SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Franklin County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Washington state publishers on the review date. 6 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Franklin County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Franklin County, Washington — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
101,238
Population
Census estimate
28,350
Households
Census estimate
$77,877
Median income
Annual household
$308,700
Median home value
Census ACS
Pasco
County seat
In Washington
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
4 sources
Vital records
2 sources
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Franklin County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Franklin County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Washington Courts - Search Case Records Preface The Frontier Justice Records Project is an ... |
| Criminal records | Public Records | Franklin County, WA |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see Franklin County state portal below |
| Property records | Property | Franklin County, WA Current Collections - Washington State Archives, Digital Arc… |
| Vital records | Archives & Records Management - Franklin County Please read ALL instructions BEFORE proceeding to the Marria… |
| Voter records | No verified source — see Franklin County state portal below |
| Professional licenses | No verified source — see Franklin County state portal below |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see Franklin County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Franklin County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Franklin County Records
2026
Franklin County official government portal active
The official Franklin County government website at www.co.franklin.wa.us continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Franklin County court records portal verified
State court system links for Franklin County verified against the Washington judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Franklin County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Franklin County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Franklin County property records online
Franklin County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
The 4-Step Franklin County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Franklin County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Franklin County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Washington statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Washington state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Franklin County Records
❌ Myth: "Franklin County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Franklin County are held by the Washington state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Franklin County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Franklin County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Washington state repository has verified, current Franklin County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Franklin County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Franklin County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources (All Verified)
- www.co.franklin.wa.us — Official Franklin County government website
- dw.courts.wa.gov — Court records — official source
- www.franklincountywa.gov — Criminal records — official source
- digitalarchives.wa.gov — Property records — official source
- Official Washington State Portal — Vital records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Franklin County & Washington Records
For records not specific to Franklin County, use Washington's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Washington statewide record systems:
- Washington Court Records →
- Washington Criminal Records →
- Washington Property Records →
- Washington Vital Records →
- Washington Voter Records →
- Washington Wants & Warrants →
- Washington Licenses →
- Washington Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Washington statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About Franklin County, Washington
Franklin County is located in south-central Washington. The county seat is Pasco (official site: http://www.co.franklin.wa.us/).
- Population: 101,238
- Households: 28,350
- Median household income: $77,877
- Median home value: $308,700
- Below poverty line: 13.4%
- Land area: 1,241.6 sq mi
- Population density: 81.5 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 6
- NCES schools indexed: 30
FAQs • How do I get a copy of a marriage certificate?
Official Free
You can get a marriage license at the Franklin County Auditor's office, located at 1016 N 4th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm . The cost is $58, and the license must be purchased at least 3 days in advance of the wedding.
Public Records | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
Public Records Requests are handled for the County by Gray Blair. Public Records Requests for the Sheriff’s Office are handled by Joy Gibson. This does not include court records. GovQA Online Public Records Request Portal - Provides citizens 24/7 access to submit public records requests and track their progress by creating an account
Awards
Official Free
2012 - GIS Received "Guardian Award" by Election Center Professional Practice Award Committee, June 2012 · 2012 - Voter Registration Received "Minute Man Award" by Election Center Professional Practice Award Committee, June 2012 · 2011 - National Association of Counties Best In Category - Interactive Recording Kiosk
Property | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
Much of the rural land in Franklin County can be used for mining, subject to current land use zoning standards. Be aware that adjacent mining uses can expand and cause negative impacts. 3.5 - You may be provided with a plat of your property, but unless the land has been surveyed and pins placed by a licensed surveyor, you cannot assume that the plat is accurate.
Property | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
Much of the rural land in Franklin County can be used for mining, subject to current land use zoning standards. Be aware that adjacent mining uses can expand and cause negative impacts. 3.5 - You may be provided with a plat of your property, but unless the land has been surveyed and pins placed by a licensed surveyor, you cannot assume that the plat is accurate.
Current Collections - Washington State Archives, Digital Archives
Official Free
Naturalization Records · Oaths of Office · Olmsted Project Records · Oral Histories · Ordinance Records · Photographs · Plats and Surveys Records · Power of Attorney Records · Professional License Records · Publications, Local Government Agencies · Publications, State Government Agencies ·
Mapping / GIS | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
Welcome to the GIS Portal of Franklin County. All maps include tools to search an address or place name, show a legend of features, change background imagery ("Basemap Gallery"), show an Overview map, show measurements or latitude & longitude, and share or print a map screenshot.
