Access St. Lawrence County Probate Court Records
St. Lawrence County probate court records are on file at the Surrogate's Court in Canton, New York. The court sits at 48 Court Street and has estate records dating back to 1830. You can search for records online using the WebSurrogate portal or go to the courthouse in person. St. Lawrence County is the largest county in New York by land area and is part of the 4th Judicial District. The court requires mandatory e-filing for cases with attorney representation.
St. Lawrence County Overview
St. Lawrence County Surrogate's Court
The Surrogate's Court in St. Lawrence County handles all probate court records for the county. This includes the probate of wills, intestate administration, guardianship cases, and adoption matters. The court is at 48 Court Street in Canton. St. Lawrence County is part of the 4th Judicial District, which covers much of the North Country region of New York.
Hon. Michelle H. Ladouceur serves as the Surrogate Judge. The court has records going back to 1830. St. Lawrence County is the largest county in New York State by area, covering more than 2,800 square miles. Despite its size, there is only one Surrogate's Court, so all estate cases from every corner of the county must be filed in Canton. The county borders Canada to the north, which sometimes creates cross-border estate issues.
The court uses mandatory e-filing for cases where parties have a lawyer. This was put in place to make the process faster and cut down on paper filings. Self-represented parties can still file in person at the courthouse.
| Court | St. Lawrence County Surrogate's Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
48 Court Street Canton, NY 13617 |
| Phone | (315) 379-2217 |
| StLawrenceSurrogate@nycourts.gov | |
| Judge | Hon. Michelle H. Ladouceur |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Records Since | 1830 |
| E-Filing | Mandatory for represented parties |
How to Search Probate Court Records
You can search St. Lawrence County probate court records in two ways: online or at the courthouse in Canton.
WebSurrogate is the free state search tool. It covers St. Lawrence County. Search by party name and narrow results by date of death. The File Search works best when you have a case number. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 are viewable online. For older records, you need to visit the courthouse, where public access computers let you see unrestricted historical files.
Because St. Lawrence County is so large, many people live far from Canton. The online tools are especially useful here. But if you need to see older records or get certified copies, a trip to the courthouse may be the only option. Call (315) 379-2217 or email StLawrenceSurrogate@nycourts.gov before making the drive. Staff can tell you if the file you need is available and what it will take to get copies.
To search for records, you will need:
- Full name of the person who died
- Approximate date of death
- File or docket number if known
- Type of proceeding you are looking for
St. Lawrence County Probate Court Records Fees
Filing fees follow the statewide schedule under SCPA 2402. The fee depends on the estate's gross value. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, it is $75. Between $20,000 and $50,000, the fee is $215. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 cost $280. For $100,000 to $250,000, the fee is $420. Estates worth $250,000 to $500,000 pay $625. The top fee of $1,250 applies to estates of $500,000 or more.
If someone contests the will, extra fees kick in. Objections under SCPA 1410 cost $150. A jury trial demand is $150. A note of issue is $45. Certified copies cost $6 per page. Searching and certifying a record under 25 years old is $30, and records over 25 years old cost $90 to search and certify.
Tip: Call (315) 379-2217 before your visit to confirm accepted payment methods. Most courts accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
Types of Probate Court Records
The St. Lawrence County Surrogate's Court handles many kinds of estate cases. Probate is the most common type. It happens when someone dies with a valid will. The executor named in the will files a petition, and the court checks that the will follows the rules in SCPA Article 4. The original will is required. Copies are not accepted.
When a person dies without a will, the court handles administration. An administrator is appointed based on priority under New York law. The spouse comes first. Then children, then parents. Small estates valued at $50,000 or less can use the voluntary administration process. It is faster and costs less than full administration.
Other case types include guardianship for minors and incapacitated adults, trust proceedings, estate accountings, and wrongful death actions. Adoption cases are filed here as well but are permanently sealed. Access to guardianship documents, death certificates filed with the court, and papers with social security numbers is restricted.
Mandatory Electronic Filing
St. Lawrence County has mandatory e-filing for probate and administration cases when parties are represented by a lawyer. This means attorneys must use the NYSCEF system to submit all papers. Self-represented parties can file in person at the courthouse or choose to use the electronic system.
NYSCEF is available around the clock. It sends email alerts about filings and court decisions. You can pay fees by credit card through the system. Given the large size of St. Lawrence County, many attorneys find e-filing much easier than driving to Canton for every submission. For technical help, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033.
Historical Records
St. Lawrence County has probate court records dating back to 1830. That is nearly 200 years of estate files. These records are a valuable resource for genealogy research. They can show family ties, property at death, debts owed, and how estates were split among heirs.
The WebSurrogate portal has an Old Index Search for historical records. You can search by file number or name. Not all old records are online yet, so you may need to go to the courthouse to see some files. The New York State Archives in Albany also has older St. Lawrence County probate records on microfilm.
St. Lawrence County Court Resources
The St. Lawrence County Clerk's Office works alongside the Surrogate's Court. Use the WebSurrogate portal or contact the court directly for estate record searches.
Communities in St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County covers a vast area with many small towns and villages. There are no large cities in the county. Communities include Canton, Potsdam, Ogdensburg, Massena, and Gouverneur. All estate cases are filed at the Surrogate's Court at 48 Court Street in Canton.
Nearby Counties
These counties border St. Lawrence County. Probate cases must be filed in the county where the deceased person lived. Check their last address to find the right court.