St. Lawrence County Divorce Records
What Are St. Lawrence County Divorce Records?
St. Lawrence County divorce records are official legal documents maintained by the New York State court system that document the dissolution of marriages within the county's jurisdiction. These records are created and maintained pursuant to New York Domestic Relations Law § 236, which governs matrimonial actions including divorce proceedings. Divorce records serve as the authoritative documentation of the legal termination of a marriage.
Divorce records in St. Lawrence County typically consist of several components:
- Petition or complaint for divorce
- Summons
- Financial disclosure statements
- Settlement agreements
- Court orders and judgments
- Decree of dissolution
These documents are processed through the New York State Supreme Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce proceedings in St. Lawrence County. The Supreme Court is part of the 4th Judicial District of New York State.
Divorce records serve multiple important purposes:
- Legal proof of marital status change
- Documentation required for remarriage
- Evidence for name change processes
- Supporting documentation for Social Security benefit adjustments
- Verification for loan applications and financial matters
- Required documentation for immigration proceedings
- Historical and genealogical research
The New York State Unified Court System maintains these records in accordance with state record retention schedules and public access laws.
Are St. Lawrence County Divorce Records Public?
St. Lawrence County divorce records have a complex public access status that varies by document type and information sensitivity. While divorce proceedings are generally matters of public record under the New York Public Officers Law Article 6, commonly known as the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), certain components may be restricted.
Court divorce case files maintained by the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court are generally accessible to the public with important exceptions:
- Financial affidavits and statements are sealed by default
- Records containing information about minor children may be redacted
- Cases involving domestic violence may have protective orders restricting access
- Records may be sealed by judicial order for compelling privacy concerns
Certified divorce certificates and divorce decrees have more restricted access. According to the New York State Department of Health, only the following individuals may obtain certified copies:
- The parties to the divorce
- Attorneys representing either party (with proper documentation)
- Individuals with a New York State Court order
- Individuals with a properly executed power of attorney from one of the parties
The public may verify the existence of a divorce through divorce verification letters, which confirm only the fact of divorce without providing sensitive details. These verifications are available through the New York State Department of Health.
How To Find a Divorce Record In St. Lawrence County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in St. Lawrence County may utilize several official channels to locate these documents. The appropriate method depends on the specific record needed and the requester's relationship to the case.
For court records of divorce proceedings:
- Contact the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court Clerk's Office directly:
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
-
Provide the following information with your request:
- Full names of both parties to the divorce
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case index number (if known)
- Your relationship to the case
- Valid identification
-
Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $30 for record search plus $1 per page for copies)
For certified divorce certificates (parties to the divorce only):
- Submit a completed application to the New York State Department of Health:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
(855) 322-1022
NYS Department of Health Vital Records
- Include with your application:
- Government-issued photo identification
- Appropriate fee payment ($30 per certificate)
- Documentation proving eligibility to receive records
Divorce verification letters (available to the general public) can be requested through the NYS Department of Health using the same contact information but with a different application form.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in St. Lawrence County Online?
St. Lawrence County residents and authorized individuals can access certain divorce record information through several online systems, though complete divorce records are not fully available through digital platforms due to privacy considerations.
The New York State Unified Court System provides the WebCivil Supreme system for basic case information:
- Visit the New York State Courts Electronic Filing System (NYSCEF)
- Select "WebCivil Supreme" from the available options
- Search by party name, index number, or attorney/firm
- For matrimonial cases, only limited information is displayed:
- Case index number
- Filing date
- Case status (active/disposed)
- Parties' names
- Court location
This system does not provide access to actual documents but confirms case existence and basic status information.
For cases filed electronically through NYSCEF after February 2019:
- Create an account on the NYSCEF system
- Search for case information using the index number
- Public users can view only documents classified as publicly accessible
- Parties to the case and their attorneys can access all non-sealed documents
The New York State Department of Health does not currently offer online access to certified divorce certificates or verification letters. These must be requested through mail or in-person channels as described in the previous section.
