Franklin County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Franklin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Franklin County, Indiana, may access a range of publicly available information through official county and state resources. FranklinINRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Franklin County. Records that may be available include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and other documents created or maintained by county offices. Access to specific records depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable exemptions under Indiana law.

Online Access:

Members of the public may search Indiana court records through MyCase: Indiana Courts Case Search, the official statewide portal for civil, criminal, probate, and small claims case information. The Indiana Judicial Branch public records portal provides guidance on locating court documents and submitting public information requests. Property and land records may be searched through the Franklin County Recorder's online resources. Some records are available without registration; others may require in-person inspection.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Franklin County Clerk's Office or the Recorder's Office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of records. The Franklin County Clerk's Department is located at the Franklin County Courthouse, 459 Main Street, Brookville, Indiana 47012. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and parties involved when submitting an in-person request.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-9, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed seven days.

Phone/Email:

The Franklin County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (765) 647-5111. The Franklin County Recorder's Office may be contacted at (765) 647-4921. Email contact information is available through the respective department pages on the county's official website.

What Are Public Records in Franklin County?

Public records in Franklin County are defined under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-2 as any writing, paper, report, study, map, photograph, book, card, tape recording, or other material that is created, received, retained, maintained, or filed by or with a public agency and is generated on public funds. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Franklin County Courts and the Circuit Court Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements recorded by the Franklin County Recorder's Office
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; birth and death records are maintained by the Indiana Department of Health, while marriage records are filed with the County Clerk
Business records — assumed business name filings and related documents maintained by the County Recorder
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment records maintained by the County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — maintained by the Franklin County Election Board
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission and board records available through the County Auditor's office
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Franklin County Plan Commission

The Franklin County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for real property and land-related documents.

Is Franklin County an Open Records County?

Franklin County operates in full compliance with Indiana's statewide open records framework. Under Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during regular business hours. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) establishes the legal right of the public to examine government documents and sets forth the obligations of public agencies to respond to records requests.

As the Indiana Public Access Counselor has stated, "The Access to Public Records Act reflects Indiana's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how their government operates." Franklin County agencies are bound by this statute and are required to make non-exempt records available upon request. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance governing public records access; state law governs all requests submitted to county offices. The Indiana Public Access Counselor's office provides advisory opinions and guidance on APRA compliance, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with that office.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Franklin County is governed by Indiana Code and individual office fee schedules. Standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10 per page (standard)
Certified copies (court documents)	Varies by document type
Certified copies (recorded documents)	$1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Electronic copies	Fees vary; some records available at no charge
Search fees	Not permitted for most record types under APRA

Inspection fees: Indiana law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for inspecting public records.
Copy fees: Agencies may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual cost of copying.
Certification fees: Fees for certified copies of recorded documents are set by the Recorder's Office and vary by document length.
Electronic format fees: Some records available electronically are provided at no charge; others may carry a nominal fee.
Fee waivers: Indiana law does not mandate a universal fee waiver provision, but individual agencies may exercise discretion in waiving fees for indigent requestors or for records of significant public interest.

Accepted payment methods at the Franklin County Clerk's Office and Recorder's Office include cash, check, and money order. The Franklin County Clerk's Department also accepts payment for fines and traffic tickets online through the Indiana courts payment portal.

Does Franklin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at county offices during regular business hours. Under Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, agencies may not charge a fee for the act of inspection itself; charges apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to Franklin County records:

MyCase Indiana — Members of the public may search Indiana court case records at no charge through the statewide online portal. The portal provides access to civil, criminal, small claims, and probate case information.
Franklin County Clerk's Office — In-person inspection of court filings, marriage records, and related documents is available at no charge during office hours.
Franklin County Recorder's Office — Members of the public may inspect recorded land documents in person at no charge.
Indiana Judicial Branch — The public records section of the Indiana Judicial Branch provides guidance and links to free online search tools for court-related records.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Franklin County?

Any person may request public records from Franklin County agencies. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to:

Be a resident of Indiana or Franklin County
Provide identification (for most record types)
State the reason for the request

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates may require proof of relationship or legal interest, as governed by Indiana Code. Sealed court records and records involving minors are subject to restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity. Members of the public requesting their own records — such as personal court filings or recorded documents — follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records. Non-residents retain the same rights as Indiana residents under APRA.

What Records Are Confidential in Franklin County?

Not all government documents are subject to public disclosure. Indiana Code identifies categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following record types are confidential under state law:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records — records involving minors in delinquency or child in need of services proceedings
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement investigatory records compiled for the purpose of an active criminal investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical records — protected under both Indiana law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Indiana Department of Child Services
Personnel records — employee personnel files, with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions resulting in termination
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in confidence
Security plans and infrastructure details — records the disclosure of which would jeopardize public safety

Indiana Code § 5-14-3-4 sets forth the specific categories of records that agencies are required or permitted to withhold from public disclosure. Agencies applying exemptions must identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any record or portion of a record.

Franklin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Franklin County Recorder's Office
459 Main Street, Room 103
Brookville, Indiana 47012
(765) 647-4921
Franklin County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

As noted on the official county website, "The office of County Recorder was the first constitutional office in county government in the State of Indiana. The Recorder's office records any written instrument that is required or permitted by law to be recorded."

Franklin County Clerk's Office
459 Main Street, Room 104
Brookville, Indiana 47012
(765) 647-5111
Franklin County Clerk's Department