Ramapo Family Court Records

Family court records for Ramapo residents are filed and kept at the Rockland County Family Court in New City. The court sits at 1 South Main Street, Suite 300, New City, NY 10956, and serves all of Rockland County. You can reach the clerk's office at 845-483-8210. Case information is also available through the WebFamily online portal, which lets you look up cases by file number or party name. The court runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is part of the 9th Judicial District. No filing fees apply to most Family Court petitions, making the court accessible to Ramapo residents regardless of income.

Rockland County Family Court for Ramapo

Ramapo does not have its own Family Court. All family law cases for the town go through the Rockland County Family Court in New City. The courthouse address is 1 South Main Street, Suite 300, New City, NY 10956. The phone is 845-483-8210 and the fax is 914-358-8068. Parking is available behind the County Office Building, which makes the trip a bit easier for people driving from Ramapo or Suffern.

Three Family Court judges serve Rockland County. Hon. Christopher J. Exias can be reached through chambers at 845-483-8331. Hon. Andrea F. Composto has chambers at 845-483-8207. Hon. David M. Ascher, who also sits as Acting Family Court Judge, has chambers at 845-483-8254. Court Attorney Referee Holly Young, Esq. handles additional matters and can be reached at 845-483-8232. These judges and referees hear the full range of family cases for Ramapo residents.

The Rockland County court records page lists all court offices in the county along with phone numbers and addresses. In addition to Family Court, you can also find contact info for the Supreme Court at 845-483-8310 and the Surrogate's Court at 845-483-8330.

The Rockland County court records page shows contact details and hours for the Family Court that serves Ramapo.

Family Court Cases for Ramapo Residents

The Rockland County Family Court handles custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, PINS, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and family offense cases. The court cannot grant a divorce. Divorce cases go to Rockland County Supreme Court at the same address.

If you need an order of protection, the court can issue one through a family offense petition. Ramapo residents who face domestic violence situations can file for temporary orders of protection. The court reviews these on an emergency basis when needed. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley provides free legal help in family offense and custody cases for people who qualify. Their intake line is 1-877-574-8529, and their website is lshv.org. This group can represent you in court at no cost if you meet their guidelines.

Under FCA Section 166, family court records in Rockland County are not open to the general public. The statute says records are "not open to indiscriminate public inspection," but the court can allow access when there is a proper reason. If you are a party to a case, you can get copies of filed papers by showing photo ID at the clerk's window. Others need to file a request with the court and show a valid basis for access.

The rule in 22 NYCRR 205.5 spells out who can see what. Parties, attorneys, law guardians, and certain agencies have standing access. Prosecutors can get records when a related criminal case is pending. If the court has issued an address confidentiality order under FCA Section 154-b(2), that address gets redacted from any papers shared with other parties. This matters in family offense and custody cases where safety is a concern.

How to File and Get Records in Ramapo

To start a case, file a petition at the Rockland County Family Court clerk's window. You can also file by EDDS or through the NYSCEF e-filing system, depending on the case type. All papers should be filed in hard copy or through the electronic system. Faxed or emailed copies of papers that must be filed in original form are not accepted. Only one copy of any document is needed unless the judge says otherwise.

The Ramapo Town Court handles local criminal and civil matters but has no role in family law. That court sits at 237 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901, and can be reached at 845-357-5100. It is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If someone sends you to the wrong court, know that family cases must go to Rockland County Family Court in New City.

The Rockland County Family Treatment Court provides specialized services for parents whose children entered the child welfare system because of substance abuse. This program pairs parents with treatment, monitors progress, and works toward family reunification. The treatment court is located at the same 1 South Main Street address in New City.

Transcripts of court hearings can be ordered up to five years after a court date. You must be a party or an attorney of record and present photo ID. For hearings recorded electronically, the General Clerk's Office can give you a list of approved transcription companies. These are private firms, not court employees, so they set their own rates and turnaround times.

Rockland County Family Court Records

Ramapo is in Rockland County. The Rockland County Family Court at 1 South Main Street in New City serves the town and all surrounding communities. Visit the Rockland County page for more on county-wide court services.

Nearby cities with family court pages include Clarkstown and Orangetown.