Franklin County

Franklin County, Missouri is located in the east-central portion of the state along the Missouri River, approximately 50 miles west of St. Louis. Franklin County seat is Union, which is the administrative center for county government operations. Established in 1818 and named after Benjamin Franklin, Franklin County includes approximately 930 square miles of diverse terrain including river valleys, rolling hills, and forested areas. As of recent census estimates, Franklin County has a population exceeding 105,000 residents, making it one of the faster-growing counties in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Franklin County is home to several significant landmarks including Washington State Park, Meramec Caverns (one of Missouri's oldest tourist attractions), and portions of the Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-trail in the United States. Franklin County's major municipalities include Washington, Union, Pacific, Sullivan, and St. Clair. Franklin County government operates through several key agencies housed primarily in Union: Franklin County Recorder of Deeds (located at 400 East Locust Street, Union, MO 63084), Franklin County Clerk (same address), and Franklin County Assessor (also at 400 East Locust Street). Franklin County's economy has historically been rooted in agriculture, quarrying, and manufacturing, though residential development has accelerated significantly in recent decades as families seek more affordable housing options within commuting distance of St. Louis. Franklin County maintains a blend of rural character and suburban growth, with vast agricultural lands coexisting alongside newer residential subdivisions and commercial development along Interstate 44 and Highway 100.

The Franklin County Court serves Franklin County, Missouri and handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The courthouse is located at 400 East Locust Street in Union. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Missouri online court portal.

Franklin County Circuit Court is located in Union, Missouri and is the court of general jurisdiction for Franklin County. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, probate, juvenile, and small claims.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the jail's online inmate search system and may also be obtained through formal public records requests.
• Processing times for written requests typically range from a few days to two weeks depending on the complexity and volume of records requested.

Jail & Inmate Records

• In Missouri, the bond or bail process allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained directly from the jail's administrative office.

• The court system also includes Associate Circuit Courts, which handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters under $25,000, small claims (up to $5,000), traffic violations, and preliminary hearings in felony cases.
• The Circuit Clerk's office charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $3.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a certification fee.

• There may be fees associated with premium search features or document printing.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• The fee for a certified birth certificate is typically $15 for the first copy and $13 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
• Processing time for vital records requests is generally 2-4 weeks when submitted by mail, or same-day/next-day for in-person requests if the record is readily available.
• Divorce records are maintained by Franklin County Circuit Clerk as part of court case files and can be accessed through CaseNet or by requesting copies from the Circuit Clerk's office.
• Online ordering of birth and death certificates is available through VitalChek (an approved vendor) at www.vitalchek.com, with additional convenience fees applied.
• Applicants must provide proper identification and proof of eligibility when requesting vital records.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Secretary of State maintains a free online Business Entity Search tool at www.sos.mo.gov/business where anyyou can search for registered businesses by name, registration number, or registered agent.
• This database includes information about entity status, formation date, registered office address, and annual registration status.