Franklin County Civil Court Records

Franklin County civil court records are held by the Circuit Clerk at two courthouse locations in Ozark and Charleston, Arkansas. This guide covers how to search civil case filings online through the state portal, how to request court documents at either courthouse location, and what civil matters are handled by the Franklin County Circuit Court in the 15th Judicial Circuit.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk Office

The Franklin County Circuit Clerk's office serves two courthouse locations. The North Franklin County Courthouse is at 211 W Commercial Street, Ozark, AR 72949, phone (479) 667-3818. The South Franklin County Courthouse is at 607 E. Main Street, Charleston, AR 72933, phone (479) 965-7332. The circuit clerk's mailing address is P.O. Box 1112, Ozark, AR 72949. The primary contact phone for the Circuit Clerk is (479) 965-7332. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Franklin County is one of a small number of Arkansas counties with two county seats. The county was divided into north and south districts historically, and each courthouse handles records for its respective district. Civil cases are filed based on the district where the underlying transaction or event occurred. When you contact the Circuit Clerk about a specific case, having the district information or knowing where the matter arose will help staff direct you to the right location. The Circuit Clerk serves as ex-officio recorder for the county and maintains all court records, land records, and related instruments for both districts.

The Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association maintains contact information for all 75 county circuit clerks including Franklin County, which can be useful for verifying the current clerk and office details.

Searching Franklin County Civil Court Records Online

The Arkansas Judiciary's free public portal, Search ARCourts, covers civil case information for Franklin County. Search by party name, business name, or case number. Filter results by court type, case type, party type, or case status. No account or fee is required for basic case lookups. The system is available at any time and is the primary statewide tool for online civil records access.

Cases created before January 1, 2009 may have some personal details redacted under Administrative Order No. 19 when accessed online. Records from before the county's integration into the statewide system may not be available digitally. For those older files, contact the Circuit Clerk at (479) 965-7332 or plan a visit to either courthouse. The CourtConnect portal is another online option for case searches. AOC support is available at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.

Note: If you are unsure which Franklin County courthouse holds the record you need, call the main circuit clerk line at (479) 965-7332. Staff can confirm the district and tell you how to request the file, whether online, by mail, or in person.

Civil Cases in Franklin County Circuit Court

Franklin County Circuit Court hears civil cases through its civil division under Amendment 80 of the Arkansas Constitution. Civil matters include negligence claims, contract disputes, fraud, malpractice, product liability, foreclosures, quiet title suits, injunctions, partition actions, property disputes, declaratory judgments, unlawful detainer, and name changes. Cases where the amount at issue exceeds $25,000 fall in circuit court. District courts handle smaller civil claims up to $25,000 and small claims up to $5,000.

The domestic relations division of Franklin County Circuit Court handles divorce, custody and visitation, child support, and paternity cases. These are civil proceedings and their records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. The probate division covers wills, estates, and guardianships. All of these civil records are held at the courthouse in the district where the case was filed, whether Ozark or Charleston. If you are looking for a specific case and are not sure which district, the clerk's office in Ozark can help you identify the correct location.

Note: Juvenile records are confidential in Franklin County as in all Arkansas counties. Adoption records are also sealed. Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public searches and cannot be obtained through a standard records request.

Requesting Copies of Franklin County Civil Records

In-person requests are the most reliable way to get civil records from Franklin County. Go to either the Ozark courthouse at 211 W Commercial Street or the Charleston courthouse at 607 E. Main Street during business hours. Bring valid photo ID and any details about the case, such as party names, case number, and approximate year filed. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies require an additional fee and are needed for legal use such as appeals and court submissions.

Mail requests can be sent to P.O. Box 1112, Ozark, AR 72949. Include party names, case number if known, the year filed, and payment by check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies returned by mail. Call (479) 965-7332 before sending your request to confirm current processing times and payment options. For records held in the Charleston district, you may be directed to the south courthouse depending on where the case was filed.

Public Records Law in Arkansas

The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-101 et seq., gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records, including civil court filings, without having to provide a reason. The Circuit Clerk must respond to requests within a reasonable time. Administrative Order No. 19 from the Arkansas Supreme Court confirms that court records are presumed public unless sealed. Ark. Code Ann. § 16-13-901 et seq. provides additional guidance on records access and the fees that clerks are permitted to charge. Franklin County follows these statewide rules at both courthouse locations.

Legal Resources for Franklin County

Legal Services of Arkansas provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents of Franklin County. They handle housing, family law, and other civil matters in the 15th Judicial Circuit area. The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation can connect you with legal aid programs and resources in the region. For self-represented litigants, the Arkansas Judiciary's online services page has forms and guidance for common civil proceedings.

Federal civil matters from Franklin County fall under the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. State civil cases are handled through the Franklin County Circuit Court in Ozark and Charleston.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in western Arkansas in the 15th Judicial Circuit. Each neighboring county has its own circuit clerk and civil records system.

• Crawford County - to the north
• Johnson County - to the east
• Logan County - to the south
• Sebastian County - to the southwest
• Scott County - to the west