Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County, Indiana is a small but historically significant county in the southeastern part of the state, with Brookville serving as the county seat. The county's court system handles a wide range of legal matters — from felony criminal proceedings and civil disputes to family law cases, estate administration, and small claims. All courts operating in Franklin County are housed within or near the historic Franklin County Courthouse in Brookville, making it a centralized point of contact for most records requests.
Court records in Indiana are governed primarily by the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. Under this framework, records held by government agencies — including courts — are presumed to be open for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This guide walks through how that framework plays out in practice across criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings in Franklin County.
Those looking to locate Franklin County court case information can start through official court resources, the county Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and the Indiana Judicial Branch's online tools. IndianaStateCourts.us can also help residents identify publicly available case information and navigate Indiana's court system by county.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
The most direct route to searching Franklin County court cases online is through MyCase, Indiana's official public case search portal maintained by the Office of Judicial Administration. The platform lets anyone search non-confidential cases across Indiana courts that use the Odyssey case management system, including those in Franklin County. You can search by case number, party name, or filing date. The portal is free and available around the clock.
If you need documents not available through MyCase, or require certified copies, the Franklin County Clerk's Office is the official keeper of court records. The Clerk's Office sits on the first floor of the Courthouse and handles records spanning the Circuit Court's full docket — criminal, civil, probate, small claims, and domestic relations cases alike.
Franklin County Clerk's Office
Address: 459 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012
Phone: (765) 647-5111
Fax: (765) 647-3224
Email: clerk@franklincounty.in.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. for lunch)
Record Request Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case search (without case number) | $5.00 |
| Copies (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document |
Payment is accepted as cash, money orders, cashier's checks, or credit/debit cards. Card payments carry a fee of 3.5% or a minimum of $0.50. The Clerk does not accept personal checks.
Steps for In-Person Records Requests
- Visit the Clerk's Office at 459 Main Street, Brookville, during office hours.
- Provide the case number, party name(s), or filing date to identify the record.
- Present a valid photo ID if requesting certified copies.
- Pay applicable copy and search fees at the time of request.
Mail requests are also accepted. Written requests should include the case number or party names, the type of document needed, return contact information, and a check or money order payable to the Franklin County Clerk.
For a broader subscription-based search of recorded property documents, the Doxpop platform indexes Franklin County court cases and recorded documents and is frequently used by attorneys, title companies, and researchers seeking historical records.
The Indiana Judicial Branch's Franklin County page provides direct links to court contacts, case search tools, e-filing access, and court statistics for reference.
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act establishes a default presumption that government records — including court records — are open to public inspection. Any person, regardless of residency or stated purpose, may request to inspect or obtain copies of public court records. However, Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 identifies specific categories of records that agencies may withhold.
Records That Are Generally Public
- Felony and misdemeanor criminal case filings, dockets, orders, and judgments
- Civil case filings, pleadings, and court orders
- Divorce decrees and domestic relations orders (unless sealed)
- Probate filings, including wills admitted to record and estate inventories
- Property deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments maintained by the Recorder
- Marriage licenses issued through the Clerk's Office
Records That Are Restricted or Confidential
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of services (CHINS) records
- Adoption records, which are sealed by statute
- Mental health commitment records
- Investigatory records compiled by law enforcement during an active investigation
- Records sealed by court order, including expunged criminal records
- Certain victim-identifying information in sensitive criminal cases
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege
When a public record contains both accessible and restricted information, the court or clerk must redact the protected portions before releasing the rest of the document. The Indiana Judicial Branch's public records guide explains how to request records and identifies which court categories handle specific record types.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Court Jurisdiction
Criminal matters in Franklin County are handled primarily by the Franklin County Circuit Court, which holds original and concurrent jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases — including felonies, misdemeanors, and appeals from lower courts. The court is presided over by Judge Clay M. Kellerman and Judge Alex J. Dudley and is located on the second floor of the Franklin County Courthouse.
Franklin County Circuit Court
Address: 459 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012
Phone: (765) 647-4186
Fax: (765) 647-4970
Email: court@franklincounty.in.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Criminal court records — including case filings, charging documents, hearing transcripts, orders, and sentencing records — are maintained by the Franklin County Clerk's Office and can be searched through MyCase. Searches by party name return non-confidential criminal docket entries. For documents not available online, contact the Clerk directly.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
Arrest records and current inmate information for Franklin County are maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with front office hours of Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Franklin County Sheriff's Department
Address: 371 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012
Phone: (765) 647-4138
Fax: (765) 647-6991
A live Inmate Roster is published on the Sheriff's website, listing current detainees at the county jail. This roster is updated regularly and is accessible to the public at no charge.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
For a comprehensive Indiana criminal background check — rather than records tied to a specific Franklin County case — the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History (LCH) search is the appropriate resource. The LCH contains felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests statewide and is name, date of birth, race, and gender-based. Searches can be initiated online through the ISP Limited Criminal History portal or by mailing a request form to the Indiana State Police. The LCH does not include expunged records or minor misdemeanor arrests below Class A.
Local Court Rules
The Franklin County Circuit Court maintains local court rules that cover bond schedules, case management, and procedural requirements specific to the county. The most recent local rules — including a bond schedule amendment effective March 1, 2020 — are available through the Clerk's Office and the county's official website.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Court Structure and Jurisdiction
Civil disputes in Franklin County go through the Franklin County Circuit Court, which has original jurisdiction over all civil matters regardless of dollar amount. Small claims disputes are filed in the same courthouse and managed through the Circuit Court's small claims docket. The Clerk's Office at 459 Main Street is the main point of contact for all civil filings and records.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched at no charge through MyCase using party names or case numbers. Non-confidential civil docket entries — including complaints, answers, motions, and orders — are indexed in the Odyssey case management system and accessible online. For document copies, particularly certified copies needed for evidentiary or legal purposes, contact the Clerk's Office directly and pay the applicable per-page or certification fee.
