Franklin County dissolution of marriage records are court files that show when a marriage ended in Franklin County, Florida. These records are held by the Franklin County Clerk of Court and tracked through the Florida court system.
People look at these records to check the status of a divorce, get a copy of the final judgment, or confirm names and dates for legal use. This page explains where the records live, how to search them online, what forms you can get, and what fees apply for copies.
Office That Holds Franklin County Divorce Files
The Franklin County Clerk of Court is the main office that creates and stores dissolution of marriage records for the county. The clerk keeps the court index, the case docket, and the final judgment for every divorce case filed in the county. Each step in a divorce case is logged into the clerk’s computer system so the file can be pulled later by name or case number.
Clerk Contact Details
The current Clerk of Court for Franklin County is Michele Maxwell. The office sits at 33 Market St., Suite 203, Apalachicola, FL 32320. The phone number for records help is 850-653-8861 ext. 103. People who plan to visit the office should call first to confirm counter hours and which window handles family case records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Michele Maxwell |
| Office Address | 33 Market St., Suite 203, Apalachicola, FL 32320 |
| Phone | 850-653-8861 ext. 103 |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
| Office Website | franklinclerk.com |
Records Stored by the Clerk
The clerk stores three main record types for every dissolution case. The first type is the case docket, which lists every paper filed in the case with dates. The second type is the final judgment of dissolution, which is the court order that ends the marriage. The third type is the official record copy, which carries the clerk’s stamp for legal proof.
How to Search Records Online
Most people start their search for Franklin County dissolution of marriage records through an online portal. Online search lets you check names, case numbers, and filing years before you travel to the clerk’s office. The state also runs a single sign-on portal that covers many Florida counties at once.
Franklin County Clerk Search Portal
The Franklin County Clerk runs its own search page at franklinclerk.com. The portal lists court records and official records side by side. Users can type a last name to see a list of matching cases. Each case line shows the case number, the filing year, and the case style. Clicking the case opens the docket and any public documents attached to the file.
Florida Statewide Court Access Portal
Florida Courts runs a statewide portal called My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal lets you search by party name across many counties. Franklin County cases appear in the portal once the clerk enters them into the statewide system. Search results show case status, judge name, and next hearing date.
Documents You Can Request
Franklin County dissolution of marriage records cover several document types. Each document serves a different legal need. Some documents prove a divorce happened. Other documents show what the court ordered about property, children, or support. Knowing which document you need saves time and money.
Final Judgment of Dissolution
The final judgment is the signed court order that ends the marriage. The judgment states the names of both spouses, the date the marriage ended, and any terms the court approved. A certified copy of the final judgment is what most banks, lenders, and government offices ask for when proof of divorce is needed.
Case Docket Sheet
The docket sheet is a list of every paper filed in the case. Each line shows a filing date, a document name, and the party who filed it. The docket helps lawyers and self-represented people track the full history of a case. Dockets are public records and can be printed from the clerk’s online portal.
Certified Copy Versus Plain Copy
A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal and a signature that proves the copy matches the original court file. A plain copy is a photocopy or printout without the seal. Certified copies cost more and are required for legal filings. Plain copies work for personal records and research.
Florida Laws That Apply to These Records
Florida state laws set the rules for every dissolution of marriage in the state. Franklin County follows the same laws as the rest of Florida. These laws cover who can file, where to file, how long to wait, and what the final judgment must include. The clerk applies these rules to every case that comes through the county courthouse.
Filing and Residency Rules
Florida law requires at least one spouse to live in Florida for six months before filing a divorce petition. The petition must be filed in the circuit court for the county where the spouses last lived together or where one spouse currently lives. Franklin County sits in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which hears family cases for the county.
Waiting Period Before Final Judgment
Florida law sets a minimum wait time between filing the petition and getting the final judgment. The shortest wait time is 20 days for cases with no minor children and no contested issues. Cases with children or contested issues take longer. A judge can shorten the wait only for specific legal reasons listed in the statute.
Fees and Processing Times
The clerk charges set fees for copies and certification. Fees change from year to year, so callers should confirm the current price before sending payment. Processing time depends on the request method and the clerk’s workload. Online requests move faster than mail requests in most cases.
