Franklin County, NY Property Records

    Franklin County, NY Property Records

    Franklin County has a population of approximately 47,000 people, according to the recent United States Census data. The county is one of the rural counties in Upstate New York, with a lower population than many counties near the state's major urban centers. In Franklin County, the typical home value is $163,578, up 1.5% over the past year and well below the statewide average of $499,798.

    Property listings in Franklin County typically take about 159 days to go under contract, reflecting a slower market than in more urban areas. This pace suggests a less competitive housing market, allowing buyers more time to evaluate options while requiring sellers to price properties carefully. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, about 23.3% of households in Franklin County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. This indicates that a substantial share of residents are cost-burdened, particularly renters.

    In Franklin County, property assessments and parcel data are primarily handled by local municipal assessors. Each town or village assessor maintains assessment rolls, parcel inventories, and valuation records for properties within that municipality. For detailed parcel information and assessment data, consult the appropriate town or village assessor's database or office. The Franklin County Real Property Tax Services department supports these local offices by maintaining countywide tax maps and GIS resources.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Franklin County Clerk is the official record keeper for the county, serving as a recording office for deeds, mortgages, and other legal documents pertaining to real estate. This office oversees the storage, proper retention of records, and the disposition of records through the Records Management Office, which is a subdivision within the clerk's office.

    Property records in Franklin County can be accessed conveniently online through the clerk's records search portal. You can also view and obtain copies of public records, including land records, from the Franklin County Clerk's Office. The following is the contact information of the clerk's office, its online records search tool, and coverage area:

    • Franklin County Clerk's Office: 355 West Main Street, Suite 248, Malone, NY 12953

    • Phone: (518) 481-1681, Records Search

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Franklin County

    What Franklin County Property Records Include

    In Franklin County, property records are official documents that contain comprehensive real estate information such as ownership history, mortgage details, and financial data. Examples of property documents in the county include:

    • Deeds

    • Liens

    • Plats

    • Maps

    • Mortgages

    • Rights-of-Way

    • Agreements

    • Easements

    • Assignment of Mortgages

    Franklin County uses a single unified recording system. Property records from 1808 to the present are available online through the clerk's records search portal. Moreover, you can visit the clerk's office in person to obtain these documents.

    How to Access Franklin County Property Records

    The Franklin County Clerk provides public access to property records through several methods. You can access these documents through online portals, mail-in requests, and in-person visits to the courthouse.

    Online Access (Free)

    You can search, view, and print property records in Franklin County online through the county clerk's records search tool. Documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other related public records can be accessed through the portal by subscribing to a plan. On the portal, you can subscribe to a day plan, which costs $15, while downloading or printing incurs a fee of $0.65 per image.

    Frequent researchers can subscribe to a 90-day plan, which costs $300. With this plan, downloading and printing documents are free. If you are having difficulty accessing the portal or have questions regarding the online records search, contact the IQS support unit at (800) 320-2617 or websupport@iqsworks.com.

    The Franklin County Clerk's Office also offers a free Deed Fraud Alert Notification service. With this service, you can receive email alerts when a document is recorded in your name. You will need to sign up to receive these alerts.

    In Person

    You can access older property records in the county dating back to 1808 at the Franklin County Clerk's Office in person. The office is located at:

    • Franklin County Clerk's Office: 355 West Main Street, Suite 248, Malone, NY 12953

    The office opens Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding Black Friday and county holidays. You can also obtain copies of property documents at the clerk's office. To do so, you may need to provide details about the property, such as the owner's name, property address, and book and page number. Providing this information may help to speed up the search.

    By Phone or Email

    For questions, support, or inquiries about property records in the county, contact the Franklin County Clerk's Office by phone at (518) 481-1681 or by email at kip.cassavaw@franklincqountyny.gov.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You can request copies of property documents by mail from the Franklin County Clerk's Office. The request should include the owner's name on the property, the location of the property, and the parcel ID. You must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the applicable copy fees payable to the clerk's office. Send the complete request to the following address:

    • Franklin County Clerk's Office: P.O. Box 70, 355 West Main Street, Suite 248, Malone, NY 12953

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    The Franklin County Clerk's Office supports electronic recording from professional submitters, such as law firms, financial institutions, title companies, and other businesses involved in real estate transactions. You can submit land documents through the authorized third-party vendors listed on the Franklin County Clerk webpage.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    In Franklin County, the county clerk records and manages property records. However, there are some essential property-related documents, such as assessment data, tax payment histories, and parcel data, that are kept by other official departments. These offices are as follows:

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    To retrieve deed records online in Franklin County, follow the step-by-step guidelines below:

    • Visit the Franklin County Clerk's official records search portal.

    • Click the See Subscription Plans/Create an Account option.

    • Create an account if you do not have one, or log in with your existing credentials.

    • Once logged in, select Franklin County as your search area.

    • Use the search options to look for a deed by owner name, property address, parcel number, or document type.

    • Review the search results and click the correct record to view the scanned deed image.

    • Note the book and page numbers or instrument number.

    • Use the portal tool to download or print the deed.

    Cities & Towns in Franklin County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The following towns and villages are located in Franklin County. Property documents for each of these communities are recorded with the county clerk.

    • Town of Bangor, Town of Bombay, Town of Brandon, Town of Brighton, Town of Burke, Town of Chateaugay, Town of Constable, Town of Dickinson, Town of Duane, Town of Fort Covington, Town of Franklin, Town of Harrietstown, Town of Malone, Town of Moira, Town of Santa Clara, Town of Tupper Lake, Town of Waverly, Town of Westville, Village of Brushton, Village of Burke, Village of Chateaugay, Village of Malone, Village of Saranac Lake, and Village of Tupper Lake

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Franklin County, property assessment and tax information is maintained by local town and village assessors. So it is best to check the municipal assessor's website to see the property class, assessed value, and any exemptions or abatements. The Franklin County Real Property Tax Services office keeps county-level records, including tax maps and assessment rolls, and provides links to municipal assessors.

    For broader tax rates and finance information, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance provides official data and links for all municipalities.

    Franklin County-Specific Nuances

    Franklin County has several distinctive features that may influence property research:

    • The county does not use a Registered Land (Torrens) system.

    • Some older documents may exist only in paper format at the clerk's office.

    • Franklin County operates a recorded land system.

    • Municipal assessors handle local assessments, exemptions, and taxation for towns and villages.

    • The county offers access to maps and basic property data online.

    • Franklin County's online GIS system can help identify lot boundaries, easements, or rights-of-way visually.

    • Many older deeds and documents are preserved in microfilm or digital indexes for genealogical and title research.

    • The Real Property Tax Services department keeps tax maps, assessment rolls, and parcel data.

    Typical Contents of a Franklin County Property Record

    Franklin County property records constitute the official public record of real property ownership and any legally recorded interests affecting title. The contents of a typical property record include the following:

    • Deed Information

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Legal description of the property

      • Prior references and chain of title

      • Consideration (purchase price)

      • Prior reference

      • Homestead or residency declarations

      • Transfer forms and tax filings

    • Plans and Survey References

      • Survey or plan number

      • Subdivision or lot references

      • Boundary and parcel layout information

    • Mortgages and Discharges

      • Lender information

      • Borrower details

      • Loan amount and terms

      • Mortgage tax information

      • Mortgage releases or satisfactions

      • Assignment or modifications

      • Discharges or satisfaction of the mortgage

    • Encumbrances and Legal Claims

      • Easements

      • Restrictive covenants

      • Lis pendens

      • Liens

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Franklin County, property ownership records are updated when new legal documents are recorded with the clerk's office, which serves as the county's official land records office. When a property changes ownership, a new deed must be prepared, signed by the parties involved, and notarized before it can be recorded. The document must include the property's legal description and the names of the grantor and grantee.

    In Franklin County transactions, deeds are typically filed with state forms, such as the Real Estate Transfer Tax Return and the Real Property Transfer Report. These forms provide details about the property transfer and support state tax and assessment records.

    Once the paperwork and fees are submitted, the clerk records and indexes the document so the ownership change becomes part of the public record. Other instruments that affect property titles, such as mortgages, satisfactions of mortgages, liens, easements, and court notices, must also be recorded with the county clerk. Filing these documents ensures that lenders, buyers, and title professionals can see any financial obligations or legal claims attached to the property.

    Property in Franklin County follows New York's traditional recording system. That means ownership is proven by reviewing the chain of recorded deeds rather than by relying on a single state-issued title certificate. Office hours and contact information for recording property documents are available through the Franklin County Clerk's webpage. Documents can be recorded in person, by mail, or through approved electronic recording services used by attorneys and title companies.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    You can use this checklist as a guide for effective property research in Franklin County:

    • Begin with the correct county office - All property records are handled by the Franklin County Clerk's Office.

    • Search and note reference numbers - Record each deed or instrument's book and page or official instrument number for easy tracking.

    • Trace the chain of title - Once a deed is located, review the prior reference listed in the document to find the earlier transfer. Continue following those references backward to reconstruct the chain of ownership and verify that each transfer was properly recorded.

    • Review related plans, surveys, and encumbrances - During the search, check for related documents such as subdivision plans, easements, restrictive covenants, liens, or notices of pending litigation. These records reveal restrictions or legal claims that may affect the property.

    • Verify parcel and tax information through the assessor system - After reviewing recorded documents, confirm parcel details using the county's property tax or assessment database.

    • Confirm Registered Land details if applicable - Franklin County operates under New York's traditional recording system.

    • Document findings systematically: Keep a research log with references, dates, and copies of documents to make the search traceable.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Franklin County

    Franklin County has no incorporated cities. Listed below are the towns and villages in the county:

    • Towns: Bangor, Bombay, Brandon, Brighton, Burke, Chateaugay, Constable, Dickinson, Duane, Fort Covington, Franklin, Harrietstown, Malone, Moira, Santa Clara, Tupper Lake, Waverly, and Westville

    • Villages: Brushton, Burke, Chateaugay, Malone, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals