Franklin County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Franklin County in 2026
FranklinCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Franklin County, Alabama. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find records spanning court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, tax assessments, and other government-generated documents through this resource. The categories of records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and property assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Records in Franklin County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Franklin County Circuit Court maintains an online portal where members of the public may access court case information for the Thirty-Fourth Judicial Circuit. No registration is required to conduct basic case searches.
- Property assessment and appraisal data are available through the Franklin County GIS and appraisal records portal maintained by the Alabama Department of Revenue.
- The Alabama Department of Public Health provides access to vital records requests and related health services documentation.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Franklin County Courthouse, located at 410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653. The Circuit Clerk's Office and the Revenue Commissioner's Office are both housed within the courthouse. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state and federal holidays. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and complete a records request form at the appropriate office counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant office by mail. Requestors should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and a return mailing address. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Franklin County Circuit Clerk: (256) 332-8830
- Franklin County Revenue Commissioner: (256) 332-8831
What Are Public Records in Franklin County?
Public records in Franklin County are defined under Alabama Code § 36-12-40 as all written, typed, or printed books, papers, letters, documents, and maps made or received in pursuance of law by public officers of the state in the transaction of public business. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Probate and family court records | Probate Judge's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Probate Judge's Office |
| Property tax assessments | Revenue Commissioner's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Alabama Department of Public Health |
| Business licenses and permits | Probate Judge's Office / City Offices |
| Voting and election records | Circuit Clerk / Probate Judge |
| County commission minutes and budgets | County Commission Office |
| Law enforcement incident reports | Franklin County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Franklin County Circuit Court maintains civil, criminal, and domestic relations case files for the Thirty-Fourth Judicial Circuit. Property records, including deeds and mortgages, are recorded with the Probate Judge's Office at the Franklin County Courthouse. Tax assessment and appraisal records are administered by the Revenue Commissioner, with data accessible through the county appraisal and assessment records portal. Vital records are issued through the Franklin County Health Department, which operates under the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Is Franklin County an Open Records County?
Franklin County operates in full compliance with Alabama's open records law. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, all public records are the property of the state and must be open for inspection by any citizen of Alabama. The statute provides that "all public records shall be open for inspection by any citizen of this state at reasonable hours." This provision establishes a broad presumption of openness, placing the burden on the custodial agency to justify any denial of access.
The Alabama Attorney General's Office has affirmed that the open records law applies to all state and county agencies, including those operating within Franklin County. County offices are required to maintain records in an organized manner and to make them available for public inspection without requiring requestors to state a reason for their inquiry. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access; state law governs all requests uniformly. Alabama's open records framework is further supported by the state's Sunshine Law, which mandates that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Franklin County?
The current fee structure for public records in Franklin County is governed by state statute and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable at the time of request include:
- Document copies: $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the office and document type
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $15.00 per document (varies by record type and issuing office)
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): $15.00 per certified copy, as set by the Alabama Department of Public Health
- Court record copies: Fees are set by the Circuit Clerk's Office; standard copy fees apply per page
- Electronic records: Fees may vary; some digital records are available at no charge through online portals
- Search fees: Certain offices may assess a search fee for extensive record retrieval; this is disclosed at the time of request
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check made payable to the relevant office. Credit and debit card acceptance varies by department. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Alabama law, though indigent requestors may petition the court for fee relief in specific legal proceedings. The Alabama Department of Human Resources maintains its own fee schedule for records requests related to human services matters.
Does Franklin County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public at county offices during regular business hours. Under Alabama's open records law, citizens have the right to inspect records at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Franklin County Circuit Court online portal allows free case index searches without registration
- The Franklin County GIS and property assessment database provides free online access to property appraisal and assessment data
- The Alabama Secretary of State's website offers free access to business entity filings and election records
- Public access terminals are available at the Franklin County Courthouse for in-person inspection of court and property records at no cost
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may view records without charge, but obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees. Certain records, such as voter registration status, are available at no cost through the Alabama Secretary of State's online voter portal.
Who Can Request Public Records in Franklin County?
Any citizen of Alabama may request public records held by Franklin County agencies. Under Alabama Code § 36-12-40, the right of inspection is extended to all citizens of the state without restriction based on residency within the county. Requestors are not required to:
- Reside within Franklin County
- Provide a reason or purpose for the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
For the majority of record types, identification is not required to inspect records, though it may be requested for administrative purposes when obtaining certified copies. Non-residents of Alabama may access records through written or mail requests, though the statutory right of inspection is specifically extended to Alabama citizens. Persons seeking their own records—such as personal court filings, tax records, or vital records—follow the same request process as any other requestor, with additional identity verification required for certified vital records. Attorneys, title companies, and other professional requestors are subject to the same fee schedules as individual members of the public. The Alabama Department of Human Resources applies additional identity verification requirements for records involving child welfare and human services cases.
What Records Are Confidential in Franklin County?
Not all government records in Franklin County are subject to public disclosure. Alabama law establishes specific categories of exempt records. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Alabama law
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt from disclosure
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
- Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Alabama Department of Human Resources related to child abuse and neglect investigations are strictly confidential
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for salary and position information
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety
Alabama Code § 36-12-40 provides that the right of inspection does not extend to records whose disclosure is prohibited by statute or court order. Agencies denying access to records are required to cite the specific statutory exemption justifying the denial. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the Alabama Attorney General's Office or pursue relief in circuit court.
Franklin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The recording function in Franklin County is performed by the Probate Judge's Office, which serves as the official repository for property records, deeds, mortgages, and related instruments. Court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office, and tax records are administered by the Revenue Commissioner.
Franklin County Probate Judge's Office
410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653
(256) 332-8861
Franklin County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office
410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653
(256) 332-8830
Franklin County Circuit Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Franklin County Revenue Commissioner
410 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 248, Russellville, AL 35653
(256) 332-8831
Franklin County appraisal and assessment records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Franklin County Health Department
406 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL 35653
(256) 332-4290
Franklin County Health Department
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
As the Alabama Department of Public Health notes, "The Franklin Health Department offers WIC, environmental, home care, and clinical services to the public," and serves as the local point of contact for vital records requests including birth and death certificates.