Find Cattaraugus County Death Records

Cattaraugus County death records date back to 1880 when New York began requiring local registration of vital events. The county is in southwestern New York with its seat in Little Valley. About 77,000 people live here. The name comes from a Seneca word tied to natural gas odors along the riverbanks. The Cattaraugus County Clerk does not keep birth or death records, so you need to contact the town clerk where the death took place. This page covers how to get death certificates, what they cost, and where to search for older records in Cattaraugus County.

Cattaraugus County Death Record Sources

The Cattaraugus County Clerk at 303 Court Street in Little Valley does not have birth or death records. That is a key fact. The clerk's office handles marriage records from 1908 to 1935, divorce records, court filings, and land records. But for a death certificate, you need the town or city clerk where the death took place. Call the county clerk at (716) 938-9111 if you are not sure which town to contact. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Cattaraugus County was created from Allegany and Genesee counties in 1808. It has over 30 towns and villages spread across a large rural area. Each town clerk keeps death records for events that happened within their borders. If someone died in a hospital, you need the town where the hospital is located, not where the person lived. For example, deaths at Olean General Hospital go through the Town of Olean clerk. Deaths at Gowanda Hospital go through the Town of Persia. Salamanca Hospital falls under the Town of Salamanca.

Fees for Cattaraugus Death Certificates

Certified copies of Cattaraugus County death records cost $10 per document from town clerks. The Cattaraugus County public records office confirms this rate. General photocopies run $0.25 per page for standard letter and legal size. The county clerk and town clerks accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices also take credit cards with a processing fee.

Going through the state costs more. The NYS Department of Health charges $30 per copy by mail and $45 plus a vendor fee for online and phone orders. Most Cattaraugus County residents find it cheaper and faster to go through the local town clerk.

Cattaraugus County Death Record Access Rules

Public records in Cattaraugus County fall under the New York Freedom of Information Law. That means most records are open to anyone. Death certificates are the exception. For the first 50 years after a death, only certain people can get a certified copy. The list includes spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Everyone else needs to show a lawful right, a medical need, or a court order.

After 50 years, death records open up to the general public. Genealogy researchers can then request copies without proving a family connection. The NYS Department of Health also offers uncertified genealogy copies of death records that are at least 50 years old, though the fees and wait times for those can be significant.

Note: Cattaraugus County town clerks follow the same eligibility rules as the rest of New York State for vital records requests.

Cattaraugus County Town Clerk Directory

Cattaraugus County has a long list of towns with clerk offices that handle death records. If you are searching for a specific death record, you need the right town. Here are the towns and cities with clerks: Allegany, Ashford, Carrollton, Cold Spring, Conewango, Dayton, Ellicottville, East Otto, Farmersville, Franklinville, Freedom, Gowanda, Great Valley, Hinsdale, Humphrey, Ischua, Leon, Little Valley, Lyndon, Machias, Mansfield, Napoli, New Albion, Olean, Otto, Perrysburgh, Persia, Portville, Randolph, Red House, Salamanca, South Valley, and Yorkshire.

The Cattaraugus County Courthouse is at 303 Court Street in Little Valley, NY 14755. You can call (716) 938-9111 or (716) 379-6636 for help figuring out which town clerk to contact. The courthouse does not hold vital records, but staff can point you to the right town.

Cattaraugus County Death Records for Genealogy

Statewide registration for deaths in New York started in 1880. Most Cattaraugus County towns were recording deaths by 1890. Birth records took longer to reach full compliance, around 1915. Known start dates for Cattaraugus County records include 1880 for births and deaths, 1908 for marriages, 1850 for court records, 1808 for land records, and 1800 for probate records.

The New York State Archives in Albany has microfiche indexes to deaths from 1880 through 1943 that are free to search in person. The Cattaraugus County USGenWeb site also has genealogical resources and cemetery links that can help with family research. The Surrogate's Court has probate records dating from 1800, which is older than the county itself since the records transferred from the parent counties when Cattaraugus was formed.

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in Cattaraugus County. That means the historical records are generally in good shape.

Cattaraugus County Death Records Screenshot

The Cattaraugus County public records office provides details on fees, office hours, and how to request vital records.

This resource lists the cost for death certificates at $10 per copy and explains the different types of records available through county offices.

Nearby Counties

Allegany County borders Cattaraugus County to the east. Chautauqua County is to the west. Erie County and Wyoming County sit to the north. The Pennsylvania state line runs along the southern edge. If a death occurred in a town that straddles a county line, check with both county clerk offices to figure out which town clerk has the record.