St. Lawrence County Marriage License

St. Lawrence County marriage license records are handled by the town and city clerks spread across this large North Country county. The County Clerk at 48 Court Street in Canton keeps land records, court filings, and historical documents but does not issue marriage licenses. Couples in St. Lawrence County can visit any town clerk in the county or anywhere else in New York State to apply. The process is the same everywhere. Both partners show up, bring their documents, and pay the $40 fee. No blood test is needed. Your license works at any venue in New York for 60 days after the clerk hands it to you.

Canton Town Clerk Marriage License

The Town of Canton Clerk is the main office where many couples in St. Lawrence County go for a marriage license. The office is at 60 Main Street in Canton. Call (315) 386-2871 to check hours or ask about walk-in availability. Both partners must appear in person to fill out the application. You need original birth certificates with a raised seal and a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.

The fee is $40 statewide. Cash is the most common form of payment at smaller town clerk offices, though some now take cards. If you were married before, bring certified copies of your divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse. Under DRL Section 13, the clerk fills out the license form and gives it to you once all documents check out. The 24-hour waiting period starts at that point, per DRL Section 13-b.

Other towns in St. Lawrence County that issue marriage licenses include Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Massena, and Gouverneur. Each has its own town clerk. Pick whichever office works best for you. The license is not tied to the town where you apply or plan to have the ceremony.

Note: St. Lawrence County is the largest county by land area in New York State, so drive times between clerk offices can be significant.

How to Get a Marriage License in St. Lawrence County

Getting a marriage license in St. Lawrence County follows the same steps used across New York State. Walk into any town or city clerk's office with your partner. Bring your birth certificates and photo IDs. Fill out the application form. Pay $40. The clerk reviews everything, issues the license, and you wait 24 hours before the ceremony.

The license is valid for 60 days. Active military members get 180 days with proof of service. A judge can waive the 24-hour waiting period if there is a good reason. After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the clerk who issued it. The clerk files it with the state. About two to four weeks later, a Certificate of Marriage Registration arrives in the mail. That is your proof the marriage is on file.

Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, many different people can perform the ceremony. Judges, town justices, mayors, clergy, and anyone who gets a one-day officiant certificate from a town clerk all qualify. You pick who you want.

St. Lawrence County Marriage License Records

The St. Lawrence County Clerk's office at 48 Court Street in Canton holds various public records. Land records go back to 1802. Court records also start from 1802. Naturalization records span from 1850 to 1950. Census records from 1855 to 1925 are on file as well. The office keeps military records from various wars. The phone number is (315) 379-2202. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with summer hours of 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM from June through August.

For certified copies of a marriage license, contact the town clerk who issued it first. The local fee is $10. You can also request copies from the New York State Department of Health for $30 per copy, though processing takes longer. The DOH genealogy section handles requests for records over 50 years old when both spouses have passed away.

Note: Summer hours at the St. Lawrence County Clerk run from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, June through August.

St. Lawrence County Marriage History

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is a good resource for older records. It sits at 3 East Main Street in Canton. The phone number is (315) 386-8133, and you can email them at slcha@slcha.org. They hold local history materials that may include references to marriages, family records, and community events going back to the early 1800s.

Statewide vital records started in 1881. The New York State Archives holds marriage indexes from that year onward. The New York State Library also has resources for tracing family connections. For DRL Section 14 purposes, the town clerk keeps the original marriage license on file. The state gets a copy through the filing process.

The screenshot below shows the New York State Archives vital records research page. Visit the State Archives to learn about their collections.

The State Archives holds indexes on microfiche that cover marriages across all counties outside New York City from 1881 onward.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit near St. Lawrence County in the North Country region of New York.