Records of divorce in St. Lawrence County, New York, are available through several channels. StLawrenceCourt.us allows you to find publicly accessible information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the divorce decree directly, the County Clerk's office of St. Lawrence County, or the New York State Department of Health (NYS Department of Health), which functions as the civil registration office.
St. Lawrence Divorce Records Search
In New York State, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — a court of general jurisdiction that has the authority to issue divorce decrees. After a judgment of divorce is issued, the original case materials are stored in the office of the court where the case was heard. The County Clerk's office of St. Lawrence County is responsible for storing and issuing court records of the Supreme Court, including divorce case materials.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees / judgments
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Associated procedural documents filed during the case
In addition to court materials, the NYS Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates for divorces filed in the state starting from 1963.
St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in St. Lawrence
Divorces in St. Lawrence County are exclusively handled by the New York State Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial District. This differs from many other states where the "Supreme Court" is the highest appellate court — in New York, this court functions as a trial court with full authority in family matters regarding divorce.
Once a judge signs the judgment of divorce, the decision is registered in the County Clerk's office. This is where the complete case file is stored, and it is the place to contact if you need a copy of the court decision, settlement agreement, or other procedural document.
If you only need a divorce certificate (a short form confirming the fact of divorce), contact the NYS Department of Health. The department issues such certificates for divorces registered after January 1, 1963. For divorces before this date, the only source remains the court's office.
Where to Contact Depending on Your Needs
- Complete court file, court decisions, agreements: St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
- Divorce certificate (from 1963): NYS Department of Health, Vital Records Section
St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office
NYS Department of Health — Vital Records Section
To obtain public records through state agencies, you can also use the Open FOIL NY portal, which simplifies the submission of requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Law.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in St. Lawrence
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) — County Clerk | $0.65 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document — County Clerk | $1.25 for the first 4 pages + $0.65 for each additional | 5–10 business days |
| Civil search in court records — County Clerk | $5.00 per name | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate — NYS Department of Health | $30.00 | Up to 6 weeks (standard processing) |
| Expedited certificate processing — NYS Department of Health | Additional $15.00 | Approximately 15 business days |