Cattaraugus County Divorce Records

Cattaraugus County divorce records are maintained at the County Clerk's Office in Little Valley. The office sits on Court Street and handles all requests for divorce judgments, certified copies, and case searches. Divorce filings in Cattaraugus County go through the Supreme Court, which is the only court in New York with jurisdiction over marriage termination. If you are trying to find a divorce record or need a copy of a decree, the clerk is your starting point. The state Department of Health keeps divorce certificates from 1963 on, giving you a second option for more recent cases. Online searching is available through the Cott Systems vendor and the statewide WebCivil portal.

Cattaraugus County Clerk Divorce Information

The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office is at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. Phone: 716-938-9111. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk acts as the filing point for all Supreme Court divorce records in the county. That includes the original judgment of divorce, case documents, and any amendments.

A certified copy of a judgment of divorce costs $5.00 at the Cattaraugus County Clerk. This is on the low end compared to some other New York counties. Other fees for divorce-related filings include $210 for an index number, $30 for the Note of Issue, and $95 for a Request for Judicial Intervention. The dissolution of marriage with copies costs $15.00. These fees are set by state rules and can change.

The Cattaraugus County Clerk website gives details on office hours and available services.

Visit this page for current hours, payment options, and directions to the office.

Searching Cattaraugus County Divorce Records

You can search Cattaraugus County records online through the county clerk's records portal. The Cattaraugus County Clerk offers access to filed documents. The WebCivil Supreme system also has Cattaraugus County case data. Select the county name, enter the party's name, and set the filter to "All" to catch both active and disposed cases.

Remember that divorce documents are sealed under DRL Section 235. Online tools will show you basic case information like the index number, filing date, and whether the case is open or closed. But the actual divorce decree, pleadings, and other filings are not viewable to the public. You must be a party, an attorney of record, or have a court order to see those documents. The 100-year sealing rule applies to all matrimonial files in New York.

In-person requests at the clerk's office require photo ID.

How to File for Divorce in Cattaraugus County

All divorce cases in Cattaraugus County are filed with the Supreme Court. The county is part of the 8th Judicial District. Filing starts when you purchase an index number for $210 from the clerk. You then serve the defendant within 120 days. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not the plaintiff. After service, you file the Note of Issue to put the case on the court's calendar.

New York provides seven grounds for divorce under Domestic Relations Law Section 170. Most people use the no-fault ground, which is "irretrievable breakdown" for at least six months. The other grounds include cruel treatment, abandonment, imprisonment, adultery, and two options based on separation agreements or judgments. Residency rules require at least one spouse to have lived in New York for one or two years depending on the circumstances.

If you cannot pay the filing fees, you may apply for poor person status through the court. Divorce forms are free at the NYS Courts divorce page or from the court clerk. The 8th Judicial District also offers an Alternative Dispute Resolution program with mediation for matrimonial matters.

Note: The 8th Judicial District covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties.

Cattaraugus County Divorce Decree Copies

To get a certified copy of a Cattaraugus County divorce decree, visit or write to the clerk at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. Bring the names of both parties, the date of divorce, and the index number if you have it. The fee is $5.00 for a certified copy. You need to be a party to the case, have an attorney who was on the case, or present a court order allowing access.

The NYS Department of Health keeps divorce certificates for any case from 1963 forward. These cost $30 by mail or $45 online. Processing by mail takes 10 to 12 weeks. The New York State Archives has additional guidance on where to get divorce decree copies. For Cattaraugus County divorces before 1963, the county clerk is the only source.

The state archives page below explains the process for getting divorce decree copies from any New York county including Cattaraugus.

This resource covers the 100-year sealing period and who can request records.

Legal Help for Cattaraugus County Divorce

The 8th Judicial District Court Help Center provides free procedural information, forms, and explanations to people filing without a lawyer. Staff there cannot give legal advice. The NYSCEF electronic filing system is available for Cattaraugus County cases if you want to file online. The NYS CourtHelp website lists court help center locations statewide.

Law Help New York at lawhelp.org/ny connects people with free or low-cost legal services. If you need your divorce judgment authenticated for use in another country, first get a certified copy from the clerk and then contact the NYS Department of State Apostille Unit.

Nearby Counties

Cattaraugus County shares borders with several other counties in western New York. Divorce records are filed in whichever county the case was heard.