Franklin County family court records cover divorce filings, child custody cases, child support orders, paternity actions, adoption files, and domestic violence injunctions in this Gulf Coast county. The Clerk of Court in Apalachicola keeps all official family case files for the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Anyone can search these records in person, by mail, or through official online portals run by the Florida Courts system. This page explains how to find case files, what each record type contains, who can see them, and the exact steps for getting copies.
Where Franklin County Family Court Records Are Kept
All family court records for Franklin County sit in one building under one office. Knowing where the files live saves time and avoids wrong calls to other agencies.
The Clerk of Court Office in Apalachicola
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts acts as the official record holder for every family law case filed in the county. The office sits at 33 Market Street in Apalachicola, Florida, inside the historic county courthouse. The clerk’s staff handles new filings, dockets hearings, stores case folders, and issues certified copies of court orders. Each family case gets a unique case number the moment a petition is filed, and every later paper in that case is filed under the same number.
The clerk’s office serves every community inside Franklin County, from Carrabelle and Lanark Village to St. George Island, Eastpoint, and Alligator Point. Local staff know the courts, the judges, and the local rules. This matters because forms and procedures can vary between Florida’s 20 judicial circuits, even though the underlying family law statutes are the same.
2nd Judicial Circuit Coverage Area
Franklin County belongs to the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties on the Florida Panhandle. Circuit judges rotate between the six counties, but the clerk’s office in each county stores its own case files. A Franklin County divorce file cannot be pulled from the Gulf County clerk’s office. People who do not know which county a case was filed in need to search each clerk separately or use a statewide portal.
The 2nd Circuit Family Court hears uncontested divorces, contested custody fights, support modifications, paternity actions, stepparent adoptions, and injunction petitions. Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases run through a separate division, but the clerk’s office still maintains those files.
Contact Details and Office Hours
The clerk’s office takes walk-in visitors during posted business hours and answers phone calls for basic case status questions. Phone lines tend to be busiest on Monday mornings, so midweek calls usually connect faster. The office closes on state holidays and may reduce hours on days before major holidays.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Franklin County Clerk of Courts |
| Street Address | 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320 |
| Main Phone | (850) 653-8861 |
| Official Website | https://www.franklincountyflorida.com/clerk-of-courts |
| Regular Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time |
| Records Window | Closes 15 minutes before the office closes |
How to Search Franklin County Family Court Records
Three main search paths exist: online databases, in-person visits, and remote requests by mail or email. The right path depends on how old the case is, how much detail you already know, and whether you need certified copies.
Online Search Options
The Florida Courts system runs a public portal at MyFloridaCourtAccess.com that lists many family cases filed across the state. A free user account lets a searcher enter a party name, case number, or filing date range. Results show case type, judge, hearing dates, and a list of filed documents. The portal covers most Franklin County family cases filed within the last 10 to 15 years, though older cases may not appear and some sealed files never show up at all.
The clerk’s office also maintains its own online search tool linked from the county website. This tool is best for users who already know the exact case number. Users who only know a name can still search, but results may include multiple counties’ records and need extra filtering.
The Franklin County government site provides links to court services and clerk resources.
In-Person Records Requests
Walking into the Apalachicola office gives a searcher the widest possible access. Older paper files that are not yet digitized sit in storage rooms behind the public counter. Staff pull these files on request, usually within 15 to 30 minutes for files already pulled that day, and within a few hours for files in cold storage. Visitors can read files in a designated review area, take notes, and request photocopies for a small per-page fee.
First-time visitors should bring a photo ID. Anyone asking for a sealed file or a file belonging to someone else may need a written request and proof of legal standing, such as a court order or attorney status.
Phone and Mail Requests
The clerk’s office accepts records requests by phone for basic case information like the next hearing date or the final judgment date. Mail requests work well for certified copies of documents the requester can describe clearly, such as a final judgment of divorce, an order establishing paternity, or a parenting plan. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope, the correct fee, and a signed written request describing the document needed.
Turnaround for mail requests depends on clerk workload. A simple copy often arrives within a week, while certified copies of older files can take two to three weeks if staff need to pull boxes from storage.
What You Need for a Search
Searches run faster when the requester already has the case number, the exact full legal name of at least one party, and a year or date range. The clerk’s office can still search with partial names, but each match needs manual review. Searches with only a first name and no last name often return too many results to be useful.
- Full legal name of the party on the case
- Approximate year the case was filed
- Case number if known
- Photo ID for in-person visits
- Payment for copies or certification fees
Types of Family Court Records Available
Family court in Franklin County produces six main record types. Each type has its own paper trail and its own set of access rules under Florida law.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
A divorce case begins with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and ends with a Final Judgment. In between, the file collects financial affidavits, parenting plans if children are involved, settlement agreements, and any motions about property, support, or attorney fees. A complete divorce file shows the full financial picture of both spouses at the time of the split, including debts, retirement accounts, and real property.
