Access Southampton Family Court Records
Southampton family court records are managed through the Suffolk County Family Court at the Riverhead courthouse. Southampton sits in eastern Suffolk County, so family cases from this area go to the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead. If you need to find a custody order, get a copy of a support filing, or start a new family court case, that courthouse handles everything for Southampton residents. The drive from Southampton to Riverhead takes about 30 minutes. You can also search for basic case info online before making the trip.
Southampton Overview
Suffolk County Family Court for Southampton
Southampton residents file family court cases at the Suffolk County Family Court in Riverhead. The courthouse is at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex, 210 Center Drive, 2nd Floor, Riverhead, NY 11901. The phone number is 631-852-3905/6. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Suffolk County Family Court operates two locations. Case assignment depends on geography. Eastern Suffolk County residents, including those from Southampton, use the Riverhead location. The Supervising Judge is Hon. Caren Loguercio, and the Chief Clerk is Dawn Kettle. The Family Court was established in 1962 in every county of New York as a successor to the old Children's Court.
| Court | Suffolk County Family Court - Riverhead |
|---|---|
| Address | Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex 210 Center Drive, 2nd Floor Riverhead, NY 11901 |
| Phone | (631) 852-3905/6 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Directions from the Long Island Expressway Eastbound: Take Exit 71 North, make a right onto Route 24, and proceed a few miles until you see signs for the Criminal Courts Building on the right. The Riverhead courthouse serves as the main judicial center for eastern Suffolk County, covering Family Court, Supreme Court, County Court, and the law library.
Note: The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office has a location in Southampton at 32 Jackson Avenue, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, but that office handles criminal matters, not family court cases.
Searching Southampton Family Court Records
You can search for family court records online or at the Riverhead courthouse. Online tools give basic case data. Going in person lets you see the full file and get copies.
The WebFamily case search covers Family Court cases across New York. Search by name or case number. Under Family Court Act Section 166, these records are not open to "indiscriminate public inspection." The court controls access. Parties and attorneys can see records under 22 NYCRR 205.5. Others need to apply to the judge.
At the courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can pull files and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. The 10th Judicial District covers Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the district forms page has all official forms for Suffolk County cases.
Family Court Case Types for Southampton
Suffolk County Family Court handles custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, family offense petitions, juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision, and child protective proceedings. Each case type generates its own set of records kept by the court clerk.
The Family Court cannot grant divorces or separations. Those fall under Supreme Court jurisdiction. But if you have custody or support provisions from a Supreme Court divorce judgment, you can file petitions in Family Court to modify or enforce those orders. This is a common path for Southampton residents whose circumstances have changed since their original divorce.
Child support payments go through the Child Support Enforcement Bureau (CSEB), a state agency. Questions about arrears, license suspension, tax intercepts, and asset restraint go to CSEB, not the court clerk. The bureau handles collection and disbursement of all support payments.
NYSCEF e-filing is available for some case types. The system is free and works around the clock. For new petitions in custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support, you can use NYSCEF or file in paper. This gives Southampton residents a way to file without driving to Riverhead every time, which matters when the trip is half an hour or more.
Southampton Family Court Records Access
Family court records have specific privacy rules. Under Family Court Act Section 166, records are not publicly available the way most court records are. The law gives the judge discretion to allow or deny access. Under 22 NYCRR 205.5, parties, attorneys, guardians, court-appointed advocates, and authorized agencies get access without needing special permission.
Non-parties must file a written request explaining why they want to see the records. The judge reviews and decides. Some records are always restricted. Child abuse investigations under Social Services Law Section 422 carry extra protections. Adoption records are also treated differently.
Transcripts from hearings require party or attorney status and photo ID. For electronically recorded proceedings, you hire an authorized transcription service at your own cost. Address confidentiality is available for anyone in a family offense case who needs their home address kept off court papers. The NY CourtHelp records guide explains these processes in more detail.
Legal Help for Southampton Family Court
The Family Legal Care helpline at 212-343-1122 provides free legal information about New York family law. They can help you understand court procedures, your rights, and what to bring to your hearing. The NY CourtHelp directory lists self-help centers that can assist with forms and basic procedural guidance.
Legal aid organizations on Long Island serve Suffolk County residents who qualify based on income. The court may assign an attorney in certain case types, particularly child protective proceedings. If you are going without a lawyer, the court staff can help you find forms but cannot give legal advice. Take time to review all forms before filing. One careful read-through can prevent delays and extra trips to Riverhead.
Suffolk County Family Court Records
Southampton is in Suffolk County, and all family court filings go through the Suffolk County Family Court. The Riverhead location serves eastern Suffolk County. For more on the full county court system, visit the Suffolk County page.