Legal Costs in Buffalo, NY (2026)
Filing fees for LLCs, divorce, small claims, and notary services in Buffalo — all sourced from official New York state records.
Buffalo is a city in Erie County, New York. Whether you're starting a business, filing a small claims case, or going through a divorce, the fees you pay are set at the New York state level — not the city or county level — with limited exceptions for county-specific court fees. Forming an LLC costs $200 in state filing fees. Small claims cases can be filed for disputes up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Court. Divorce filing fees in New York start at $335. All figures on this page are verified from official New York government sources and updated for 2026.
Form an LLC in Buffalo, NY
To form an LLC with a Buffalo address, you file with the New York Secretary of State — not the city or county. The state filing fee is $200. Standard processing takes 7 business days. There is also an annual report fee of $9.
New York requires LLCs to publish a notice in two newspapers for 6 weeks. Costs range from $50 upstate to $1,200+ in NYC counties.
| State filing fee | $200 |
| Annual report fee | $9 |
| Standard processing | 7 business days |
| Expedited processing | 1 |
| Publication cost | $200 |
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Small Claims Court in Buffalo
Small claims cases in Buffalo are heard at the Small Claims Court in Erie County. The maximum you can sue for is $10,000. Filing fees range from $15–$20 depending on the claim amount.
| Court name | Small Claims Court |
| Filing location | Erie County |
| Maximum claim limit | $10,000 |
| Filing fee | $15–$20 |
| Written contract SOL | 6 years |
| Oral contract SOL | 6 years |
Where to File in Buffalo
Always call ahead to verify hours and accepted payment methods before visiting. Hours may vary on holidays.
Sue Someone in Buffalo? Prepare Your Documents First
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Filing for Divorce in Buffalo
Divorce petitions in Buffalo are filed at the Erie County courthouse. The Erie County court divorce filing fee is $335. Sheriff service costs $60.
We have verified divorce filing fees specifically for Erie County. See full Erie County divorce fee details →
| Filing location | Erie County Courthouse |
| Filing fee | $335 (Erie County) |
| Sheriff service fee | $60 |
| Children surcharge | None |
| Parenting class | Not required |
| Certified copy fee | $8 |
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Find a Notary in Buffalo, NY
New York caps notary fees at $2 per notarial act ($25 for remote online notarization). Common places to find a notary in Buffalo: your bank (often free for account holders), UPS Store, FedEx Office, public libraries, and law offices.
New York also allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) — get documents notarized via video call from anywhere, capped at $25. Useful if you can't travel to a Buffalo notary in person.
| Acknowledgment fee cap | $2 |
| Jurat fee cap | $2 |
| RON (remote online) | $25 |
| State fee law | Yes — fee cap enforced |
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