Franklin County Court Docket Records
Franklin County court docket records are maintained at two Circuit Clerk offices, one in Ozark and one in Charleston, reflecting the county's unique two-district structure. This page explains how to search the Franklin County court docket online, which office to contact based on your case, what types of cases the courts handle, and how to get official copies of filed documents.
Franklin County Court Records Overview
Search the Franklin County Court Docket Online
Franklin County is a full participant in the Arkansas CourtConnect system. The Search ARCourts portal provides free access to basic case information for both judicial districts. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or judge. Records go back to January 2009 in most categories.
To search Franklin County records online, open CourtConnect and select "Franklin" from the county drop-down. Enter a name or case number. Results include the case type, filing date, parties, and current status. Clicking a case shows the docket sheet with all filings. Document images may require a registered account and carry a per-page fee, but the docket index is free. Because the county has two districts, results may reflect either Ozark or Charleston depending on where the case was filed.
Cases before January 2009 require an in-person visit to the appropriate district office. The Arkansas Court Kiosk provides on-site terminals at select courthouses, and the Arkansas Courts online services page links to all available tools.
Franklin County Circuit Clerk Offices
Franklin County is unusual in Arkansas because it has two judicial districts, each with its own Circuit Clerk office. The North District is in Ozark and serves the northern part of the county. The South District is in Charleston and serves the southern portion. Cases are filed in the district where the matter originated or where the parties reside.
Franklin County Circuit Clerk (North District)
211 W Commercial St
Ozark, AR 72949
Phone: (479) 667-3818
Franklin County Circuit Clerk (South District)
607 E Main St
Charleston, AR 72933
Phone: (479) 965-7332
Both offices maintain records for civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases in their respective districts. If you are not sure which office has the record you need, call either one and staff can direct you. Standard copy fees apply at both offices: $0.50 per page, $5.00 for certified copies, $2.50 for a summons, and $20.00 for writs. A new civil case filing costs $165.
Types of Cases in the Franklin County Docket
The Franklin County Circuit Court handles general jurisdiction cases for both districts. All circuit-level cases are searchable through CourtConnect and are part of the public record unless sealed by court order.
Cases in the Franklin County Circuit Court docket include felony criminal matters, civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000, domestic relations proceedings such as divorce and custody, probate and estate administration, juvenile cases, and appeals from the District Court. Each district maintains its own case files, but both districts operate under the same court rules and fee schedules.
The Franklin County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and civil claims up to $25,000. The District Court also has two divisions, one in Ozark and one in Charleston, mirroring the Circuit Court structure. Small claims and traffic cases are heard at the District Court level. Contact the relevant district office to ask about District Court record availability online.
Note: When searching CourtConnect for Franklin County, check whether the results apply to the North or South District. The district designation appears in the case number format and in the case details.
How to Request Franklin County Court Records
Court records in Franklin County are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. You can access them online through CourtConnect for recent cases, in person at the appropriate district office, or by mail.
For an in-person visit, go to the Ozark office if your case is in the North District, or the Charleston office for the South District. You do not need an appointment. Bring the case number or a party name and staff will search the docket. Copies are made while you wait in most cases. Payment is due at the counter.
Mail requests can be sent to the relevant district office. For Ozark: Franklin County Circuit Clerk, 211 W Commercial St, Ozark, AR 72949. For Charleston: Franklin County Circuit Clerk, 607 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933. Include the case number or party name, what documents you need, a check for the fees, and a return envelope. Call ahead to confirm fees before sending payment.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act protects your right to access public records. Most court filings are accessible without a formal FOIA request, but citing FOIA in writing can help if you meet delays. Sealed records and juvenile files are not public.
Filing Fees in Franklin County Courts
Filing fees in Franklin County follow the statewide Arkansas schedule. The fee to open a new civil case in Circuit Court is $165. This applies in both the Ozark and Charleston district offices. Additional fees may come up as the case moves forward, including fees for service of process and certain filings.
Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified documents. A summons costs $2.50 and writs run $20.00. If you need a fee waiver, ask either office for an in forma pauperis application. The court considers income and grants waivers for qualifying parties. District Court fees are set separately; contact the relevant district office to confirm costs before filing.
Electronic Filing in Franklin County
Attorneys with cases in Franklin County Circuit Court can file documents through the Arkansas eFiling portal. Electronic filings link to CourtConnect and appear in the public docket once the clerk processes them. This applies to both the Ozark and Charleston district offices.
If you are representing yourself, contact the relevant Circuit Clerk office to ask whether eFiling is available for your case type. Not all case categories allow pro se electronic filing. The clerk can tell you what format and procedure to use for your specific matter.
Federal Court Records for Franklin County
Federal cases involving Franklin County are filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, not with the county Circuit Court. Federal jurisdiction covers criminal charges under federal law, civil rights actions, and bankruptcy cases. These records are not part of the CourtConnect system.
To find federal case records, use the PACER system at pacer.uscourts.gov. To get copies of federal court documents, contact the U.S. District Court clerk's office. Fees and procedures differ from the state court system.