Researchers should note that online access to divorce records is intentionally limited to protect privacy while balancing the public interest in court transparency.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In St. Lawrence County?
St. Lawrence County residents seeking no-cost access to divorce records have limited but viable options. While most official copies involve fees, the following methods provide free access to certain divorce record information:
In-person inspection at the courthouse:
- Visit the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours:
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
- Request to view publicly available divorce case files
- Provide case information (names, approximate dates, index number if known)
- While viewing is free, any copies requested will incur standard fees ($1 per page)
Public access terminals at the courthouse:
- Use the public access computer terminals at the courthouse
- Search the case management system for basic case information
- Note that document viewing may be limited to index information rather than full documents
Law libraries with legal research resources:
St. Lawrence County Law Library
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
The law library provides access to legal research databases and published court decisions that may reference divorce cases. While specific divorce filings are not available here, relevant case law and procedures can be researched without cost.
It is important to note that while inspection of publicly available records may be free, certified copies and official documentation will always involve statutory fees as established by New York State law.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County divorce records comprise a comprehensive collection of documents that chronicle the entire legal process of marriage dissolution. These records are maintained in accordance with New York Judiciary Law § 255, which governs court record keeping requirements.
A complete divorce file typically contains:
- Summons and Complaint/Petition: The initiating documents stating grounds for divorce and relief sought
- Verification: Sworn statement confirming the truth of allegations in the complaint
- Affidavit of Service: Documentation proving the non-filing spouse received legal notice
- Answer: The responding spouse's formal reply to the complaint
- Financial Disclosure Statements: Detailed inventories of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses from both parties (these are sealed by default)
- Stipulations and Settlement Agreements: Negotiated terms regarding:
- Property division
- Debt allocation
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Child custody and visitation arrangements
- Child support calculations and obligations
- Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law: The court's determinations on relevant issues
- Judgment of Divorce: The final decree legally terminating the marriage
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs): Documents directing the division of retirement accounts
- Name Change Orders: If applicable, court orders restoring a previous name
- Parenting Plans: Detailed schedules and responsibilities for child custody arrangements
The divorce certificate, issued by the New York State Department of Health, contains more limited information:
- Names of both parties
- Date and place of marriage
- Date of divorce
- County where divorce was granted
- Index number of the case
These records collectively document the legal process and final resolution of the marriage dissolution as determined by the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In St. Lawrence County?
Individuals requiring official proof of divorce in St. Lawrence County have several options depending on their specific documentation needs and their relationship to the case. The most commonly recognized proofs of divorce include certified copies of the divorce decree and divorce certificates.
For certified copies of the divorce decree (final judgment):
- Submit a written request to the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court Clerk:
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
- Include in your request:
- Full names of both parties as they appear on the divorce decree
- Date of divorce (approximate if exact date unknown)
- Index number (if known)
- Your relationship to the case
- Copy of your government-issued photo ID
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
- Payment of $8.00 per certified copy
For certified divorce certificates:
-
Complete the New York State Department of Health application form DOH-4382
-
Submit the application to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602
(855) 322-1022
NYS Department of Health Vital Records
- Include:
- $30 fee per certificate (check or money order)
- Copy of valid photo identification
- Documentation proving eligibility (if not a party to the divorce)
For divorce verification letters (available to the general public):
- Complete the New York State Department of Health application form DOH-4382
- Submit to the same address with a $30 fee
- These letters confirm only the fact and date of divorce without additional details
Processing times vary by agency and request volume, with court-issued documents typically requiring 2-4 weeks and Department of Health certificates taking 4-6 weeks for processing.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In St. Lawrence County?
Divorce proceedings in St. Lawrence County may be subject to various confidentiality protections under specific circumstances, though complete confidentiality is rare. The New York court system balances the presumption of public access to court records with legitimate privacy concerns in accordance with New York Domestic Relations Law § 235, which specifically addresses the confidential nature of certain matrimonial records.
