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Arkansans seeking a copy of their birth certificate or other vital records can look to the state Department of Health for assistance, no matter which county the event occurred in. Here are the basics on how to get copies of vital records.
Types of records
Documents available through the vital records office of the Department of Health include:
• Birth certificates
• Death certificates
• Marriage records
• Divorce records
Records on marriages and divorces available from the health department are called coupons. They are abbreviated versions of marriage and divorce paperwork filed with county records offices, according to Department of Health spokeswoman Danyelle McNeill.
The coupon is not a replacement marriage certificate, which must be obtained from county clerks’ offices.
[More from Grown: How to get a marriage license in Arkansas + other wedding paperwork]
Cost of records
Birth certificate: $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Death certificate: $10.00 for the first copy and $8.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage coupon: $10.00 per copy
Divorce coupon: $10.00 per copy
How to order records
There are four different ways to order records from the health department.
Online
Records can be requested via this website. A $5.00 standard processing fee and a $1.85 non-refundable identity verification fee will be charged.
By mail
To obtain a record by mail, fill out this form for a birth certificate, this form for a death certificate, this form for a marriage record and this form for a divorce record. Mail the form with a check or money order plus a copy of a valid ID (here is the list of options).
The order can be sent to Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205.
By phone
Orders can be placed by phone at (866) 209-9482. Fees must be paid by credit or debit card.
Walk-in
Records can be obtained by walking into the Arkansas Department of Health’s vital records office. The office is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and is located at 4815 W. Markham St. in Little Rock.