Garland County Property Records
What Is Garland County Property Records
Garland County property records are official government documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within Garland County, Arkansas. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of who owns what land and buildings throughout the county. Property records fulfill several essential functions in maintaining orderly property ownership:
- Establish legal ownership through chain of title
- Provide public notice of property interests
- Protect property rights of owners and lienholders
- Facilitate real estate transactions
- Support property taxation systems
- Enable mortgage lending and title insurance
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 14-15-402, county recorders are required to record all instruments affecting real estate that are properly acknowledged and presented for recording. This statutory requirement ensures that all property transactions are documented and available for public inspection.
The Garland County Circuit Clerk's office maintains the official property records for the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents affecting real property ownership.
Garland County Circuit Clerk
501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3600
Garland County Circuit Clerk
Are Property Records Public Information In Garland County?
Property records in Garland County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Arkansas law. The public nature of these records is established by both state public records statutes and specific property recording laws.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code § 25-19-101 et seq., establishes that all public records shall be open to inspection and copying by any citizen of Arkansas. Additionally, Arkansas Code § 14-15-402 specifically mandates that property records be maintained and made available to the public.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide notice of property interests
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public records support real estate markets and property taxation
Members of the public may access property records without demonstrating any specific interest in the property or providing a reason for their request. This open access policy ensures transparency in property ownership and facilitates real estate transactions throughout Garland County.
How To Search Property Records in Garland County in 2026
Searching property records in Garland County requires following specific procedures depending on the type of records needed and the search method chosen. Members of the public may utilize the following approaches:
In-Person Searches:
- Visit the Garland County Circuit Clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form at the public counter
- Provide specific property information (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Pay applicable search and copy fees
- Review records on-site or request certified copies
Mail Requests:
- Download and complete the Official Records Request Form
- Include specific property information and search parameters
- Enclose appropriate payment for search and copy fees
- Mail completed form to the Circuit Clerk's office
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
Online Searches:
- Visit the Garland County Property Records Portal
- Create a user account or proceed as guest user
- Select search type (name, address, parcel ID)
- Enter search criteria and execute search
- View available document images or index information
- Pay applicable fees for document downloads
Currently, the Garland County Assessor's office also maintains property assessment records that can be searched by property owner name, address, or parcel number.
Garland County Assessor
200 Woodbine Street, Room 104
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3720
Garland County Assessor
How To Find Property Records in Garland County Online?
Garland County offers several online resources for accessing property records electronically. The county has invested in digital systems that allow remote access to many property documents and information. To find property records online, members of the public may utilize these official resources:
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Garland County Land Records Search
- Navigate to the Garland County Circuit Clerk's website
- Select "Land Records Search" from the available options
- Enter search criteria (name, property address, or parcel ID)
- Review search results showing document type, recording date, and parties
- Purchase and download document images as needed (fees apply)
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Garland County Assessor's Property Search
- Access the Garland County Assessor's property search portal
- Search by owner name, property address, or parcel number
- View assessment information, property characteristics, and tax information
- Access property maps and aerial photography when available
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Arkansas GIS Office - Garland County Data
- Visit the Arkansas GIS Office portal
- Select Garland County from the jurisdiction menu
- Access parcel boundaries, ownership data, and spatial information
- View and download available GIS data layers
When using online systems, users should note that some records may require payment of access fees, and certain older records may not be available in digital format. Additionally, users should be aware that while online records are regularly updated, the most current information is maintained in the official records at the county offices.
How To Look Up Garland County Property Records for Free?
Garland County provides several options for accessing property records at no cost, though some limitations may apply. Members of the public seeking free access to property records may utilize the following methods:
Free In-Person Access:
- Visit the Garland County Circuit Clerk's office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- Use public access terminals to search property records indices
- View records on-site without charge (copying fees still apply)
- Bring personal research materials as needed
Free Online Resources:
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The Garland County Assessor's website offers free basic property information including:
- Owner name and mailing address
- Property address and legal description
- Assessment values and property classification
- Basic property characteristics
- Tax information
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The Resource Directory for Garland County Assessor/Collector provides free access to property assessment information
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The Arkansas County Tax Assessor GIS Maps offer free parcel mapping and basic ownership information
While basic property information is available at no cost, users should be aware that:
- Document images and certified copies typically require payment of fees
- Comprehensive title searches may require access to fee-based services
- Historical records may not be available through free online resources
- Complex searches may require professional assistance
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 14-15-404, county recorders may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, but public inspection of indices must be provided without charge.
What's Included in a Garland County Property Record?
Garland County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real property within the county. These records are maintained by multiple county offices and contain specific details depending on the document type.
Types of Property Records:
- Real Property Records - Documents pertaining to land and permanently attached structures
- Personal Property Records - Information on taxable movable property (vehicles, equipment, etc.)
Real property records are primarily maintained by the Circuit Clerk, while personal property records are handled by the County Assessor.