Copy and Certification Fees
A plain copy of a court document costs a set fee per page. A certified copy adds a certification fee on top of the copy fee. The clerk posts the current fee list on franklinclerk.com. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card for online orders. Some in-person counters accept only cash or check.
Typical Turnaround Times
Online requests for plain copies often return the same day. Mail requests for certified copies usually take one to two weeks. In-person requests for certified copies can be filled while you wait if the file is at the counter and no older records need to be pulled from storage. Older cases stored off-site may take longer.
How to Request Records by Mail
Mail requests work well for people who live outside Franklin County or cannot visit the office. The clerk accepts written requests by mail for plain copies and certified copies. A clear written request reduces back-and-forth and speeds up the response. Each request should include the items listed below.
Items to Include in a Mail Request
A strong mail request contains the full name of each spouse as filed, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if known. The request should state what document is needed, such as a certified copy of the final judgment. A daytime phone number helps the clerk call if a question comes up. Payment by check or money order must cover the full fee.
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate year of filing or judgment
- Case number when available
- Type of record requested
- Daytime phone number
- Check or money order for the fee
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail
Mailing Address for Records Requests
Mail requests go to the Franklin County Clerk of Court at 33 Market St., Suite 203, Apalachicola, FL 32320. The envelope should mark “Records Request” on the outside. The clerk logs each request by date received and processes requests in the order they arrive.
How to Request Records in Person
In-person requests help when a person needs help from clerk staff or wants the copy the same day. The records counter sits on the second floor of the courthouse in Apalachicola. Visitors sign in at the front desk and wait for the next available clerk. The clerk pulls the file and prints the copy at the counter.
What to Bring to the Counter
A photo ID helps the clerk confirm the identity of the requester. A case number speeds up the file pull. Names and year of filing are required when no case number is known. Cash, check, or money order pays for the copies at the counter. Credit cards may work only at the online portal, not at the records window.
Florida Department of Health Divorce Certificates
The Florida Department of Health keeps a separate statewide file of divorce reports. The department sends the records to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. These records support a statewide certificate that shows the divorce happened. The certificate works for many state and federal agencies that need proof of divorce.
When to Use the State Certificate
A state certificate works best when an agency asks for a vital record proof of divorce. The certificate does not include case details or court orders. People who need the full court order with property or custody terms must get that from the Franklin County Clerk of Court, not the state.
How to Order a State Certificate
State certificates can be ordered online through the Florida Department of Health website. Order forms list the fees, the fields to fill, and the delivery options. Processing times for the state certificate run from a few days to several weeks based on the order method and the year of the case.
Other Florida Counties With Similar Records
People who need divorce records in other Florida counties use the same process as Franklin County. Each county has its own clerk and its own online portal. The statewide portal lets you search across counties from one screen. The list below covers nearby counties that handle many dissolution of marriage cases each year.
Nearby Florida Counties
Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Broward County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, and Pinellas County all run their own clerk search portals. Each portal works the same way as the Franklin County portal. Search by name or case number. Pull the docket. Request a certified copy at the counter or by mail.
| County | Population Center | Clerk Search Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County | Orlando | myeclerk.myorangeclerk.org |
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | miamilink.com |
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | hcclerk.com |
| Broward County | Fort Lauderdale | browardclerk.org |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | core.duvalclerk.com |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | mypalmbeachclerk.gov |
| Pinellas County | Clearwater | pinellasclerk.org |
Self-Help Resources for Franklin County
People who file their own divorce without a lawyer can get free help through the Florida Courts self-help program. The program explains forms, filing steps, and hearing rules. Court staff can answer questions about forms and process. Court staff cannot give legal advice or tell a person what to say in court papers.
Forms and DIY Tools
The Florida Courts website lists approved family law forms at flcourts.gov. The forms cover petitions, financial affidavits, and final judgment templates. A DIY interview tool at flcourts.gov helps people fill the forms by answering plain-language questions. The interview creates the court papers ready to print and file.
