Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County is located in east-central Missouri, with the city of Union serving as the county seat. The county’s judiciary operates within the 20th Judicial Circuit and centers on a single Circuit Court that exercises jurisdiction over criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate cases. In addition to the Circuit Court, Franklin County is served by multiple municipal court divisions that handle traffic infractions and local ordinance violations across the county’s incorporated municipalities. The Circuit Clerk’s office at the Franklin County Judicial Center is the primary custodian of court records, while individual municipal courts maintain their own files for cases heard in their respective divisions.
Searching for court records in Missouri often begins with identifying the correct court and the appropriate custodian. Franklin County Circuit Court records can be accessed through the clerk’s office in Union, through public-access terminals at the courthouse, or online using the Missouri Judiciary’s statewide case database. The state’s official court information resources, accessible through MissouriCourts.us, may also assist users in locating publicly available court case information and connecting with county-level clerk offices. Whether you need a criminal case disposition, a divorce decree, or a probate filing, understanding which office holds the record and how to submit a proper request will streamline the process.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
Franklin County court cases can be searched online, in person at the courthouse, or through written requests submitted by mail or email. The approach depends on the type of record, the court that handled the matter, and whether you need certified copies.
Online Case Search
Missouri Case.net is the statewide electronic case database maintained by the Missouri Judiciary. It provides free public access to case information from circuit courts across the state, including the Franklin County Circuit Court. Users can search by litigant name, case number, or other criteria. Results display case type, filing date, charges or claims, party names, scheduled hearings, and dispositions. Case.net does not provide downloadable copies of filed documents; for actual document copies, a request to the clerk is required.
In-Person Requests
The Circuit Clerk’s office is open during regular business hours and accepts walk-in requests. Staff can assist with locating cases and pulling documents for copying. Bring a government-issued photo ID, especially if the case involves confidential records.
Franklin County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 401 East Main Street, Room 100A, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (Civil): (636) 583-7366
Phone: (Criminal): (636) 583-7365
Phone: (Probate): (636) 583-6312
Phone: (General): (636) 583-7391
Mail and Email Requests
Written requests may be mailed to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the following:
- Requester’s name, phone number, and full mailing address
- Case number (if known)
- Full party names
- Description of the specific documents needed
- Filing date or approximate date range
- Whether certified copies are needed
- Payment for applicable fees
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy surcharge | Additional $1.50 per document |
Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. A convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions. The clerk will notify requesters of estimated fees, and payment must be received before copies are produced.
Court Locations
In addition to the Circuit Court, Franklin County has numerous municipal court divisions. The principal courts are listed below:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Circuit Court | 401 E. Main St., Room 100A, Union, MO 63084 | (636) 583-7391 |
| Franklin County Municipal Court | 15 S. Church St., Room 306, Union, MO 63084 | (636) 584-6286 |
| Pacific Municipal Court | 300 Hoven Drive, Pacific, MO 63069 | (636) 257-4553 |
| Sullivan Municipal Court | 210 W. Washington St., Sullivan, MO 63080 | (573) 468-5627 |
| Union Municipal Court | 500 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 | (636) 583-8436 |
| New Haven Municipal Court | 101 Front St., New Haven, MO 63068 | (573) 237-2349 |
| St. Clair Municipal Division | 1 Paul Parks Drive, St. Clair, MO 63077 | (636) 629-5194 |
Several smaller municipal divisions—including Gerald, Washington, Village of Miramiguoa Park, and Berger—hold sessions at the Franklin County Judicial Center or the Gasconade County Courthouse. Contact the Circuit Clerk at (636) 583-7378 for those divisions.
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Franklin County court records are presumptively open to the public under Missouri’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo). The law grants every person the right to inspect and copy records maintained by public governmental bodies, including courts acting in their administrative capacity. Requests do not need to be submitted in any specific format, and requesters are not required to state a reason for seeking the records.
