Franklin County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Franklin County in 2026
FranklinNYRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to property records in Franklin County, New York. Members of the public may find ownership histories, deed transfers, tax assessment data, recorded liens, mortgage documents, and parcel identification information. Available record categories may include deeds, mortgages, tax rolls, assessment records, encumbrances, plat maps, and recorded instruments affecting title. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the source and the time period of the document.
Records may be searched through the following official resources:
- Franklin County Clerk's Office — recorded land documents, deeds, mortgages, liens
- Franklin County Real Property Tax Services — assessment rolls, tax maps, parcel data
- Franklin County online document availability portal — remote access to County Clerk records
- NYS GIS Clearinghouse Parcels — statewide tax parcel GIS data
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance – Real Property — property sales database, RP-5217 transfer forms
- Town of Tupper Lake Office of the Assessor — local assessment rolls
- Town of Malone Tax Collection — current town and county tax collection
Online Search Methods
1. Franklin County Clerk Online Document Portal
The Franklin County Clerk's Office currently provides remote access to recorded land and court documents through its online document availability system. Members of the public may access this portal from any location without visiting the office in person.
Search Options:
- By grantor name (seller)
- By grantee name (buyer)
- By document type
- By recording date range
- By instrument number or book and page
Documents Available Online:
- Warranty and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and satisfactions
- Judgment and tax liens
- Easements and restrictions
- Lis pendens filings
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
How to Search:
- Navigate to the county online document availability portal
- Select the desired search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate fields
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select a specific record to view document details
- Note the instrument number or book and page for future reference
- Print or save document images as needed
2. Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
The Real Property Tax Services division maintains assessment rolls, tax maps, and parcel data for all municipalities within the county. Current and prior assessment rolls are available through the county's online portal.
Search Options:
- By parcel ID or SBL number
- By property address
- By owner name
- By municipality
Information Available:
- Current assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value
- Exemptions applied
- Property characteristics
- Tax map location
- Assessment roll history
How to Search:
- Visit the Real Property Tax Services page
- Select the applicable municipality or tax roll year
- Enter the owner name, address, or parcel number
- Review the assessment data returned
- Access linked tax map images where available
3. NYS GIS Clearinghouse – Parcel Data
The New York State GIS Clearinghouse maintains a statewide parcel mapping program that collects and provides access to tax parcel GIS data for all counties, including Franklin County. As stated by the program, "The mission of the Statewide Parcel Map Program is to collect, assemble, maintain, and provide access to statewide tax parcel GIS data."
How to Use:
- Access the NYS parcels GIS portal
- Select Franklin County from the county list
- Download parcel data or use the interactive map viewer
- Click on individual parcels to view associated property information
- Use layered mapping to view zoning, flood zones, and property boundaries
4. NYS Department of Taxation and Finance – Real Property Sales
The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance real property portal provides access to property sales data statewide, including the RP-5217 real property transfer report. This resource allows members of the public to search recorded sales transactions and review transfer amounts.
In-Person Searches
Franklin County Clerk's Office
355 West Main Street, Suite 248
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1681
Franklin County Clerk's Office
Services available in person include:
- Public access terminals for searching recorded documents
- Staff assistance with grantor/grantee index searches
- Certified copies of recorded instruments
- Access to deed books and historical record volumes
- Plat and survey document review
Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1600
Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
Town of Malone Tax Collection
497 East Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Tax Collection – Malone NY
By Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for copies of recorded documents to the Franklin County Clerk's Office at the following address:
Franklin County Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 70
355 West Main Street, Suite 248
Malone, NY 12953
Written requests should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Through Professionals
Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors may conduct comprehensive title searches on behalf of clients. These professionals access the same public records available through the County Clerk and Real Property Tax Services offices. Title searches performed by professionals include a full chain of title review, identification of encumbrances, and preparation of a title abstract or commitment for title insurance.
What Is Franklin County Property Records
Property records in Franklin County, New York, are official documents related to real property — encompassing land and any improvements affixed to it — maintained by county government offices pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 291, which establishes the recording system and the effect of recorded instruments on subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Purpose of Property Records:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Provide constructive notice of recorded interests
- Document property transfers and conveyances
- Record encumbrances including mortgages and liens
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Facilitate real estate transactions and title insurance
Types of Property Records
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and executor's deeds
- Life estate deeds and trust conveyances
- Transfer-on-death instruments
- Historical chain of title documents
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Judgment liens and tax liens
- Mechanic's liens
- Easements and restrictive covenants
- Lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Annual assessment rolls maintained by each municipality's assessor
- Town and county tax rolls published by the Franklin County Real Property Tax Services division
- Exemption records (STAR, senior, veteran, agricultural)
- Delinquent tax records maintained by the Franklin County Treasurer
Legal Descriptions and Maps:
- Subdivision plats and survey maps
- Tax maps maintained by Real Property Tax Services
- Metes and bounds descriptions in recorded deeds
- Parcel GIS data available through the NYS GIS Clearinghouse
Who Maintains Property Records in Franklin County
Franklin County Clerk's Office — Records and indexes all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other conveyance documents. Under New York Real Property Law § 316, the County Clerk is responsible for maintaining a proper index of all recorded instruments.
Franklin County Real Property Tax Services — Maintains assessment rolls, tax maps, and parcel data for all 22 towns and 11 villages within the county.
Municipal Assessors — Each town and village assessor maintains property assessment records at the local level. The Tupper Lake Office of the Assessor notes that all current and prior town assessment rolls are available through the Franklin County Real Property Tax Services web page.
Franklin County Treasurer — Maintains financial records including occupancy tax documents and financial statements, accessible through the Treasurer's office portal.
Are Property Records Public Information in Franklin County?
Property records in Franklin County are public information. Under New York Public Officers Law § 87, government agencies are required to make records available for public inspection and copying. Recorded instruments affecting real property have been accessible to the public as a matter of law and longstanding practice since the establishment of the county recording system.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
- New York Public Officers Law (Freedom of Information Law) mandates public access to government records
- New York Real Property Law establishes the recording system and the public nature of recorded instruments
- The doctrine of constructive notice — foundational to the recording system — requires that recorded documents be publicly accessible so that subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers are deemed to have notice of their contents
Why Property Records Are Public:
The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions:
- Transparency in ownership: Any member of the public may determine who holds title to a given parcel without restriction
- Commercial necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisal all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protection: The recording system protects bona fide purchasers and lenders by providing a reliable, publicly accessible record of all interests in real property
- Tax accountability: Assessment rolls and tax payment records are public, enabling property owners and the general public to verify that taxation is applied consistently
Who May Access Property Records:
No residency requirement, ownership interest, or stated purpose is required to access property records in Franklin County. The following individuals and entities routinely access these records:
- Prospective buyers and sellers
- Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers
- Title companies and abstractors
- Mortgage lenders and banks
- Attorneys
- Investors and developers
- Genealogical and historical researchers
- Journalists and members of the media
- Out-of-state and out-of-country inquirers
Privacy Considerations:
While property records are public, certain personal information is subject to redaction under state law. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from documents prior to public release. Certain individuals — including active law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable New York statutes. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the applicable assessor's office should be consulted regarding specific policies.
As stated on the Franklin County official website, the Records Management Department oversees public access to county records in accordance with applicable law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Franklin County?
The Franklin County Clerk's Office charges fees for copies of recorded documents in accordance with New York County Law and applicable state fee schedules. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge; fees apply to copies and certified copies.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (per document) | $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page |
| Search fee (per name, per two-year period) | $5.00 |
| Filing/recording fee (first page) | $15.00 |
| Filing/recording fee (each additional page) | $5.00 |
These fees are established pursuant to New York County Law and the New York Real Property Law fee schedule. Fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the County Clerk's Office prior to submitting requests.
Online Access:
- Viewing records through the county online document availability portal is available at no charge for basic inspection
- Printing or downloading document images may incur per-page fees depending on the system used
Assessment and Tax Records:
- Assessment roll data available through Franklin County Real Property Tax Services is provided at no charge for online viewing
- GIS parcel data from the NYS GIS Clearinghouse is available for free download
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order payable to the Franklin County Clerk
- Credit and debit cards (availability subject to confirmation with the office)
Fee Waivers: New York law provides that certain government agencies and nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced or waived fees in specific circumstances. Members of the public seeking fee waivers should submit a written request to the County Clerk's Office with documentation supporting the waiver request.
What's Included in a Franklin County Property Record?
A complete Franklin County property record encompasses information drawn from multiple county offices and databases. The specific content available depends on the record type and the office maintaining it.
