Franklin County Court Records Search

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    NorthCarolinaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on NorthCarolinaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Franklin County, North Carolina, is served by a two-court trial system — Superior Court and District Court — both housed in the same courthouse in Louisburg. Court records produced by these courts cover the full range of civil, criminal, family, and probate proceedings and typically contain case summaries, the names of all case parties, offense details, applicable statutes and charge degrees, disposition information, and scheduled hearing dates. These records support transparency within the local judicial system by allowing the public to monitor court activity and understand how cases are resolved.

    People searching for court records in North Carolina have access to several channels — the courthouse’s public access computers, the clerk’s counter, and official online tools. NorthCarolinaCourts.us can help users identify publicly available case information and navigate North Carolina’s court resources. The North Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains its own online portal with case search functionality covering Franklin County and all other counties in the state.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?

    The primary online tool for searching Franklin County court records is the eCourts Portal, the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s statewide case search system. Franklin County joined the eCourts system in April 2024, making electronic case information widely accessible to the public.

    Step-by-step search on the eCourts Portal:

    1. Go to the eCourts Portal and click the Smart Search tool
    2. Click “Advanced Filtering Options”
    3. Under “General Options”, select Franklin County from the “Filter by Location” dropdown
    4. Under “Case Search Criteria”, select the appropriate case type from the “Filter by Case Type” dropdown (criminal, civil, family, probate, etc.)
    5. Under “Filter by Search Type”, choose your preferred method: smart search, party name, case number, attorney name, attorney bar number, business name, citation number, or nickname
    6. Enter your search terms and review the results

    For in-person searches, public self-service terminals are available inside the Franklin County Courthouse. These terminals allow visitors to view and email records at no charge; printing costs a small fee. The courthouse clerk’s counter also assists with record requests during business hours.

    Franklin County Courthouse
    Address: 102 S Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549
    Phone: (919) 497-4200
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    The contact directory for Franklin County courts lists separate lines for specific divisions:

    • Clerk of Superior Court: (919) 497-4200
    • District Court Judges: (919) 497-4250

    Before using any records system, it is worthwhile to review the Franklin County Local Rules and Forms for guidance on court procedures specific to the 9th and 11th Judicial Districts, which govern Franklin County proceedings.

    Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

    The North Carolina Public Records Law, codified under G.S. Chapter 132, establishes that court records are public records open to inspection and copying during regular business hours. Any person may request copies from the courthouse, and the clerk’s office is obligated to provide access to non-restricted records.

    However, several categories of records are withheld from public access by state law or court order:

    • Juvenile proceedings — all records involving juvenile defendants or delinquency matters
    • Adoption records — sealed under state statute
    • Grand jury records — proceedings and materials are confidential
    • Trial preparation materials — work product not subject to public disclosure
    • Unreturned arrest and search warrants — withheld until executed and returned to the court
    • Medical malpractice settlements — settlement documents involving public hospital facilities are restricted
    • Certain domestic matters — records involving sensitive family circumstances may be restricted by court order

    Requests for public court records can be submitted through the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s public record request process. For county government records (as distinct from court records), Franklin County accepts requests by emailing Records@franklincountync.gov and provides a Public Records Request Form on its website.

    Franklin County Criminal Court Records

    Courthouse Search — Single-County Certified Background Check:

    The Clerk of Superior Court’s office handles certified criminal record searches by name for Franklin County. Requesters must complete and submit Form AOC-CR-314. The fee is $25.00 per search.

    • By mail: Submit the completed form with a money order or certified check (personal checks are not accepted) to the Franklin County Courthouse, 102 S Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549
    • In person: Present the completed form and pay by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check during business hours

    This search covers only Franklin County court records and is not a statewide background check.

    Self-Service Non-Certified Searches:

    Anyone can use the public access computers at the Franklin County Courthouse to search, view, or email criminal records at no charge. These records are not certified and cannot be used for official verification purposes. Printing from these terminals incurs a small fee. The eCourts Portal also allows online searches of case information, though the North Carolina Judicial Branch specifies that individuals conducting background checks should use the county clerk’s office rather than the Portal for that purpose.

    NC State Bureau of Investigation — Statewide Background Check:

    For a statewide criminal history search, the NC State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) accepts requests by mail. Required materials include a completed Right to Review Application Form, a fingerprint card, and a $14.00 fee payable by certified check or money order to:

    NC State Bureau of Investigation — Criminal Information and Identification Section
    Attention: Applicant Unit — Right to Review
    3320 Garner Road, Raleigh, NC 27610

    Fingerprints can be taken at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on an FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Card. The Sheriff’s Office charges $10.00 for one set of prints and $5.00 for each additional set taken the same day, with options for electronic or inked card submissions.

    Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 285 T Kemp Road, Louisburg, NC 27549
    Phone: (919) 496-2186
    Fax: (919) 340-0172

    The Sheriff’s Office also maintains arrest records and processes requests for records during regular business hours. An inmate roster is available online for locating individuals currently held in the Franklin County Jail.