Florida law requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing. Most uncontested divorces resolve in three to six months. Contested cases can run a year or more, especially when the file includes multiple motions, depositions, and trial preparation.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Custody cases in Florida are decided on a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule. The parenting plan spells out who makes decisions about school, medical care, and religious upbringing. The time-sharing schedule lays out where the child spends each day, each holiday, and each school break. Both documents get filed with the court and become part of the public record unless a judge orders them sealed.
Modifications to a custody order generate new paperwork. A parent asking for more time with a child must file a Supplemental Petition for Modification and show a substantial change in circumstances, such as a new job in another county or a change in the child’s needs.
The Clerk of Courts page lists services for family court records and case information.
Child Support Case Files
Child support cases start with an administrative order from the Florida Department of Revenue or a court order from the circuit family judge. The order sets a monthly amount based on Florida’s child support guidelines, which use both parents’ incomes and the number of overnights the child spends with each parent. The clerk’s file contains the support order, the income documentation filed by each parent, and any later motions to modify or enforce the order.
Support payments themselves are processed through the Florida State Disbursement Unit, not through the clerk’s office. A support payment history sits in the state’s payment registry, which a parent or attorney can request through the Department of Revenue.
Paternity Records
A paternity case decides who the legal father of a child is. The case file holds the petition, the genetic test results if testing was done, and the final order of paternity that adds the father’s name to the birth certificate. Once the court enters a paternity order, the father becomes responsible for child support and gains the right to seek custody or time-sharing.
Unmarried parents can also sign a form called a Paternity Acknowledgment at the hospital when the child is born. That signed form goes to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, not the court. A later challenge to the acknowledgment results in a court file.
Adoption Records
Adoption files are the most restricted family court records. Once a Florida adoption is finalized, the court seals the file by law. The clerk’s office holds the file but cannot show it to the public. Adult adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents can request a copy of the file, but they must meet statutory requirements and file a petition with the court.
Stepparent and relative adoptions in Franklin County follow the same sealing rules as infant adoptions. The original birth certificate gets replaced with a new one listing the adoptive parents, and the old birth certificate goes into the sealed file.
Domestic Violence Injunction Files
A domestic violence case starts with a Petition for Injunction for Protection. The court can issue a temporary injunction the same day the petition is filed if the judge finds immediate danger. A full hearing then takes place within 15 days, where both sides can present evidence. The file includes the petition, any photos or police reports filed as evidence, the temporary order, and the final injunction if one is granted.
Injunction files are public records, but the petitioner’s address is automatically protected under Florida law. The respondent’s contact details and any statements about the alleged violence remain open. A denied petition still creates a court file, and that file is also open to the public.
Public Access and Florida Records Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. The law treats court files as open unless a specific statute closes them.
Florida Public Records Act
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying. The act covers family court files held by the Franklin County clerk. Any person, not just the parties to a case, can ask to see most family court records. The clerk can charge only the actual cost of duplication and cannot add search fees for records that take little time to locate.
Federal law does not change the basic Florida rule. The federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act limits the release of personal information from the Department of Motor Vehicles, not from court files.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Florida law lists specific categories of records that get sealed or kept confidential. The list includes adoption files, juvenile dependency records, mental health records filed as evidence, and any document a judge has ordered sealed. Some information is automatically protected even in an open file, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the names of minor children in certain filings.
A party asking to seal a file must file a written motion and show good cause. The judge then weighs the request against the public’s right to know. Most family court motions to seal are denied unless the file contains trade secrets, identity information that could lead to fraud, or details that would put a child at risk.
Fees for Copies and Certifications
The clerk’s office charges a per-page fee for regular copies and a higher fee for certified copies. Florida law caps these fees and the clerk posts the current rate at the public counter. Certified copies carry the court seal and are accepted by other courts, government agencies, and most employers as proof of a court order.
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular photocopy, per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy, per document | $7.00 to $10.00 |
| Authentication or apostille | Additional fee set by the State Department |
| Online portal subscription | Free for basic searches |
E-Filing and Online Services
Florida’s e-filing system lets attorneys and self-represented filers submit family court papers online. The same portal lets the public view many documents once they are filed.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, run by the Florida Courts eFiling Authority, accepts new petitions, motions, responses, and supporting documents for family cases. Filers create a free account, choose the 2nd Judicial Circuit, and upload PDFs. The system stamps each filing with the date and time of submission and emails a confirmation. Documents filed online are usually available in the public portal within an hour.
Self-represented filers who are not attorneys must agree to the portal’s terms and can be held to the same document standards as lawyers. A rejected filing comes back with a reason code so the filer can fix the problem and resubmit.
