Franklin County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Franklin County in 2026

FranklinNCRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to government documents, filings, and official records maintained by agencies in Franklin County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking property documents, court filings, vital records, or government meeting minutes may locate those materials through a combination of online portals, in-person visits, and written requests directed to the appropriate county or state office. The categories of records that may be accessible include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax and property assessment records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
Land use, zoning, and planning documents

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Franklin County and the State of North Carolina.

Online Access:

The Franklin County official website provides a central starting point for locating county records. The Register of Deeds maintains an index search portal for real estate documents and maps, through which members of the public may search recorded deeds, plats, and surveys. Survey maps recorded from 1989 onward are searchable by entering the year as the book number. No registration is required to conduct a basic index search. The NC Department of Adult Correction maintains public records online, a database containing current and historical offender information dating back to 1972; this resource does not include county jail information.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Franklin County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. The Register of Deeds is located at 113 Market Street, Louisburg, NC 27549. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring sufficient identifying information about the record sought, including approximate dates, party names, or parcel numbers.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests may be submitted by emailing Records@franklincountync.gov with as much detail about the record sought as possible, including the approximate date, location, or parties involved. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, custodians are required to provide access to public records as promptly as possible.

Phone/Email:

Franklin County main line: (919) 496-5994
Records email: Records@franklincountync.gov

What Are Public Records in Franklin County?

Public records in Franklin County are defined by North Carolina state law as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government. This definition is established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.

The following record types are maintained by Franklin County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Civil and criminal court records	Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Register of Deeds / NC Vital Records
Divorce records	Clerk of Superior Court / NC Vital Records
Property tax and assessment records	Tax Administration Office
Business licenses and permits	Various county departments
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Manager's Office
Law enforcement records	Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning Department
Criminal offender records	NC Department of Adult Correction

The Franklin County, NC official website provides direct access to several of these record categories through its online portals and department pages.

Is Franklin County an Open Records County?

Franklin County operates in full compliance with North Carolina's open records laws, which mandate that public records be made available to any person upon request. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person. The North Carolina Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, establishes the foundational right of public access to government documents.

As the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has stated, "The public records law reflects the state's commitment to open government and the public's right to know how its government operates." Franklin County does not impose residency requirements on requestors, and members of the public are not required to state a reason for their request in order to obtain access to non-exempt records. The county's public records policy aligns with the state's sunshine laws, which require that government business be conducted transparently and that records be preserved and made accessible.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Franklin County varies by record type and the format in which copies are requested. Under North Carolina law, agencies may charge for the actual cost of reproducing records but may not impose fees for inspecting records in person.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.05–$0.10 per page (actual cost)
Certified copies of recorded documents	$5.00 for the first page; $2.00 each additional page
Plat/map copies	Varies by size
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction media
Vital record certified copies	$10.00 per copy (state fee)

Inspection of records: No charge
Certification fees apply when a document requires an official seal or attestation
Payment methods accepted at the Register of Deeds include cash, check, and credit card
Fee waivers are not broadly available under state law, though agencies retain discretion in certain circumstances

Fees for court records are governed separately by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and may differ from county administrative fees.

Does Franklin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under North Carolina law, which prohibits agencies from charging for the act of examining records on-site. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost at the Register of Deeds, the Clerk of Superior Court, and other county offices during regular business hours.

Several online resources provide free access to Franklin County records without requiring payment:

The real estate document index search maintained by the Franklin County Register of Deeds allows free online searching of recorded property documents and maps
The NC Department of Adult Correction provides a free criminal offender search tool covering state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered offenders
The NC DAC public records online database offers free access to historical offender information dating back to 1972

Free inspection differs from free copies: while viewing records in person or through online portals carries no charge, 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 in Franklin County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect non-restricted records, nor are they required to explain the intended use of the information.

Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Not required for general public records inspection; may be required for records containing sensitive personal information or for certified copies
Residency: Non-residents of Franklin County and North Carolina retain full rights to request public records
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose under state law
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records (such as criminal history or vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization
Third-party records: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to the same access rights, except where specific exemptions apply

As the North Carolina Attorney General's office has noted, "The Public Records Law is to be broadly construed in favor of public access, and exemptions are to be narrowly construed."

What Records Are Confidential in Franklin County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles are confidential under Chapter 7B of the General Statutes
Ongoing criminal investigations: Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that would interfere with an active investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Chapter 7B
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions, per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-98
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.

Franklin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Franklin County Register of Deeds
113 Market Street, Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-5994
Franklin County, NC official website

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

Franklin County Clerk of Superior Court
100 Court House Square, Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-3300
North Carolina Judicial Branch – Franklin County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Franklin County Tax Administration
113 Market Street, Louisburg, NC 27549
(919) 496-2172
Franklin County, NC official website