Access St. Lawrence County Public Records
St. Lawrence County public records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office in Canton and through the New York State court system. This is the largest county in New York by land area, covering over 2,800 square miles along the Canadian border. Court filings, land records, and other government documents are available through both local and state-level sources for anyone who needs them.
St. Lawrence County Quick Facts
St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
The St. Lawrence County Clerk maintains court records, land records, and other public documents for the county. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property filings. Supreme and County Court case files are stored here. The Clerk handles passport applications and certain licensing matters.
| Office | St. Lawrence County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 |
| Phone | (315) 379-2217 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | stlawco.org |
The Clerk's Office is at 48 Court Street in Canton. You can walk in during business hours to search records and get copies. Canton is a small village, so the office is typically less hectic than those in urban counties. The staff can help with record searches and explain what is available.
Because St. Lawrence County is so large, residents from distant parts of the county may prefer to handle requests by mail or phone when possible. The drive from the northern or western edges of the county to Canton can be well over an hour. Calling ahead to confirm that a record exists before making the trip is a smart move. For simple copy requests, mail may be the most practical option.
Fees are at the standard state rates. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $1.25 for the first page, 50 cents per added page, and carry a $5 certification fee. Land recording fees depend on the document type. Bring a photo ID if you need certified documents.
How to Search St. Lawrence County Records
Online, in person, and by mail are all options. Court cases are the easiest to search online through free state tools.
The eCourts portal covers civil Supreme Court cases from St. Lawrence County. Search by party name, index number, or attorney for free. The system updates daily and has data going back years. Case summaries, filing dates, and party information are all visible.
Criminal records are available through the Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name search. You need the exact legal name and date of birth. Results include convictions and open cases from all New York courts. Sealed cases are excluded. Results come by email.
Land records are best searched at the Clerk's Office in Canton. Deed indexes, mortgage records, and lien filings can be searched by name or property details. The county has a large volume of land records given its size. Rural properties, farm land, timberland, and lakefront lots all have transfer records on file. Some records may be on microfilm, especially older filings.
Vital records come from the New York State Department of Health for birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses are issued by the St. Lawrence County Clerk and by town clerks throughout the county. Ogdensburg City Clerk also issues marriage licenses within the city.
Types of Records Available
Court records in St. Lawrence County cover civil suits, criminal cases, family court matters, and estate proceedings. Supreme Court handles the major cases. County Court deals with felonies and some civil claims. Ogdensburg City Court processes local cases. Surrogate's Court manages wills and estates. Family Court addresses custody, support, and juvenile matters. Town and village courts throughout the county handle traffic tickets and minor offenses.
Land records form a huge part of the Clerk's holdings given the county's size. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, liens, and UCC filings are all on record. Property maps and surveys for this vast county are on file. The Clerk maintains records for everything from small village lots to large tracts of rural and forested land.
Business name certificates, federal tax liens, judgments, and court orders are also available. Older naturalization records can be useful for genealogy research. The county has deep historical roots, and the Clerk's older records reflect that. Researchers looking into North Country history may find useful documents here.
FOIL Requests in St. Lawrence County
New York's FOIL law covers all St. Lawrence County agencies. You can request records from any county department by writing to the records access officer. No reason is needed for your request.
The agency must respond within five business days. They will provide the records, deny with an explanation based on a legal exemption, or ask for more time. Most records are available. If your request is denied, appeal to the agency head first.
The Committee on Open Government provides guidance and advisory opinions on FOIL disputes. The Department of State FOIL page has sample request letters and details about the process. FOIL copy fees are 25 cents per page.
St. Lawrence County Resources
St. Lawrence County is part of the 4th Judicial District. Supreme Court and County Court sit in Canton. Surrogate's Court handles estates and wills. Family Court covers custody and support matters.
Ogdensburg City Court handles local cases within the city, including small claims and traffic matters. Town and village courts throughout the county deal with traffic tickets, local criminal charges, and minor civil disputes. Because the county is so large, there are many local courts spread across the region. Records from these courts can often be found through the state eCourts system.
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York serves St. Lawrence County residents who need free legal help. The St. Lawrence County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys. The state court system provides self-help forms and guides online. The county law library at the courthouse in Canton is open to the public.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office handles police reports and law enforcement records. Ogdensburg and other local police departments also generate reports. The District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases. Real Property Tax Services maintains assessment rolls and tax maps. Because of the Canadian border, federal agencies including Customs and Border Protection also have a presence in the county. Federal court records for the Northern District of New York can be searched through the PACER system.
Nearby Counties
Records from neighboring areas may be held in these county offices.