Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore announced during Monday morning’s meeting that county offices would begin to reopen on Tuesday, May 19, with restrictions in place. See the information below in regard to those restrictions. More information will be coming in Wednesday’s edition of The Red Bay News.
From the Franklin County Commission:
The Franklin County Courthouse and County Offices will re-open on Tuesday, May 19, 2020for regular business hours, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
We ask that if you can conduct business over the phone, online or by mail, please do so as we expect lines to be long.
The following are things the County has done to protect the citizens and employees:
- Installed clear barriers in the Probate Office, Tag Office, Property Tax Office, Circuit Clerk’s Office and Red Bay Tag Office
- Marked 6 foot distances on the floors to maintain social distancing
- Thoroughly cleaned all offices
- Placed hand sanitizer throughout the courthouse
We ask everyone to assist us in protecting our citizens and employees by following these guidelines while visiting the Courthouse:
- Limit persons to those essential to the transaction
- Maintain social distancing
- Masks are encouraged
- Cover coughs/sneezes with elbow
- If you have symptoms of, or have been exposed to COVID-19, please conduct business over the phone, online or by mail.
The number of customers in each office will be limited to help maintain social distancing.
- Probate Office: 3 customers at the main counter with 4 customers in the record room
- Tag Office: 3 customers at the counter for renewals and new registrations with a title application and 2 in waiting for title transactions by appointment
- Property Tax Office: 2 customers at the counter
Two customers will be allowed inside the Red Bay Tag Office at a time. Officers will be on site assisting citizens.
Due to the limited number of customers being allowed inside the Courthouse, there will be lines outside. You will be directed by a Deputy to the appropriate line according to your business at the courthouse. We encourage everyone to maintain social distancing while standing in these lines. We will be providing a bench and chairs for those who need them.
The Circuit Clerk’s Office is not processing passports at this time. If you need a passport for a life or death emergency, call 1-877-487-2778 or visit www.travel.state.gov. When we resume processing passport applications in the courthouse, it will be posted on this page.
If you have questions about a specific department, please call that office for more information.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time of adjustment.
Note: This is subject to change.
