Arkansas · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026

Serving divorce papers in Arkansas

How your spouse gets the divorce papers in Arkansas: who can deliver the papers, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

In short

Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and summons (sheriff, process server, or restricted-delivery certified mail), or can sign paperwork agreeing to proceed without formal service. Your spouse then has this long to respond: Generally 30 days after service.

Time to respond
30 days after service
Law
Ark. R. Civ. P. 4, 12; Arkansas Law Help

How papers are served in Arkansas

  • Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and summons (sheriff, process server, or restricted-delivery certified mail), or can sign paperwork agreeing to proceed without formal service.
  • If you can't find your spouse, you may use a warning order.

Law: Ark. R. Civ. P. 4, 12; Arkansas Law Help

Deadline to respond and default

Generally 30 days after service.

If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Serving your spouse in Arkansas, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Circuit Court (domestic relations division) in the county where you or your spouse live. Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and summons (sheriff, process server, or restricted-delivery certified mail), or can sign paperwork agreeing to proceed without formal service.

  3. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  4. Watch the deadline

    Generally 30 days after service.

  5. If there is no response

    If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Questions about serving divorce papers in Arkansas

How do you serve divorce papers in Arkansas?

Your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and summons (sheriff, process server, or restricted-delivery certified mail), or can sign paperwork agreeing to proceed without formal service. If you can't find your spouse, you may use a warning order.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Arkansas?

Generally 30 days after service.

More about divorce in Arkansas

Serving papers in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.