Search Buffalo Divorce Records
Buffalo divorce records are filed with the Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo. The Erie County Supreme Court handles all divorce cases for Buffalo residents, and the clerk's office keeps the full case files, judgments, and decrees. If you need to search for a divorce record or get a copy of a divorce decree filed in Buffalo, the County Clerk is the place to start. You can visit in person, send a mail request, or check case details online through the state court system. The process is straightforward once you know what you need and where to look.
Buffalo Overview
Erie County Clerk Divorce Records
The Erie County Clerk's Office is at Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. The current County Clerk is Hon. Mickey Kearns. Phone the main line at (716) 858-8785 for questions about divorce records. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
The clerk holds divorce decrees, judgments of divorce, and full Supreme Court case files for all divorces filed in Erie County. These records are sealed under New York State law. Only parties to the divorce, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can view the files or get copies. You will need valid photo ID that matches your name on the case. If you are sending someone on your behalf, they need a notarized letter of authorization from you or your lawyer.
Certified copies of divorce judgments typically cost $5 to $8 depending on document length. Uncertified copies run about $0.65 per page. A record search costs $5.00 per name per two-year period.
The Erie County Clerk website shown below provides details on available records and how to request them.
This is the main page for the Erie County Clerk, where Buffalo divorce cases are filed and stored.
Buffalo Divorce Court Information
The Erie County Supreme Court handles all divorce cases in Buffalo. The courthouse is at 25 Delaware Avenue and 3 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY. The phone is 716-845-9301. A second number, 716-845-3207, connects to another division. The Matrimonial Part of the Supreme Court processes both contested and uncontested divorces.
Buffalo City Court at 50 Delaware Avenue does not handle divorces. That is a common mistake. Only the Supreme Court has the power to grant a divorce in New York. If you go to City Court by accident, they will send you to the Supreme Court building instead. Family Court is also unable to grant divorces, though it can handle custody and support matters.
Erie County is part of the 8th Judicial District, which also covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. The district offers Alternative Dispute Resolution for mediation and arbitration in matrimonial matters.
How to Search Buffalo Divorce Records
The fastest way to look up a Buffalo divorce case online is through WebCivil Supreme. Pick Erie County from the county list, enter a party name, and search. The results show the case index number, filing date, case type, and current status. This won't show you the actual documents. Those are sealed and must be requested from the clerk.
You can also use NYSCEF to check on electronically filed cases. If the divorce was filed through NYSCEF, some case information may be visible online. But matrimonial files are restricted to the parties and their attorneys.
For in-person searches, go to the Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street. Bring your photo ID and as much case information as you have. The index number speeds things up. If you don't have it, staff can search by name, but there will be a fee for each name searched.
Getting Buffalo Divorce Copies by Mail
To request copies by mail, write to Erie County Clerk, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Include both party names, the date of divorce if known, and your relationship to the case. You must explain why you are entitled to the records since divorce files are sealed. Enclose a check or money order for the search and copy fees. Also include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
For divorce certificates from 1963 or later, the New York State Department of Health can also help. Their certificates contain basic information about the divorce. The fee is $30 by mail or $45 online. Mail requests go to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Allow 10 to 12 weeks for processing.
Note: The DOH certificate is different from the full divorce decree kept by the Erie County Clerk.
Buffalo Divorce Filing Costs
Filing for divorce in Erie County Supreme Court starts at $210 for the index number. The Note of Issue costs $125. A Request for Judicial Intervention is $95. The total minimum for an uncontested divorce runs about $335. Each motion adds $45. A certified copy of the final judgment is $8.
If you cannot afford these fees, you can fill out a "Poor Person" application asking the court to waive them. You will need to show proof of income. The Help Center at the courthouse can give you the forms and walk you through the process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the steps.
Legal Help in Buffalo
The 8th Judicial District Court Help Center provides free procedural information and divorce forms. They can explain how the court process works but cannot act as your attorney. The NYS Courts divorce page has downloadable forms and a Do-It-Yourself program for uncontested divorces. Erie County also participates in NYSCEF, so you can file electronically if you choose.
Under Domestic Relations Law Section 235, all matrimonial records remain sealed for 100 years from the final decree. The New York State Archives has a page explaining where to get copies of divorce decrees for any county. For historical research, the NYS Library vital records page points to additional resources.
Erie County Divorce Records
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. All divorce cases for Buffalo residents are filed through the Erie County Supreme Court and stored at the County Clerk's office.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also have divorce records pages with local court and clerk details.