Search Franklin County Public Records

Franklin County public records are available through county offices in Benton, the county seat. Located in southern Illinois, Franklin County is home to about 37,000 people. The county clerk and recorder handles vital records and land documents from the courthouse. The circuit clerk keeps all court files. Staff in both offices can help you find what you need. Records are available in person, by mail, and some can be searched online through the county and state websites.

Franklin County Clerk and Recorder

The Franklin County Clerk and Recorder office is in the courthouse at P.O. Box 607, Benton, IL 62812. Call (618) 438-3221 for questions about public records. The office handles vital records, land document recording, elections, and business filings for Franklin County.

Records in this office are indexed and can be viewed using bound record books, microfilm, or digital images. Digital images are available from January 1, 1990 to the present. The office accepts document recording in person, by U.S. Mail, or through a courier service. Marriage and death records from Franklin County are also available through the online system.

Birth certificates are not public records in Illinois. Only certain people can get a certified copy. Death records need a personal or property interest. Marriage records are open to everyone. The Franklin County Clerk can tell you what forms of ID are needed and what fees apply for each type of record.

Court Records in Franklin County

The Franklin County Circuit Clerk manages all court case files. The office is at 100 Public Square, Benton, IL 62812. Call (618) 435-9800 for court record questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office is closed on all federal, state, and county holidays.

Franklin County is part of the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois. The circuit clerk's staff of 9 assists with filing and maintaining records for all case types. These include adoptions, family cases, divorces, criminal felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, juvenile matters, law cases, small claims, probate, chancery, and tax cases. That covers a wide range of Franklin County public records.

To look up a court record, visit the office with a case number or party name. The staff will pull the file and can make copies for you. Some records may be on older systems, so allow extra time for historical searches. The Illinois Courts directory has more details on the courthouse and its operations.

Note: Court records involving minors or sealed cases are not available to the general public in Franklin County.

Franklin County Land Records

The county clerk and recorder stores all land records for Franklin County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are all on file here. Digital images go back to 1990 and are searchable through the office. Older records are available on microfilm or in bound books.

Online searching may be available through the Tapestry platform or through the county's own system. Check with the recorder about which online tools cover Franklin County land records. In-person searches are always available during office hours. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number.

The Illinois State Archives also holds historical Franklin County land records, including public domain land tract sales data. This is useful for genealogy and historical property research.

FOIA Requests in Franklin County

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) gives anyone the right to request public records from Franklin County offices. Send a written request to the FOIA officer at the county department that has the records. You do not need a form. Just state what records you want clearly.

Franklin County must respond within 5 business days. If the request is denied, the office must explain why in writing. You can appeal a denial to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor at 877-299-3642. Fees for copies are limited to the actual cost of making them.

Franklin County Records Resources

The Illinois courts website provides a central directory for all 102 county courthouses. The following shows the type of court records information available at the state level for Franklin County searches.

This directory includes phone numbers, addresses, and judge assignments for the Franklin County Courthouse. Use it to find the right office before you visit.

For vital records at the state level, the Illinois Department of Public Health maintains a separate system. The state office can provide records when the county office is unable to help.

This page covers ordering vital records through the state when you cannot get them from the Franklin County clerk directly.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County in southern Illinois. If your address is near the county line, records may be filed in a neighboring county.