St. Lawrence County Divorce Records

St. Lawrence County divorce records are kept by the County Clerk's Office in Canton, New York. As the largest county by land area in New York State, St. Lawrence County covers a wide region along the Canadian border. The clerk stores divorce decrees, judgments, and all matrimonial case files from the Supreme Court of the 5th Judicial District. If you need to look up or get copies of a divorce record from St. Lawrence County, you can use state online tools or contact the clerk directly at their Canton office.

St. Lawrence County Clerk Divorce Files

The St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office is at 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617. The phone number is 315-379-2237. The clerk holds all Supreme Court records for the county. That includes divorce decrees, judgments of divorce, separation agreements, and the complete matrimonial case files. The office also maintains land records, business certificates, and other court documents.

To get a copy of a divorce record, you must prove you have the right to see it. Under DRL Section 235, matrimonial files are confidential for 100 years after the final decree. Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with a notarized letter of authorization can request copies. Bring valid photo ID. The clerk will verify your identity before releasing any records.

A certified copy runs about $5 for up to four pages. Each extra page costs $1.25. If the clerk has to search for a case because you do not have the index number, the search fee is $5 per two-year period. Plain copies cost about $0.65 per page. For mail requests, send payment by money order or certified check with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Search St. Lawrence Divorce Records Online

St. Lawrence County does not have its own online portal for divorce record searches. The state provides tools that cover all counties. WebCivil Supreme is a free search system that lets you look up Supreme Court cases by party name, index number, or attorney name. The system covers active and closed cases. You can see basic details like the case type, status, and filing dates. The full divorce decree is not viewable because of the state's confidentiality rules for matrimonial files.

NYSCEF is another tool for checking on divorce filings. If a case in St. Lawrence County was filed electronically, NYSCEF will have status updates and filing details. The 5th Judicial District participates in the electronic filing system. For paper-filed cases, especially older ones, you will need to reach out to the clerk's office in Canton.

St. Lawrence County Divorce Court

The St. Lawrence County Supreme Court sits in the 5th Judicial District, which also includes Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties. Only the Supreme Court grants divorces. The Family Court handles custody, support, and visitation but has no power to end a marriage. All divorce actions in St. Lawrence County must be filed with the Supreme Court.

The cost to start a divorce case is $210 for the index number. The note of issue adds $125. Motions run $45 each. These fees are standard across the state. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you can file an affidavit of financial hardship. The court reviews it and decides whether to let you proceed without paying the filing costs.

After filing, the plaintiff must serve the defendant within 120 days. Service must be personal and handled by someone at least 18 years old who is not the plaintiff. In uncontested cases where the defendant does not respond, the plaintiff waits 40 days after service before filing the note of issue. The judge then reviews the papers and, if satisfied, signs the divorce judgment. The clerk files the judgment and stamps the official date.

Obtaining St. Lawrence County Divorce Records

The NYS Department of Health holds divorce certificates for all divorces from January 1, 1963 onward. This certificate is a summary document. It lists names and the dissolution date. It does not have the full terms of the decree. The cost is $30 by mail or $45 if you order by phone or online. Either spouse can request one, or anyone with a court order.

For the full divorce decree, you need the St. Lawrence County Clerk. If the divorce predates 1963, the clerk's file is the only record that exists. The New York State Archives handles inquiries about very old cases before 1847. The clerk in Canton has records from 1847 forward. After 100 years, the files open to the public for research. The NYS Library has guides to help with historical record searches across the state.

Filing and Legal Help in St. Lawrence County

New York's residency requirements must be met before you can file for divorce. Two years of continuous state residence is the simplest path. Shorter one-year options exist depending on where the marriage took place or where the grounds for divorce arose. The no-fault ground in New York is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage for at least six months.

The NYS Courts divorce page has free downloadable forms and step-by-step instructions. The Court Help Center for the 5th Judicial District can explain the process and help you find the right forms. They provide procedural guidance but not legal advice. For attorney referrals, the New York State Bar Association line is 1-800-342-3661. Legal Aid of Northeastern New York may serve eligible residents of St. Lawrence County at no cost.

St. Lawrence County Records Screenshot

The New York State Archives provides information on locating divorce decree copies across the state, including guidance for St. Lawrence County.

The Archives page helps you understand where to find divorce records based on when the case was filed in St. Lawrence County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Lawrence County. Each keeps its own divorce records at the local clerk's office.

Cities in St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County does not have cities above the population threshold for dedicated pages. Divorce records for all St. Lawrence County residents are handled through the County Clerk's Office in Canton.