The Probate Judge is the Clerk of the Probate Court and is responsible for the docketing, indexing, and recording of all documents filed in the Court.  The Court utilizes a computerized system of docketing and records all of the filed documents by electronically digitizing the filings into images and storing the images in a document management system.  Due to the large variety of types of cases over which the Probate Court exercises jurisdiction, the Docketing and Imaging departments utilize more than one thousand specific docket codes creating standardized language in the description for each type of filed document.  In addition, many filings require manual non-standard docketing language to describe the filing.

The Court creates a permanent record of all of its documents through the use of micro-fiche and a second permanent record through electronic imaging.  It is the imaged documents that are most commonly used by the Court, attorneys, and public in reviewing files due to the clarity of the image and ease of retrieval in the system.  Beginning in December 2003, the Court initiated the use of a bar code affixed to each document.  The bar code assures the image is properly linked to the corresponding docket code creating an accurate records retention system and allows most documents to be properly docketed, imaged, linked, and ready for retrieval within twenty-four hours.  The bar coding of documents has allowed the Court so meet the goals of its Strategic Business Plan. 

The Franklin County Probate Court enters over five hundred thousand (500,000) docket codes and creates over four hundred eighty five thousand (485,000) images each year.