Franklin County Court Records

In Franklin County, court records are official documents filed for every case heard in the county’s courts. These legal records are prepared during civil and criminal cases. They serve as reference materials and records of court proceedings. Examples of these Franklin court records are docket entries, pleas, agreements, orders, transcripts, and rulings. Record custodians at county and state levels maintain these documents as part of New York court records and provide access to them except for sealed records.

Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?

While most Franklin County court records are available to the public, some are restricted by default by state law or sealed by court order. Access to New York State court records is dictated by Section 255 of the state’s Judiciary Law. In general, the state does not allow public access to these confidential court records:

• Family court files including adoption records
• Records identifying jurors
• Records naming sex offense victims
• Sealed criminal court records

Franklin County Court Records Search

Searching for Franklin County court records online requires visiting official county and state judiciary websites as well as third-party online portals. It is also possible to request access to public court records by mail and in person at the courthouses in the county.

Franklin County Courts

The courts of law in Franklin County include a Supreme Court, a County Court, a Family Court, and a Surrogate’s Court all located in the same building. There are also multiple town and village courts within the county.

Franklin County Supreme Court
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7340

Franklin County Court
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7340

Franklin County Family Court
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7360

Franklin County Surrogate's Court
355 West Main Street, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7350

Franklin County Criminal Records

Franklin County criminal records are law enforcement documents providing details of individuals’ criminal histories in the county. While local law enforcement agencies in the county, such as the Franklin Sheriff’s Department, can provide some criminal records such as Franklin County arrest records, the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) can deliver statewide criminal histories.

You may call or visit the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department to inquire about a criminal record prepared and maintained by this agency. Its contact information is:

45 Bare Hill Rd
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 483-3304 (Administration); (518) 483-6795 (Booking)
Email: Jay.Cook@franklincountyny.gov

For a statewide criminal history including Franklin County criminal record, you may request a background check from the DCJS. Note that you can only get your own, and not a third party’s, criminal record from the DCJS.

Get Franklin County Civil Court Records

Civil court records are legal documents introduced and prepared during civil law cases. In Franklin County, these records are maintained in all the courts in the county. They include the records of family law, probate, small claims, municipal violations, and property dispute cases.

In Franklin County, you can access civil court records by contacting the various Court Clerks’ Offices. These record custodians have offices in the Franklin County courthouse located at 355 West Main Street in Malone. You may also visit the courthouses of the town and village courts in the county to request access to their civil court records.

Franklin County Marriage Records

Franklin County marriage records are official documents that establish the legality of marital unions that occurred in the county. These vital records are maintained by town and city clerks in Franklin County. They are also available from the New York State Department of Health (DOH).

To obtain copies of a marriage record prepared in Franklin County, you may request them from the Vital Records Certification Unit of the NYSDOH. Only the couple listed on a Franklin County marriage record or anyone with a court order or justified reason may request the record. The NYSDOH accepts requests for marriage records submitted online, by phone, or by mail.

When requesting a Franklin County marriage record by mail, you would need to submit a completed request form and attach a valid photo ID. Make sure to enclose a personal check, postal money order, or certified check for the $30 fee required. Mail these to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

The included personal check, postal money order, or certified check should be made payable to NYS Department of Health.

Franklin County Divorce Records

A divorce record establishes the legality of a dissolution of marriage. There are two types of divorce records: divorce decrees and divorce certificates. Divorce decrees are court documents maintained by Family Courts. A divorce certificate, however, is a vital record provided by the NYSDOH. This agency maintains New York State divorce records from January 1, 1962 till date. Only the parties listed on the document, an eligible relation, or a third party with a court order can obtain a divorce certificate from the DOH.

When requesting a Franklin County divorce record, you may start by completing an Application for Copy of Divorce Certificate. Send this, along with a copy of a valid photo ID and the $30 fee, to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

The DOH accepts personal checks, postal money orders, and certified checks for payment as long as they are made payable to the NYS Department of Health.

Franklin County Birth and Death Records

Franklin County birth and death records are vital records providing legal confirmations for birth and deaths that occurred in the county. These official records are available from town and city clerks in the county as well as NYSDOH. Birth and death records are not public records in the State of New York. Therefore, they are only issued to individuals named on them (for birth records), eligible relatives, and third parties with relevant court orders.

The DOH requires a completed Application for Copy of Birth Certificate or Death Certificate to release a birth or death record. Send this along with a copy of a valid photo ID and a personal check, postal money order, or certified check for $30 to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

The included personal check, postal money order, or certified check should be payable to the NYS Department of Health.

Franklin County Probate Court Records

Franklin County probate records are official documentation related to the settling of the estates of deceased persons in the county. These records include wills, letters of administration, estate inventories, and estate tax information. In Franklin County, the Surrogate’s Court handles all probate matters and maintains probate records presented before it or prepared while settling probate cases. To find these records, you may contact the clerk of the Franklin County Surrogate’s Court by visiting the courthouse at 355 West Main Street in Malone or call (518) 353-7350.

Franklin County Property Records

Property records are official records describing the types and locations of real estate and naming their owners. Anyone seeking property records in Franklin County is likely looking for a lien, deed, mortgage, or permit. These records usually provide the following details:

• Land parcel number
• Mortgage records
• Plat map
• Zoning information
• Building permit
• Property sales history
• Property tax records

Franklin County property records are maintained by the County Clerk. You may gain access to these records by containing the Records Management Office, a subdivision of the Clerk’s Office, at:

Suite 248
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
(518) 481-1681

Franklin County Court Records Online

Some municipal, county, and state agencies do provide online access to Franklin County records. However, these online portals are not tied together and accessing them requires learning to navigate government agency websites. Third-party web resources, like newyorkcourtrecords.us, serve as alternatives to these official sources. They usually provide ready access to multiple record databases with simple search tools. While they offer convenient records lookup tools, their access to official records may be limited.