The e-filing portal allows electronic submission of family court documents in Franklin County.
MyFloridaCourtAccess.com
MyFloridaCourtAccess.com is the main public search site. Users register with an email and password, then search by party name, case number, or case type. The portal covers all 67 Florida counties. A search of “Smith” plus “Franklin” plus “dissolution” returns the full list of divorce cases filed in the county matching that name. Each case summary shows the judge, the next hearing date, and a link to the file register of actions.
The portal does not store all family court documents. It shows a case summary and a list of filings, but the actual PDFs of many documents sit on the clerk’s local server and load when a user clicks through. Older case files may not have scanned documents at all and only show docket entries typed by the clerk.
What Records Show Online
The online portal displays the case number, the parties’ names, the judge assigned, the case type, the date each document was filed, and the type of each filing. Sensitive details such as Social Security numbers and minor children’s full names are redacted automatically. Sealed cases do not show up in search results at all.
For full access to every paper in the file, including sealed or redacted documents, a requester still needs to visit the clerk’s office or file a written motion with the court. The online system is best for basic lookups and quick status checks.
Important Locations and Offices
Knowing the exact building and the closest alternatives saves travel time, especially for people coming from out of county.
Apalachicola Courthouse
The Franklin County Courthouse sits on Market Street in downtown Apalachicola, a short drive from the Apalachicola River bridge. Parking is available on the street and behind the building. Visitors coming from Carrabelle or Eastpoint reach the courthouse by US Highway 98. Visitors from Tallahassee take Highway 319 south to Highway 98 and head east.
Office address: 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320. Phone: (850) 653-8861. Website: https://www.franklincountyflorida.com/clerk-of-courts
Nearby Clerk Offices in the Circuit
For people who cannot reach Apalachicola easily, the other five county clerks in the 2nd Judicial Circuit can help locate cross-county filings, though each keeps its own physical files. The clerks work together through the statewide portal, so a quick call to a nearby county can confirm which office holds a specific case.
- Gulf County Clerk of Court, Port St. Joe
- Liberty County Clerk of Court, Bristol
- Calhoun County Clerk of Court, Blountstown
- Wakulla County Clerk of Court, Crawfordville
- Leon County Clerk of Court, Tallahassee
Common Questions About Family Court Records
People searching Franklin County family court records often want the same core details. The questions below cover the most common asks, with clear answers based on Florida law and current clerk practice.
Can I look up a Franklin County divorce online for free?
Yes. MyFloridaCourtAccess.com lets anyone search for a Franklin County divorce case at no cost. The search returns the case number, the parties’ names, the filing date, and a docket list. Older divorce cases filed before electronic records may only show paper docket entries. To read the full file or get a certified copy, a requester must contact the Franklin County Clerk’s office in Apalachicola or pay the standard certification fee.
Are Franklin County adoption records open to the public?
No. Florida law seals adoption records once the adoption is final. Adult adoptees can request a non-certified copy of the original birth certificate and adoption file through the Florida Department of Health after meeting the statutory requirements, but the clerk’s office cannot hand out adoption files on request. Birth parents and adoptive parents can also file a petition with the court for limited access under specific circumstances.
How do I find a Franklin County child custody order?
Search the online portal by parent name, then click the case to see the filed parenting plan and time-sharing order. These documents are part of the public file. If a judge sealed the parenting plan for safety reasons, the document will not appear online and a requester must file a written motion with the court asking for access. A parent listed on the case can also get a certified copy from the clerk’s office for a small fee.
How long does the clerk keep Franklin County family court records?
Florida law sets minimum retention periods for court records, and many Franklin County family files are kept permanently. Divorce judgments, adoption decrees, and paternity orders are preserved forever. Other documents, like temporary motions and hearing exhibits, may be destroyed after a set number of years if they have no further legal value. Digitized records stay accessible even after the paper originals are destroyed.
What does it cost to get a certified copy of a family court order?
The clerk charges a flat fee per certified document, currently between seven and ten dollars in most Florida counties, plus a per-page copy fee. Call the Franklin County clerk’s office at (850) 653-8861 for the exact current amount. Payment methods usually include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards, though card payments may carry a small processing fee.
Can I remove my information from a Franklin County family court file?
Only a judge can order redaction or sealing. A party must file a written motion, explain the legal basis, and serve the other side. Common reasons for redaction include identity theft risk, personal safety, or sensitive medical information. Routine embarrassment or a desire for privacy is not enough. The court weighs each request against the public’s right to know under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
Does Florida charge for using the public records portal?
No. Basic searches on MyFloridaCourtAccess.com are free. A free user account gives full access to case summaries and most public documents. The clerk may charge for printing, downloading large files, or mailing paper copies. Florida law blocks agencies from charging a search fee for records that take less than 15 minutes to locate.