Being able to get a marriage license on Saturdays in Eureka Springs is coming to an end.

Carroll County Clerk Connie Doss has announced that Nov. 22 will be the final Saturday that the clerk’s office in the Western District Courthouse in downtown Eureka Springs will be open, deciding to transition to a “traditional” Monday through Friday schedule.

“This has been a difficult decision to make and not one I take lightly,” Doss said in a news release issued Wednesday, Oct. 29. “The decision was made in consultation with the County Judge’s office, who, after seeing the numbers agreed.”

Doss’ release reports that the number of licenses issued in the Western District office “has steadily declined from its high in 2001 of 5,124 licenses issued to what is projected to be well under 1,000 by the end of the year.”

“The Clerk estimates the 2025 issued marriage licenses in Eureka Springs at 840, which is equivalent to the 1989 numbers,” the release states. “During the pandemic, while still decreasing, held their own against the pre-pandemic numbers of 2019. The office will experience a drop of 500 plus licenses issued this year against those of 2019, if the projections hold.”

Those numbers are the major factor in the decision, Doss said.

“The county can no longer justify the continued expenses of keeping the doors open on Saturdays against the convenience,” Doss said in the release. “I must be a good steward of ALL taxpayer money while balancing the needs of the tourism industry in Eureka Springs and I believe that I’ve done this …” Giving businesses adequate time to adjust their marketing strategies, the off-season period in Eureka Springs, and Friday versus Saturday foot traffic were all considered in making the decision, Doss said.

“Having been employed for a number of years in the hotel/motel industry in Eureka Springs, I am keenly aware of the ebb and flow of seasonal traffic and the need to make plans for the upcoming summer season which is why the decision was made for November 22nd being the final Saturday to be open,” Doss said in the release.

Doss said that the Western District Courthouse “marriage slot” to return licenses to be recorded will remain. She also said that she’s willing to make arrangements if there is an “emergency” during the transition, for a couple to get their license, the release states.

“I’m happy to assist and be a partner with the wedding vendors while they move toward a new way of doing things,” she said in the release. “Life happens and having all our proverbial ducks in a row can sometimes be a challenge when working with two people who are in love.”

The marriage license office in Eureka Springs is located on the second floor of the courthouse at 44 S. Main. The new hours beginning Dec. 1 will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the release.

COUNCIL MEMBER RESPONDS City council member Susane Gruning said Doss’ decision will hurt some businesses and affect tourists.

“I think that people will certainly have to plan ahead, but I think that affects a lot of businesses that count on them being open,” Gruning said during a city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 27.

“I would suggest you contact the county clerk,” Mayor Butch Berry said in response to Gruning’s statement. “… The county clerk is the one who dictates that. If you have a concern over the weeding license not being issued on Saturday mornings, then please go ahead and contact the county clerk and let her know. The more you contact her, the more likely you might be able to get her to change her ruling.”

A local photography company, Jill’s Photography, posted on Facebook on Oct. 25 that the move will affect those from out-of-state coming to Eureka Springs to get married.

“I’m very sorry to hear this,” the post by Jill’s Photography says. “That we were the only courthouse in the state open on Saturday to issue licenses made perfect sense since Eureka is a primarily tourist-based economy with the greatest influx of income falling on weekends.

“And because so many of our visitors are from out of state and unable to snag a license at another Arkansas courthouse, I am concerned that this change will negatively impact our wedding and wedding-related businesses.”