Access Hempstead County Birth Records

Hempstead County birth records are issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, and certified copies can be requested at the local health unit in Hope or at the state office in Little Rock. This page explains the full process for getting a Hempstead County birth certificate, including what to bring, what it costs, and who has the right to request one.

Where to Get Hempstead County Birth Records

The Hempstead County Health Unit in Hope handles certified birth certificate requests for births that occurred in Hempstead County. The unit is at 916 S. Elm Street, Hope, AR 71801. Phone: (870) 777-2191. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you arrive before 3:00 PM, same-day service is generally available.

Since 2018, every county health unit in Arkansas has been authorized to issue certified birth certificates from the state database. Before that change, residents often had to travel to Little Rock or submit mail requests. The Hope office now issues the same certified documents you would receive from the state capital, so a local visit is all you need in most cases.

The state office, the Arkansas Department of Health Division of Vital Records, is at 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: (501) 661-2174. The state office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with same-day service before 3:00 PM. Both locations access the same statewide birth records database.

How to Request a Hempstead County Birth Certificate

Hempstead County birth certificates can be requested in person, by mail, or online. Pick the method that best fits your schedule and location.

In-person requests at the Hope health unit are the quickest way to get a certified copy. Bring a valid photo ID, complete the short request form at the desk, and pay $12. If you arrive before 3:00 PM, you will typically leave with the certificate the same day. Extra copies of the same record ordered together are $10 each.

Mail requests go to the Division of Vital Records, 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 44, Little Rock, AR 72205. Your letter needs the full name on the birth record, the date of birth, the county of birth (Hempstead), both parents' names (including the mother's maiden name), and your relationship to the subject. Include a photocopy of your photo ID and a $12 check or money order made payable to the Arkansas Department of Health. Processing typically takes two to four weeks.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the authorized online vendor for Arkansas vital records. VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the state's $12, but orders can be placed at any hour and multiple shipping speeds are available. This works well for anyone outside the state or those who prefer online transactions over paper mail.

The CDC's Arkansas vital records guidance page is shown in the image below. It confirms the state office address and mailing instructions for mail-based requests.

See the CDC Arkansas vital records page for federal guidance on how to request an Arkansas birth certificate by mail.

The CDC page includes the current fee amounts, a list of required information, and the exact mailing address for requests sent to the Arkansas Division of Vital Records.

What You Need to Apply for a Hempstead County Birth Record

Arkansas law requires requesters to show a direct and tangible interest in the record before a certified copy is released. This standard applies to all birth records under 100 years old. Staff at the Hope health unit will ask you to fill out an application and show identification before processing your request.

Have the following ready:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
• Full legal name as it appears on the birth certificate
• Date of birth (month, day, year)
• County of birth (Hempstead) and city if known
• Both parents' full names, including the mother's maiden name
• Your stated relationship to the person named on the certificate
• $12 fee for the first copy

Requesters acting on behalf of another person need to bring proof of legal authority, such as a notarized letter, power of attorney, or court order. Mail requesters must include a photocopy of ID; do not send originals by mail as they will not be returned.

Note: Ages 18 to 21 who are applying for a Hempstead County marriage license at the County Clerk's office are required to show a birth certificate, so having your certified copy ready before that appointment will save you a second trip.

Fees for Hempstead County Birth Certificates

The fee is $12 for the first certified copy. Additional copies of the same record, ordered at the same time, are $10 each. The fee is the same whether you request in person, by mail, or through the state office in Little Rock. The $12 search fee is non-refundable even if no record is found.

VitalChek adds its own service fee on top of the state's $12. The exact amount is shown at checkout before you confirm. Shipping upgrades cost more on top of that. To keep total costs low, visit the Hope health unit in person or send a direct mail request to the state office.

Payment at the Hempstead County Health Unit is typically accepted by cash, check, or money order. Call (870) 777-2191 before your visit to confirm which payment types the office currently accepts.

Who Can Access Hempstead County Birth Records

Under Arkansas Code 20-18-305, birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. They are not public records. Only people with a qualifying interest may receive a certified copy during that 100-year window.

Qualifying requesters include the person named on the certificate (if age 18 or older), parents listed on the record, legal guardians, spouses, adult children, grandparents, adult siblings, and attorneys or authorized agents for any of those parties. Everyone else must show a court order to gain access, or wait until the record crosses the 100-year threshold.

Once a birth record is 100 years old, it becomes a public document. Anyone can request it without showing a family connection. Genealogists and researchers working with older Hempstead County records from the early twentieth century will find the open-access process straightforward once those records reach 100 years of age.

Historical Birth Records in Hempstead County

Arkansas statewide birth registration did not begin until February 1, 1914. Births in Hempstead County before that date were not collected by the state, so official birth certificates do not exist for those individuals. You will need to rely on other sources for pre-1914 births.

The FamilySearch Hempstead County genealogy wiki is a good starting point. It lists digitized collections available for free, including census data, church registers, and early vital records. FamilySearch has indexed many Arkansas records going back to the county's earliest years, and the platform is free to use with a basic account.

Hempstead County is one of the older counties in Arkansas, formed in 1818. The County Clerk holds marriage records going back to 1819, which is one of the longest-running marriage record collections in the state. The Hope Public Library holds local history materials, including newspaper archives and family histories that can supplement what is available online. For serious pre-1914 research, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds statewide collections that include materials from southwest Arkansas counties like Hempstead.

Delayed birth certificates are also worth checking. People born before 1914 who needed legal proof of birth for a government program or identification could file a delayed certificate with supporting documents. Some of those records are now in the state system and can be requested through the ADH at (501) 661-2174.

Hempstead County Clerk Records

The Hempstead County Clerk's office is the official bookkeeper for the county government. The Clerk maintains marriage records from 1819, making Hempstead County one of the counties with the longest-running marriage record collections in Arkansas. If you need a certified copy of a Hempstead County marriage license, the County Clerk is the right contact.

The Hempstead County Clerk issues marriage licenses Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The marriage license cost is $60 in cash; debit and credit cards are accepted with an added fee. Both parties must be present with valid photo ID and Social Security card. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 must also present a birth certificate, so obtaining your certified birth copy before applying for a marriage license in Hempstead County will save time.

The County Clerk also files assumed name (DBA) certificates, maintains adoptions and guardianship records through the probate court, and serves as the secretary of the Board of Equalization. For Quorum Court records and proceedings, those are also maintained by the Clerk's office at the Hempstead County Courthouse in Hope. Contact details for the Clerk's office are available at hempsteadcountyar.com.

Nearby Counties

Counties neighboring Hempstead County may hold records for families who lived near or moved across county lines.