Chautauqua County Divorce Records Lookup

Chautauqua County divorce records are held at the County Clerk's Office in Mayville. The office manages divorce judgments, case files, and certified copies for all divorces granted by the county's Supreme Court. Getting a copy of a divorce decree here is fairly straightforward and costs less than in many other counties. The clerk also keeps marriage records from 1908 to 1935 and a range of historical documents including property deeds back to 1811 and naturalization records from 1814 to 1972. For more recent divorce certificates from 1963 forward, the NYS Department of Health can also help. Searching for case details is possible through the state's online court tools.

Chautauqua County Clerk Divorce Records

The Chautauqua County Clerk's Office is at 3 North Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757. Phone: (716) 753-4331. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The clerk maintains divorce records along with marriage records, land records, court files, and other official documents.

Divorce judgment copies in Chautauqua County cost $4 for up to four pages. Each extra page is $1. Most judgments of divorce are less than four pages, so $4 is the typical fee. That makes this one of the cheaper counties in New York for getting a certified copy. You still need to be a party to the case, an attorney of record, or have proper authorization to get the file. Photo ID is required for all in-person requests.

The Chautauqua County Clerk FAQ page addresses common questions about records and fees.

This FAQ covers the types of records held and the costs for copies.

Searching for Chautauqua Divorce Cases Online

The WebCivil Supreme system lets you search for Chautauqua County divorce cases online. Pick the county, enter a party name, and set the results to "All" to include closed cases. You will see the case index number, filing date, status, and judge assignment. The system covers cases from the 1980s forward.

Actual divorce documents are not viewable through WebCivil. The DRL Section 235 confidentiality law keeps matrimonial files sealed. Only the parties, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can view or copy the documents. The files stay sealed for 100 years from the date of the final decree.

For electronic filing, NYSCEF is available in Chautauqua County. Cases filed electronically can be tracked online by registered parties.

Filing for Divorce in Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County is part of the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court handles all divorce filings here. To start, you buy an index number for $210. The Note of Issue is $125 or $30 depending on the case. A Request for Judicial Intervention is $95 if needed. The minimum total for an uncontested divorce is $335 in court fees.

You have 120 days from filing to serve the defendant. The person who serves must be over 18 and cannot be the plaintiff. If the defendant signs the Affidavit of Defendant, you can move the case along right away. If the defendant ignores the papers, you wait 40 days before placing the case on the calendar. New York has seven grounds for divorce. The no-fault option under DRL Section 170(7) is the most used.

The 8th Judicial District has an Alternative Dispute Resolution program. This includes mediation and arbitration for matrimonial matters. A Court Help Center provides free procedural information and forms.

Chautauqua County Divorce Decree Copies

To get a certified copy of a Chautauqua County divorce decree, visit or write to the clerk at 3 North Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757. The fee is $4 for documents up to four pages. Bring the full names of both parties and the approximate date. Photo ID is required. Mail requests should include all identifying information and a check or money order for the fee.

The NYS Department of Health also provides divorce certificates for cases from 1963 forward. The fee is $30 by mail or $45 online. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks for mail orders. Send requests to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Either spouse or someone with a court order can apply.

The NYS Archives confirms that divorce records since 1847 are maintained by the county clerk where the case was heard. For Chautauqua County, the clerk in Mayville is the primary source for the full divorce decree and court file.

Note: Marriage records at the Chautauqua County Clerk cover only 1908 to April 1935.

Historical Records in Chautauqua County

The Chautauqua County Clerk has a deep collection of historical records beyond divorce files. Property deeds and mortgages go back to 1811. Naturalization records cover 1814 to 1972. State Census records are available from 1825 to 1925. These can be useful for genealogical research that connects to divorce proceedings, especially in older cases where the 100-year sealing period has passed.

The NYS Library Vital Records page lists additional state-level resources for family history research. Genealogical copies of vital records cost $22 each from the Department of Health. These uncertified copies work for research but not for legal use.

Nearby Counties

If the divorce was filed in a county near Chautauqua, contact that county's clerk for records. Divorce documents are only available from the county where the case was heard.