In summary, public record requirements as they pertain to historical records and the Arkansas State Archives are:

• All records, papers, archives and historical materials permanently held by the State Archives shall remain the property of the State of Arkansas
• The archives is responsible for receiving, cataloging and preserving “all official archives of Arkansas,” including state, county and municipal records, which come into its custody
• Public officials are authorized and empowered to turn over records not in use in their offices to the State Archives for permanent preservation
• Public officials will make available for copying records from their offices upon the request of the State Archives
• Public officials must notify the State Archives in writing before destroying or discarding outdated records; records deemed to have historical value shall be given to the State Archives
• Two (2) copies of every publication of the State of Arkansas must be deposited at the State Archives
• Court records over fifty (50) years old and handwritten, or those records determined by the State Archives to have historical value may not be destroyed
• County records over fifty (50) years old may not be destroyed before furnishing prior written notice to the State Archives, describing the extent and nature of the records, at least sixty (60) days prior to destruction. No handwritten county record over fifty (50) years old may be destroyed.
• Sheriff’s offices may not destroy records over fifty (50) years old before furnishing prior written notice to the State Archives, describing the extent and nature of the records, at least sixty (60) days prior to destruction. No handwritten sheriff’s record over fifty (50) years old may be destroyed.