Standard Information in Property Records:
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Deeds and Conveyances:
- Names of grantors and grantees
- Legal description of property
- Date of transaction
- Consideration amount (purchase price)
- Warranty type (general, special, quitclaim)
- Notarization and witness information
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Mortgages and Deeds of Trust:
- Lender and borrower identification
- Loan amount and terms
- Legal description of collateral property
- Maturity date and interest rate
- Default and foreclosure provisions
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Liens and Judgments:
- Creditor and debtor information
- Amount of claim
- Date of filing
- Property affected
- Expiration date
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Plats and Surveys:
- Property boundaries and dimensions
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision information
- Surveyor certification
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Tax Records:
- Assessed value
- Tax rate and amount
- Payment status
- Exemption information
Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 14-15-402, all instruments affecting real estate that are properly acknowledged must be recorded, ensuring comprehensive documentation of property interests.
How Long Does Garland County Keep Property Records?
Garland County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by Arkansas state law and administrative regulations. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important property documents while allowing for the appropriate disposition of obsolete records.
Permanent Retention Records:
- Deeds and conveyances
- Mortgages and satisfactions
- Plats and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision declarations
- Condominium declarations
- Restrictive covenants
Long-Term Retention Records (75+ years):
- Tax assessment rolls
- Property tax payment records
- Foreclosure documentation
- Sheriff's deeds
- Probate property transfers
Medium-Term Retention Records (15-25 years):
- Construction liens (after satisfaction)
- Mechanic's liens (after satisfaction)
- Lis pendens notices (after resolution)
- Tax liens (after satisfaction)
The Arkansas Records Retention Schedule, established under Arkansas Code § 13-4-301, mandates that county recorders maintain property records permanently. The Arkansas State Archives oversees these retention requirements.
Garland County has implemented digital preservation systems to ensure the long-term accessibility of property records. Historical records are maintained in both original format (when possible) and digital images. The county's records management program includes:
- Climate-controlled storage for original documents
- Digital backup systems with redundant storage
- Microfilm preservation of essential records
- Disaster recovery protocols
Members of the public seeking historical property records should note that older documents may require specialized search assistance from county staff.
How To Find Liens on Property In Garland County?
Finding liens on property in Garland County requires searching specific records maintained by various county offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied before title can be transferred. To conduct a comprehensive lien search, members of the public should follow these procedures:
Circuit Clerk's Office Lien Search:
- Visit or contact the Garland County Circuit Clerk's office
- Request a lien search using the property owner's name and/or property address
- Specify the time period to be searched (comprehensive searches should cover at least 20 years)
- Review the following lien categories:
- Judgment liens
- Mechanic's and materialmen's liens
- Federal and state tax liens
- Child support liens
- Municipal assessment liens
Garland County Circuit Clerk
501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 204
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3600
Garland County Circuit Clerk
Tax Collector's Office Search:
- Contact the Garland County Tax Collector's office
- Request information on delinquent property taxes and tax liens
- Provide the parcel identification number or property address
- Verify current tax status and any outstanding tax liens
Garland County Tax Collector
200 Woodbine Street, Room 108
Hot Springs, AR 71901
(501) 622-3730
Garland County Tax Collector
Online Lien Search Options:
- Access the Garland County Circuit Clerk's records search
- Select "Lien Search" from the available options
- Enter property owner name or property address
- Review results for recorded liens
- Note that some specialized liens may require additional searches
For comprehensive lien searches, particularly for real estate transactions, title insurance companies often provide professional lien search services that include examination of records across multiple jurisdictions and agencies.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Garland County?
The Property Owner Rule in Garland County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership, recording requirements, and notice provisions under Arkansas law. This rule establishes how property ownership is determined, recorded, and protected within the county.
Key Elements of the Property Owner Rule:
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Recording Requirement: Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 14-15-404, all instruments affecting real estate must be recorded with the county recorder to provide constructive notice to third parties. Unrecorded instruments are binding only between the parties to the transaction and those with actual notice.
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Race-Notice Statute: Arkansas operates under a "race-notice" recording statute, meaning that when conflicting claims to property exist, priority is given to the first party to record their interest without notice of prior unrecorded interests.
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Ownership Verification: The county assessor maintains ownership records for tax purposes, but the definitive record of ownership is maintained by the circuit clerk through recorded deeds and other instruments.
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Homestead Exemption Requirements: Property owners must file for homestead tax exemptions with the county assessor by October 15 each year to receive property tax benefits on their primary residence.
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Property Tax Responsibility: Property owners are responsible for paying annual property taxes, with payments due between March 1 and October 15. Failure to pay results in delinquent status and potential tax liens.
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Adverse Possession Rules: Under Arkansas law, a person may claim ownership of property through adverse possession after maintaining actual, visible, notorious, distinct, exclusive, and continuous possession under color of title for seven years, or without color of title for fifteen years.
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Transfer Disclosure Requirements: Sellers must disclose known material defects in residential property transactions using the Arkansas Real Estate Commission's property condition disclosure form.
Property owners in Garland County should maintain accurate records of their ownership documents and ensure timely recording of all instruments affecting their property interests to protect their rights under the Property Owner Rule.