Civil Filing and Search Fee Summary
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case search (no case number) | $5.00 |
| Document copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified document copies | $5.00 per document |
Property Records
Property-related records in Franklin County — including deeds, mortgages, mechanic's liens, surveys, plats, easements, and UCC fixture filings — are maintained by the Franklin County Recorder's Office. Instruments recorded by the Recorder date back to 1810, predating Indiana's statehood. The Recorder's Office indexes all documents in a computer system and scans every document for digital access.
Recorded documents can be reviewed and ordered online through Doxpop, which indexes Franklin County deeds back to 1940, mortgages back to 1990, surveys back to 2002, and easements/miscellaneous documents back to 1980. Residents can also sign up for Doxpop Property Watch to receive notifications when a document is recorded under their name.
Franklin County Recorder's Fee Schedule (per Indiana Code § 36-2-7-10.5):
| Instrument Type | Recording Fee |
|---|---|
| Mortgages (including subordinate and re-recorded) | $55.00 |
| Deeds and all other instruments (including UCCs) | $25.00 |
| Additional oversize pages (over 8×14) | $5.00 each |
| Mechanic's Lien (including one mail-out) | $25.00 |
| Each additional mail-out | $2.00 |
| Blanket/multiple transaction documents | $25.00 |
| Additional cross-references (after the first) | $7.00 each |
| Copies (11×17 or smaller, per page) | $1.00 |
| Copies larger than 11×17, per page | $5.00 |
| Certification of Document | $5.00 |
The Recorder's Office does not accept documents containing Social Security Numbers, consistent with a statewide policy that has been in effect since January 1, 2006.
Property appraisal and assessment information is maintained separately by the Franklin County Assessor's Office, located at 1010 Franklin Avenue, Brookville, IN 47012, reachable at (765) 647-4921.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings in Franklin County are filed in and adjudicated by the Franklin County Circuit Court. The Clerk of Courts maintains all divorce records, which are subject to public access under APRA unless a court has issued a sealing order. Divorce records typically contain the petition for dissolution, the final decree, any property settlement agreements, and child-related orders.
To request divorce records, be prepared to provide:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
- Valid photo ID
- Payment for applicable copy fees
Requests can be submitted in person or by mail to the Clerk's Office at 459 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012. Online docket information can be reviewed through MyCase, though obtaining actual documents typically requires direct contact with the Clerk.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Franklin County are issued by the Clerk's Office. The license application process must be started online through the Indiana marriage license portal, after which the license is issued at the Clerk's Office in person. Marriage licenses are issued between 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Certified copies of marriage records can also be requested from the Indiana Department of Health Division of Vital Records.
Child Custody and Domestic Matters
Family law cases involving child custody, child support, parenting time, and protective orders are handled by the Franklin County Circuit Court. Protection order filings are processed through the Clerk's Office at Room 104 of the Courthouse. Parties seeking enforcement of child support orders may access services through the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Traffic ticket payments related to family court obligations can be made online through the Indiana courts payment portal.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates for Franklin County residents are available through the Franklin County Health Department, located at 1010 Franklin Avenue, Room 210, Brookville, IN 47012, Phone: (765) 647-4322, Fax: (765) 647-5248 The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) also maintains these records and accepts mail requests using State Form 49607 for birth records and State Form 49606 for death records.
Current ISDH fees are $10.00 for the first birth certificate ($4.00 per additional copy) and $8.00 for the first death certificate ($4.00 per additional copy). Orders can also be placed by phone 24/7 at (866) 601-0891 through VitalChek, the ISDH's authorized third-party vendor.
Access to birth records is restricted under Indiana law to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, and certain authorized entities. Adoption records remain sealed by statute.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
Jurisdiction and Court Location
Probate matters in Franklin County — including estate administration, validation of wills, guardianship proceedings, and conservatorships — are handled by the Franklin County Circuit Court sitting in its probate capacity. The court and Clerk's Office are both located at the Franklin County Courthouse, so all probate-related filings and records requests can be handled through a single point of contact.
Franklin County Probate Court (Circuit Court)
Address: 459 Main Street, Brookville, IN 47012
Phone: (765) 647-4186 (Circuit Court Judge's Office) / (765) 647-5111 (Clerk's Office)
Email: clerk@franklincounty.in.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)
Types of Probate Records
Probate files in Franklin County may contain:
- Petitions for probate of a will and letters testamentary
- Intestate estate administration filings (when no will exists)
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Guardianship petitions and orders (for minors and incapacitated adults)
- Conservatorship filings
- Final accounting and closing orders
How to Search and Request Probate Records
Non-confidential probate records can be searched through MyCase, Indiana's public case search system. When searching, select Franklin County as the jurisdiction and specify probate as the case type. The system returns docket entries and case status information for matching records.
For document copies or records not available online, visit the Clerk's Office on the first floor of the Courthouse. Bring the decedent's full name and approximate date of death to help staff locate the correct estate file. Standard copy fees apply: $1.25 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 for certified documents.
A statewide Guardianship Registry is maintained by the Indiana courts system and allows users to search for existing guardianship orders across Indiana counties, including Franklin County — a useful tool for verifying whether a guardianship has been established for a particular individual.
The Indiana Judicial Branch's public records page outlines how to request court documents, locate contact information for specific courts, and understand which records are accessible online versus through direct clerk contact. Probate records that predate the Odyssey system may require an in-person visit, as older files may not be digitized. Franklin County historical probate records dating back to 1821 are also indexed through genealogical resources for research purposes.