Franklin County Marriage Records Search

Franklin County marriage records are on file at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Apalachicola. This coastal county in the Florida panhandle handles all marriage license applications through the clerk office at the Franklin County Courthouse. Whether you want to get married in Franklin County or need a copy of an existing record, the clerk in Apalachicola is where you go. You can search for Franklin County marriage records in person or request certified copies by mail. The Florida Department of Health also holds Franklin County marriage certificates from June 1927 onward, providing a second option for people who cannot visit the courthouse.

Franklin County Clerk of Court

The Franklin County Clerk of the Circuit Court operates from the courthouse in Apalachicola. Both parties must appear together to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs valid photo identification. A driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID card will work. U.S. citizens also provide their Social Security number. If either person was married before, the exact date of the prior divorce, death, or annulment is required on the application.

Call (850) 653-8861 to reach the Franklin County clerk office. Staff can answer questions about marriage license requirements and hours. Walk-in applications are typically accepted. Both parties sign an affidavit as required by Section 741.04 of Florida Statutes Chapter 741. No blood test is required in Florida. There is no residency rule, so visitors to the Apalachicola area and St. George Island can apply for a Franklin County marriage license without any extra steps.

Franklin County Marriage License Fees

A Franklin County marriage license costs $86 without a premarital course. That price drops to $61 when both parties complete an approved course within one year of applying. Section 741.0305 of the Florida Statutes sets this rule. The course also gets rid of the three-day waiting period for Florida residents. Non-residents of Florida do not have a waiting period and can use the Franklin County license on the same day it is issued.

The license stays valid for 60 days under Section 741.041. You can use a Franklin County license for a ceremony anywhere in the state of Florida. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license. Return it to the Franklin County clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it into the official files and sends it along to the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. The couple receives one free certified copy. Ceremonies at the Franklin County clerk office cost $30.

Under Section 741.07, the people who can perform a marriage ceremony in Florida include ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, and notaries public. This applies throughout Franklin County.

Note: Franklin County is a popular spot for destination weddings near the coast, so calling ahead for a license appointment is a good idea during busy months.

Copies of Franklin County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Franklin County marriage records are available at the clerk office in Apalachicola. Go in person or mail a written request with the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and payment. Call (850) 653-8861 to confirm the current copy fee.

The Florida Department of Health holds Franklin County marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to the present. A search for one calendar year plus one certified copy costs $5 at the state level. Extra copies are $4 each. Send mail requests to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 with a check or money order. You can also use VitalChek to order online. VitalChek charges $15 for the state fee plus a $7 processing fee. Franklin County marriages from before June 1927 can only be found at the local clerk office.

The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville handles all state-level requests. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days for records from 1970 forward. Older Franklin County marriage records take additional time.

Public Access and Franklin County Records

Marriage records in Franklin County are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can ask to inspect or copy them. You do not need to be named on the record or have any special reason. Section 119.07 caps plain copy fees at 15 cents per page. Certified copies have a $1 base fee under the statute. The Franklin County clerk may charge more for the full certification process.

Social Security numbers and bank details are redacted from public copies under Section 119.071. All other information on a Franklin County marriage record remains open. Section 741.09 requires the clerk to keep a correct record of every marriage license issued in the county. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory links to all 67 county clerk offices across the state.

Search Franklin County Records Online

Franklin County is a small county with limited online search tools for marriage records. The My Florida County Records portal may cover some Franklin County official records. For certified copies, VitalChek offers the fastest online path to get a Franklin County marriage certificate from the state.

The Florida Department of Health marriage page shows how to request Franklin County marriage certificates at the state level.

State-level requests cover any Franklin County marriage from June 1927 to the present.

For older records or a more detailed search, visit the Franklin County clerk in Apalachicola. Staff can check paper files and microfilm archives that may not be available through any online system. Bring full names and an approximate marriage date to help them find the record you need.

The Florida Clerks Association directory is another resource for finding contact details for the Franklin County clerk and other offices across the state.

The directory covers all 67 Florida counties and provides quick links to each clerk office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Franklin County in the panhandle region. Each has its own clerk of court that handles marriage licenses and record requests.