Franklin County Background Records

Background check records in Franklin County are kept by the Clerk of Court in Apalachicola. Franklin County is a small, rural county on Florida's Gulf Coast in the panhandle region. With a population of about 12,000, it is one of the least populated counties in the state. Michele Maxwell serves as the Franklin County Clerk of Court. The clerk's office handles all criminal, civil, and family court filings. Even though the county is small, the same state laws and public records rules apply here as in the rest of Florida. You can search background check records online, in person, or through FDLE's statewide system.

Franklin County Clerk of Court

Michele Maxwell is the Franklin County Clerk of Court. The office is at 33 Market St, Suite 203, in Apalachicola. You can call (850) 653-8861 ext. 103 to reach the clerk's office. Staff handle all court records including criminal cases, civil matters, family law, and probate. The Franklin County courthouse is a small operation compared to larger Florida counties, but they keep full records and process requests just like any other clerk office in the state.

The Franklin County Clerk website at franklinclerk.com has information about services and how to access records. Online case search may be more limited here than in bigger counties, but you can still check what is available through the site. For a more thorough search, calling or visiting the office in person is often the best approach in smaller counties like Franklin. Staff know the records well and can pull files quickly.

The Franklin County Clerk of Court website provides details on how to access background check records in the county.

Check this site for Franklin County court record services and contact details.

How to Search Franklin County Background Check Records

The best starting point is FDLE's statewide system. Go to CCHInet and submit a Level 1 name-based search for $24. This checks the state criminal history database, which includes Franklin County and all other Florida counties. Results come by email, usually within 24 hours. For a small county like Franklin, this is often the most efficient way to run a background check because it covers the whole state in one search.

You can also visit the Franklin County Clerk's office in person at 33 Market St in Apalachicola. Ask staff to search by name or case number. They will pull the file and let you view it. If you want copies, they will print them for you. In a small office, the personal approach works well. You can ask questions and staff can help you find what you need.

The MyFloridaCounty portal has official recorded documents from Franklin County. These include liens, judgments, and property records. You can search for free. These records add another layer to a background check. They show financial and legal obligations that may not appear in court case searches alone.

Note: Franklin County shares the 2nd Judicial Circuit with several other panhandle counties. If you need background check records from those areas, you will need to contact each clerk separately.

Franklin County Background Check Fees

FDLE charges $24 for a state criminal history check. You pay online when you submit the request at FDLE criminal history records. This covers Franklin County and every other county in Florida. At the Franklin County Clerk's office, plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. Viewing records in person is free. You only pay when you need printed copies.

Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the total depends on the provider. Franklin County may have limited LiveScan locations because of its small size. Check the LiveScan provider list for the nearest sites. You might need to go to a neighboring county like Leon for fingerprinting services. The results still come through FDLE regardless of where you get printed.

• FDLE state check: $24
• Plain copies: $0.15 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page
• In-person viewing: free
• Level 2 fingerprint check: varies by provider

Franklin County Public Records Laws

Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes makes Franklin County public records open to anyone. You do not have to live here. You do not have to say why you want the records. The clerk must provide them. This law applies to court filings, arrest records, and most other government documents in Franklin County. Background check records fall squarely under this law.

There are a few limits. Sealed and expunged records are off limits. Some juvenile records are restricted. Active investigations may be temporarily exempt. But the default in Florida is open access, and Franklin County follows the same rules as every other county. If your request is denied, the Attorney General's Open Government office can help you resolve the issue.

Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes controls FDLE's criminal history system. It covers how records are collected, stored, and shared. Franklin County records in the FDLE database are governed by these rules. If you want to review your own background check record, FDLE has a personal review option that all Florida residents can use.

FDLE Background Checks for Franklin County

FDLE at fdle.state.fl.us is the best resource for a comprehensive background check covering Franklin County. Their statewide database includes all arrest records and case outcomes from Franklin County and the other 66 Florida counties. A Level 1 name-based check costs $24 at CCHInet. Results come by email.

Level 2 checks use fingerprints. They search both the FDLE state database and the FBI national database. These are required for certain regulated positions under Florida law. Because Franklin County is small and rural, you may need to travel to a nearby county for LiveScan fingerprinting. The provider directory shows all available locations by zip code.

Note: FDLE results are official state records. They carry more weight than a simple online case search for most formal background check purposes.

Getting Copies of Franklin County Records

Go to the Franklin County Clerk's office at 33 Market St in Apalachicola. Ask for the record you need by name or case number. Staff will search the system and print copies for you. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. For a small courthouse, the turnaround is usually quick.

You can also mail a request. Include the person's full name, the type of record you want, and a check or money order for copy fees. The Find a Clerk directory has the full mailing address. For FDLE records, order at CCHInet for $24. Results come by email. The personal review option at FDLE's site lets Franklin County residents check their own record.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. The main communities are Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and Eastpoint. Background check records for all Franklin County communities go through the Franklin County Clerk of Court in Apalachicola.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders several panhandle counties. Each one has its own clerk's office where you can search for background check records.