Circumstances where confidentiality may apply include:
- Automatic sealing of financial disclosure affidavits and statements
- Cases involving allegations of domestic violence where protective orders are in place
- Matters substantially affecting the welfare of minor children
- Proceedings containing sensitive health information protected under HIPAA
- Cases where public access would pose a risk to personal safety
Parties seeking additional confidentiality protections may:
- File a motion for a sealing order with the presiding judge
- Demonstrate compelling reasons why public access would cause harm
- Request redaction of sensitive personal identifiers from public documents
Even when records are sealed from general public access, they remain available to:
- The parties to the divorce
- Their attorneys of record
- Court personnel with legitimate need for access
- Individuals with a court order authorizing access
Alternative confidential divorce options include:
- Collaborative divorce processes that minimize court filings
- Mediation with private settlement agreements (though the final judgment remains a public record)
- Stipulation to seal specific sensitive exhibits or testimony
It is important to note that while certain components of divorce records may be confidential, the basic fact of the divorce and the final judgment are generally matters of public record in New York State.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In St. Lawrence County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in St. Lawrence County varies significantly based on multiple factors, including case complexity, level of agreement between parties, court caseloads, and the specific legal pathway chosen. The New York State Unified Court System provides general timeframe guidelines while acknowledging that individual cases may vary substantially.
Uncontested divorces typically follow this timeline:
- Filing to judgment: 3-6 months
- Additional time for judgment processing: 2-4 weeks
- Total average time: 4-7 months
Contested divorces have much more variable timeframes:
- Minimum duration: 6 months
- Average duration: 9-18 months
- Complex cases with significant assets or custody disputes: 2+ years
According to the New York State Unified Court System, specific factors affecting timeframes include:
- Mandatory 120-day waiting period after filing before final judgment in most cases
- Court congestion and scheduling availability in St. Lawrence County
- Attorney availability and preparation time
- Discovery process complexity and cooperation
- Need for expert witnesses (financial, custody evaluators, etc.)
- Settlement negotiation progress
- Judicial availability for hearings and trials
Recent statistics from the New York State Office of Court Administration indicate that the 4th Judicial District, which includes St. Lawrence County, has an average disposition time of 343 days for contested matrimonial cases and 149 days for uncontested matters.
Expedited processes are available in limited circumstances:
- Simplified uncontested divorces with no children and minimal property: 2-3 months
- Emergency situations involving domestic violence: Temporary orders within days
- Cases with full agreement on all issues at filing: 3-4 months
The COVID-19 pandemic created significant backlogs in the court system that continue to affect processing times, though the courts have implemented various efficiency measures to address these delays.
How Long Does St. Lawrence County Keep Divorce Records?
St. Lawrence County divorce records are subject to comprehensive retention requirements established by the New York State Unified Court System and the New York Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.25, which governs records management for court documents. These retention schedules ensure the permanent preservation of these important legal records.
The retention periods for different components of divorce records are as follows:
- Final Judgments of Divorce: Permanent retention
- Case files for contested divorces: Permanent retention
- Case files for uncontested divorces: Permanent retention
- Exhibits filed with the court: Retained until 2 years after final disposition, after which they may be returned to the submitting parties
- Financial disclosure statements: Sealed but permanently retained
- Temporary orders: Retained as part of the permanent case file
- Transcripts of proceedings: Permanently retained when filed with the court
The New York State Department of Health maintains a separate system for divorce certificates with the following retention schedule:
- Original divorce certificates: Permanent retention
- Index to divorce records: Permanent retention
- Divorce verification records: Permanent retention
According to the New York State Archives Records Retention Schedule for county records, divorce proceedings are classified as permanent records due to their significant legal and historical value.
