The St. Lawrence County Seat

Town Clerk

Canton Town Clerk’s Office

Office Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:30AM to 4:00PM (except holidays)


Heidi L. Smith 

Town Clerk/ Tax Collector
Registrar of Vital Statistics/Notary Public
Records Management Officer, Records Access Officer, Marriage Officer
[email protected]
Phone: 315-386-3735 | Fax: 315-386-4881

Municipal Building
60 Main Street, Canton, NY 13617
Phone: 315-386-3735 | Fax: 315-386-4881

Town of Canton Department Listing
Town of Canton Boards and Committees


The town clerk’s office is frequently considered the center of town government, or maybe the front door to the town, serving residents directly through the issuance of licenses and records management and the town board as the recording secretary of town board meetings. 

Registrar of Vital Statistics:
The Town Clerk maintains permanent records of all birth and deaths that occur within the Town of Canton.
Our records date back to 1881 and allow us to assist with genealogical research.  Strict adherence to New York State law is applied when processing requests for vital records.

  • Birth & Death Certificates:

For certified copies, an application is needed.

The cost for a certified birth or death record is $10.00 a copy. We accept cash, check, or credit card. If you are mailing your application for a record, please include a check payable to the Town of Canton and a copy of your driver license/photo ID. We are also available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4pm, if you’d like to stop in person.
*When using a credit/debit card there is a service fee. 

  • Genealogy Searches:

The Town Clerk’s Office also offers genealogy searches and general information. Please use this form to begin the process. Please call the Town Clerk’s office with any questions you may have.

The cost for a genealogy request is $11.00 per search.

Licensing Officer:
The Town Clerk issues many New York State licenses and permits including Marriage, dog, hunting and fishing.
NOTE:  Parking permits are issues at the Canton Police Department.

  • Marriage License:

It is preferred the couple make an appointment to ensure a clerk is available to assist with your Marriage License.

Where do you go to get a married license:
A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both applicants in the presents of the clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the applicant. This applies even if the representative has been given Power of Attorney.

Is there a waiting period?
Yes. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony many NOT take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued.

How long is the license valid?
A marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days, beginning the day after it is issued.

Cost:
$40.00
You can pay with cash, check or card.
*Please note that if you come to the Town of Canton and choose to use a credit/debit card there are additional fees. 

Proof of Age and Identity:
New York State Department of Health requires Proof of Age and Identify:
   Both parties need to bring
1. Birth Certificate
2. Driver’s License/Photo ID/Passport

Previously Married
Information regarding previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the former spouse or spouses are living, and whether the applicants are divorced. A certified copy of the Decree of Divorce or a certified death certificate is required by the clerk issuing the marriage license.

Witness:
There is NO minimum age for a witness. However, in selecting a witness, choose at least one person who you feel would be competent to testify in a court proceeding as to what he or she witnessed.

  • Marriage Certificate:

If you are requesting a copy of a marriage certificate, please send this completed form to the Town Clerk’s office with a check payable to the Town of Canton and a copy of your drivers license/Photo ID. We are available Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4pm, if you’d like to stop in person.

The cost for a certified marriage certificate is $10.00 a copy.

  • Dog Licenses & Renewals:

All dogs over the age of four months in the Town of Canton must be licensed with the Town Clerk and are required to present a current Certificate of Rabies at the time of licensing or the renewal of an existing license.

Fees for a 1- year license:
Spayed/Neutered: $7.00
Unspayed/Unneutered: $14.00

**Current rabies certificate is required to process a dog license or renewal. This certificate should include the veterinarian, the vaccination manufacturer, vaccination serum lot number, the rabies tag number and the vaccination date and length of vaccination.**

 Please call or email ([email protected]) the Town Clerk’s office with any questions you may have.

  • Sporting/Hunting/Fishing Licenses:

All DEC approved hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased at the Town Clerk’s Office. We accept cash, check, or credit card payments for hunting and fishing licenses.

Records Management Officer:
The Town Clerk is the custodian of all town records and is responsible for retrieval and disposition of all records created by any department within the Town.  All F.O.I.L (Freedom of Information)  requests go through the Town Clerk.
Town FOIL Procedure

Additional Services:

  • Notarization of Documents
  • Obtain voter registration forms or absentee ballot applications

St. Lawrence County Board of Elections Link: https://www.stlawco.org/Departments/BoardofElections/

 

All Village and Town applications, forms, and permits can be found here.

All applications, forms, and permits are in PDF format. Click here to download the free Adobe Reader.