Franklin County Public Records

Franklin County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Apalachicola, covering a small Gulf Coast county of roughly 12,000 people in Florida's Panhandle. Clerk Michele Maxwell is the official custodian, and all records held by county agencies are open to public inspection under Florida law without any requirement to explain why you need them. This guide covers how to find and request Franklin County records.

Franklin County Clerk and Comptroller

Michele Maxwell serves as Franklin County Clerk and Comptroller, the official custodian of all court and official records maintained by the county. The office is located at 33 Market Street, Suite 203, in Apalachicola. You can reach the clerk by phone at (850) 653-8861, extension 103. The clerk's website at franklinclerk.com provides information on how to access records and submit public records requests.

Franklin County is one of Florida's smaller and more remote counties. The clerk's office operates with a small staff, which means in-person visits or advance contact are often the most efficient approach. If you plan to visit the Apalachicola office, calling ahead to confirm hours and whether the records you need are readily available can save time. The clerk handles court filings for the 2nd Judicial Circuit as well as property-related official records for the county.

Public Records Law in Franklin County

Florida's public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, applies to all Franklin County government records. The law says every state, county, and municipal record is public by default. If a Franklin County agency wants to withhold a document, it must cite a specific exemption. You do not need to provide your name, fill out a form, or give a reason when you request records.

The Franklin County Clerk's website is the online portal for public records information and contact details.

The site provides clerk contact information, access to online search tools, and guidance on submitting records requests.

The fee schedule under Chapter 119 is the same across Florida. Standard copies cost up to $0.15 per one-sided page for administrative records. Certified copies run $1 per page plus $5 for the certification statement. The first 30 minutes of staff research are provided free of charge. After that, the agency may charge at the rate of the lowest-paid qualified staff member. If a document must be partially withheld, the agency is still required to give you the non-exempt portions. If you have trouble with a request, the Florida AG's mediation line at (850) 245-0140 can help.

Franklin County Court Records

Franklin County is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Gadsden, and Liberty counties as well. The circuit court for Franklin County handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters above the county court threshold, family law proceedings, and probate cases. County court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and minor civil disputes. All court records from Franklin County are filed with the clerk in Apalachicola.

Online access to Franklin County court records may be limited compared to larger counties due to the county's small size and resources. The clerk's website should be checked first for any available online search tools. If the records you need are not available online, an in-person visit or written request to the Apalachicola office will be necessary. The Florida Court Clerks directory links to all 67 county clerks for multi-county searches, and myFloridaCounty.com is useful for searching official records across counties.

Franklin County Official Records

Official records in Franklin County include property deeds, mortgage documents, satisfaction of mortgages, liens, easements, and other recorded instruments. The clerk maintains an index of all recorded documents, which forms the legal basis for property ownership and encumbrance history in the county. The index is searchable by the names of the parties involved and by document type.

Franklin County's real estate market includes significant coastal and water-front properties along Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Anyone doing a title search or property research in this county will need to check the official records index. The clerk can provide certified copies of any recorded instrument. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts and other agencies as official evidence of what was recorded.

Criminal Records in Franklin County

Criminal court records for Franklin County cases are available through the clerk's office. These include charging documents, court orders, guilty pleas, and sentencing records for felony and misdemeanor cases handled in Apalachicola. Arrest records and booking data are held by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, which operates as a separate agency from the clerk.

Both the clerk and the Sheriff's Office are subject to Chapter 119. Most arrest records are public. Active investigation records and juvenile case files are among the typical exemptions. If you need arrest or jail records, contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office directly. For court case records, contact the clerk. If a request is refused without a proper exemption, the Florida AG's open government mediation program is available to help.

Vital Records and Other Franklin County Documents

Birth and death certificates from events in Franklin County are state records held by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. These are not available from the county clerk. You can order certified copies through VitalChek online or by mailing a request to the state office. The Franklin County Health Department can assist with local guidance for vital records requests.

Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Franklin County Clerk, making them available at the local level. Copies of Franklin County marriage licenses can be requested from the Apalachicola office. Divorce records are part of the family law court file and are also held by the clerk. Property tax records and vehicle registrations are maintained by the Tax Collector's office, which is a separate agency subject to the same Chapter 119 public records rules.

Making Public Records Requests in Franklin County

To request records from the Franklin County Clerk, contact the office by phone at (850) 653-8861 ext. 103, visit in person at 33 Market Street in Apalachicola, or write a letter. You do not need a special form under Chapter 119. Just describe what records you need. The clerk must respond within a reasonable time.

For records held by other Franklin County agencies, such as the Sheriff's Office or the Board of County Commissioners, you would contact those agencies directly. Each office maintains its own records and handles requests separately. If your request is denied or not answered in a reasonable time, document your request in writing and contact the Florida Attorney General's open government mediation program. The program is free and can resolve most disputes without litigation. More information is at the FL AG open government page.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Apalachicola is the county seat and Carrabelle is another community in the county, but neither qualifies. Records for all Franklin County communities are handled through the Clerk's office in Apalachicola.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is bordered by Liberty, Wakulla, and Gulf counties in Florida's Panhandle region.