Erie County Dissolution Of Marriage
Erie County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk's Actions and Proceedings division in Buffalo. The clerk keeps all Supreme Court case files for dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. Erie County has one of the more detailed online systems in New York for searching these records, along with clear fee schedules and request procedures. Whether you need to find a case number, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or file new dissolution of marriage papers, the Buffalo office is your main resource. The county is part of the 8th Judicial District and serves over 900,000 residents.
Erie County Dissolution Of Marriage Overview
Erie County Clerk Dissolution Of Marriage Records
The Erie County Clerk's divorce records page spells out exactly how to get dissolution of marriage records. The Actions and Proceedings Office is at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. The main office address is 25 Delaware Avenue. Call 716-858-8865 or 716-858-8843 with questions. County Clerk Michael P. Kearns oversees the office.
Matrimonial records in Erie County are sealed under New York State law for 100 years. Only the plaintiff, defendant, or attorney of record can see the full file. A person who is not a party to the dissolution of marriage needs a court order to review the records. This is the same rule in every New York county, but Erie County does a good job of explaining it on their website.
There are three ways to request dissolution of marriage records from the Erie County Clerk.
- In person at the Actions and Proceedings Office at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo
- By mail using the Erie County Divorce Record Request Form, which must be notarized and signed
- Online search through the Erie County Clerk's Public Record Search portal
For mail requests, send the notarized form with payment to the Clerk's Office. Include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. The office will mail copies back to you once the request is processed.
The Erie County Clerk's website provides a dedicated page for divorce record requests with detailed instructions on fees and access rules.
The page covers in-person, mail, and online request methods. It also lists every fee you might encounter when dealing with Erie County dissolution of marriage records.
Searching Erie County Dissolution Cases Online
Erie County gives you two online options for finding dissolution of marriage cases. The RecordsNG web portal lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date. The search itself is free. You need to register for an account to view document images. Keep in mind that dissolution of marriage documents are restricted from public viewing under state law, so even with an account you may not be able to see the actual papers.
The second option is WebCivil Supreme, the statewide search tool. Pick Erie County from the list, enter a name, and you can find case index numbers and basic filing data. WebCivil goes back to 1983. It is free and does not require registration.
Cases that were e-filed after April 3, 2012, are only available through NYSCEF. They will not show up in the local search portal. This is an important detail if you are looking for more recent Erie County dissolution of marriage filings.
The Erie County Clerk's main website has links to all office divisions, including Actions and Proceedings where dissolution records are handled.
From the main site you can find forms, fee schedules, and contact information for specific departments that handle dissolution of marriage records.
Erie County Dissolution Of Marriage Fees
Erie County publishes a clear fee schedule for dissolution of marriage records. The search fee is $5.00 per name for each two-year period for digitized records after 1988. Manual searches of older records cost $10.00 per name per two-year period. Filing a new dissolution of marriage case starts with the $210 index number fee. The RJI costs $95.
Copy fees break down like this. Plain copies cost $1.30 for the first two pages plus $0.65 for each page after that. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first four pages. These are standard rates across most New York counties, though some charge slightly more for certification.
The Department of Health sells dissolution of marriage certificates for $30 by mail. These cover cases from 1963 to present and have basic facts only. For the full decree from Erie County, you need to go through the clerk.
Note: Public access terminals on the first floor and in the Basement Records department at 92 Franklin Street let you search Erie County records for free during business hours.
The RecordsNG portal from the Erie County Clerk lets you search for case records online.
Registration is free. Search by name or case number to find dissolution of marriage case index data.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Erie County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Erie County go through the Supreme Court. Free uncontested divorce packets are available at the Chief Clerk's Office on the ground level of 25 Delaware Avenue, at the Court Resource Center at 77 West Eagle, and online at the NYS Courts website. Packets come in versions for cases with and without children.
The no-fault ground under DRL Section 170(7) is the most common basis for filing in Erie County. Either spouse states that the relationship has broken down for at least six months. Before 2010, New York required fault-based grounds. That is no longer the case. Residency requirements still apply. At least one spouse must have lived in the state for one year before filing.
Cities in Erie County
Several major cities and towns sit within Erie County. All dissolution of marriage records for these areas are handled by the Erie County Clerk in Buffalo. Residents file at the Erie County Supreme Court regardless of which city or town they live in.
Nearby Counties
Erie County borders several Western New York counties. If the dissolution of marriage was filed in one of these neighboring counties, you will need to contact their clerk's office for records.