Attorney Referral Channels
People who need a lawyer can use the Florida Bar referral service. The service connects people to lawyers in their county who handle family law. Lawyer fees vary by case type and county. Some lawyers offer a free first meeting to review the case. Legal aid groups may help low-income people at no cost.
Common Franklin County Filing Facts
Franklin County sits on the Gulf Coast of Florida and covers a small population. The county courthouse hears family cases for residents of Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and other towns in the county. Filing volume for family cases in the county runs lower than in large urban counties. The lower volume often means faster docket movement and shorter waits for hearings.
Where Divorce Cases Are Heard
All Franklin County dissolution cases are heard at the county courthouse in Apalachicola. Hearings are scheduled on the family court docket. Parties receive a notice of hearing by mail or email through the e-filing system. Many short hearings happen by video or phone for parties who live far from the courthouse.
E-Filing and Electronic Records
Florida requires e-filing for most family court cases. Attorneys and self-represented people file new cases and court papers through the My Florida Court Access e-portal. The portal accepts credit card payments for filing fees. E-filing speeds up the case start and gives the filer a stamped copy of every paper filed.
How E-Filing Works
E-filers create an account on myflcourtaccess.com. The account links to a Florida Bar number for lawyers or a self-represented user ID for the public. Filers upload court papers as PDF files. The clerk reviews the upload and accepts or rejects the filing. Accepted filings show a stamp with the date and time the clerk received them.
Franklin County Courthouse Visit Details
The Franklin County Courthouse sits at 33 Market St., Apalachicola, FL 32320. The clerk’s office is in Suite 203 on the second floor. Public parking is available on Market Street and the nearby side streets. Visitors should plan for metal screening at the courthouse entrance.
Office Hours and Phone Service
The clerk’s records counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Phone service runs during the same hours at 850-653-8861 ext. 103. Callers should leave a voicemail after hours. The clerk returns calls the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover topics that come up often in searches about Franklin County dissolution of marriage records. Each answer gives direct facts about records, filings, and copies. The answers help people decide where to start and what documents to order for their specific need.
Where Do I Start a Search for Franklin County Divorce Records?
Start at the Franklin County Clerk’s online portal at franklinclerk.com. Type the last name of either spouse to see a list of matching cases. Open the case to see the docket and any public documents. If you cannot find the case online, call the clerk at 850-653-8861 ext. 103 for help with older records that may not be online yet.
Can I Get a Certified Copy of a Franklin County Divorce Decree?
Yes. The Franklin County Clerk issues certified copies of final judgments of dissolution. A certified copy carries the clerk’s seal and a signature. Bring a photo ID to the counter or send a written mail request with the fee. Certified copies are accepted by banks, courts, and government agencies as proof of divorce.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Franklin County?
Florida law sets a 20-day minimum wait for simple divorces with no children and no contested issues. Cases with children or contested property or support issues take longer. Most uncontested cases in Franklin County finish in 30 to 90 days. Contested cases can run from several months to more than a year based on the issues and the court schedule.
Are Florida Divorce Records Free to View?
Yes. The clerk’s online portal lets the public view dockets and case information at no cost. Viewing the case online does not produce a certified copy. A fee applies for any printed copy or certified copy of a court document. The fee pays for staff time, paper, and the clerk’s certification stamp.
What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Certificate and a Divorce Decree?
A divorce certificate is a short vital record that lists the names of both spouses and the date the divorce was granted. The certificate comes from the Florida Department of Health. A divorce decree is the full court order from the judge that ends the marriage and lists all terms. The decree comes from the Franklin County Clerk of Court.
Can I Search Florida Divorce Records by Name for Free?
Yes. The Florida Department of Health divorce index search and the clerk’s online portal both let you search by name at no cost. The state index covers divorces across all Florida counties. The clerk portal covers only the cases filed in that county. Both tools return basic case data. Fees apply only when you order copies of documents.
What If I Do Not Know the Year of the Divorce?
Start with a wide year range. Try the last five to ten years first. Expand the range if no result shows up. The clerk’s portal lets you set a date range on the search screen. Phone help at 850-653-8861 ext. 103 can guide requesters who cannot find the case on their own.