What are Franklin City Public Records?
The Tennessee Public Records Act defines Franklin City public records as any document that a city official or employee creates or receives concerning the city’s business - unless legally exempt. Franklin public records may take physical, handwritten form. They may also take the form of digital computer files. The Tennessee Public Records Act does not cover all Franklin public records. Some records are exempt from public view. Exempted documents include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Medical records of patients in government-run medical facilities;
- Investigative documents belonging to local law enforcement;
- All files belonging to the drivers’ license issuance division and the handgun carry permit division of the department of safety;
- Records of students in public institutions;
- Certain personal information of law enforcement officers;
- Official health certificates;
- The department of child services’ investigative records and reports.
Franklin City Crime Statistics
The Franklin City Police Department creates and disseminates an annual statistics report, collated from the city’s crime and arrest reports throughout the year. It shares these reports with the public and with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In a 2019 FBI report, Franklin City recorded 119 violent crimes and 982 property crimes among a population of 80,825 residents. The city’s crime rate was 94, higher than in 38.4% of U.S. cities.
Among Franklin City’s violent crimes, there were nineteen rape cases, nine robberies, and 91 cases of aggravated assault. Franklin City residents had a 0.16% chance of being violent crime victims, while the statewide chances were 0.6%. Franklin City’s property crimes came to 77 burglaries, 850 cases of larceny-theft, 55 vehicular thefts, and two arson cases. The chance of being a property crime victim in Franklin City was 1.1%, while the statewide chance was 2.6%.
Are Franklin City Criminal Records Public?
Tennessee’s Public Records Act stipulates that Franklin City criminal records are in the public domain and available upon request. Anyone who requires criminal background checks may query the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Bureau maintains criminal history information for all municipalities and counties - including Franklin City - and makes them available online or by mail. Mail-in requesters must provide as much information as may be relevant regarding the record. The Bureau charges $29 per request.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - TORIS
901.R.S. Gass Blvd,
Nashville, TN 37216
TelePhone: (615) 744-4057
How to Obtain Franklin City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Franklin City Police Department’s Records Section creates and maintains all department reports and arrest records. It offers them to the public upon request. Interested public members may obtain Franklin City police reports by submitting a request on the Department’s Public Records Request portal. Requesters must describe the record accurately and prove Tennessee citizenship (if claiming to be a resident). The first five pages of Franklin City police reports are free. Interested persons may also visit the Records Section in person, between Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Franklin City Police Department
900 Columbia Ave,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 791-3234
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Franklin City
In Tennessee, all convicted sex offenders must register their details with local law enforcement, per the state’s Sex Offender Laws. Tennessee makes Franklin City sex offender information and the rest of the state - available on its Sex Offender Registry. The public can find information on Franklin City sex offenders, including their names, aliases, images, and physical descriptors. Interested persons may also register their email addresses to receive email notifications when new sex offenders come into the neighborhood or violate known offenders’ terms of their release.
How to Find Franklin City Inmate Records
Convicted Franklin City residents serve out their sentences at the Williamson County Jail. The Williamson County Sheriff keeps a log of all persons currently incarcerated in the County Jail but does not make it available online. Anyone who wants to get Franklin City inmate information must contact the Williamson County Sheriff directly - in person or by telephone.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Franklin City Jail?
The Williamson County Sheriff allows friends and family to visit Franklin City inmates incarcerated in the Williamson County Jail using video visitation booths. Visitation times are on Saturdays and Sundays, from 7:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m, and inmates may receive one video visitor per day. Each onsite video visit is free and lasts for thirty minutes each. Visitors who wish to schedule video visits may use the third-party visitation website or app.
Visitors must arrive fifteen minutes before an appointment starts and present a valid government-issued ID for sign-in. The following types of identification are acceptable.
- Driver’s license
- State-Issued Photo ID
- Passport
- Military ID
Minors are not allowed to visit inmates at the County Jail. Visitors may not bring the following items into the facility:
- Food and drinks;
- Cellphones, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices;
- Guns, knives, and other types of weaponry;
- Alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other intoxicants;
- Purses, coats, and other clothing accessories.
The Jail administration encourages visitors to dress comfortably in properly fitting items. Visitors may not come to the facility wearing any of the following:
- Solid orange clothing that may resemble prison garb;
- Clothing with black and white stripes;
- Short skirts, short shorts, athletic shorts, tank tops, strapless tops, low cut halter tops, or see-through clothing;
- Bare midriffs, bare feet, leggings or spandex, or yoga pants;
- Undergarments;
- Hats, headbands, scarves, metal hairpins or bandanas;
- Clothing with visible holes.
Franklin City Court Records
All legal issues in Franklin City are tried under the Williamson County court system. The Williamson County General Sessions Court hears all minor civil court cases and issues criminal warrants for Franklin City. On the other hand, the Williamson County Circuit Court tries major Franklin City civil court cases (above $25,000) and criminal matters.
The Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk’s office maintains all Franklin City court records in the Williamson County Circuit and General Sessions Court. The locations of all courts in Franklin City are below:
Williamson County Circuit Court
Williamson County Judicial Center
135 4th Avenue South,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5454
Fax: (615) 790-5432 (Civil)
Fax: (615) 790-5411 (Criminal)
Williamson County Chancery Court
Williamson County Judicial Center
135 4th Avenue South,
Room 236,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5428
Fax: (615) 790-5626
Williamson County General Sessions Court
Williamson County Judicial Center
135 4th Avenue South,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5454
Fax: (615) 790-5483 (Civil)
Fax: (615) 790-5478 (Criminal)
Williamson County Juvenile Court
408 Century Court,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 790-5814
Fax: (615) 595-1283
Franklin Municipal Court
Franklin City Hall
109 3rd Avenue South,
Suite 120,
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-5362
Fax: (615) 591-5633
Are Franklin City Court Records Public?
Tennessee’s Public Records Act puts most Franklin City court records in the public domain. However, the Act excludes confidential court documents from general viewership, including the following:
- Criminal cases involving children
- Child dependency cases
- Child custody cases
- Cases currently being tried in court
How to Obtain Franklin City Civil Court Case Records
The Williamson County General Sessions Court hears all minor civil court cases in Franklin City, while the Williamson County Circuit Court tries major Franklin City civil court cases (above $25,000). The Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk maintains the Circuit Court and General Sessions Courts’ civil court case records.
Individuals who wish to obtain Franklin City civil court case records may query the Circuit Court Clerk’s office anytime from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Requesters must provide accurate information and pay any required copy and certification fees. Mail-in requesters must provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to facilitate the record’s return.
Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk
Williamson County Judicial Centre
135 4th Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
How to Obtain Franklin City Criminal Court Records
The Williamson County General Sessions Court deals with Franklin City criminal cases and coordinates the Grand Jury and its indictments, trial cases, lower court appeals, juvenile court appeals and transfers, and other related services. The Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk maintains the Franklin City criminal court records. Individuals who wish to get Franklin City criminal court records may query the Circuit Court Clerk’s office anytime from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Requesters must provide accurate information and pay any required copy and certification fees. Mail-in requesters must provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to facilitate the record’s return.
Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk
Williamson County Judicial Centre
135 4th Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
What are Franklin City Vital Records?
Officials in Franklin City create vital records to mark the occurrence of important life events among city residents. These events include births, deaths, marital unions, and marital dissolutions. Per Tennessee’s vital records laws, most Franklin City vital records are in the public domain. Tennessee’s Department of Health is responsible for providing most Franklin City vital records.
Where and How to Obtain Franklin City Divorce Records
The Williamson County Circuit Court is responsible for handling Franklin City divorces. It makes copies of divorce decrees available to the public. Individuals who wish to obtain a certified copy of a Franklin City divorce record must visit the Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk’s office and provide the following information:
- The divorcee’s names
- The case ID or number
- The divorce date
- The divorce location: Circuit or Chancery court
The Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk’s office is open from Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Copies of Franklin City divorce records cost fifty cents per page and $5 for certification.
Williamson County Circuit Court Clerk
Williamson County Judicial Centre
135 4th Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
The Tennessee Department of Health also provides copies of Franklin City divorce certificates. Interested persons must complete and sign the divorce record application form, attach a replica of a valid government-issued ID and a check or money order for $15, and submit the request in person or by mail to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
The Vital Records office opens to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Where and How to Get Public Franklin City Marriage Records
The Williamson County Clerk’s office is responsible for the county’s marriage register. It issues Franklin City marriage licenses to intending couples and sends marriage record information to the state Department of Health. The Department makes Franklin City marriage certificates available to the public. Interested persons who wish to obtain copies of Franklin City marriage records must complete and sign the marriage certificate application form, attach a replica of a valid government-issued ID and a check or money order for $15, and submit the request in person or by mail to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
The Vital Records office opens to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Where and How to Get Confidential Franklin City Marriage Records
The Williamson County Clerk’s office handles all Williamson County marriages and issues Franklin City marriage licenses to intending couples. The Tennessee Department of Health makes Franklin City marriage certificates available to the public.
Where and How to Get Franklin City Birth Records
The Williamson County Health Department issues birth certificates within the county from 1949 to the present. Individuals that wish to obtain Franklin City birth certificates may complete an application for a birth certificate (also provided in Spanish) and submit it to the County Health Department’s office anytime from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. :
1324 W Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-1542
Fax: (615) 790-5967
The Tennessee Department of Health also makes Franklin City birth certificates available to the public.
Interested persons who wish to obtain copies of Franklin City birth records must complete and sign the birth certificate application form, attach a replica of a valid government-issued ID and a check or money order for $15, and submit the request in person or by mail to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
The Vital Records office opens to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Where and How to Get Franklin City Death Records
The Williamson County Health Department is responsible for the county’s death register and makes copies of Franklin City death certificates available to the following eligible persons:
- The deceased person’s spouse;
- The deceased person’s children;
- The deceased person’s parents/guardians;
- The deceased person’s authorized next of kin;
- The deceased person’s legal representatives.
Eligible persons who wish to get copies of Franklin City death certificates may complete an application for a death certificate (also provided in Spanish) and submit it to the County Health Department’s office anytime from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
1324 W Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 794-1542
Fax: (615) 790-5967
The Tennessee Department of Health also makes Franklin City death certificates available to eligible requesters.
Authorized persons who wish to obtain copies of Franklin City death records must complete and sign the death certificate application form, attach a replica of a valid government-issued ID and a check or money order for $15, and submit the request in person or by mail to:
Tennessee Vital Records
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
The Vital Records office opens to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
