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ArkansasHB19022025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE AND BOND; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A LOST, BURNED, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.

Sponsored By: Steve Crowell (Republican), Jon Milligan (Republican)

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Timely license returns release couples' bonds

Arkansas couples must return their marriage license to the county clerk within 60 days of issuance. The $100 marriage bond becomes void when the license is properly completed, signed by an authorized officiant, and returned on time. The bond stays in force if these requirements are not met.

Simpler marriage certificate replacements with fees

Arkansas replaces its old court-based marriage record restoration process with a notarized statement filed with the original issuing county clerk. This process covers legally performed marriages whose certificates were lost, burned, or destroyed and cannot be returned. The statement must name the couple, confirm the marriage was legally performed, and give its date. It must identify the officiant, explain their authority, and describe the certificate's loss or destruction. For a minister or priest, include the county where their credentials are recorded, if known. Both living spouses sign; when one is deceased or incapacitated, the other living spouse signs. When both are deceased or incapacitated, heirs can apply for estate business with a death certificate for at least one spouse. Heirs must state their relationship and estate need, and provide marriage and officiant details as known. Filing the statement voids the $100 bond; the statement and replacement certificate together cost $10. The replacement must be filed within 90 days with the same clerk's office, which records it among marriage certificates. Applicants also pay the current fee to send it to the Division of Vital Records; that amount is not specified. The replacement has full legal effect from the original marriage date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Steve Crowell

    Republican • Senate

  • Jon Milligan

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 118 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Senate Vote - Monday, April 14, 2025 2:07:22 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 4/3/2025

House Vote - Thursday, April 3, 2025 3:05:39 PM

Yes: 84 • No: 3 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1902 is now Act 845

    4/17/2025House

  2. Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.

    4/15/2025House

  3. TO BE ENROLLED

    4/14/2025House

  4. Returned from the Senate as passed.

    4/14/2025House

  5. Returned to the House as passed.

    4/14/2025Senate

  6. Read the third time and passed.

    4/14/2025Senate

  7. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    4/8/2025Senate

  8. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - SENATE

    4/3/2025Senate

  9. Received from the House.

    4/3/2025Senate

  10. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    4/3/2025House

  11. Returned by the Committee Do Pass

    4/2/2025House

  12. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE

    3/31/2025House

  13. Filed

    3/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB1902 - Introduced

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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