Step 1
Requests for searches can be done in writing and mailed to the Erie County Clerk's Office, 25 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202. For additional information, please call (716) 858-8785.
Step 2
The search request should be accompanied by a check in the appropriate amount made payable to the Erie County Clerk. Payment can also be made at the time copies are picked up at the Clerk's Office.
Copies of records are $1.00 per page, including $1.00 for the cover page. There is an additional $4.00 charge for each certified copy. Also, an extra fee is charged whenever a search of the records is involved. The search fee is $5.00 for every 2 years for each name in each type of record searched.
Step 3
Please allow three business days for copies to be prepared before you pick them up at the Clerk's Office. Records stored off-site and records of a genealogical or archival nature may take longer to retrieve.
Record Request Form
All out-of-office requests for secure files must be submitted with a Secure Record Request Form. The Form is designed to provide confidentiality and security in cases where personal retrieval of a file is not practical. The Secure File Record Request Form can be downloaded by clicking here.
Information about Particular Record Retrievals
Divorce Records
Divorce records are generally only available to the plaintiff, defendant or attorneys of record. A person who is not a party to a divorce may only review the file by obtaining a notarized statement from one of the litigants or with a court order. For Family Court judgments, consult with that Court for relevant information.
The person requesting such records must provide proper identification. In requesting the records, it is helpful to have as much information as possible such as the index number, the type of record sought, a filing date and the name of the parties.
Naturalization Records
Naturalization records are filed with the Erie County Clerk for the period from 1827 through 1929. The Immigration and Naturalization Service also has records of naturalization, created on and after September 27, 1906. Such records prior to 1900 only contain the name of the applicant, date of naturalization, country of allegiance and names of witnesses. Per the Immigration and Naturalization Service, before 1922, wives and children became citizens through the naturalization of the husband and parent. Some records of arrival from 1891 to 1897 are at the Port of New York and certain other ports. Records of arrival prior to 1891 are maintained by the Central Reference Section, National Archives, Washington, D.C. 20408.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service can be accessed on the internet at: http://www.uscis.gov
Records of persons naturalized by the United States District Court, Western District of New York, may be found at the United States Court House. Questions or comments concerning these records and/or the manner of their storage may be directed to the District Court Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of New York, United States Court House, 68 Court Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 (phone: 716-551-4211).