However, Missouri law recognizes several categories of records that may be closed or restricted. The Circuit Clerk will withhold records or portions of records that fall under statutory exemptions or have been sealed by court order. A photo ID may be required before copies of confidential case files are released, and in some instances a judge must approve an application to inspect confidential court records before any documents can be provided.
Records commonly restricted from public access include:
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Juvenile court proceedings and related files
- Adoption records
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Records containing personal identifying information (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers)
- Domestic violence victim information shielded by protective order
- Law enforcement investigative reports that remain active
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege
- Tax return information
- Medical and psychological records filed with the court
When a record contains a mix of public and confidential material, the clerk redacts the exempt portions and releases the remainder. The Missouri Attorney General’s Sunshine Law guidance provides additional detail on exemptions and the complaint process for denied requests. The Franklin County Clerk’s office serves as the point of contact for formal Sunshine Law requests directed to county departments.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
The Franklin County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all felony prosecutions and misdemeanor cases filed within the county. Municipal courts handle traffic infractions and city ordinance violations but do not adjudicate state criminal charges. The Criminal Department of the Circuit Clerk’s office processes filings, maintains case records, collects fines and court costs, and issues copies of criminal case documents.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal case records from the Circuit Court are searchable through Case.net by selecting the Franklin County Circuit Court from the drop-down menu and entering either a litigant name or case number. Results include charge descriptions, court dates, plea entries, and sentencing information for cases in the system. For copies of specific filings—complaints, warrants, motions, judgments—contact the Criminal Department at (636) 583-7365 or submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk.
Arrest Records and Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records, incident reports, and investigative reports are maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, not the court system. The Sheriff accepts records requests by email, fax, phone, mail, or in person.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Address: #1 Bruns Drive, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-2560
Fax: (636) 584-6877
Email: fcsorecords@franklinmo.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Sheriff’s Office Records Fees
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident reports | $2.00 per page |
| Investigative reports | $5.00 each (first 50 pages) |
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Missouri State Highway Patrol processes criminal history inquiries through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). A name-based search costs $15.00 and requires registration on the MACHS portal. Fingerprint-based background checks cost $44.00 total (state and FBI combined) and require an appointment at a partner agency location. Users can schedule a fingerprint appointment online through the MACHS portal. The state-only fingerprint fee is $20.00 per request.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Franklin County encompass a wide range of disputes, including breach of contract, personal injury, foreclosure, landlord-tenant conflicts, liens, property disputes, and complex commercial litigation. The Circuit Court handles civil matters of all dollar amounts, while municipal courts address ordinance violations that carry civil penalties.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case information is available through Case.net for online searches and through the Circuit Clerk’s Civil Department for document copies. The Civil Department can be reached at (636) 583-7366.
To request civil court documents by mail, follow these steps:
- Complete a record request form (available by contacting the clerk’s office or through the Franklin County government website)
- Include the case number, party names, filing date, and a description of the documents needed
- Attach payment — $1.00 per page, plus $1.50 per document if certification is required
- Mail to: 20th Judicial Circuit Court, 401 East Main Street, Union, MO 63084
The clerk will notify you of estimated fees before processing, and payment must be received in full before copies are released. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards (convenience fee applies to card payments).
E-Filing
The Franklin County Circuit Court is an e-filing court. Attorneys and parties may file civil pleadings electronically. Supreme Court-approved forms are available on the Missouri Courts website. Information about remote public access to court records is also available through the Missouri Courts remote access page.
Property Records
Real estate and personal property records are maintained by the Franklin County Assessor’s Office, which offers separate online search tools for real estate and personal property. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments are filed with the Recorder of Deeds at 400 East Locust, Room 102, Union, MO 63084, Phone: (636) 583-6367 The Recorder also provides an online document search portal for recorded instruments.
Franklin County Family Court Records
The Franklin County Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations division handles family law matters including divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, spousal maintenance, and orders of protection. Family court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are accessible through the same request channels used for other Circuit Court records.
