Search Clarkstown Family Court Records

Clarkstown family court records are managed by the Rockland County Family Court in New City. Clarkstown is one of the largest towns in Rockland County and sits along the New York State Thruway corridor. If you need to find a family case, get a copy of a court order, or look up custody or support filings, the Rockland County Family Court is where you go. New City serves as the county seat and is actually within Clarkstown, so the courthouse is local and easy to reach for most residents. You can file new cases, request records, and attend hearings all at the same location.

Rockland County Family Court Serving Clarkstown

Clarkstown residents file all family court matters at the Rockland County Family Court. The court is at 1 South Main Street, Suite 300, New City, NY 10956. The main phone number is 845-483-8210, and the fax is 914-358-8068. The clerk's fax line is 914-638-5319. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court is closed on New York state holidays.

Family Court Judges serving Rockland County include Hon. Christopher J. Exias, Hon. Andrea F. Composto, and Hon. David M. Ascher, who serves as Acting Judge. Court Attorney Referee Holly Young, Esq. handles certain case matters as well. All papers must be filed through EDDS or E-filing depending on the case type, or in hard copy at the clerk's office. Only one copy is needed unless the court says otherwise. The court will not accept faxed or emailed copies of documents that must be filed in original form.

Parking is available in the municipal lot near the courthouse. The building is ADA accessible. Rockland Transit bus service provides public transit to the area. Since the courthouse is in New City, which is part of Clarkstown, most residents can get there quickly.

How to Search Clarkstown Family Court Records

You can look up family court records for Clarkstown cases online or at the courthouse. Online options give basic case data. Going in person lets you see the full file.

The WebFamily case search system covers Family Court cases across New York. You can search by name or case number. The system shows case status and basic docket info. Keep in mind that under Family Court Act Section 166, family court records are not open to the general public in the same way as other courts. The law says these records are not available for "indiscriminate public inspection." The judge has discretion to allow or deny access requests.

The Clarkstown Justice Court is a separate court. That court handles traffic cases, small claims, and local criminal matters at 20 Maple Avenue. It has nothing to do with family court filings. If you went there looking for custody or support records, they would send you to the county courthouse down the road.

At the Rockland County Family Court clerk's office, you can request copies of orders, petitions, and other filed documents. Bring a valid photo ID if you are a party to the case. Under 22 NYCRR Section 205.5, parties and their attorneys can access pleadings, filed papers, decisions, orders, and hearing transcripts. Non-parties need to file a written request with the court explaining the reason for access.

Filing a Family Court Case in Clarkstown

Starting a case at Rockland County Family Court follows a clear set of steps. The Family Legal Care guide for the 9th Judicial District walks through the process in detail. This guide covers Rockland County along with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester counties.

The court hears abuse or neglect cases, adoption petitions, child support matters, custody disputes, guardianship applications, juvenile delinquency, orders of protection, paternity, PINS, spousal support, and visitation. For any of these, you start by filing a petition with the clerk. Some case types let you file through the NYSCEF e-filing system, which is free and available around the clock. Others must be filed in paper or through the EDDS system.

Arrive early if you are going in person. The court opens at 9:00 a.m., and security screening can take time. Bring all your documents and any proof you plan to submit. The court cannot give you legal advice, but the staff can help you find forms and explain the basic steps of the process. Clarkstown has had a court since 1786, though the family court is a newer creation from 1962 when New York established Family Courts in every county.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley offers free help with Family Court matters in Rockland County. They handle family offense cases, custody, and child support for qualifying residents. Call their intake line at 1-877-574-8529 or visit lshv.org for details.

Note: There are no filing fees for most Family Court cases in New York, which makes access easier for everyone.

Clarkstown Family Court Records and Privacy

Family Court records in New York carry special privacy rules. They sit somewhere between fully public and fully sealed. The key law is Family Court Act Section 166, which says the records "shall not be open to indiscriminate public inspection." That does not mean they are confidential. It means the court controls who sees them and when.

Under 22 NYCRR 205.5, parties to the case, their lawyers, guardians, court-appointed advocates, and certain agencies get access without asking the judge. If you fall outside those categories, you must file a request with the Rockland County Family Court. The judge looks at your reasons and decides. Some records are always restricted, like those involving child abuse investigations under Social Services Law Section 422.

If you need a transcript from a Clarkstown family court hearing, you must be a party or attorney of record. Bring photo ID. For hearings recorded electronically, you will need to hire an authorized transcription service. These are private companies that set their own rates and schedules. The court does not produce transcripts itself for electronically recorded proceedings.

Address confidentiality is another option for people in family offense cases. If you need to keep your home address off court papers for safety, ask the clerk about an Address Confidentiality Order. New York also runs a statewide program for domestic violence victims that hides your address on government records.

Rockland County Family Court Records

Clarkstown is in Rockland County, and all family court filings go through the Rockland County Family Court in New City. The court handles cases for Clarkstown and all other communities in the county. For more details on the county court and its resources, visit the Rockland County page.

View Rockland County Family Court Records