Amherst Divorce Records Lookup
Amherst divorce records are maintained by the Erie County Clerk's Office in Buffalo. As part of Erie County and the 8th Judicial District, all divorce filings from Amherst go through the Erie County Supreme Court. Whether you need to search for an old case, get a certified copy of a divorce judgment, or just check whether a divorce was finalized, the county clerk handles it all. You can also get divorce certificates from the New York State Department of Health for cases dating back to 1963. This page covers the steps and resources for finding Amherst divorce records.
Amherst Overview
Erie County Clerk and Amherst Divorce Records
The Erie County Clerk's Office is at Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone number is (716) 858-8785. The current County Clerk is Hon. Mickey Kearns. This office stores divorce decrees and all Supreme Court case files for Erie County, which includes cases filed by Amherst residents.
To get a copy of your divorce records, visit in person with a valid photo ID. Give the clerk the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the index number if you have it. Certified copies usually cost between $5 and $10. A search fee of about $5 per name per two-year period applies if the index number is unknown. You can also mail a written request with a check or money order for the fees.
Access is restricted. Only the people named in the divorce, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can view the file.
Searching Amherst Divorce Cases Online
The WebCivil Supreme system lets you look up case information for free. Choose Erie County from the drop-down, enter a name, and set the status filter to "All." You will see the case index number, filing date, type, status, and assigned judge. The system goes back to around 1983 for most counties.
This tool is an index only. You won't find any actual documents. DRL Section 235 keeps the full contents of matrimonial files sealed from public view. If you need copies, you must go through the Erie County Clerk's Office.
Below is the Erie County Clerk's website, which provides information on records access for Amherst divorce cases.
The Erie County Clerk handles all court records, including divorce filings from Amherst and other towns in the county.
Amherst Divorce Filing Steps
Amherst residents file for divorce at the Erie County Supreme Court. The courthouse is at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. There is also a location at 3 Niagara Square. The phone number is 716-845-9301. The Supreme Court is the only court in New York that grants divorces. You cannot get a divorce through Amherst Town Court or Buffalo City Court.
The index number filing fee is $210. Add $125 for the Note of Issue and $95 for the Request for Judicial Intervention if needed. Total minimum fees for an uncontested divorce come to about $335. For people who can't pay, a fee waiver process exists. You file an affidavit explaining your financial situation, and the court decides whether to waive the cost.
New York requires at least one spouse to be a state resident for two years before filing. A shorter one-year rule exists under certain conditions. The no-fault ground of irretrievable breakdown is used in most cases. That requires the relationship to have been broken down for at least six months. Seven grounds total are listed in DRL Section 170.
Note: All divorce forms are free to download from the NYS Courts website at nycourts.gov/divorce.
State Divorce Certificates for Amherst
The NYS Department of Health has divorce certificates for all New York cases from 1963 to the present. A certificate is not the same as the full decree. It gives the names of both spouses and when the marriage ended, but not the details of the settlement. Only the parties or someone with a court order can request one.
By mail the cost is $30 per copy. Send requests to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Include your ID and a check to "NYS Department of Health." The wait is currently 10 to 12 weeks. For faster service, pay an extra $15 for priority handling, which takes about two weeks. Online and phone orders are $45 plus a vendor fee.
The image below shows the NYS Department of Health vital records page with information about ordering divorce certificates for Amherst and all New York locations.
This portal covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates statewide.
Legal Help for Amherst Divorce
If you need help with a divorce and live in Amherst, there are free resources you can use. The NYS CourtHelp website has a list of court help centers in the 8th Judicial District. Staff there answer questions about forms and procedures. They don't give legal advice. Law Help New York helps connect you with free or low-cost attorneys for divorce and family law cases.
Divorce forms for uncontested cases are on the NYS Courts divorce page. The packet covers the summons, complaint, affidavit of service, financial disclosure, and judgment. You can fill out the forms on screen and print them. The NYSCEF system also lets self-represented people file electronically in Erie County.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
Other towns and cities near Amherst have their own divorce records pages. Check below if your case may have been filed elsewhere.
Erie County Divorce Records
Amherst is in Erie County. All divorce cases filed by Amherst residents are handled at the Erie County Supreme Court. The county clerk at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo keeps the files. Visit the county page for complete details on hours, fees, and how to request records.