For research purposes, older divorce records may be transferred to different storage systems:
- Records from 1847-1969: May be maintained on microfilm
- Records from 1970-2000: May be in paper format in archival storage
- Records from 2000-present: Increasingly maintained in electronic format
Researchers seeking historical divorce records should note that records may be stored in different locations based on age:
- Recent records (last 25 years): St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
- Older records: May be transferred to the St. Lawrence County Archives
- Historical records (pre-1900): May be available through the New York State Archives
How To Get a Divorce In St. Lawrence County
Residents seeking to dissolve a marriage in St. Lawrence County must follow specific procedures established under New York State law. The divorce process varies depending on whether the case is contested or uncontested.
For uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all issues):
-
Determine eligibility under New York residency requirements:
- At least one spouse has been a resident for at least 2 years, or
- Both spouses are residents and the grounds occurred in New York, or
- Either spouse has been a resident for at least 1 year and the marriage occurred in New York or the couple lived in New York as married, or the grounds occurred in New York
-
Prepare and file the initial documents with the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court:
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
-
Required documents include:
- Summons with Notice (Form UD-1) or Summons and Verified Complaint (Forms UD-1a and UD-2)
- Notice of Automatic Orders
- Notice Concerning Continuation of Health Care Coverage
- Filing fee of $210
-
Serve the non-filing spouse with divorce papers
-
Complete remaining paperwork including:
- Affidavit of Service
- Sworn statements regarding agreements on property, support, and custody
- Proposed settlement agreement
- Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
- Judgment of Divorce
For contested divorces (where spouses disagree on one or more issues):
- File the same initial documents as an uncontested divorce
- The responding spouse files an Answer to the Complaint
- Preliminary Conference is scheduled to identify disputed issues
- Discovery process to exchange financial and other relevant information
- Court-ordered mediation may be required for custody and visitation disputes
- Settlement conferences with the judge to resolve outstanding issues
- Trial on unresolved issues if settlement cannot be reached
- Judgment of Divorce issued by the court
Free resources for divorce assistance include:
- New York Courts DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Forms
- New York State Courts Help Centers
- Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (for income-eligible residents)
Individuals may also seek assistance from private attorneys or use the services of the New York State Unified Court System's Collaborative Family Law Center for alternative dispute resolution options.
How To Get Divorce Papers In St. Lawrence County
Individuals seeking divorce papers in St. Lawrence County have several options for obtaining the necessary forms to initiate or respond to divorce proceedings. The New York State Unified Court System provides standardized forms that are accepted in all counties throughout the state.
To obtain uncontested divorce packets:
-
Download forms directly from the New York State Unified Court System website
- Forms are available in fillable PDF format
- Separate packets exist for divorces with children and without children
- Instructions are included with form packets
-
Request forms in person from the St. Lawrence County Supreme Court:
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
48 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-2261
St. Lawrence County Supreme Court
- Visit the Help Center at the courthouse for assistance with form completion:
- Available Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- No appointment necessary
- Staff cannot provide legal advice but can answer procedural questions
For contested divorce proceedings:
- The initial filing forms are the same as uncontested divorces
- Additional forms will be provided by the court as the case progresses
- Forms for specific motions are available at the courthouse or online
For individuals with limited English proficiency:
- Forms are available in multiple languages through the court website
- Interpreter services can be requested at the courthouse
For individuals with disabilities:
- Accommodations can be requested through the ADA Coordinator at the courthouse
- Alternative format documents are available upon request
The complete uncontested divorce packet includes approximately 37 forms, though not all are required in every case. Key documents include:
- Summons with Notice (Form UD-1)
- Verified Complaint (Form UD-2)
- Affidavit of Service (Form UD-3)
- Sworn Statement of Removal of Barriers to Remarriage (Form UD-4)
- Affirmation of Regularity (Form UD-5)
- Affidavit of Plaintiff (Form UD-6)
- Affidavit of Defendant (Form UD-7)
- Child Support Worksheet (Form UD-8)
- Support Collection Unit Information Sheet (Form UD-8a)
- Findings of Fact/Conclusions of Law (Form UD-10)
- Judgment of Divorce (Form UD-11)
- Part 130 Certification (Form UD-12)
- Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) (Form UD-13)