Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County court records are managed by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Union, Missouri. One of the older counties in the state, Franklin County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit and handles a high volume of cases across civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate divisions. You can search Franklin County court records for free on Case.net, or visit the clerk office in Union for copies and certified documents. The 20th Circuit also serves Gasconade County, so judges split their time between both courthouses. This page covers how to find, request, and understand court records in Franklin County.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk Office

The Franklin County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of all court records in the 20th Judicial Circuit for this county. This is a busy office that processes a large number of filings each year. Staff handle everything from new case filings to document storage and public records requests. The office is at the Franklin County Courthouse in Union.

Franklin County has a larger population than many Missouri counties, which means the court system here is more active. The circuit court handles felony criminal prosecutions, significant civil litigation, complex domestic relations cases, adoptions, guardianships, and estate administration. Associate circuit judges take care of traffic violations, misdemeanor offenses, civil cases under $25,000, and small claims matters. All of these generate records that the clerk stores and maintains.

Visit the Franklin County website for current contact details. The clerk office is open weekdays. Call ahead if you have questions about a specific record or want to make sure the file you need is available before driving to Union.

Search Franklin County Records on Case.net

Case.net is the go-to tool for looking up Franklin County court records online. This free system is run by the Missouri courts. It covers all 114 counties. Select Franklin County, enter a name or case number, and the database returns matching cases. For each case, you get the type, filing date, parties, charges (for criminal cases), and a list of docket entries showing what has happened.

Because Franklin County sees a lot of filings, you may get many results when searching a common name. Use the date range filter to narrow things down. If you have the case number, search by that instead for exact results. Case.net is updated regularly, so recent filings usually show up within a few days.

The database does not include full document text. You can see that an order was filed but cannot read it online. For actual documents, you need to contact the Franklin County Circuit Clerk. Sealed records are hidden from public search. Juvenile cases are protected under Section 211.321 and do not appear.

Note: Franklin County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Gasconade County, so make sure you select the right county when searching.

Types of Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County's Circuit Court produces a wide variety of records. Criminal records track prosecutions from the initial charge through sentencing. Civil records document lawsuits over contracts, debts, property disputes, and injuries. Family law records cover divorces, custody battles, support orders, and protective orders. Probate records deal with wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.

The associate circuit division handles the smaller cases. These include traffic tickets, minor crimes, small claims, and certain civil matters under the dollar threshold. Each creates its own set of records that the Franklin County clerk stores at the courthouse in Union. Most are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law.

Section 610.023 of the Sunshine Law says record custodians must provide access to open records. You don't have to prove you are involved in the case or give a reason for wanting the records. Just ask the Franklin County Circuit Clerk and they will help. If they deny access, Section 610.026 requires them to give you a written explanation with a specific legal citation.

Franklin County Court Record Fees

Getting copies of Franklin County court records costs a per-page fee. Plain copies are around $1 per page. Certified copies cost more and include the clerk's official seal. You may need certified copies for filing in another court, proving a judgment, or other official purposes. Missouri law under Section 476.170 sets the rules for what Circuit Clerks can charge.

Call the Franklin County clerk office to ask about current prices. For in-person visits, they may accept cash, check, or credit card. For mail requests, send a check or money order made out to the Franklin County Circuit Clerk. Include the case information and the specific documents you need. The clerk will process the request and mail the copies to you.

Franklin County Historical Court Records

Franklin County is one of the oldest in Missouri, organized in 1818. That gives it more than two centuries of court records. The oldest records are not in Case.net. Some are at the courthouse in Union. Many have been sent to the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The archives hold an extensive collection of Franklin County court files and probate records on microfilm.

Franklin County's long history makes it a valuable resource for genealogy researchers and historians. The Missouri Digital Heritage project has digitized some of these old records and put them online. Start there if you are looking for something from the 1800s. The archives staff in Jefferson City can also help with research requests by phone or email.

Note: Franklin County's early records are among the most complete in Missouri due to the county's age and the care taken to preserve them.

Legal Help in Franklin County

Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal assistance to residents who meet income guidelines. They serve Franklin County and handle family law, housing, and civil matters. Call their intake line to see if you qualify. Even if you do not qualify for full representation, they may be able to give you advice or point you in the right direction.

The Missouri Bar Association runs a lawyer referral program. They match you with an attorney in east-central Missouri who handles your type of case. Missouri Legal Help provides self-help resources online. The Missouri courts also have official court forms with instructions that work for filings in Franklin County.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County sits in east-central Missouri near the St. Louis metro area. These are the neighboring counties, each with its own Circuit Clerk and court records.