Franklin County Public Records

Franklin County public records are kept by the Probate Court and Circuit Clerk in Russellville. The county uses the Ingenuity system for online court records access through the statewide Alacourt portal.

Franklin County Probate Court

The Probate Court handles property records for Franklin County. This office manages deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and marriage licenses. All real estate transfers in the county must be recorded here. The Probate Judge also handles wills, estates, and mental health commitments.

The courthouse sits in downtown Russellville. You can visit in person to search records or request copies. Staff can help you find what you need. Most people come in for deed searches when buying or selling land. Title companies use this office every day.

Property records go back many decades in Franklin County. Older records are stored in bound books. Newer records are kept digitally. The office has been working to scan old documents into the system. This makes searching faster and easier.

Search Franklin County Records Online

Franklin County court records are available through the Alabama Alacourt system. The county uses the Ingenuity case management software that connects to the state portal. You can search criminal cases, civil suits, traffic tickets, and family court matters online.

The Alacourt portal at pa.alacourt.com lets you search by name or case number. A name search costs $9.99 and shows you basic case info. If you want to see more details or view documents, there are extra fees. Each case detail costs $9.99 to view.

For property records, you may need to visit the Probate Court in person. Franklin County does not have a full online property search portal like some larger counties. However, you can call ahead and the staff will search records for you over the phone. They can also take mail requests.

The Circuit Clerk website at franklin.alacourt.gov has local court info. You can find contact details, office hours, and links to state forms there. The site explains how to file cases and what fees apply.

Franklin County Court Records

The Circuit Clerk keeps all trial court records in Franklin County. This includes civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce files, and appeals. The office is separate from Probate Court. They handle different types of records.

Franklin County is part of the 34th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers only Franklin County, which means the local judges handle all cases here. The circuit has both circuit court and district court. Circuit court handles felonies and civil cases over $20,000. District court handles misdemeanors and smaller civil matters.

You can search court records several ways. The easiest is through Alacourt online. You can also visit the clerk office in person. Written requests by mail work too. Include the full name of the person and any dates you know. The more info you give, the better the search results.

Criminal records show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. Civil records show lawsuits between people or companies. Family court records cover divorce, custody, and child support. Some records are sealed by court order. Juvenile cases are not public.

Franklin County Recording Fees

Franklin County charges fees for recording documents and making copies. These follow Alabama state guidelines but can vary slightly. Always check current rates before you send payment.

Common fees in Franklin County include:

• Recording a deed: $15 for first page, $3 each extra page
• Certified copies: $1 per page plus $5 certification fee
• Marriage license: $70
• Document search: varies by time spent

The Probate Court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices now take credit cards but may add a processing fee. For mail requests, send a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail.

Court filing fees are set by state law. A civil lawsuit costs around $300 to file. Divorce cases have their own fee schedule. Criminal cases have court costs added to any fines. The Circuit Clerk can tell you exact fees for your case type.

Franklin County Vital Records

Birth and death records in Alabama are handled by the state. The Alabama Department of Public Health keeps these files. You can order copies through their website or by mail. Local health departments can also help.

Marriage records are different. The Franklin County Probate Court issues marriage licenses and keeps copies. You can get a certified copy of a marriage certificate from this office. Bring ID and know the names and approximate date of the marriage.

Divorce records are court records, not vital records. The Circuit Clerk has divorce files. These show when people filed, the case outcome, and any orders made. You can search these through Alacourt or at the clerk office.

For birth certificates, visit alabamapublichealth.gov. You can order online with a credit card. Copies cost about $15 each. You need to prove you have the right to access the record. Birth parents, the person named, and legal guardians can usually get copies.

How to Request Public Records

Alabama law gives you the right to see public records. This comes from the Alabama Open Records Act. Government offices must let you inspect records during business hours. They can charge for copies but not for looking.

To request records from Franklin County, you can visit in person or send a written request. Be as specific as you can. Tell them exactly what records you want. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. Vague requests take longer to process.

Some records are not public. Medical records, sealed court files, and ongoing investigations are usually exempt. The office will tell you if they cannot release what you asked for. They should cite the law that protects those records.

Response times vary. Simple requests might be done while you wait. Complex searches can take days or weeks. The county must respond in a reasonable time. If you feel they are taking too long, you can contact the Alabama Attorney General office for help.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County has several small towns and cities. The county seat is Russellville, which is the largest city. All property records for these places are filed at the Franklin County Probate Court in Russellville.

Major communities in Franklin County include Russellville, Red Bay, Phil Campbell, Hodges, and Vina. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so they use county-level services for records. Russellville has about 10,000 residents and serves as the center of government and commerce.

If you need records for any town in Franklin County, start at the courthouse in Russellville. The Probate Court handles property and marriage records. The Circuit Clerk handles court cases. Both offices serve the whole county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County. If you need records from a neighboring area, select the county below.

Legal Resources in Franklin County

If you need help with legal matters, several resources exist for Franklin County residents. Legal aid groups help people who cannot afford a lawyer. The court system also offers self-help options for some case types.

Alabama Legal Help at alabamalegalhelp.org has free info and forms. They cover topics like divorce, custody, landlord issues, and benefits. The site has guides you can follow on your own.

The Alabama State Bar runs a lawyer referral service. You can call to get matched with an attorney for your issue. The first consultation is usually low cost. After that, you work out fees with the lawyer directly.

For family law matters, the circuit court has forms on their website. Pro se litigants (people without lawyers) can file their own cases. The clerk cannot give legal advice, but they can help with paperwork and filing steps.

Local attorneys in Russellville handle most types of cases. Real estate lawyers help with property transfers. Family law attorneys handle divorce and custody. Criminal defense lawyers represent people charged with crimes. Most offer free initial meetings.