Franklin County Court Records
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Franklin County sits in the northeastern corner of New York State, stretching to the Canadian border in the north and the edge of the Adirondack Park in the south. The county seat is the village of Malone, where the Franklin County Courthouse at 355 West Main Street houses the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogates Court all under one roof. Franklin County falls within New York's 4th Judicial District — geographically the largest in the state — and its courts handle criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family matters, and estate proceedings for roughly 50,000 residents spread across dozens of towns and villages.
If you're trying to locate New York court records, you have a few options beyond visiting a courthouse in person. Clerk offices, online case lookup tools maintained by the state judiciary, and public access resources all give you ways to find case information. NewYorkCourts.us offers a directory of courts, electronic filing systems, and multiple web-based search applications — including WebCivil Supreme, WebCriminal, WebFamily, and WebSurrogate — that can help you locate publicly available court case data from Franklin County and other jurisdictions statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
Franklin County court records can be searched online through state-level platforms, in person at the courthouse, or through the County Clerk's online document portal.
Online Case Search Tools
The New York State Unified Court System provides several free e-Courts applications for searching case information:
- WebCivil Supreme — search Supreme Court civil cases by index number, party name, attorney, or justice
- WebCriminal — look up criminal case information in County and Supreme Courts
- WebFamily — access Family Court case data (restricted access may apply)
- WebSurrogate — search Surrogates Court estate filings by party name, file number, or through historical index records
These tools cover cases filed in Franklin County's Supreme, County, Family, and Surrogates Courts. WebSurrogate is a free service that lets you search estate proceedings and retrieve documents considered public information.
County Clerk Online Records
The Franklin County Clerk maintains an online document search through the SearchIQS platform, which gives you access to a wide range of recorded documents. Available records include:
- Civil court records (February 1967 to present)
- Civil judgments (April 1991 to present)
- Real property records including deeds (1808 to present)
- Mortgages (1808 to present)
- Lis pendens (October 1866 to present)
- Maps (August 1834 to present)
- Federal tax liens and releases (January 1996 to present)
- UCC filings (July 2001 to present)
- DBA filings (January 1995 to present)
Subscription and print fees apply. For technical questions about the online search system, contact IQS at (800) 320-2617 or websupport@iqsworks.com.
In-Person Access
All court offices in Franklin County are located at the courthouse at 355 West Main Street, Malone, NY 12953. The County Clerk's Office, which serves as clerk for both the Supreme and County Courts, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Franklin County Clerk's Office
Address: 355 West Main Street, Suite 248, P.O. Box 70, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1681
Email: kip.cassavaw@franklincountyny.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays and Black Friday)
Criminal History Record Search (Statewide)
The New York State Office of Court Administration offers a statewide Criminal History Record Search (CHRS) for $95.00 per search. Results cover open, pending, and conviction records from all 62 counties, including Franklin County. Submit requests online through the Direct Access application or by mail to:
NYS Office of Court Administration
Criminal History Record Search Unit
25 Beaver Street, Room 940
New York, NY 10004
Email: CHRS@nycourts.gov
Make checks or money orders payable to the N.Y.S. Office of Court Administration. Note that sealed records, youthful offender cases, and non-criminal violations are excluded from CHRS results.
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Court records in Franklin County are generally open to the public under New York law. Section 255 of the Judiciary Law establishes the public's right to inspect court records, with exceptions specified by statute or court order.
The New York State Unified Court System maintains a detailed guide on confidential records, which identifies the categories of records restricted from public access across criminal, family, and other case types.
Records that are generally confidential or sealed include:
- Family Court records, including adoption proceedings (sealed under the Domestic Relations Law)
- Sealed criminal records under CPL 160.50 (acquittals and dismissals) and CPL 160.59 (conviction sealing)
- Youthful offender records (CPL 720.15)
- Records identifying jurors
- Records naming victims of sex offenses
- Grand jury proceedings
- Mental health records submitted to the court
- Records sealed by specific court order under 22 NYCRR 216.1
Courts may seal records upon a showing of good cause under New York Court Rules 216.1, which requires the court to make findings on the record before restricting public access. For Surrogates Court records, Uniform Rule 207.64 protects confidential personal information (CPI) in estate filings made on or after February 19, 2014. WebSurrogate does not provide access to documents restricted under this rule, though unrestricted documents filed before that date may be viewable on public access terminals inside the courthouse.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Franklin County are prosecuted in the County Court (felonies and some misdemeanors) and in the various town and village justice courts (misdemeanors and minor offenses). The Supreme Court may also hear certain criminal matters. The Franklin County Clerk's Office serves as the clerk of record for County and Supreme Court criminal proceedings and maintains the official case files.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case information from Franklin County's County and Supreme Courts can be searched through the state's WebCriminal application. The County Clerk's online records portal also contains civil court records that may include criminal-related judgments or liens.
For in-person access, visit the County Clerk's Office at Suite 248, 355 West Main Street, Malone, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
Sheriff's Department Records
The Franklin County Sheriff's Department generates arrest records and booking information. To inquire about records maintained by the Sheriff:
Franklin County Sheriff's Department
Address: 45 Bare Hill Road, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 483-3304 (Administration); (518) 483-6795 (Booking)
Email: Jay.Cook@franklincountyny.gov
Statewide Criminal History Checks
If you want to review your own New York criminal history, contact the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to request a personal record review. This process requires fingerprint submission and is limited to requesting your own record — DCJS does not provide third-party criminal histories to the general public.
For employer or organizational background checks using court records, the OCA's Criminal History Record Search at $95.00 per name covers convictions and open cases statewide. Sealed records under CPL 160.50 and 160.59 are not disclosed.