    Business Access — Remote Public Access Program:

    Businesses requiring ongoing access to Franklin County and statewide criminal court data can apply for the NCAOC’s Remote Public Access (RPA) Program, which offers either real-time online access or bulk data extracts under a licensing agreement.

    Franklin County Civil Court Records

    Civil jurisdiction in Franklin County is divided between two courts:

    • Franklin County Superior Court — handles civil claims exceeding $25,000
    • Franklin County District Court — handles civil claims under $25,000, small claims, summary ejectment (eviction), and certain domestic matters

    Both courts are located at the Franklin County Courthouse, 102 S Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549, Phone: (919) 497-4200

    Searching Civil Records:

    Civil case information is searchable through the eCourts Portal. Using the Advanced Filtering Options, select Franklin County as the location and choose the relevant civil case type. Searches can be conducted by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. The Portal provides basic case information at no charge.

    For certified copies of civil documents, requesters must visit the courthouse in person or contact the clerk’s office. Public self-service terminals allow free viewing of civil case information, with printing available for a small fee. Staff can retrieve specific documents from court files upon request.

    For court forms applicable to civil matters in Franklin County, the NC Judicial Branch Forms library provides statewide forms searchable by keyword or form number, and the Franklin County Local Forms page lists forms specific to the 9th Judicial District, including civil status reports and mediation extension orders.

    Franklin County Family Court Records

    Family matters in Franklin County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and adoption — are handled by the District Court. These proceedings are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court’s office.

    Divorce Records:

    Divorce filings are part of the District Court’s family case docket. The eCourts Portal allows free searches of divorce case information by name or case number. To narrow results to family matters, use the Advanced Filtering Options and select “Family” as the case type and Franklin County as the location. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available at the courthouse clerk’s counter. Individuals may also view and print records from the public access terminals; viewing is free, and printing incurs a small charge. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Marriage Records:

    The Franklin County Register of Deeds is the custodian of all marriage records in the county, with certificates dating back to 1869 and a bond book with marriage information to 1779. Certified copies of marriage records are available to spouses, immediate family members, attorneys, and authorized legal representatives who present valid identification. The standard fee for a certified copy of a marriage certificate is $10.00. Copies can be obtained in person at the Register of Deeds office or ordered online through the office’s third-party vendor, Permitium/AIS, which charges an additional convenience fee. A free Vital Index database on the Register of Deeds website allows anyone to search indexed marriage data by first name, last name, or date range.

    Franklin County Register of Deeds
    Address: 113 S. Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Birth and Death Records:

    Birth and death records in Franklin County are maintained by the Register of Deeds and date back to 1913. These records are restricted — birth certificates are available only to the subject of the record, and both birth and death certificates are issued only to immediate family members with valid identification. Certified copies cost $10.00 per copy. The office now has access to out-of-county North Carolina birth records back to 1971 and out-of-county death records back to 2020 through the state vital records system, though an additional fee applies for records obtained through the state system. Certified copies can be requested in person during business hours or ordered online through the Permitium/AIS online ordering system available on the Vital Statistics page of the county’s website.

    Domestic Violence and Custody Matters:

    Domestic violence protective orders and child custody proceedings are filed with the District Court. Because these matters often involve minors or sensitive personal circumstances, some records may be restricted by court order. The NC Judicial Branch’s Child Custody and Visitation Mediation Program and Guardian ad Litem program both operate in Franklin County for matters involving children.

    Franklin County Probate Court Records

    In North Carolina, probate jurisdiction rests with the Clerk of Superior Court, not a separate probate court. The Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court handles all estate administration, will probate, guardianship appointments, conservatorships, and related proceedings. The Clerk’s office is located at the Franklin County Courthouse, 102 S Main Street, Louisburg, NC 27549, Phone: (919) 497-4200

    Searching Probate Records:

    Probate case information is available through the eCourts Portal. To search for probate matters specifically, use the Advanced Filtering Options and select Franklin County as the location, then choose “Estates/Probate” as the case type. Searches can be conducted by party name or case number. For detailed information, the NC Judicial Branch Wills and Estates help page provides guidance on probate procedures.

    In-Person and Copy Requests:

    Public self-service terminals at the courthouse allow free access to probate case information, with printing available for a small fee. For certified copies of specific probate documents — such as letters testamentary, estate inventories, or guardianship orders — requesters must submit a request to the clerk’s office counter. Staff can retrieve documents from court files, and a copy fee applies.

    Restricted Probate Records:

    Guardianship records for minors and certain records involving incompetent persons may carry access restrictions under state law. The Clerk of Superior Court can advise on what documentation or court authorization may be needed to access restricted records in specific estate or guardianship matters. For guidance on probate procedures applicable to Franklin County, the Franklin County Local Rules and Forms page contains relevant administrative orders and practitioner resources for the 9th Judicial District.