St. Lawrence County Background Check

St. Lawrence County background check records are managed by the County Clerk, the Sheriff's Office, and the courts of the 4th Judicial District. The county seat is Canton. St. Lawrence is the largest county in New York by land area. It borders Canada along the St. Lawrence River and has about 108,000 residents. Criminal records, civil court files, and public records are available through several offices. This guide covers the main sources for a background check in St. Lawrence County.

St. Lawrence County Clerk Records

The St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office is at 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617. Phone is 315-379-2237. The office is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The Clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme and County Court, Registrar of Deeds, and Chief Records Officer.

A note from the office: employees of the St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. If you need legal help, contact the St. Lawrence County Bar Association. For forms and general court information, visit nycourthelp.gov.

As of June 1, 2024, all criminal or civil search requests must use the fillable Search Request Form. The search fee is $5.00 per name plus $0.65 per page for copies. Free in-person record inspection is available under Public Officers Law Section 87(1)(b)(iii). All documents filed in the clerk's office must have an index number on the front page.

Index numbers are assigned only to actions heard by NYS Supreme Court or St. Lawrence County Court. Civil actions start in the County Clerk's office. Initial filings typically consist of a summons and complaint or a summons with notice. All filed documents must be originals. Divorces are sealed and can only be accessed by the parties and their attorneys.

St. Lawrence County Courts and Background Check

St. Lawrence County courts include Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, the Ogdensburg City Court, and Town and Village Justice Courts. The County Clerk's Office is the official repository for Supreme and County Court records.

Court records go back to the county's formation in 1802. Records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits. Arrest reports are kept for 5 years after the date of arrest. Felony case files are retained for 25 years after disposition. Capital offense files are maintained permanently. Court dockets and indices are permanent.

Online records are accessible at searchiqs.com/NYSTL. For IQS support, call 1-800-320-2617. Credit card payments are accepted with a surcharge of 2.65%, with a $3.00 minimum up to $100.00. The office also offers a Fraud Alert registration service that emails you when documents are recorded under your name.

Fees are set by New York State and may change. The WebCrims portal offers free basic searches of criminal cases. The eCourts system provides court calendar and appearance data.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Background Check Records

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office is at 48 Court Street, Building #8, Canton, New York 13617. Phone is 315-379-2222. Criminal records include arrest records, court records, conviction records, and incarceration records.

The Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate lookup. The Sex Offender Registry offers free public access to registered sex offenders in St. Lawrence County. For records requests, provide the full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. FOIL requests should be submitted in writing.

Juvenile records are generally sealed under New York Family Court Act Section 375.1. Active investigation records may be held back. Sealed records under CPL 160.58 and CPL 160.59 have restricted access throughout the county. The Sheriff's Office is open Monday through Friday. Have the full name and date of birth ready when you call. Written requests get a response within five to ten business days in most cases.

Statewide Background Check Options

The Office of Court Administration statewide search costs $95 per name. It covers all 62 counties. The DCJS fingerprint-based check costs about $62 to $65. DCJS records are not public and cannot be obtained through FOIL.

Under the Freedom of Information Law, any person can request records from St. Lawrence County agencies. Under Public Officers Law Sections 84 through 90, agencies must respond within five business days. The standard copy fee is 25 cents per page.

New York's Clean Slate Act took effect November 16, 2024. Misdemeanor convictions become eligible for automatic sealing three years after sentence completion. Felonies qualify after eight years. Sex offenses and non-drug Class A felonies are excluded. The OCA has three years to build the system. Contact DCJS at 518-457-9847 for questions about your criminal history.

Additional Background Check Resources

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision inmate lookup covers state prisons. Search by name, DIN, or NYSID. A driving record abstract is $7 online from the DMV. DWI convictions stay on record for 15 years. These sources can be combined with county records for a more complete background check in St. Lawrence County.

Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct are available through the court system. These do not seal records but create a presumption of rehabilitation. There is no filing fee. Apply in the court where your last conviction occurred.

Municipalities in St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County has no cities that meet the population threshold for individual pages. The county includes the City of Ogdensburg and numerous towns and villages. All criminal and civil matters go through the St. Lawrence County court system or local justice courts.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Lawrence County. Each has its own court system and clerk's office for background check records.