Divorce records in Cattaraugus County, New York, can be accessed through several channels. CattaraugusCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office, or the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. The type of document you need — a court filing versus a vital record certificate — determines which office to contact.
Cattaraugus Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are heard by the Supreme Court, which functions as the state's trial-level court for matrimonial matters. The Cattaraugus County court system includes a Supreme Court that handles divorce proceedings filed in the county. After a divorce is granted, the court clerk maintains the case file, which typically includes:
- Judgment of divorce (the decree)
- Settlement or separation agreements
- Custody and visitation orders
- Equitable distribution rulings
- Related motions and filings
The New York State Department of Health also maintains divorce certificates for divorces granted anywhere in the state. These certificates contain basic information — names of the parties, date of divorce, and county — but not the full case details found in court records.
The primary local office for court-related divorce records is:
Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office
Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office records are now available online, which may assist with locating certain indexed documents.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Cattaraugus
Understanding where divorce records are filed helps you contact the right office on the first try.
Supreme Court — Cattaraugus County
All divorce actions in Cattaraugus County are filed in and decided by the New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court clerk's office retains the complete case file, including the judgment of divorce, pleadings, financial disclosures, and any orders issued during the proceeding. If you need a copy of the actual divorce decree or any document from the case file, this is where to start.
You can find commonly requested court forms on the county website, including links to New York State court forms.
Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office
The County Clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme Court in New York. Divorce judgments are filed with and indexed by this office. Requests for copies of divorce decrees or certified copies of judgments should be directed here.
If a record is not readily accessible through the online system, you may submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request using the county's FOIL request form.
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section
The state vital records office issues divorce certificates (not full court files) for divorces granted in New York from January 1963 to the present. For divorces before 1963, contact the Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office directly. Use this office when you need a certified divorce certificate for purposes such as remarriage or name changes rather than the full court record.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Cattaraugus
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from NYS Department of Health | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of same divorce certificate (ordered at same time) | $15.00 | Included with initial order |
| Court record copy (per page, County Clerk) | $0.65 per page | Varies; in-person requests may be same day |
| Certified copy of court document (County Clerk) | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00) | Varies |
| FOIL request for records | $0.25 per page (standard photocopy) | 5 business days acknowledgment; fulfillment varies |