Franklin County Family Court Records

Franklin County family court records are on file at the courthouse in Union, Missouri. As one of the more populated counties west of St. Louis, Franklin County handles a large volume of family law cases through the 20th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk keeps records for every divorce, custody, support, and paternity case filed here. You can search these family court records for free on Case.net or get copies from the clerk at set per-page rates.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk

Find the Franklin County Circuit Clerk at 401 E. Main St. in Union. The phone number is (636) 583-6355. The office is open Monday through Friday. Staff handle all family court filings, record searches, and copy requests. With a population over 100,000, Franklin County sees more family court activity than many rural Missouri counties.

Franklin County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Gasconade County. The two counties share judges who rotate between Union and Hermann. Family court hearings in Franklin County take place at the Union courthouse. The clerk's office there maintains every document filed in Franklin County family court cases, from the initial petition through the final judgment and any post-judgment modifications. The Franklin County government website provides additional information about county services and departments.

Because of its size and location just west of the St. Louis metro area, Franklin County's family court docket stays busy. The clerk's office processes a high volume of dissolution filings, custody modifications, and support cases each year. The office also handles record requests from attorneys, title companies, and members of the public who need copies of family court documents.

Franklin County Family Court Record Fees

Franklin County has specific copy fees for court records. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.50 per document. These are set fees established by the clerk's office. The rates are straightforward compared to some counties that charge per-page plus per-document fees.

The clerk's office accepts cash, money orders, and cashier's checks for payment. Online payment may be available for some services. For mail requests, send a written request to the Franklin County Circuit Clerk at 401 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084. Include party names, the case number if you know it, which documents you need, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk processes requests in the order they come in.

Filing a new dissolution petition in Missouri costs between $100 and $225. If you face financial hardship, file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis to request a fee waiver. The court reviews your income and expenses before deciding. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records charges $15 for a dissolution verification statement, which is separate from the court file copies you get from the Franklin County clerk.

Search Franklin County Records on Case.net

Missouri Case.net is the best way to search Franklin County family court records online. Choose "Franklin County - 20th Judicial Circuit" from the court dropdown. Select "Family/Domestic" as the case type and enter a party name, case number, or date range. The system returns docket entries, parties, case status, and hearing dates. No cost, no registration needed for basic searches.

The 20th Circuit received expanded remote access in the August 2023 rollout (Circuits 12 through 21). Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2023 in Franklin County family court cases can now be viewed from your own device. Older filings still require a visit to the Union courthouse. Case.net's tracking tool sends you email or text updates when new activity hits a case you are watching.

Note: Sealed records, juvenile cases, and adoption files do not appear on Case.net for Franklin County or any other Missouri county.

Types of Franklin County Family Court Records

Dissolution of marriage filings are the bread and butter of family court in Franklin County. A case file starts with the petition and builds from there. The responding spouse files an answer. Temporary orders cover who lives where, temporary custody, and temporary support while the case is pending. Financial disclosure forms show each party's income, assets, and debts. The final judgment spells out every term of the divorce including property division, custody, and child support.

Custody cases in Franklin County follow RSMo 452.375. The court starts with a presumption that equal parenting time is in the child's best interest. This presumption can be overcome with evidence. The judge considers each parent's relationship with the child, the child's home and school situation, and any pattern of domestic violence. All findings and the resulting parenting plan go into the permanent court record at the Franklin County clerk's office.

Child support orders follow guidelines in Section 452.340. Support can be modified when a parent's circumstances change. Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood and often lead to custody and support orders. Protection orders under Chapter 455 address domestic violence. Each case type produces a complete set of records maintained by the Franklin County clerk.

Public Access and Missouri Law

Most Franklin County family court records are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610) requires that government records be open for inspection unless a specific statute says otherwise. You can look at family court records without being a party to the case. The clerk cannot ask why you want them.

Restricted records include juvenile files, adoption cases, and anything sealed by court order. Domestic violence victim details are protected. Financial identifiers such as Social Security numbers are redacted under Supreme Court Operating Rule 2. The residency requirement for filing in Franklin County is the same as the rest of Missouri. Under RSMo 452.305, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for 90 days. The 30-day waiting period under RSMo 452.320 applies before a final judgment can be entered.

Legal Resources in Franklin County

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri offers free legal help to qualifying Franklin County residents. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, support, and protection orders. If you meet income requirements, they can represent you or advise you on how to navigate the court system.

Self-represented litigants can use the Missouri self-representation portal for form packets covering dissolution, custody changes, support modifications, and Family Access Motions under RSMo 452.400. Additional court forms are on the Missouri Courts website. For technical support with Case.net or electronic filing, call the OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders several Missouri counties, each with its own family court records and Circuit Clerk office.