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives - Title Info: 1910, U.S. Federal Census, Franklin County, U.S. Census Bureau
Official Free
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Auditor | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
The mission of the Franklin County Auditor is to facilitate honest, transparent, and accurate elections; preserve and allow convenient access to public records; provide accurate, responsive, and efficient licensing services; and ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability of public funds.
Washington Courts - Search Case Records
Official Free
Search for a case Search for a person Find My Court Date Use this search to find out when you need to appear in district or municipal court. The search tool returns a case summary and, where applicable, calendar information and a list of case activities (docket) · Case Search Options Use this ...
Preface The Frontier Justice Records Project is an ...
Official Free
The Frontier Justice Records Project catalogued over 37,000 Territorial District · and Probate Court cases, all those which have survived from Washington’s territorial
Courts | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
Courts · Franklin County Clerk's Office · Franklin County District Court · Benton-Franklin Superior Court · Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center · Pasco Municipal Court · Government Websites by CivicPlus® · Loading · Do Not Show Again Close ·
Archives & Records Management - Franklin County
Official Free
To search an assortment of select, digitized birth, marriage, death, estate, land and tax records, visit our online repository .
Please read ALL instructions BEFORE proceeding to the Marriage Application
Official Free
Applicants under the age of 17 must contact the Benton‐Franklin Counties Juvenile · Justice Center to apply for a waiver. The marriage license will be given/mailed to the parties upon payment of the application fee. The · ceremony must occur in the State of Washington between 3 and
Archives & Records Management - Franklin County
Official Free
Franklin County began collecting birth records in 1894, and Archives holds the Birth Register from 1894-1906 . Most of these records have been scanned and indexed for automated searching and are available in our online repository.
Public Records | Franklin County, WA
Official Free
GovQA Online Public Records Request Portal - Provides citizens 24/7 access to submit public records requests and track their progress by creating an account
WATCH Overview - Washington State Patrol
Official Free
The Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS) has established this web site as the official Internet source providing criminal history conviction records for the state of Washington only .
Election - PRIMARY 2025 Candidate List
Official Free
Select the Primary election to see all candidates who filed (select a county to see PCOs) · General Election candidates will display after the Primary is certified
Home | WA Secretary of State
Official Free
County Elections Offices · Click to Register or Update · Digital Archives · Search Collections · Records Management Help for Government Agencies · Records Management Training · Online Records · Ask a Librarian · Library Catalog Search · Washington Newspapers ·
Current Collections - Washington State Archives, Digital Archives
Official Free
Naturalization Records · Oaths of Office · Olmsted Project Records · Oral Histories · Ordinance Records · Photographs · Plats and Surveys Records · Power of Attorney Records · Professional License Records · Publications, Local Government Agencies · Publications, State Government Agencies ·
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives - Title Info: 1910, U.S. Federal Census, Franklin County, U.S. Census Bureau
Official Free
Washington State Archives, Digital Archives is the first Digital Archives in the nation to Preserve the electronic Records of both State and Local Government.
Public Records | Franklin County, WA
Business, Voter & Other
Franklin County, Washington government portal.
co.franklin.wa.us
Codes
Official Free
Public Records Requests are handled for the County by Gray Blair. Public Records Requests for the Sheriff’s Office are handled by Joy Gibson. This does not include court records. GovQA Online Public Records Request Portal - Provides citizens 24/7 access to submit public records requests and track their progress by creating an account
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Franklin County?
Franklin County court cases are searchable through the Washington Courts - Search Case Records portal: https://dw.courts.wa.gov/. Washington also operates a state-level case lookup through the WA Courts system. For federal matters, see PACER.
Does an arrest show up on a background check before conviction in Washington?
Yes — in Washington, an arrest can appear on a name-based background check from the moment of booking, even before any court ruling. Whether it appears on an employment screening depends on the type of check (name-based vs. fingerprint-based) and how recent the arrest is.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in Washington?
Yes. Search the court case index for the person's name in the county where they lived. Most Washington counties offer free online case-search portals. The state vital records office also issues divorce verifications for a fee.
What's the difference between a court record and a criminal record in Washington?
A court record shows everything filed in a specific case — pleadings, motions, judgments. A criminal record (rap sheet) is a person-centric history from the Washington State Patrol that aggregates arrests and dispositions across all courts in Washington. Court records are searched by case; criminal records by person.