Cattaraugus County Dissolution Of Marriage

Cattaraugus County dissolution of marriage records are filed at the County Clerk's Office in Little Valley. This county sits in the southwestern part of New York State and is part of the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court in Little Valley handles all divorce cases for the county. If you are trying to find a dissolution of marriage record from Cattaraugus County, the clerk's office holds the full case file. You can request copies there in person or by mail. Online access is limited compared to some larger counties, but the statewide court search system does cover Cattaraugus County cases.

Cattaraugus County Clerk Dissolution Records

The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office sits at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755. The phone number is 716-938-2297 and the fax is 716-938-2773. The County Clerk is Darrell Klute. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also reach the office by email at dtklute@cattco.org.

The clerk keeps every dissolution of marriage case file that has gone through the Cattaraugus County Supreme Court. This includes all the papers filed in the case: the petition, response, financial statements, custody agreements, and the final judgment. To get copies, you need to be one of the parties, their attorney, or someone with a court order. Bring a valid photo ID and know the names of both spouses. The index number or approximate year helps the clerk find the file faster.

The Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office website has information about clerk services and county records.

Contact the office for the current fee schedule for copies and certifications of dissolution records.

Searching Cattaraugus County Dissolution Cases

The Cattaraugus County courts are part of the 8th Judicial District. The Supreme Court in Little Valley handles all dissolution of marriage proceedings. Every divorce case in the county is filed here and the records go to the clerk for storage. The court follows standard New York procedures for matrimonial cases.

Online search options for Cattaraugus County dissolution records are limited. The county does not have its own public records search portal for divorce cases. The statewide WebCivil Supreme system is your best online tool. Pick Cattaraugus from the county list, enter a party name, and search. You can see index numbers, party names, case types, and filing dates. Full documents are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 235 and won't show up online.

The Cattaraugus County government website has general information about county services. The clerk's office page lists hours, contact details, and basic information about available records. For specific dissolution of marriage searches, you need to contact the office directly or use WebCivil.

Copies of Cattaraugus County Dissolution Records

Two paths exist for getting dissolution of marriage records from Cattaraugus County. The full divorce decree with all terms and conditions comes from the County Clerk at 303 Court Street. For a simpler certificate with names and dates, the New York State Department of Health issues dissolution certificates for cases from 1963 to the present.

At the clerk's office, bring your ID and case information. The clerk will pull the file and make copies of the documents you need. Fees follow the standard state schedule in most cases. Plain copies run about $0.65 per page. Certified copies cost $8.00 for the certification on top of page charges. A search fee applies for each name and time period checked.

The Department of Health charges $30 for mail orders and $45 for online or phone orders plus a processing fee. Only the spouses or someone with a court order can get these certificates. Mail requests go to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks for regular handling.

For cases before 1963, the Cattaraugus County Clerk has the only record. There is no state certificate for those older dissolutions. The clerk can search by name or index number to find the file.

Filing for Dissolution in Cattaraugus County

The cost to file a dissolution of marriage case in Cattaraugus County is $210 for the index number. Add $95 for the Request for Judicial Intervention and $30 for the Note of Issue. These are statewide fees that apply in all 62 counties. Fee waivers are available for people who show financial hardship. The court reviews income and decides eligibility.

New York's no-fault ground lets either spouse file by stating the marriage broke down irretrievably for at least six months. This ground was added in 2010. At least one spouse must meet residency requirements before filing. If the marriage took place in New York and one spouse still lives here, one year of continuous residency is needed. Divorce forms are available from the clerk's office or online through the NYS Courts website.

Cattaraugus County Record Access Rules

Dissolution of marriage records in Cattaraugus County follow the same privacy rules as every other county in New York. Section 235 of the Domestic Relations Law makes all matrimonial files confidential. The public cannot view divorce papers. Only the parties to the case, their attorneys, or someone with a court order can see the file.

There is one document that anyone can request. The Certificate of Disposition confirms that a dissolution was granted. It shows the nature and effect of the judgment without revealing the details. This is useful for proving a prior dissolution when applying for a new marriage license.

After 100 years from the filing date, all confidentiality restrictions lift. The records become public and can be viewed by anyone. Researchers interested in historical dissolution records from the 1800s or early 1900s may find some Cattaraugus County files already open for inspection.

Nearby Counties

If a dissolution of marriage was filed in one of these neighboring counties, you need to contact their clerk for records.