Franklin County Court Records

Per Code of Virginia § 17.1-292, the clerk retains court records in Franklin County during a civil, traffic, or criminal case. An official court record is integral to legal history, offering accountability and transparency to the general public. The availability of a court record upholds the rule of law and guarantees justice.

Typical information in a Franklin County court record includes judgment, appeal, hearing, charge, disposition, and case information such as case number, address, party name, race, filed date, DOB, and others.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes. Per the Virginia Code § 17.1-208B, Unless the law authorizes otherwise, any records maintained by circuit court clerks shall be open to inspection by any individual in the clerk's office, and the clerk shall provide copies thereof upon request for the appropriate fee. Furthermore, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act enables members of the public to readily access Franklin County public records in the custody of public bodies. However, certain court records are exempt from public inspection and may not be accessed by the general public. They include:

• Confidential, sealed, or expunged court records
• Juvenile court records
• Medical and psychiatric records
• Adoption records.

Franklin County Court Records Search

Interested persons who wish to conduct a court record search in Franklin County may do so through the following options

• Virginia State Court's system
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• The relevant office of the court clerk
• Third-party websites.

Franklin County Courts

The Franklin County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases filed within the county, including cases beyond the purview of other lesser courts. Criminal cases, such as felonies and misdemeanors charged by a grand jury in a circuit court, are handled by the Circuit Court. The court has exclusive jurisdiction involving civil claims above $25,000 and handles cases such as divorce, probate of wills, adoptions, etc. The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims below $4,500 and shared jurisdiction with the Circuit over claims above $4,500 but below $25,000. Criminal cases such as misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations, including preliminary hearings in felony cases, are handled by the district court.

The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court hears juvenile cases, certain criminal cases, and the majority of domestic relations issues, except for divorce. Courts in Franklin County include

Franklin County Circuit Court - 22nd Judicial Circuit
275 South Main Street
Suite 212
P.O. Box 567
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3065
Fax: (540) 483-3042

Franklin County General District Court - 22nd Judicial District
275 South Main Street
Suite 111
P.O. Box 569
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3060
Fax: (540) 483-3036

Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
275 South Main Street
Suite 3
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3055
Fax: (540) 483-6603

Franklin County Criminal Records

Individuals may conduct a criminal history record check by contacting the Virginia State Police. By completing and submitting the SP-167 form, requesters can get a criminal record on an individual. However, a requester must provide a notarized signature for both the requester and the record subject for the criminal history record to be released. For additional information, contact the VSP at:

Virginia State Police
Civil & Applicant Records Exchange (CARE)
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Phone: (804) 674-8028
Fax: (804) 968-0322
Email: Background_Checks@vsp.virginia.gov.

Get Franklin County Civil Court Records

The Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court is in charge of recording, docketing, and filing processes for the Circuit Court. Interested persons may lookup civil records by visiting the Circuit Court Case Information search portal maintained by the Virginia Court's System.

To search, choose Franklin Circuit Court from the drop-down menu and click "Begin". Tick the "Civil" option and fill in the required information. Searches may be carried out by name, case number, and hearing date. For other inquiries, contact the Clerk's Office.

Clerk of the Circuit Court
275 South Main Street
Franklin County Courthouse
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3065

Interested persons may also obtain civil records from the General District Court by visiting the General District Court Case Information page. To conduct a civil records search, select "Franklin General District Court" from the drop-down menu to the left. Under the "Civil" heading, one can conduct a name search, case number search, hearing date search, or service/Process search. After choosing any options, fill in the required information and click "Search".

Civil court records include documents relating to civil court cases such as evictions, attachments, conflicts involving the Freedom of Information Act, divisions of private property, and protection orders.

Franklin County Marriage Records

The Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for issuing marriage licenses in the county. Informational copies of marriage records are open to the public in Franklin County. Interested persons who wish to obtain a Franklin County marriage record may make an FOIA request via email, mail, or in person. Records may be accessed for a fee of $50 per page for either paper or electronic copies.

One may also contact the Virginia Department of Health to obtain a Franklin County marriage certificate. However, only immediate family members such as the mother, father, husband, wife, kid, brother, sister, and grandparents may acquire copies of the certificates, provided they have a valid ID. Franklin County marriage records become public records 25 years after the event.

Record seekers may drop off a completed application for a marriage record at the front desk. Additionally, online applications, walk-in applications, standard processing, and express delivery are available for obtaining records. A fee of $12 is required for each requested copy by check, money order, payment card, mobile pay, or cash.

Franklin County Divorce Records

The Circuit Clerk of Court files and processes divorce cases in Franklin County. To obtain a divorce record, one may make a FOIA request via mail, email, or in person for $50 per page.

The VDH Office of Vital Records also manages and disseminates divorce records to requesters. Divorce records become public information 25 years after the event. Only direct family members can obtain certified copies of a divorce record. Divorce records dating back to 1918 may be retrieved through this agency. Records can be obtained from the VDH via express delivery or standard processing.

One may also request a divorce record at the Office of Vital Records service lobby or complete a request online. Requesters can also leave a completed application at the front desk. When the certificate is prepared for pickup, the applicant can be contacted by phone, or the record may be mailed to the specified address via Post Office mail. Acceptable applications must include

• The requestor's signature
• A valid photo ID
• A money order or certified check for $12.

Franklin County Birth and Death Records

The Virginia Department of Health maintains and disseminates Franklin County birth and death records. Interested persons may retrieve Franklin County birth certificates and death certificates from 1912 to the present. Birth records become public information after 100 years, while death records become public information after 25 years. Birth and death records are only available to a subject and the subject's immediate family members.

Applications may be filled out at the front desk; a valid photo ID is required. Furthermore, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles also makes vital records available to the general public. Applications can be made in person by completing the Birth Certificate Application DL 81 and the Death Certificate Application DL 82 for $14. Applications via mail cost $12.

Franklin County Probate Court Records

The Franklin County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over probate court cases filed within the county. Anyone who wishes to obtain a probate court record may contact the Clerk of Circuit Court. Requests can be made by USPS mail, email, or in person. Requesters are required to provide their name, address, email, and email address so they can be contacted or notified that a record is ready for retrieval.

Clerk of the Circuit Court
275 South Main Street
Franklin County Courthouse
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3065

Franklin County Property Records

The Real Estate Department of the Commissioner of Revenue Office handles the management and assessments for all real property records located in Franklin County.

Franklin County Property records are open to public inspection and may be obtained by conducting a Search for Real Estate Records via the Franklin County GIS Office online portal. One may also find property records by contacting the Real Estate Department Office:

Commissioner of Revenue
1255 Franklin Street
Suite 102
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 483-3083

Property-related information found in a property record includes deed and plat references, ownership information, ownership history, specific house information, and address.

Franklin County Court Records Online

Members of the public may utilize the record search services provided by third-party websites. Independent websites like Virginiacourtrecords.us manage a compilation of public records obtained from several official record custodians, such as courthouses.

Record seekers may typically obtain a court record by performing a basic name search. However, accessing detailed records may require a paid subscription or a one-time payment. While these websites are user-friendly, one may need to verify the validity of records obtained because records may vary in completeness.