First Minister Alex Salmond has backed almost 700 people in their battle to keep open Turriff’s registry of births, marriage and deaths.
The move follows the announcement that registration services at Towie House would cease by the end of the year.
But 698 people have signed a petition objecting to the local authority’s plans, which will see locals having to travel to Banff to access their nearest service.
Mr Salmond said he hoped Aberdeenshire Council would listen to concerns and reconsider the move.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP said: “The people in Turriff and the surrounding area are right to be concerned about the removal of these important services from their local council office.
“The last thing an individual needs when seeking the services of a registrar – whether it is to register a birth, death or marriage – is extra travel time at an already stressful time.
“The facility to research family history will also move with the service and the local knowledge connected to this will be lost. ”
Turriff’s community council, who launched the petition, is also opposing the plans.
John Smith, group secretary, said: “We’re all pretty disappointed, especially so because we’ve had it here for a long time. It’s in the centre of the town, it’s convenient. Why are we the only large town in Aberdeenshire that won’t have one?
“The council has spent a huge amount of money re-doing the place to accommodate the registrar and now it’s not going to be there – we just don’t understand it at all. Nobody understands it.
“No doubt, we’ll be told it’s a cost reason.”
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council a review had been undertaken of the entire registration service with plans in place to provide the services in Aboyne (by appointment), Banff, Fraserburgh, Ellon, Huntly, Peterhead, Inverurie and Stonehaven.
She added: “Services will no longer be available at Maud, Alford and Turriff, where demand was low. The public will be able to access a registrar at one of the other offices,” she added.
The marriage room at Towie House will still be available for civil ceremonies.
In 2013, the council had approved a £144,000 programme of external works at Towie House.