Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County court records contain various legal documents that provide a detailed account of court filings and other procedural events from filing to conclusion. These records typically include pleadings, motions, court rulings, and other materials that shape the course and outcome of the proceedings. In criminal matters, court records may also contain references to Franklin County arrest records.

Court records play a vital role in the justice system. They testify to the court’s integrity and transparency in handling legal disputes.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

Under Alabama’s Rules of Court Records (Article 1, Rule 104), court records in Franklin County are public, meaning anyone may approach the appropriate custodian and request to examine or obtain copies. However, specific case files may be subject to non-disclosure if they contain privileged or confidential documents or information.

Common court documents and information classified as privileged or confidential by statute or court order include:

• Law enforcement records and files concerning a child.
• Juvenile court records
• Test results for sexually transmitted diseases
• Marital communications
• Trade secrets
• Communications between a professional and a recipient of the professional services of a professional corporation.

Franklin County Court Records Search

Most court records are electronically imaged and uploaded online for easy access. These records may be obtained through the Alacourt.gov platform. Alternatively, record seekers may contact the courthouse and make a record request to the County District Clerk’s office. The address is:

410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville,
AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8861
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Franklin County Courts

Franklin County Courts are situated at these locations:

Franklin County Circuit Court
Franklin County Courthouse
410 N Jackson Ave, P.O. Box 160, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8861

Franklin County District Court
Franklin County Courthouse
410 N Jackson Ave, P.O. Box 160, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8861

Franklin County Probate Court
Franklin County Courthouse
410 N Jackson Ave, P.O. Box 70, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8801
Fax: (256) 332-8423

Phil Campbell Municipal Court
Phil Campbell City Hall
580 Railroad St, P.O. Box 489, Phil Campbell, AL 35581
Phone: (256) 993-5313
Fax: (205) 993-4874

Red Bay Municipal Court
Red Bay City Hall
203 4th Ave SE, Red Bay, AL 35582
Phone: (205) 356-4473

Russellville Municipal Court
400 N Jackson Ave, P.O. Box 1000, Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8700
Fax: (256) 331-0959

Franklin County Criminal and Civil Records

Franklin County court records are categorized into different divisions, including civil, criminal, domestic, child support, traffic, juvenile, and warrants. Access to civil and criminal records is within the County District Clerk’s scope of authority. Individuals seeking access to civil and criminal court records, which sometimes include reference to the Franklin County arrest records, may visit the clerk’s office at:

410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville,
AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8861
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Office staff can help them process their record request. The researcher must provide enough information about the record being sought to help with the search.

In addition, electronic images of these records are available on www.alacourt.gov. Individuals can perform record searches using the Just One Look search portal by entering criteria such as party name and case number into the search field to facilitate a query. Fees apply: name and case number searches typically cost $9.99.

Franklin County Marriage Records

Franklin County marriage records are considered vital records. Unlike court records, these records are typically restricted. However, the rules for restricting vital records generally do not apply to marriage records in Franklin County. This means anyone who can provide enough information to search for a record and pay the required fee can view or obtain copies.

Certified copies of marriage certificates may be obtained from the Franklin County Health Department (FHDC). The Department manages an automated vital records system called Vital Statistics Image Oriented Network or ViSION, which allows it to issue vital records through all Alabama county health departments. Records may be obtained through in-person visits to the FHDC office or via mail:

Download and print the mail-in application form, fill it out, and mail it along with a check or money order to:

Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5625

Franklin County Health Department
801 Highway 48
Russellville, Alabama 35654
Office: (256) 332-2700
Fax: (256) 332-1563

The Health Statistics Center only maintains marriage records dating back to August 1936. Requesters will need to approach the probate office for older records.

Franklin County Divorce Records

Under Alabama law, divorce records are open to the public without restrictions. As such, anyone who pays the search fee and provides information that sufficiently identifies specific records can obtain copies. This information includes:

• Full names before the first marriage of both spouses
• Date of divorce
• The county where the divorce was granted
• Your name
• Your signature
• Address where the certificate is to be mailed
• Your daytime phone number

The search fee for a divorce certificate is $15.00, plus $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Requesters must make a check or money order payable to "Center for Health Statistics". Cash is not an accepted means of payment, and fees are not refundable.

To make a request, visit the Franklin County Health Department or download and print this mail-in application form, fill it out, and mail it along with a check or money order to the Center for Health Statistics. The Health Statistics Center records repository contains only divorce records dating back to August 1950. Requesters will need to approach the Circuit Court for older records.

Franklin Birth Records

Under Alabama law, Franklin Birth certificates are considered vital records. However, unlike marriage and divorce records, birth records have a public access restriction period of 125 years, starting from the date of birth. During this period, only the person whose name is on the record, their immediate family members, and their legal representative are entitled to obtain copies.

To make a request, visit the Franklin County Health Department or download and print this mail-in application form. Fill it out and mail it along with a check or money order to the Center for Health Statistics. Requesters will need to provide a valid ID to obtain a restricted birth certificate.

Franklin Death Records

Under Alabama law, Franklin County birth certificates are confidential. These records are accessible to the public after 25 years of death. In the meantime, only the following individuals can access a death certificate:

• The deceased’s parents
• Their spouse
• Children
• Siblings
• Grandchildren
• The legal representative for the deceased’s family or estate
• The informant listed on the death certificate as providing information

Individuals who wish to obtain certified copies of a death certificate may visit the Franklin County Health Department to submit a record request or mail in a completed version of this application form. Requesters will need to provide a valid ID to obtain a restricted birth certificate.

Franklin County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Franklin County fall under the jurisdiction of the Franklin County Probate Court. This court handles various probate matters, including estate administration, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, and marriage licenses. To obtain records of these cases, individuals may visit the Franklin County Courthouse:

410 Jackson Ave N,
Russellville, AL, 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8801

Franklin County Property Records

The Probate Office maintains property records including deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, and other documents related to real estate ownership and transactions in Franklin County. Visit the Probate Office at the courthouse to view or request copies of property records. Staff can assist with locating documents indexed by grantor/grantee name, date, or document number.

Franklin County Probate Office
410 Jackson Avenue North,
Russellville, AL 35653
Phone: (256) 332-8800
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Alternatively, requests may be submitted by mail to:

P.O. Box 70, Russellville,
AL 35653.

Franklin County Court Records Online

Records may be obtained through the Alacourt.gov platform. Third-party sites like Alabamacourtrecords.us may also provide a convenient platform for accessing Franklin County court records. Through these sites, individuals may be able to remotely access digitized versions of documents for which electronic copies are unavailable from the official source. However, because these sites are merely compilers and not the original creators of these records, they do not guarantee that the information is accurate or up-to-date. Instead, users are advised to scrutinize accessible data and verify the information with official sources before use.