@cablelynx.com. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
For in-person visits, bring the grantor or grantee names you need to search along with a date range if possible. Staff will direct you to the index and help you locate the relevant book and page. If you need certified copies, the fee is $5.00 per document plus standard copy charges. Bring a check or call ahead to confirm accepted payment types.
Mail requests should go to the PO Box address. Include the names to search, document type, a date range, any known book and page numbers, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. Estimate the copy fees and include payment. The office processes requests as they arrive, so build in a few business days for turnaround.
The county assessor is Craig Jones, located at 313 S. Izard, Suite 7, Forrest City, AR 72335. Phone: (870) 261-1720. The assessor's office handles property value questions and tax assessment records, which are separate from but linked to deed records.
Online Search Options for St. Francis County
The free ARCountyData portal is the best starting point for online property research in St. Francis County. It pulls data from the county assessor's records and shows owner names, parcel numbers, property addresses, and assessment values. It is not a deed image portal, but it helps confirm current ownership and pull basic property data before you request copies from the clerk.
Property tax records and payment status for St. Francis County parcels are available through the Arkansas property tax payment portal. This shows current tax bills, payment history, school, county, and municipal tax breakdown, and whether taxes are current. Tax status matters in deed research because unpaid taxes can lead to tax sales and certifications to the Commissioner of State Lands.
The St. Francis County property tax portal lets you check tax payment status and view current assessments for any parcel in the county, which is a useful companion to deed record research.
For court cases affecting property title, use the free Arkansas Judiciary Case Search. This tool covers circuit court cases statewide, including foreclosure actions, judgment liens, and probate proceedings in St. Francis County. A judgment can attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county and will not show in the deed index. Always check the case search as part of a thorough title review.
Tax-delinquent property in St. Francis County is managed by the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. The COSL site has parcel maps and auction listings. The COSL auction platform is updated daily and shows both upcoming sales and post-auction listings for all 75 counties.
Recording Fees and Document Requirements
St. Francis County charges $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page under Arkansas Code § 21-6-306. A two-sided sheet counts as two pages. Regular copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. The Real Property Transfer Tax is $3.30 per $1,000 of actual consideration on transactions over $100. The clerk collects the transfer tax at recording alongside the recording fee.
Common transfer tax exemptions include gifts between close family members, spousal transfers, transfers to or from a living trust, and deed transfers connected to a divorce. If your transaction may qualify, have documentation ready to show the basis for the exemption. The clerk stamps and indexes the deed once fees are paid and requirements are met.
Documents must be on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with a 2.5-inch margin at the top right of the first page for the recorder's stamp, at least half-inch margins on sides and bottom, and a 2.5-inch margin at the bottom of the last page. Deeds must be signed before a notary or two disinterested witnesses under Arkansas Code § 18-12-104. The document must include the grantor and grantee names, the preparer's name and address, and the grantee's mailing address for future tax statements. If the property is a homestead, both spouses must sign. Starting August 5, 2025, individuals filing deeds in person must show a valid photo ID under Act 752.
Historical St. Francis County Deed Records
St. Francis County deed records start in 1864, with the county itself dating to 1827. The Arkansas State Archives holds historical materials for the county including early deeds, land grants, and a sheriff's census from 1829. Those records are part of the Arkansas Digital Archives collections. FamilySearch has digitized probate records from 1862 to 1949 and marriage records from 1875 to 1951, which can be useful when a deed research question involves an estate or marital property transfer from those periods.
The Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA) covers a 16-county region that includes St. Francis County. NEARA may hold older maps, plat books, or records that are not yet fully digitized. Contact the Arkansas State Archives to check what is available and whether you need an in-person appointment to access those materials.