Amherst Family Court Records
Amherst family court records are maintained at the Erie County Family Court in Buffalo. The Town of Amherst does not have its own Family Court. All family law matters for Amherst residents go through the Erie County courthouse at One Niagara Plaza. You can search case information using the WebFamily portal or call the court at 716-845-7400 for records help. The court is part of the 8th Judicial District and runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No filing fees are charged for Family Court petitions.
Amherst Overview
Erie County Family Court Serving Amherst
The Erie County Family Court is at One Niagara Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202. This is where Amherst residents go for all family court matters. The main phone is 716-845-7400, and the fax is 716-845-2119. Ten judges sit on the bench, spread across Parts 1 through 8 on the sixth and seventh floors. The Chief Clerk is Kelly Buckley, who can be reached at kbuckley@nycourts.gov or 716-845-7444. The Deputy Chief Clerk is Lisa A. Virgilio.
The judges serving Amherst and all of Erie County include Hon. Jeffrey M. Harrington in Part 1, Hon. Sharon LoVallo in Part 2, Hon. Kelly Brinkworth in Part 3, Hon. Shannon Filbert in Part 4, Hon. Kevin Carter and Hon. Thomas DiMillo sharing Part 5, Hon. Kara Buscaglia in Part 6, Hon. Deanne Tripi in Part 7, Hon. Mary G. Carney in Part 8, and Hon. Brenda M. Freedman. Each judge has a direct phone line. The Record Room is at 716-845-7401, and Petition Processing is at 716-845-7420.
The Erie County Family Court website has full details on all judges, staff, and services available to Amherst residents who need the court.
The official court page lists judges, phone numbers, and procedures for Amherst residents filing in Erie County Family Court.
Family Court Cases for Amherst Residents
The Erie County Family Court handles custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, adoption, paternity, abuse and neglect of children, family offenses (domestic violence), juvenile delinquency, and PINS cases for Amherst residents. The court cannot grant a divorce. That has to go to Erie County Supreme Court. Under the Family Court Act, jurisdiction covers a broad set of family matters, but matrimonial proceedings stay with the Supreme Court.
Support Magistrates handle the money side of family cases. They set initial support orders and hear modification requests. The Support Magistrates Office at the Erie County court is at 716-845-7465. If you disagree with a magistrate's order, you can file an objection and have a Family Court judge review it. Court Attorney Referees also assist with certain case types, and they can be reached at 716-845-7450.
The court has a cutoff time for same-day hearings. If you need an emergency hearing on a custody, visitation, or family offense matter, file your petition early. The policy requires filing at least 30 minutes before closing for same-day review. Call Petition Processing at 716-845-7420 for details on the current cutoff time and what documents you need to bring.
The 211 Western NY listing for Erie County Family Court confirms that no filing fees apply to family court petitions, making access available regardless of income.
The 211 WNY resource confirms free filing and full accessibility at the Erie County Family Court for Amherst families.
How to Get Amherst Family Court Records
Family court records for Amherst cases are kept at the Erie County Family Court Record Room. Call 716-845-7401 to ask about a specific file. Bring your photo ID when you visit in person. Under Family Court Act Section 166, records are not open to the general public. Parties to a case, their attorneys, and authorized agencies can get access. Others need court permission.
The rules in 22 NYCRR 205.5 spell out who can inspect family court files and what limits apply. If you want a copy of an order from your own case, go to the Record Room with your ID and case number. If you need a transcript, you can request one up to five years after the court date. The General Clerk's Office keeps a list of authorized transcription firms that can prepare written records of proceedings.
Amherst residents can also use the WebFamily portal to look up case information by file number or attorney name. This system covers Family Court and Integrated Domestic Violence cases across New York State. It is free to use and accessible from any computer with internet access.
Note: The Erie County Family Court building is fully handicap accessible with appropriate restrooms and telephones for persons with disabilities.
Amherst Family Treatment Court
The Family Treatment Court at Erie County provides enhanced services to parents found neglectful of children due to substance abuse. The coordinator is Tari Ann McGinty, reachable at 716-845-2741. This program combines treatment services with close court monitoring to help parents recover while keeping children safe. The court works with community providers to build a support plan for each family in the program.
Multiple language interpreters are available at the courthouse for non-English speaking Amherst residents. The building is fully accessible, so language and physical barriers should not keep anyone from using the court. If you need an interpreter, let the clerk know when you file your petition so one can be arranged for your court date.
Amherst Town Court
While Amherst does have its own Town Court at 400 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228 (phone 716-689-4200), this court does not handle family matters. The Amherst Town Court deals with traffic cases, small claims, and local criminal matters only. Town Justices include Hon. Francina J. Spoth, Hon. Kara A. Buscaglia, and Hon. Geoffrey K. Klein. For any family court need, Amherst residents must go to the Erie County Family Court in Buffalo.
Erie County Family Court Records
Amherst is in Erie County. The Erie County Family Court at One Niagara Plaza in Buffalo serves Amherst and all other communities in the county.
Nearby cities with family court pages include Buffalo, Cheektowaga, and Tonawanda. See the Erie County page for full county court details.