Find White Plains Family Court Records

Family court records for White Plains are filed at the Westchester County Family Court, which has its main location right in White Plains at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District and serves all of Westchester County. Call 914-824-5500 for the White Plains courthouse or email VirtualWestchesterFamilyCourtWhitePlains@nycourts.gov. You can search case data through the WebFamily portal online. The court runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are no filing fees for most Family Court petitions.

Westchester County Family Court in White Plains

White Plains is the county seat of Westchester County, and the main Westchester Family Court sits here. The address is 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. The phone is 914-824-5500 and the fax is 914-824-5860. This is the primary filing location for White Plains residents, though the county runs two other Family Court branches.

Westchester County operates three Family Court locations to serve its large population. Besides the White Plains courthouse, there is a branch in Yonkers at 131 Warburton Avenue, 3rd Floor (phone 914-831-6555, fax 914-831-6409) and one in New Rochelle at 420 North Avenue (phone 914-831-6590). White Plains residents typically file at the main location, but you may appear at a different branch depending on your assigned judge or case type.

The Westchester County Court is also at 111 Martin Luther King Blvd (phone 914-824-5840), and the Appellate Division 2nd Department maintains offices at 399 Knollwood Road, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10603. Having the Family Court, County Court, and appellate offices all in the same city makes White Plains a hub for the county's legal system.

The New York State Courts website provides details on how family courts operate across the state, including Westchester County.

Family Court Cases in White Plains

The Westchester County Family 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. Divorce, separation, and annulment cases are not heard in Family Court. Those must go to Westchester County Supreme Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over matrimonial matters.

The court can issue orders of protection through family offense petitions. White Plains residents who face domestic violence can file for temporary or permanent orders. The Legal Aid Society of Westchester court directory lists all court locations in the county and provides contact info for legal aid services. This group can sometimes represent you for free in family offense, custody, and support cases. They serve White Plains and the rest of Westchester County.

Under FCA Section 166, family court records in Westchester County are not open to the general public. The law says they are "not open to indiscriminate public inspection," but the court can allow access when there is good cause. Parties to a case and their lawyers can get copies of orders and filings by presenting photo ID. Others must file a motion asking the judge for permission.

The rule in 22 NYCRR 205.5 spells out who else can access records. This includes parents and guardians when a child's custody is at issue, law guardians, child protective agencies, probation services, and prosecutors with a pending criminal case tied to the family matter. Any records shared must have confidential addresses redacted if the court has issued an address confidentiality order under FCA Section 154-b(2).

Getting Family Court Records in White Plains

To get copies of family court records, go to the clerk's office at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in White Plains. Bring photo ID and the case number if you have it. The clerk can pull up your file and provide copies of orders, decisions, and filed papers. If you were not a party to the case and need access, you will have to file a written request explaining why.

E-filing through NYSCEF is available for certain case types in Westchester County. You can file custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support petitions electronically. The system is free to use and works around the clock. For case types still using the EDDS system or requiring paper filing, check with the clerk's office before showing up.

White Plains City Court handles criminal, traffic, and small claims matters for the city but does not touch family law. City courts in Westchester include those in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Rye, White Plains, and Yonkers. Each handles local matters within city limits, but family cases always go to the county Family Court.

Bee-Line Bus and Metro North train services provide public transportation to downtown White Plains. The courthouse is near the White Plains Metro North station, making it reachable from communities throughout the county. Parking garages and metered street parking are available in the area. The courthouse is ADA accessible.

Transcripts of family court hearings can be ordered up to five years after the court date. You must be a party or an attorney of record and show photo ID. For electronically recorded proceedings, the clerk's office can provide a list of approved transcription firms. These firms set their own rates.

Westchester County Family Court Records

White Plains is the county seat of Westchester County. The main Family Court at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd serves the city and all surrounding communities. Visit the Westchester County page for more details on county-wide court services.

Nearby cities with family court pages include Yonkers, Greenburgh, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon.