Access Franklin County Background Check

Background check records in Franklin County are maintained by the County Clerk in Malone and processed through the 4th Judicial District court system. Franklin County is located in the far northern part of New York, bordering Canada. The county clerk holds Supreme and County Court records, and state agencies offer statewide search tools that include all Franklin County cases. DCJS and the Office of Court Administration both cover this county in their criminal history databases.

Franklin County Clerk Office

The Franklin County Clerk in Malone is the custodian of Supreme and County Court records. Criminal case files, civil records, land documents, and judgments are stored at the courthouse. Walk-in searches are available during regular business hours. In-person inspection of court files is generally free. Copy fees run about $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost more. The office also handles pistol permits and passport applications.

Franklin County is part of the 4th Judicial District. Felony cases are heard in County Court or Supreme Court at the courthouse in Malone. Town courts across the county deal with misdemeanors, violations, and traffic matters. A notable feature of Franklin County is the presence of several state correctional facilities in the area, which brings a higher volume of corrections-related activity compared to what you might expect from a county of this size. Court records from town courts feed into the OCA system, though records from the 1991 to 2002 window may have gaps for some of the smaller courts.

How to Run a Background Check in Franklin County

The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 New York counties for $95 per name. Franklin County court records are part of this database. Results include open and pending cases and convictions from county, supreme, city, town, and village courts. The search matches on name and date of birth exactly. Each alias costs another $95. Sealed records are excluded. Submit online through Direct Access or by mail to 25 Beaver Street, Room 940, New York, NY 10004.

For fingerprint-based records, the Division of Criminal Justice Services is the official source. DCJS is the state's central repository under Executive Law Article 35. You must submit fingerprints, and the cost is about $62 to $65. Results cover arrests, convictions, and sentences from all reporting agencies in New York. Suppressed responses leave out sealed records under CPL 160.50, CPL 160.55, CPL 160.58, and CPL 160.59. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 or email RecordReview@dcjs.ny.gov for help.

At the local level, visiting the Franklin County Clerk in Malone is another option. A name search costs about $5 per two-year period. This only covers Supreme and County Court cases filed in Franklin County.

Franklin County Public Records and FOIL

Under the Freedom of Information Law, anyone can request records from Franklin County agencies. Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90 apply. Residency is not required. FOIL covers police reports, sheriff's office records, county department documents, and any other government files. Copies cost 25 cents per page for standard sizes. Agencies have five business days to respond to a request.

Criminal history records held by DCJS are not available through FOIL. Court records and most other Franklin County government files are accessible. If your request is denied, appeal within 30 days. A denied appeal can go to Supreme Court under Article 78. Franklin County is a smaller county, so FOIL processing may be quicker than in more populated areas. The sheriff's office and county departments each have a designated records access officer.

Corrections Records in Franklin County

Franklin County is home to multiple state correctional facilities run by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. These include facilities in Malone and the surrounding area. The DOCCS inmate lookup at nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov lets you search for any state inmate by name, DIN, or NYSID. Results show current facility, sentence details, parole eligibility, and conviction information. The database covers records back to the 1970s.

Having state prisons in the county does not mean those inmates' convictions came from Franklin County courts. State inmates are housed wherever DOCCS assigns them, regardless of where the crime occurred. For people held at the county level, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office manages the local jail. Booking records can be obtained through FOIL requests to the sheriff's office. The VINE system provides victim notification for custody status changes.

Sex Offender Registry Search

The Sex Offender Registry maintained by DCJS covers all of Franklin County. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are in the public online directory. Search by county, name, or zip code. For Level 1 offenders, call 800-262-3257. Level 3 offenders verify their address every 90 days. Registration is 20 years for most offenders, life for sexual predators and predicate sex offenders. NY-ALERT can notify you when a registrant in Franklin County changes address.

Clean Slate Act and Record Sealing

The Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Eligible misdemeanor convictions can be sealed three years after the sentence ends. Felonies become eligible after eight years. The person must have no new convictions or pending charges. Sex offenses under SORA and non-drug Class A felonies are not eligible.

OCA has up to three years to build the automated sealing system. Franklin County background check results through DCJS may show eligible convictions until the system is operational. Those who do not qualify can petition under CPL 160.59 or seek Certificates of Relief from Disabilities under Judiciary Law Section 255. These certificates help remove barriers to jobs and licenses but do not erase the conviction from record.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders several other North Country counties. Select a neighboring county for records from that area.