Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County, situated in northwest Alabama with Russellville as its county seat, operates its courts through the 34th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, and several municipal courts collectively handle the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters generated within the county. Records from these proceedings are maintained by designated court offices, and access is governed by Alabama statute and court rule. Whether you are researching a case outcome, verifying a court order, or reviewing historical property instruments, the process begins with identifying the right court and custodian.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
Alabama court records can be searched through several channels — clerk offices, in-person courthouse visits, public access terminals, and online search tools. The official statewide portal for trial court records is Alacourt.gov, which provides on-demand access to civil, criminal, domestic, and traffic case data from across all Alabama counties, including Franklin County. The Just One Look search platform allows case lookups by party name or case number, with document images also available for purchase.
AlabamaCourts.us can assist with orienting researchers within Alabama’s court structure and locating publicly available case information. For matters not appearing in the statewide portal, in-person or written requests to the Circuit Clerk’s office in Russellville remain the most reliable method of obtaining verified court documents.
Franklin County Circuit Clerk (34th Judicial Circuit)
Address: 410 N. Jackson Avenue, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8861
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
The public’s right to inspect and copy court records in Franklin County is grounded in two overlapping frameworks. Alabama Code § 36-12-40 grants every Alabama resident the right to inspect and take copies of public records, and Alabama’s Rules of Court-Record Privacy and Confidentiality, Article 1, Rule 104 affirms that court records are presumptively open to the public unless a specific statute, court rule, or court order directs otherwise.
Categories of records restricted from public disclosure under Alabama law and court rule include:
- Juvenile court records and law enforcement files concerning a child
- Adoption records and proceedings
- Test results for sexually transmitted diseases
- Marital communications protected by privilege
- Trade secrets submitted under seal
- Communications between professionals and clients of professional corporations under privilege
- Records sealed or restricted by specific court order
Even within publicly accessible case files, courts are required to redact certain sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers and financial account information — before releasing documents. When any portion of a file is withheld, the custodian must identify the basis for the restriction. The overall presumption remains one of access: if no specific exemption applies, the record is available.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Franklin County are filed in the Circuit Court, while misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations are handled by the District Court. Both courts share the Franklin County Courthouse. Municipal courts in Russellville, Phil Campbell, and Red Bay handle ordinance violations and minor offenses within their respective city limits.
Court locations for criminal matters:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Circuit Court | 410 N. Jackson Ave., P.O. Box 160, Russellville, AL 35653 | (256) 332-8861 |
| Franklin County District Court | 410 N. Jackson Ave., P.O. Box 160, Russellville, AL 35653 | (256) 332-8861 |
| Russellville Municipal Court | 400 N. Jackson Ave., P.O. Box 1000, Russellville, AL 35653 | (256) 332-8700 |
| Phil Campbell Municipal Court | 580 Railroad St., P.O. Box 489, Phil Campbell, AL 35581 | (256) 993-5313 |
| Red Bay Municipal Court | 203 4th Ave SE, Red Bay, AL 35582 | (205) 356-4473 |
Searching criminal case records online:
The fastest way to search Franklin County criminal case information is through the Just One Look portal on Alacourt.gov. Fees apply to all searches and document retrievals:
- Name search: $9.99
- Case number search: $9.99
- Document images: $5.00 for the first 20 pages; $0.50 per page thereafter
- Full District Court case report: $19.99
- Full Circuit Court case report: $29.99
For records not available online, or for certified copies of criminal judgments and sentencing orders, submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address listed above. Researchers should supply the defendant’s full name, approximate filing date, and case number if known. The clerk cannot provide legal advice and will process requests during regular business hours.
Arrest and incident records from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office are maintained separately from court case files. The Sheriff’s Office is the agency of record for arrest reports, booking records, and related law enforcement documents.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 748 Walnut Gate Road, Russellville, AL 35654
Phone: (24 hours): (256) 332-8820
Administrative Phone: (256) 332-8811
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A live inmate roster showing persons currently in custody at the Franklin County Jail is publicly accessible on the Sheriff’s website and is updated in real time.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Franklin County — including contract disputes, money judgments, property actions, and small claims — are filed in either the Circuit Court (general civil jurisdiction) or District Court (smaller civil claims). The Circuit Clerk maintains case files for all Circuit Court civil matters, while the District Court clerk handles District-level civil filings.
All civil case records, other than those sealed by court order or otherwise restricted, are public and searchable through Alacourt.gov. The same pay-per-search fee structure used for criminal case lookups applies to civil case queries. For records not available through the online portal — particularly older case files or documents requiring certification — in-person or written requests to the Circuit Clerk at 410 N. Jackson Avenue are necessary.
Requesting civil court records in person:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk’s office at 410 N. Jackson Avenue, Russellville, during business hours.
- Provide the case number, party names, and the type of document needed.
- Staff will locate the record and advise on applicable copy fees.
- Pay the required fee to receive standard or certified copies.
Pro se (self-represented) litigants who need to file documents electronically can register through AlaFile, Alabama’s e-filing system. After completing online registration, new filers must print the registration confirmation and present it with a state-issued photo ID at the Circuit Clerk’s office to complete activation. E-notices for filed orders and documents are then delivered by email to the registered address.
Property records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate instruments — are recorded with and maintained by the Franklin County Probate Office, not the Circuit Clerk. The Probate Office indexes these instruments by grantor/grantee name, document type, and recording date. Staff can assist with in-person searches or document retrieval requests at the Probate Office (see contact information in the Probate section below).
Franklin County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Franklin County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, and domestic violence protective orders — are filed in the Circuit Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk. The case files are generally public under Alabama law, with the exception of records sealed by court order or those involving minor children in dependency or juvenile proceedings.
Divorce records can be searched through Alacourt.gov using a party name or case number. Certified copies of divorce decrees require a written request to the Circuit Clerk. For historical research, the Circuit Court holds divorce records going back well before the state’s vital statistics system began recording divorces. Certified copies of divorce certificates from August 1950 forward are also available from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics.
To request a certified divorce certificate from the state:
- Download the mail-in vital records application from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
- Complete the form with both spouses’ full pre-marriage names, the date of divorce, and the county where it was granted.
- Make a check or money order payable to “Center for Health Statistics” for $15.00 (includes one certified copy); additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously cost $6.00 each. Cash is not accepted, and fees are non-refundable.
- Mail the form and payment to: Center for Health Statistics, P.O. Box 5625, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625.
- Alternatively, visit the Franklin County Health Department at 801 Highway 48, Russellville, Alabama 35654; Phone: (256) 332-2700
Marriage licenses are issued by the Franklin County Probate Court (see Probate section below). Marriage certificates from August 1936 forward are also available from the Center for Health Statistics using the same mail-in application and fee schedule as divorce records.
Birth certificates are restricted for 125 years from the date of birth under Alabama law. Only the person named on the certificate, their immediate family members, and legal representatives may obtain a certified copy during this period. The search and first-copy fee is $15.00, with additional copies at $6.00 each. Identification consistent with the Alabama ADPH ID requirements is required. Requests can be submitted to the Franklin County Health Department in person or by mailing the completed application form to the Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery.
Death certificates are restricted for 25 years from the date of death. After 25 years, they are available to anyone upon payment of the fee. During the restricted period, access is limited to parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandchildren, legal representatives of the family or estate, and the informant listed on the original death certificate. The fee structure mirrors birth and marriage certificates: $15.00 for the first certified copy, $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time, and $15.00 extra for expedited processing. Cash is not accepted.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
The Franklin County Probate Court operates as a distinct division at the courthouse and carries jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, adoptions, marriage licenses, and the recording of real property instruments. The Probate Judge also has authority to act as a marriage officiant.
Franklin County Probate Court
Address: 410 N. Jackson Avenue, P.O. Box 70, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8801
Fax: (256) 332-8423
Probate Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Records maintained by the Probate Court include:
- Wills and estate administration files
- Guardianship and conservatorship petitions and orders
- Marriage licenses and marriage records
- Adoption proceedings
- Name change petitions
- Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other recorded real property instruments
- UCC financing statements
Probate court records that are not sealed or restricted by statute are public and may be inspected during office hours. To obtain copies, visit the Probate Office with identifying information about the record sought — such as the decedent’s name and approximate year of death for estate records, or the grantor/grantee names and approximate recording date for property instruments. Requests may also be mailed to P.O. Box 70, Russellville, AL 35653.
Online access to certain Probate Court filings and property records is available through the Franklin County Probate online services portal. For questions about refunds or orders processed through the online portal, contact the Probate Office directly at (256) 332-8801.
Marriage license applications are handled exclusively at the Probate Court, and both applicants are typically required to appear in person. For marriage records predating the state’s vital statistics archive (which begins in August 1936), the Probate Court is the only source of those older records.