To find Franklin County Arkansas court records, start with the state’s free online case search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov, then contact the Franklin County Circuit Clerk in Ozark or Charleston to request copies of the actual filings. The online portal shows docket information; the clerk’s office provides the documents themselves.
Searching Case Information Online
The fastest route is SearchARCourts, the public portal run by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts. It covers courts that use the Contexte Case Management System, including Franklin County.1Arkansas Judiciary. Search ARCourts
Select Franklin County from the court list, then search by a party’s name or a known case number. Results include the parties, the assigned judge, a chronological list of filings, and any scheduled hearings or judgments. You will see what was filed and when, but not the documents themselves. The main value of the online search is confirming the case number and which court has jurisdiction so you can request the file from the right place.
Which Courthouse Holds the File
Franklin County is a dual-seat county. Court operations split between two courthouses roughly 20 miles apart, and records are physically stored at whichever one took the original filing.
- Ozark (Northern District): 211 West Commercial Street, Ozark, AR 72949 — phone 479-667-3818
- Charleston (Southern District): 607 East Main Street, Charleston, AR 72933 — phone 479-965-7332
The Circuit Clerk maintains civil, criminal, juvenile, and domestic relations records at both locations. Call first. A two-minute call to confirm whether a file sits in Ozark or Charleston can save you a wasted drive.2Arkansas Courthouse Kiosk. Franklin County Circuit Court
Requesting Copies of Documents
Once you have a case number and know which courthouse holds the file, you can request copies in person, by mail, or by phone. Give the clerk the case number and the names of the parties so staff can pull the correct file.
Franklin County charges a per-page rate for standard photocopies and a separate certification fee for official copies bearing the clerk’s seal. Certified copies are what you need for legal proceedings or for submitting to another government agency. A plain photocopy carries no official weight in those situations. Call the Circuit Clerk’s office for the current fee schedule; rates change.
For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check or money order for the estimated cost. For in-person requests, ask about accepted payment methods when you call ahead. Straightforward records are often pulled the same day. Older or more complex files take longer.
Property and Land Records
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded land documents are handled separately from court case files. The Circuit Clerk’s office records them, and you can request certified copies from either the Ozark or Charleston courthouse. For online property data, the state’s county data portal at arcountydata.com lets you search by owner name or parcel information to find assessed values, ownership history, and recorded instruments.
Records That Are Restricted or Sealed
Not everything in a Franklin County case file is open to the public. Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order 19 sets out what is excluded from public access even when the broader case is available. Redactions apply at the record level, so a docket may be viewable while specific details are withheld. Protected information includes:
- Social Security numbers
- Account numbers for bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial instruments, plus personal identification numbers
- Home and business addresses of petitioners who request anonymity when seeking a domestic order of protection
- Sealed or expunged case information under Arkansas’s criminal record sealing statutes
- Notes and internal communications among judges, jurors, and court staff
These categories apply across case types.3Justia Law. In Re Admin Order No 19
Juvenile Records
Juvenile court records in Arkansas are confidential by statute. Arrest, detention, and court proceedings for juveniles are not subject to public disclosure under the state’s Freedom of Information Act unless a court specifically orders otherwise, or the juvenile is formally charged as an adult for a felony. A case title appearing in a public index does not mean the underlying file is accessible.4Justia Law. Arkansas Code 9-27-309 – Confidentiality of Records
Adoption Records
Adoption records are closed, confidential, and sealed under Arkansas law. They cannot be opened without a court order showing good cause. When an adoption arises out of a dependency-neglect case, the adoption portion of the file is separated from the juvenile record and maintained independently.5Justia Law. Arkansas Code 9-9-217 – Confidentiality of Hearings and Records
Sealed Criminal Records
When a criminal record is sealed in Arkansas, the clerk removes petitions, orders, docket sheets, and related documents from the active file and places them in a separate, confidential holding area. The case index is kept in a form that prevents the general public from identifying the person. Sealed records are not destroyed, but they are effectively invisible to anyone running a standard search. Narrow exceptions exist for the defendant, prosecuting attorneys, and certain law enforcement agencies.6Justia Law. Arkansas Code 16-90-904 – Procedure for Sealing of Records