Franklin County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Franklin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Franklin County, Georgia, may access publicly available information through FranklinGERecords.org, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by county and state agencies. Franklin County government offices maintain a broad range of official documents that may be available for inspection or copying, subject to applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax records, business licenses, and meeting minutes, among others.

Records in Franklin County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Franklin County, Georgia government portal provides access to select county records and department information online.
The Georgia Courts system offers electronic access to court records through a provider network; account registration is required to search case records.
Property records and tax assessment data may be available through the Franklin County Tax Assessor's online portal.
Some records are available digitally without registration; others require a verified account.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court to inspect or request copies of court records. The office is located at 165 W. Court Street, Carnesville, GA 30521. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide any known case numbers or document identifiers, and complete any required request forms at the counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant county office by mail. Requests should include the requestor's full name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies are required to respond to open records requests within three business days.

Phone/Email:

Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court: (706) 384-2514
Franklin County Board of Commissioners: (706) 384-4792

What Are Public Records in Franklin County?

Public records in Franklin County are defined under Georgia's Open Records Act as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, computer-based or generated information, or similar material prepared and maintained or received in the course of operation of a public office or agency. The following record types are among those maintained by county offices:

Court records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and Magistrate Court
Property records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records: Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court
Business records: Business licenses and occupation tax certificates are issued through the county or municipal government
Tax records: Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Franklin County Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner
Voting and election records: Maintained by the Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration
Meeting minutes and agendas: County Commission and board meeting records are maintained by the Board of Commissioners
Budget and financial documents: Available through the Franklin County Finance Department
Law enforcement records: Arrest logs and incident reports may be available through the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, subject to exemptions
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the Franklin County Planning and Zoning Department

The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary custodian for recorded land documents and court filings. The Franklin County government website provides department contact information for each records custodian.

Is Franklin County an Open Records County?

Franklin County operates in full compliance with Georgia's statewide open records framework. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., all public records maintained by county agencies are presumed open and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

As stated in the Georgia Open Records Act, "all public records shall be open for personal inspection and copying, except those which by order of a court of this state or by law are specifically exempted from disclosure." This provision establishes a strong presumption of openness that governs all Franklin County departments and offices.

The Georgia Attorney General's office provides guidance on open records compliance, noting that "the Open Records Act reflects the General Assembly's intent that public records be available to the public." Franklin County agencies are required to designate an open records officer and respond to requests within three business days. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Franklin County?

Current fees for public records in Franklin County are governed by state law and the policies of the individual custodial office. The following fee structure applies under standard conditions:

Fee Type	Standard Rate
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page
Certification of documents	Varies by office
Electronic copies	Actual cost of production
Search/retrieval fees	Actual cost if search exceeds 15 minutes

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, agencies may charge for the actual cost of search, retrieval, redaction, and copying, but may not charge for the first 15 minutes of staff time spent on a request. Fees for certified copies of vital records and court documents may differ from standard copy fees and are set by separate statutory authority.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices may accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does Franklin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Franklin County. Georgia law requires that all non-exempt public records be made available for personal inspection at no charge. Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during business hours to inspect records without incurring a fee; charges apply only when copies are requested.

The following free access options are currently available:

Online inspection: Select property, tax, and court records are accessible at no cost through the Franklin County government portal and the Georgia Courts electronic records access system.
In-person inspection: Any member of the public may inspect non-exempt records at the custodial office without charge.
Tax and assessment records: Franklin County Tax Assessor records are available for free public inspection at the assessor's office.
Meeting minutes and agendas: County Commission meeting records are posted publicly and available for free review.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no cost, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Franklin County?

Any person may request public records in Franklin County, Georgia. State law does not restrict access to residents of the county or state; non-residents retain the same rights of access as Georgia residents. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request as a condition of access to most public records.

Specific conditions that apply to certain record types include:

Identification: May be required when requesting records that contain sensitive personal information or when the requestor seeks records about themselves
Purpose: Not required for standard public records requests; however, certain law enforcement records may require a stated purpose or legal authorization
Restricted records: Some records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to parties with a direct legal interest or by court order
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity

Non-residents of Franklin County and Georgia retain full rights to inspect and copy public records under the same terms as residents. There is no residency requirement under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70.

What Records Are Confidential in Franklin County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Georgia law. The following records are currently withheld from public access in Franklin County:

Sealed court records: Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Georgia law
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent disclosure would compromise the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare records: Records of the Division of Family and Children Services are confidential
Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations and certain personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in confidence
Security plans: Infrastructure protection and emergency response plans are exempt from disclosure

O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 enumerates the specific categories of records exempt from disclosure under Georgia's Open Records Act. Agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of access and, where possible, to provide access to non-exempt portions of a partially exempt record through redaction.

Franklin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Clerk of Superior Court serves as the primary recorder of official documents in Franklin County, including deeds, liens, plats, and court filings.

Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court
165 W. Court Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2514
Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Additional Offices:

Franklin County Board of Commissioners
165 W. Court Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-4792
Franklin County Board of Commissioners

Franklin County Tax Assessor's Office
165 W. Court Street, Suite 203
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-4896
Franklin County Tax Assessor

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
320 Grogan Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-2981
Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Franklin County Board of Elections and Registration
165 W. Court Street
Carnesville, GA 30521
Phone: (706) 384-3673
Franklin County Board of Elections