Town and Village Courts
Franklin County has numerous town and village courts that handle traffic infractions, violations, and misdemeanors at the local level. These courts maintain their own records separately from the County Clerk. If you need records from a specific justice court, contact that court directly. The Town of Malone Justice Court, for example, is generally in session on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Thursdays at 4:00 PM.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Franklin County is heard by the Supreme Court (higher-value claims, equity matters, and matrimonial actions) and the County Court (civil claims up to $25,000). Small claims and landlord-tenant disputes may be heard in town and village justice courts.
Accessing Civil Court Records
The Franklin County Clerk's Office holds civil case files for both the Supreme and County Courts, recording judgments, lis pendens, and other civil court documents that are available for public inspection.
To request copies or inspect civil records:
- Visit the County Clerk's Office at 355 West Main Street, Suite 248, Malone, during office hours
- Search online through SearchIQS for civil court records dating back to February 1967 and civil judgments from April 1991 forward
- Use WebCivil Supreme for active and disposed Supreme Court civil cases
County Clerk Fees (Non-Court Capacity)
Under CPLR 8021, the County Clerk charges statutory fees for services rendered outside of court-clerk capacity. Key fees include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Filing a transcript of judgment | $10.00 |
| Filing a certificate (business, DBA, etc.) | $25.00 |
| Preparing and certifying a copy of a marriage record | $5.00 |
| Issuing a certificate (general) | $5.00 |
| Filing a notice of mechanic's lien | $15.00 |
| Filing a notice of pendency of action (lis pendens) | $15.00 |
| Filing and indexing a notary public certificate | $10.00 |
| Recording an instrument (base fee + per page) | $5.00 + $3.00/page |
| Certificate of exemplification | $10.00 |
| Certified search of records (per 2-year period, per name) | $5.00 |
The Clerk's Office also maintains the county's Records Management Office and offers free fraud alert notifications — residents can sign up at SearchIQS Fraud Alert to receive a notification whenever a document is recorded under their name.
Property Records
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property filings are recorded and held by the County Clerk. The SearchIQS online portal provides access to real property records dating back to 1808. For documents not available online, contact the Clerk's Office at (518) 481-1681.
Franklin County Family Court Records
The Franklin County Family Court, located at 355 West Main Street in Malone, handles cases involving children and families. Its jurisdiction covers adoption, guardianship, foster care, juvenile delinquency, family violence, child abuse and neglect, and matters of child support, custody, and visitation. The court also operates an Integrated Domestic Violence Part, presided over by the Hon. Craig Carriero.
Franklin County Family Court
Address: 355 West Main Street, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7320; (518) 353-7380
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Chief Clerk: Emily Cartwright
Confidentiality of Family Court Records
Family Court proceedings in New York are largely confidential. Case files — including those involving custody, support, abuse and neglect, and juvenile delinquency — are not available for general public inspection. Adoption records are sealed under the Domestic Relations Law and can only be accessed by court order. The WebFamily application may provide limited case information to authorized parties, but public access is restricted.
Divorce Records
Divorce, separation, and annulment cases in Franklin County are filed in the Supreme Court, not the Family Court. The County Clerk maintains these files as clerk of the Supreme Court. For copies of a divorce decree, contact the County Clerk's Office at (518) 481-1681.
Divorce certificates — vital records distinct from court-filed divorce decrees — are available from the New York State Department of Health for divorces granted from January 1, 1963 onward. To request a divorce certificate by mail, complete the Application for Copy of Divorce Certificate (DOH-4378), include a copy of valid photo ID and $30.00 (personal check, postal money order, or certified check payable to NYS Department of Health), and mail to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
Marriage Records
Marriage records are held by the town or city clerk where the marriage took place — the County Clerk's Office does not hold vital records. You can also request copies from the NYSDOH by completing the Application for Copy of Marriage Record (DOH-4382) and submitting it with a valid photo ID and the $30.00 fee to the address above. Only parties named on the record, eligible relatives, or individuals with a court order may obtain copies.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not public records in New York. They are available only to the individual named on the record, eligible family members, or persons with a court order. Direct requests to the local town or city clerk where the event occurred, or to the NYSDOH Vital Records Certification Unit using the birth certificate application (DOH-4380) or the death certificate application (DOH-4376). The fee for each certified copy is $30.00. The NYSDOH can also be reached at (855) 322-1022.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
Estate and probate matters in Franklin County are handled by the Franklin County Surrogates Court, which has jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates, and the resolution of disputes over how an estate should be managed or divided. The Surrogates Court also handles adoption proceedings.
Franklin County Surrogates Court
Address: 355 West Main Street, Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 353-7350
Email: FranklinSurrogate@nycourts.gov
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Chief Clerk: Carrie Lane
Judge: Hon. Craig P. Carriero
E-Filing is mandatory for the Franklin County Surrogates Court.
Types of Probate Records
Surrogates Court files may include petitions for probate, letters testamentary, letters of administration, wills, estate inventories, accountings, estate tax filings, guardianship petitions, and orders of distribution.
Searching Probate Records Online
The state's WebSurrogate platform allows free online searches of Surrogates Court filings. Search by party name, file number, or through historical index records and old indexes. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 may be viewable online, subject to Uniform Rule 207.64 restrictions on confidential personal information. Documents filed before that date are not linked online but may be accessible on public terminals inside the courthouse.
Wills filed for safekeeping with the Surrogates Court can be located through WebSurrogate's will search function, though the actual will documents filed for safekeeping are not available for public viewing.
Requesting Probate Records In Person or by Contact
To inspect or obtain copies of probate records not available online, contact the Surrogates Court clerk at (518) 353-7350 or email FranklinSurrogate@nycourts.gov. Visitors may review files at the courthouse during regular business hours. Certification and copy fees are set by statute and court rule.