Utica Family Court Records

Family court records for Utica residents are filed at the Oneida County Family Court at 200 Elizabeth Street, 1st Floor, Utica, NY 13501. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District and handles all family law matters for the city and the rest of Oneida County. Call 315-266-4444 for general help or to ask about a case. You can also search case data through the WebFamily online portal. The court operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no filing fee for most Family Court petitions.

Oneida County Family Court in Utica

The Oneida County Family Court has two locations. The main one for Utica residents is at the Oneida County Courthouse, 200 Elizabeth Street, 1st Floor, Utica, NY 13501. Phone is 315-266-4444 and fax is 315-266-4421. The second location is in Rome at 301 West Dominick Street, Rome, NY 13440, with phone 315-266-4500 and fax 315-266-4518. You can file at either location.

Chief Clerk Amy Lawter and Deputy Chief Clerk Kristen Godkin run operations at both courthouse locations. They keep procedures and filing rules the same across both sites so there is no confusion for people who use one or the other. If you need to file a petition, pick up an order, or check on a court date, the clerk's office at either location can help.

Four Family Court judges serve the Utica location. Hon. Raymond F. Bara can be reached at 315-266-4413. Hon. Julia M. Brouillette is at 315-266-4460. Hon. Randal B. Caldwell is at 315-266-4455. Hon. Paul M. Deep is at 315-266-4508. Judge Deep has been on the bench since 2018 and his term runs through 2027. The Rome location has its own judge, Hon. Jason D. Flemma, at 315-266-4512.

Support Magistrates at the Utica location include Todd W. McIntyre at 315-266-4471 and Alyssa N. Dwyer at 315-266-4463. Court Attorney Referee Kurt D. Parry is at 315-266-4444. The Rome location has Support Magistrates Kyle W. Crandall, Jennifer M. Scordo, and Senta B. Siuda, plus Court Attorney Referee Stephen L. Pearce. These staff handle child support hearings, modifications, and other case management work.

The Oneida County court resource page shows contact information for the Family Court that serves Utica residents.

Family Court Cases in Utica

The court handles custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, PINS, child abuse and neglect, family offenses, and termination of parental rights. The court cannot grant a divorce. Divorce matters go to Oneida County Supreme Court at the same 200 Elizabeth Street address, where Justices Hon. Bernadette T. Clark, Hon. Elizabeth S. Fortino, and Hon. Peter M. Rayhill serve.

Under FCA Section 166, family court records in Oneida County are not open for general public inspection. The law says the records are "not open to indiscriminate public inspection." But the court has the power to let people see records when there is a good reason. Parties to a case can get copies by showing ID at the clerk's window. Lawyers of record also have access. Everyone else needs a court order.

The rule in 22 NYCRR 205.5 goes further. It lists the people and agencies that can view family court files: the petitioner and respondent with their attorneys, parents and guardians when a child's custody is affected, law guardians, child protective agencies, probation, and certain other courts that have a pending case with the same parties. Prosecutors can get records if a related criminal case has been filed. If the court issued an address confidentiality order, that address gets removed from any papers that are shared.

To start a case, file a petition at the clerk's window. The Family Legal Care guide for the 5th Judicial District walks you through the steps. It covers what forms to bring, what to expect at intake, and how the court assigns your case. The guide recommends arriving by 8:30 a.m. to allow time for security screening and paperwork.

Utica Family Court Resources

The 5th Judicial District Help Center is in Syracuse at the Onondaga County Courthouse, 5th Floor, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. The phone is 315-671-1144. While located in Syracuse, the center provides help that applies across the district, including Oneida County. Staff can assist with forms and explain court procedures. They do not give legal advice but can point you to free legal resources.

Utica City Court is a separate court at 411 Oriskany Street West, Utica, NY 13502. The main number is 315-266-4600. City Court Judges include Hon. F. Christopher Giruzzi, Hon. Grant J. Garramone, and Hon. Joseph A. Saba Jr. This court deals with criminal, civil, and traffic cases but has no role in family law. If you need to handle a family matter, you must go to the Family Court at 200 Elizabeth Street.

The Oneida County Law Library at 235 Elizabeth Street (phone 315-266-4570) is near the courthouse and open to the public. You can research family law statutes, look up forms, and read court rules there. This is helpful if you are representing yourself and need to understand the legal framework before filing.

Parking is available in municipal lots near both the Utica and Rome courthouse locations. Accessible parking spaces are close to building entrances at both sites. Centro bus service runs routes through both cities, so public transit is an option. All visitors must pass through magnetometer screening when entering either courthouse.

E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for some case types in Oneida County. Registration with the system is needed to file electronically. For case types not on NYSCEF, file in hard copy at the clerk's office. Check with the staff if you are unsure which system applies to your case type.

Oneida County Family Court Records

Utica is the county seat of Oneida County. The Family Court at 200 Elizabeth Street serves the city and all other communities in the county. A second location in Rome provides access for residents in the eastern part of the county. Visit the Oneida County page for more on county-wide court services.