Requesting Family Court Documents
Contact the Circuit Clerk’s office at (636) 583-7391, visit the Judicial Center at 401 East Main Street, Room 100A, Union, MO 63084, or submit a written request by mail. Provide party names, case number, filing date, and a description of the needed documents. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page; certified copies carry an additional $1.50 surcharge. Divorce cases filed in the Circuit Court are also searchable through Case.net.
Confidentiality Note
Many family court records contain confidential information—financial disclosures, custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and protective order details. The Circuit Clerk will release confidential records only to authorized parties, which typically means the named parties, their legal representatives, and individuals with a court order authorizing access. A photo ID is required, and a judge may need to approve an inspection application before confidential documents are released.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses in Franklin County are issued by the Recorder of Deeds. Both parties must appear together (with limited exceptions for military, incarcerated, or ADA-qualifying applicants) and provide government-issued photo ID and Social Security numbers. The application can be completed online in advance at the Franklin County license portal.
Franklin County Recorder of Deeds
Address: 400 East Locust, Room 102, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-6367
Fax: (636) 583-7330
Email: recorder@franklinmo.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (for marriage license applications)
Marriage License Fee: $56.00 cash or $57.55 by credit card. The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and may be used anywhere in Missouri.
Marriage Record Copies: Certified copies cost $9.00; uncertified copies cost $2.00. Copies can be ordered through the Recorder’s online marriage license search by selecting the desired record and clicking “Request Certified Copy”. Only the record subject, close family members, and legal guardians may obtain certified copies.
Birth and Death Certificates
Vital records are maintained by the Franklin County Health Department for events occurring in Missouri. Birth certificates are available for births since 1920; death certificates for deaths since 1980. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday.
Franklin County Health Department – Vital Records
Address: 414 East Main Street, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-7300
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 per copy |
| Death certificate (first copy) | $14.00 |
| Death certificate (additional copies) | $11.00 each |
Walk-in requests are printed the same day. Mail requests must include a completed and notarized vital records form, a copy of a current photo ID, the appropriate fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or Visa/Mastercard/Discover in person (credit and debit cards accepted until 4:00 p.m.; cards are not accepted by mail).
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City also issues Missouri birth and death certificates. Mail requests can be sent to: Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Franklin County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court rather than a separate probate court. The Probate Division oversees the administration of decedents’ estates, validation of wills, appointment of personal representatives, distribution of assets, guardianships and conservatorships of incapacitated adults and minors, and trust-related disputes. The Probate Department of the Circuit Clerk’s office maintains all associated filings.
Probate Department
Address: 401 East Main Street, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 583-6312
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available through Case.net by selecting the Franklin County Circuit Court and entering the decedent’s or ward’s name or the case number. Results show case type, filing dates, and a summary of proceedings. For copies of specific probate documents—wills, inventories, accountings, letters testamentary, guardianship petitions, and closing orders—contact the Probate Department or submit a written request.
Requesting Probate Documents
To request probate court records by mail:
- Complete a record request form (available from the clerk’s office or the Franklin County court website)
- Include the case number, decedent or ward name, filing date, and a description of needed documents
- Attach payment — $1.00 per page for regular copies
- Mail to: 20th Judicial Circuit Court, 401 East Main Street, Union, MO 63084
Certified copies carry an additional $1.50 surcharge per document. The clerk will provide a fee estimate before processing, and full payment must be received before copies are released.
Types of Probate Records
Files maintained by the Probate Division typically include:
- Last wills and testaments
- Petitions for letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Estate inventories and appraisals
- Creditor claims and notices
- Accountings (annual and final)
- Distribution orders
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions
- Guardian reports and accountings
- Trust instruments filed with the court
Probate records are generally public in Franklin County. However, guardianship files may contain medical evaluations or financial information that the court has sealed, and certain records involving minors may carry access restrictions. The clerk will advise requesters if any portion of a file requires court approval before it can be released.