Ownership Information
Current Ownership:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, LLC, trust, corporation)
- Acquisition date and deed instrument number
- Book and page reference or instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Previous Ownership:
- Chain of title reflecting all prior transfers
- Prior owner names and transfer dates
- Historical deed references and instrument numbers
Property Identification
- Site address and mailing address
- Parcel ID / SBL (Section-Block-Lot) number
- Legal description (lot and block, metes and bounds, or subdivision reference)
- Municipality and school district
- Tax map reference
Physical Characteristics
Assessment records maintained by municipal assessors and the Franklin County Real Property Tax Services division include:
- Lot size (square feet or acres) and dimensions
- Total building square footage
- Year built and effective year
- Building type and construction class
- Number of stories, bedrooms, and bathrooms
- Garage, outbuildings, and additional structures
- Utilities (water source, sewer type)
- Condition and quality ratings
Valuation and Tax Information
- Current assessed value (land and improvements separately)
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Applicable exemptions (STAR, senior, veteran, agricultural, etc.)
- Town and county tax amounts
- School district tax amounts
- Special district levies
- Payment status and history
- Delinquency information maintained by the Franklin County Treasurer
Sales History
- Prior sale dates and recorded sale prices
- Grantor and grantee names for each transfer
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, executor's, etc.)
- Instrument numbers and recording dates
- Documentary transfer tax amounts (where applicable)
Encumbrances and Liens
- Recorded mortgages (original amounts, lender names, recording dates)
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanic's liens
- Easements and restrictive covenants
- Lis pendens filings
- HOA-related recorded instruments
Maps and Visual Information
- Tax map parcel location
- GIS parcel boundary data available through the NYS GIS Clearinghouse
- Aerial imagery (where integrated into county GIS systems)
- Subdivision plat references
What Is Not Typically Included
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Social Security numbers (redacted under state law)
- Interior photographs
- Private purchase contract terms beyond recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements between parties
- Confidential exemption application financial details
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Franklin County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and all other conveyance documents — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the obligations imposed by New York State records retention law.
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:
Under New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law and the New York State Archives records retention schedules, recorded instruments affecting real property are classified as permanent records. The County Clerk is required by law to preserve all recorded documents and to maintain indexes that allow members of the public to locate and retrieve them.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, executor's, trustee's, and all other conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, assignments, and satisfactions
- All recorded liens and releases
- All subdivision plats and survey maps
- All easements, restrictions, and covenants
- All lis pendens filings and court-related instruments affecting title
- Assessment rolls (maintained permanently by Real Property Tax Services)
Format and Storage:
Historical records in Franklin County exist in multiple formats depending on the period of recording:
- Pre-20th century records: Handwritten deed books and ledgers maintained in the County Clerk's vault
- Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books; some microfilm
- Recent decades: Digitally scanned document images accessible through the online document availability portal
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent records (approx. last 20–30 years) | Available online through County Clerk portal |
| Moderate age (30–60 years) | May be available online; microfilm and books at office |
| Historical (60–100+ years) | Available at County Clerk's Office in original books or microfilm |
| Very old (pre-county formation) | Available at office; advance notice may be required |
Assessment Records:
- Current and historical assessment rolls are maintained permanently by Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
- Recent years are available online; historical rolls are accessible at the office
Tax Records:
- Tax payment records are retained for a minimum period established by the state retention schedule
- Tax deed records are permanent
- Delinquent tax records are maintained by the Franklin County Treasurer
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking historical records should contact the Franklin County Clerk's Office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from vault storage, microfilm archives, or digital systems depending on the recording period. Very old records may require advance notice to allow for retrieval from archive storage.
Franklin County Clerk's Office
355 West Main Street, Suite 248
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1681
Franklin County Clerk's Office
How To Find Liens on Property in Franklin County?
Liens on property in Franklin County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the same public records systems used for deeds and mortgages. A lien search requires reviewing the grantor/grantee index maintained by the County Clerk's Office to identify any recorded encumbrances against a specific property or property owner.
Types of Liens Recorded in Franklin County:
- Judgment liens (filed by creditors following court judgments)
- Federal and New York State tax liens (filed by the IRS or NYS Department of Taxation and Finance)
- Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers)
- Municipal code enforcement liens
- HOA assessment liens (where applicable)
- Child support liens
Step-by-Step Lien Search Process:
- Search the County Clerk's grantor/grantee index — Navigate to the Franklin County online document availability portal and search by the property owner's name as grantor. Liens are indexed under the debtor's name.
- Search by document type — Filter results by lien-related document types including judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and tax liens.
- Review the results — Examine each result to determine whether the lien applies to the subject property by reviewing the legal description or parcel reference within the document.
- Check for releases — For each lien identified, search for a corresponding satisfaction, release, or discharge document to determine whether the lien has been extinguished.
- Search federal tax lien records — Federal tax liens filed by the IRS are recorded with the County Clerk and are searchable through the same index. The IRS also maintains a federal tax lien search tool through its online resources.
- Search NYS tax warrants — The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance maintains information regarding state tax warrants, which are filed as judgment liens in the county where the debtor resides or owns property.
- Review judgment records — Judgments docketed in Franklin County Supreme Court or County Court may be searched through the County Clerk's court records index.
In-Person Lien Search:
Members of the public may conduct lien searches in person at the Franklin County Clerk's Office. Staff can assist with index searches and retrieval of recorded lien documents.
Franklin County Clerk's Office
355 West Main Street, Suite 248
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1681
Franklin County Clerk's Office
Professional Lien Searches:
Title companies and licensed abstractors perform comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A professional search covers all recorded instruments in the chain of title and provides a more complete picture of encumbrances than a self-directed search. This is the standard practice in real estate transactions and mortgage lending.
Important Notes:
- A lien search reflects only recorded instruments; unrecorded claims are not discoverable through the public records system
- Mechanic's liens in New York are governed by New York Lien Law § 10, which establishes the requirements for filing and the time periods within which liens must be enforced
- Judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county where the judgment is docketed
- Tax liens filed by the IRS have priority rules governed by federal law regardless of recording date
What Is Property Owner Rule in Franklin County?
The property owner rule in Franklin County refers to the body of New York State law and local regulations governing who may own real property, the rights and obligations of property owners, and the legal framework within which ownership interests are established, transferred, and protected.
Ownership Rights Under New York Law:
Under New York law, any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Franklin County. There is no residency requirement for property ownership; out-of-state and foreign nationals may own real property subject to applicable federal and state regulations.
Forms of Ownership:
New York recognizes the following forms of co-ownership of real property:
- Tenancy in common: Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes to their heirs upon death
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more owners hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the deceased owner's interest by operation of law
- Tenancy by the entirety: Available only to legally married spouses; provides survivorship rights and certain creditor protections
- Trust ownership: Property held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
- Corporate or LLC ownership: Legal entities may hold title; ownership is reflected in the entity's organizational documents rather than in the names of individual members or shareholders
Recording Requirements:
Under New York Real Property Law § 291, a conveyance of real property is not valid against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers in good faith and for value unless the instrument is recorded in the office of the County Clerk of the county where the property is located. This recording requirement is the foundation of the constructive notice doctrine in New York.
Property Owner Obligations in Franklin County:
Property owners in Franklin County are subject to the following obligations:
- Property tax payment: Owners are responsible for timely payment of town, county, and school district taxes. The Town of Malone Tax Collection office notes that the Receiver of Taxes is responsible for the collection of current town and county taxes, as well as unpaid school or village taxes from the prior year.
- Assessment review: Property owners have the right to contest their assessed value through the grievance process administered by the municipal assessor and, if necessary, through Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) proceedings in New York State Supreme Court.
- Maintenance and code compliance: Property owners are responsible for maintaining structures in compliance with applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and local property maintenance standards enforced by municipal code enforcement officers.
- Disclosure obligations: Sellers of residential real property in New York are required to provide a property condition disclosure statement to prospective buyers pursuant to New York Real Property Law § 462, or to provide a credit in lieu of disclosure.
Adverse Possession:
New York law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, notoriously, continuously, and exclusively occupies another's land for a statutory period may acquire title. Under New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, the statutory period for adverse possession is ten years. A claim of adverse possession must be established through a court proceeding, and any resulting judgment must be recorded with the County Clerk to provide constructive notice of the new ownership.
Eminent Domain:
Franklin County and its municipalities retain the power of eminent domain — the authority to acquire private property for public use upon payment of just compensation — pursuant to the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law. Property owners subject to condemnation proceedings have the right to challenge the amount of compensation offered through judicial proceedings.
Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: (518) 481-1600
Franklin County Real Property Tax Services
Lookup Property Records in Franklin County
- County Clerk online document availability – land and court records
- Franklin County Real Property Tax Services – assessment rolls and tax maps
- Franklin County Clerk's Office – recorded instruments and vital statistics
- Tupper Lake Office of the Assessor – local assessment rolls
- Town of Malone Tax Collection – town and county tax records
- Franklin County Treasurer – financial statements and occupancy tax
- Franklin County official government portal
- ACRIS – New York City property records search
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance – real property sales and transfer data
- NYS GIS Clearinghouse – statewide tax parcel mapping data