Franklin County, Missouri State Court Records
Franklin County court records are official documents that are created or maintained by courts operating within the county during legal proceedings. They may include criminal, civil, traffic, or family court cases. The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk is primarily responsible for maintaining the county's court records. These records are sometimes connected to other public records, like arrest records and vital records. Arrest records may be forwarded to prosecutors in court and serve as the starting point when filing a criminal charge. Vital records may be used as exhibits in court during lawsuits or probate filings.
Are Franklin County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law Chapter 610, RSMo, and Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2), members of the public may inspect or copy court records in Franklin County during the regular business hours of the court having custody of the records. Individuals may view these court records via the statewide electronic case management system or the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's office. However, these laws do not apply to court records that are confidential under state law, court rules, court order, or statute. Records such as juvenile records, sealed cases, adoptions, mental health proceedings, and cases involving sensitive confidential information may not be accessed by the general public.
What Information is Available in Franklin County Court Records?
The information contained in a court record depends on the case type. Persons who request copies of Franklin County Court Records can expect to find the following details:
- Case numbers, case types, and case filing dates
- Names of involved parties, attorneys, and presiding judges
- Charges and indictments
- Traffic citations
- Legal pleadings, motions, and petitions
- Scheduled hearing and trial dates
- Docket entries
- Witness lists
- Submitted evidence summaries
- Verdicts, sentences
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Divorce decrees, child custody, and support arrangements
- Estate files, wills, and guardianship appointments
- Records of marriages and name changes
Franklin County Court Records Search
Individuals who wish to access Franklin County court records may utilize the statewide electronic case management system or contact the local Circuit Clerk's office in person or submit a request by mail.
Online Access:
Interested persons may access the county records online via the Missouri CaseNet portal. Users may look up docket entries, parties, judgments, and charges in public court via this platform. Search parameters include litigant name search, filing date search, case number search, scheduled gearing search, and judgment index.
In-Person Access:
Individuals seeking certified copies of Franklin County court records may contact the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office in person during business hours at 401 East Main Street, Room 100A, Union, MO 63084. Record seekers may also utilize the public access terminals provided by the Clerk's Office. To request confidential records, a judge must approve a filed application for confidential records
Mail and Phone Requests:
To request a court record via mail, fill out and submit the record request form on the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office website. Include your address and indicate that copies of the record should be mailed to the address provided. Processing these records may take a few days to a week. Individuals may also contact the Clerk's Office via phone at (636) 583-7365 or (636) 583-7366.
Fees for Court Records in Franklin County
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, state agencies are permitted to request a fee for the cost of processing, researching, and duplicating court records. In Franklin County, standard physical copies of these records are requested through the Circuit Court Clerk. Record seekers are required to pay a fee of $1.00 per page for a standard copy, and an additional $1.50 if certification is requested. The requester is required to make payment before a request will be processed, and will be notified of estimated fees. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, or money order, and fees may be paid to the Circuit Clerk.
Franklin County Courthouse Locations
Below are the courthouse locations in Franklin County, Missouri:
Franklin County Circuit Court
Franklin County Judicial Center
401 East Main Street, Room 100A
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-7366 (Civil)
Phone: (636) 583-7365 (Criminal)
Phone: (636) 583-6312 (Probate)
Franklin County Municipal Court - Berger Municipal Division
Gasconade County Courthouse
119 East 1st Street, Suite 6
Hermann, MO 65041
Phone: (573) 486-2632
Fax: (573) 486-5812
Franklin County Municipal Court - Historical Courthouse
15 South Church Street, Room 306
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 584-6286
Franklin County Municipal Court - Gerald Municipal Division
Franklin County Judicial Center
401 East Main Street, Room 100A
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-7378
New Haven Municipal Court
101 Front Street
New Haven, MO 63068
Phone: (573) 237-2349
Fax: (573) 237-4696
Pacific Municipal Court
300 Hoven Drive
Pacific, MO 63069
Phone: (636) 257-4553
Fax: (636) 257-6648
Franklin County Municipal Court - St. Clair Municipal Division
1 Paul Parks Drive
St. Clair, MO 63077
Phone: (636) 629-5194
Fax: (636) 629-6467
Sullivan Municipal Court
City Hall
210 West Washington Street
Sullivan, MO 63080
Phone: (573) 468-5627
Fax: (573) 468-6842
Union Municipal Court
500 East Locust Street
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-8436
Fax: (636) 744-8038
Village of Miramiguoa Park Municipal Division
Franklin County Judicial Center
401 East Main Street, Room 100A
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-7378
Franklin County Municipal Court - Washington Municipal Division
Franklin County Judicial Center
401 East Main Street, Room 100A
Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-7378
Criminal Records Access in Franklin County
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is primarily responsible for maintaining official state-level criminal history records. Individuals who wish to conduct a Franklin County criminal history check may choose between a name-based search or a comprehensive fingerprint-based search. For local, county-level case records, individuals can search online through the Missouri Case.net portal, or they can also request these criminal records and files in person at the Circuit Clerk's office.
Franklin County Probate Records
Probate records in Franklin County are legal records and documents created and generated during the court-supervised process of managing a deceased person's estate, settling debts, and handling protective proceedings like guardianships and conservatorships. Some examples of these probate records include wills that detail instructions for asset distribution, trusts that manage assets for beneficiaries, guardianships that state court-appointed care for minors or incapacitated adults, and conservatorships, which involve financial management for someone unable to manage their own affairs.
Note that although probate records are considered public records, certain records and sensitive cases that involve mental health commitments, adoptions, and developmental disability records are confidential by law and will be restricted from the public.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Accessing the family law cases in Franklin County usually requires individuals to navigate specific court procedures. Although many family records are publicly available, others are restricted from the public. Family law cases and records usually include divorce, custody, adoption, and support matters. Members of the public and legal professionals can search for non-confidential family court cases using the Missouri Case.net portal.
Note that some of these records, especially those that contain sensitive information, such as adoption proceedings or certain juvenile matters, are shielded from public view and may not be accessed through the online portal. Members of the public may also access these family records through the local courthouses. Individuals can review physical records and files, or request sealed records that are provided through the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office.
Federal Court Records in Franklin County
Federal court records and cases in Franklin County are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Federal court records usually include case files, dockets, and transcripts from the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts. These records and documents can be accessed online through the PACER system, while individuals who wish to access older or archived files can check the National Archives.
