Franklin County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Franklin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Franklin County, Maine may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county and state channels. FranklinCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in the region. Requestors may find records pertaining to property ownership, court proceedings, vital events, law enforcement activity, and county government operations, subject to applicable exemptions under state law. Available record categories include:

Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Arrest logs and jail booking records
Tax and assessment records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Land use and zoning documents

Records may be accessed through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access:

The Franklin County Registry of Deeds maintains a searchable index of property documents dating to 1838, accessible through the county's official web portal.
The Maine Judicial Branch provides electronic access to court records for Franklin County, including criminal, civil, and civil violations cases.
Maine.gov serves as the central portal for state agency services, including links to vital records, tax records, and other government databases.
No registration is required to search the Registry of Deeds index; certified copies require a fee.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Franklin County Registry of Deeds at 140 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present the name of the grantor or grantee, the approximate date of the document, and the nature of the record sought.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant office by mail. Requestors should include the full name of the subject, the type of record requested, the approximate date range, and a return mailing address. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 408-A, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within five business days.

Phone/Email:

Franklin County Registry of Deeds: (207) 778-5889
Franklin County Sheriff's Office: available through the official sheriff's website

What Are Public Records in Franklin County?

Public records in Franklin County are defined under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 402 as any written, printed, or graphic matter, or any mechanical or electronic data compilation, made or received by a public agency in connection with the transaction of public business. The following record types are maintained by county and state agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Franklin County Registry of Deeds
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Franklin County Superior Court
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention – Vital Records
Arrest logs, jail bookings	Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Property tax and assessment records	Municipal assessors' offices
Land use and zoning records	Municipal planning offices
County commission minutes and budgets	Franklin County Commissioners' Office
Business licenses and permits	Maine Secretary of State

Vital records for the state, including birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates, are housed at the Division of Vital Records and Statistics (DRVS) and at most municipal offices statewide.

Is Franklin County an Open Records County?

Franklin County operates in full compliance with Maine's state open records law. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 401 et seq., known as the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), all public records maintained by government agencies are presumed open and accessible to any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that "every person has the right to inspect and copy any public record" held by a state or local agency, subject to reasonable fees and limited exemptions.

The Maine Attorney General's Office has stated that "the Freedom of Access Act reflects the Legislature's intent that the public's right of access to government records and proceedings is fundamental to a democratic society." County agencies in Franklin County are bound by this standard and may not withhold records without citing a specific statutory basis for exemption. No county-specific ordinance narrows or expands the rights established under state law. The county's compliance with Maine's sunshine laws extends to public meetings, budget documents, and administrative records.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Franklin County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Maine FOAA, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of copying and, in certain circumstances, for staff time spent retrieving records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.20 – $0.50 (varies by office)
Certified copy of deed	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Vital record certified copy	$15.00 per certificate (state fee)
Electronic records	Actual cost of production
Search fee	Varies; some offices charge for extended searches

As listed by Maine Revenue Services – County Registries of Deeds, the Franklin County Registry of Deeds is located at 140 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938, with a main phone of (207) 778-5889 and fax (207) 778-5899. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.

Does Franklin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Franklin County. Under Maine FOAA, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Franklin County Registry of Deeds offers a free searchable online index of property documents through its county deeds portal, allowing members of the public to search by name or document type without charge.
The Maine Judicial Branch provides free online access to certain electronic court records for Franklin County cases, including criminal and civil matters.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office publishes jail intake and booking information online at no cost to the public.
Dispatch logs and jail booking records are available through the Franklin County Detention Facility corrections page without charge.

Free inspection differs from free copies: members of the public may view records in person at no cost, but 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. Maine FOAA does not require a requestor to be a Maine resident, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for the request. This standard applies to the vast majority of public records maintained by county and state agencies.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): Under Maine law, certified copies of vital records are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. The Maine DRVS vital records program administers these restrictions statewide.
Criminal history records: Detailed criminal history information may require the subject's written consent or a demonstrated legal purpose.
Juvenile records: Access is restricted by statute and is not available to the general public.

Members of the public requesting their own records may be required to provide proof of identity. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under Maine FOAA for records that are otherwise open to the public.

What Records Are Confidential in Franklin County?

Certain records maintained by Franklin County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Maine FOAA and related statutes. Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 402(3) enumerates categories of records that are not subject to public inspection, including:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Maine law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled as part of an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records.
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 under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Maine child protection statutes.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except for information relating to public duties and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

Agencies applying an exemption must identify the specific statutory basis for withholding the record. A requestor who believes a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the Maine Attorney General's Office or pursue judicial review under Maine FOAA.

Franklin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Franklin County Registry of Deeds
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-5889
Fax: (207) 778-5899
Franklin County Registry of Deeds

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

Franklin County Superior Court
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-5888
Franklin County Superior Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

eFiling is available at the Franklin County Superior Court and is mandatory for attorneys, governmental agencies, and parties who file more than six documents per year.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
419 Fairbanks Road
Farmington, ME 04938
Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention – Division of Vital Records
244 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04333
Maine Vital Records

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