Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County Court Records refer to vital legal documents containing detailed accounts of legal proceedings, legal decisions, and filings within the county. Court records typically include a wide range of information, such as case details, filings, judgments, and motions. Like other counties, the official court record custodian of court records in the county is the Franklin County Circuit Clerk, who is responsible for maintaining and managing access to these records.

In Franklin County, Illinois, court records are vital legal documents, helping maintain transparency and accountability in the county's judicial processes. They also help understand legal precedents, as all court proceedings, motions, and rulings are recorded and made available to the public.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most Franklin County Court Records are public and open to public access. Additionally, in compliance with 705 Ill. Comp. Stat. 105/16, all records filed with the Circuit Court Clerk are presumed to be public records. It is, however, worth stating that certain records are exempted from public disclosure due to the sensitivity of the details contained in them. As per 5 ILCS 140 section 7, Illinois courts are legally authorized to restrict access to specific details in court records deemed exempt. These exemptions include the following:

• Confidential records: these records are only available to the subjects or the people filing the case or submitting the documents, such as financial agreements in divorce cases
• Impounded Record: Impounded records refer to records that are only available to the subjects or the involved parties, such as juvenile records of persons who have completed their parole and undergone counselling
• Sealed records: Franklin County Sealed Court records are only accessible through a court order and include documents such as adoption records
• Expunged Records: These refer to records that are only accessible via a court order as stated in Section 5.2(E) of the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630)

Franklin County Court Records Search

Any of the following methods can be used by interested parties to perform a Franklin County Court Records Search:

• County Circuit Court Clerk
• Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) portal provided by the state
• Reliable third-party search platforms

Franklin County Courts

The Franklin County Court System operates a Circuit Court responsible for addressing civil, criminal, probate, family, small claims, and traffic cases. Below is the court and court address:

Franklin County Circuit Court
Franklin County Courthouse
100 Public Square
Benton, Illinois 62812
Phone: (618) 435-9800, (618) 525-4744

Franklin County Criminal and Civil Records

Franklin County criminal records provide relevant details about the criminal history of persons living in Franklin County. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office typically manages and maintains criminal records pertaining to county residents as well as Franklin county arrest records. These records are also available at the state level at the Illinois State Police. Individuals interested in obtaining criminal records in Franklin County can do so by contacting the Franklin County Sheriff's office at the location below:

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
403 E. Main Street
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 438-4841

Additionally, at the state level, criminal records can be obtained through the remote name-based criminal history checks provided by the Illinois State Police. Users must create an account to submit requests through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) portal.

In Franklin County, civil court records are managed by the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office. The Clerk's Office is primarily responsible for filing, storing, and managing access to civil records, including property disputes, divorces, lawsuits, and small claims. Individuals interested in obtaining Franklin County Civil Courts can do so by paying a physical visit to the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's office at the address provided earlier. Requesters can present a written request or fill out the available request forms and pay any associated fees necessary for certified copies of records.

Alternatively, individuals interested in obtaining remote access to civil records in Franklin County, Illinois, can use the remote search provided by the County Clerk's office.

Franklin County Marriage Records

To obtain copies of Franklin County marriage records, interested individuals can obtain marriage records by simply contacting the County Clerk's office at the address below:

Franklin County Courthouse,
901 Public Square,
Benton, IL 62812
P.O. Box 607,
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 435-9800

It is worth noting that requesters are required to complete an Application for Search of Marriage Record Files, which can also be submitted via mail to the address above. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $21, and each additional copy of the same document purchased simultaneously costs an extra $9.

Franklin County Divorce Records

Franklin County Divorce Records can be accessed by physically visiting the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office at the address provided earlier during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Requesters are required to pay the required fee for certified copies of the records.

Franklin County Birth Records

Franklin County Birth Records are only accessible to specific individuals, including the registrant (aged 18 or above), legal guardians, parents as listed on the record, individuals with a court order, or authorized representatives. Subsequently, eligible individuals can obtain copies of this record by requesting birth records from the County Clerk's office. Upon completing an application for Search of Birth Record Files, the form can be submitted by mail or in-person to the address provided earlier. It is worth noting that a copy of Franklin County Birth Records typically costs $25 and an additional $7 for each extra copy.

Additionally, interested parties can also request Franklin County Birth Records from the Illinois Department of Public Health by simply submitting the record request form Application for Illinois Birth Record or an Application for Illinois Birth Record of Deceased Individual at the address below:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Those requesting birth records of a deceased person will need to include a copy of the registrant's death certificate. Requesters should also note that the following fees apply to different kinds of records:

• Long-form birth certificates: $15
• Short-form certified birth certificates: $10
• Additional copies of the same record cost $2 each

Franklin County Death Records

Individuals interested in Franklin County Death Records can request from the Illinois Department of Public Health by completing the Illinois Death Record application. It is worth noting that these records are only available and accessible to individuals who can demonstrate property or personal interest in the record. All requests can be submitted either in person or via mail at the address below:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave.
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

Requesters are to note that different kinds of records require different fees, as stated below:

• Certified copies: $19
• Additional certified copies: $4 each
• Uncertified copies: $10
• Additional uncertified copies: $2 each

Franklin County death records can also be accessed locally through the Franklin County Clerk's Office. Requestors are however required to submit an Application for Search of Death Record Files. The completed form can be submitted at the office of the County Clerk at the address provided earlier. Below is a fee schedule for different kinds of records:

• Death records: $27 per copy
• Additional copies of the same record: $13 each

Franklin County Probate Court Records

Franklin County Probate Court Records refers to documents that contain the details of legal proceedings involving estates, trusts, wills, and guardianships. These records typically included filed wills, trust disputes, guardianship appointments, and estate administration. The Franklin County Circuit Clerk is primarily responsible for filing and maintaining these records, and as such, individuals interested in obtaining Franklin County Probate Court Records can do so by requesting at the Clerk's Office address provided earlier. Requesters are to note that access to some records, including sealed or secret cases, may be limited, and fees may be associated with requesting copies or certified papers.

Franklin County Property Records

Franklin County Property Records refers to documents that contain details relating to land ownership, tax assessments, deeds, liens, mortgages, and property transfers. Franklin County Property records are typically maintained by the Franklin Recorder's Office and the Franklin County Assessor's Office. Individuals interested in accessing property records in Franklin County can do so by paying a physical visit to the County Recorder's or Assessor's Office at the Franklin County Courthouse address provided earlier. Certain records may also be available remotely on the county search tool.

Requesters should note the following fees that may be required depending on the kind of record they seek:

• Copies per document – $1 per page.
• Faxed copies per document $2
• Certified copies per document $1 per page

Franklin County Court Records Online

Franklin County Court Records are also available and can be accessed via third-party platforms like Illinoiscourtrecords.us. These platforms offer user-friendly tools, making it easy to navigate and obtain the records of one's choice. Using information like the name of the record subject and their last known location, such as their city, county, or state, these platforms enable users to search for one or more records remotely. These third-party websites are not formally connected to any governmental entity, and as such, users must confirm the authenticity and accuracy of records obtained from them.