Albany County Family Court Records
Albany County family court records are kept at the Family Court on Clinton Avenue in downtown Albany. The court is part of the Third Judicial District and handles a wide range of family law cases each year. You can search for records by visiting the courthouse or by using the state court system online tools. Albany County sees a large number of filings for custody, support, and family offense matters, and the clerk's office processes record requests during normal business hours. If you need to look up a case, the court staff can help you find what you need. The county also has a Help Center for people who do not have a lawyer and need to file or get copies of family court records in Albany County.
Albany County Overview
Albany County Family Court Office
The Albany County Family Court sits at 30 Clinton Avenue in Albany. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The main phone line is 518-285-8600, and the fax is 518-238-4344. Five judges serve on the bench: Hon. Amy Joyce, Hon. Jaime Czajka, Hon. Ricja Rice, Hon. Jillian Faison, and Hon. Jessica Wilcox. These judges hear all types of family court cases, from custody disputes to child protective proceedings.
The Chief Clerk of Albany County Family Court is Lawrencia Colon. The Deputy Chief Clerk is China Jonas. They run the day-to-day work of the court, manage case files, and handle requests for family court records. If you need a copy of a court order or want to check on a case, you call or visit the clerk's office. Under FCA Section 216-a, the clerk is in charge of all records and must keep them in good order.
Support Magistrates Brittany Bisnott, Esq., Andrea Hecht-Zaki, Esq., and David Levy, Esq. handle child support cases in Albany County. They hear petitions for new support orders, modifications, and enforcement actions. Their work is a big part of the family court caseload.
| Court | Albany County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
30 Clinton Avenue Albany, NY 12207 |
| Phone | 518-285-8600 |
| Fax | 518-238-4344 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Chief Clerk | Lawrencia Colon |
How to Search Albany County Family Court Records
You can search for family court records in Albany County in a few ways. The most direct way is to go to the courthouse at 30 Clinton Avenue. Bring your ID. The clerk's office can look up cases by name or case number. You can ask for plain copies or certified copies of court orders, petitions, and other filings. Certified copies cost more but are needed for official use.
The New York State court system runs an online case search tool called WebCivil Supreme for certain case types. Family Court records have more limits on what shows up online, though. Under FCA Section 166, family court proceedings are not open to the general public in the same way that other court cases are. Some records may be sealed or restricted. Child protective cases and adoption files are confidential. Custody and support cases are more open, but the court can still limit access in some situations. The rules in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 spell out how the court handles public access to family court records.
Albany County Family Court also accepts documents by e-filing for select case types. The NYSCEF system is the platform used for electronic filing. E-filing is mandatory for some case types in the Third Judicial District. Check with the clerk to see if your case type needs e-filing.
Note: The Albany County Family Court Help Center can help you with forms and basic questions about how to get family court records.
Albany County Court Records Resources
The Albany County Family Court page on the NYS Unified Court System site has contact info, judge listings, and directions to the courthouse.
This page provides a good starting point for anyone looking for family court records in Albany County. It lists all five judges, the support magistrates, and the clerk staff.
Family Court Case Types in Albany County
Albany County Family Court handles a lot of different case types. The court has jurisdiction over matters that affect children and families. It cannot grant a divorce. Only the Supreme Court can do that. But the Family Court deals with most other family law issues.
Cases heard at the Albany County Family Court include:
- Custody and visitation disputes
- Child support petitions and enforcement
- Family offense cases (orders of protection)
- Child protective proceedings for abuse and neglect
- Adoption and guardianship
- Juvenile delinquency and PINS cases
- Termination of parental rights
Each of these case types creates records that are stored at the court. The volume is high. A 2001 report from the Fund for Modern Courts found that Albany County Family Court received more than 16,000 petitions per year during the late 1990s. That number has likely grown. The court now has five judges and three support magistrates to keep up with the caseload.
Family court records in Albany County are public to a degree, but some limits apply. Under FCA Section 166, the court controls who can see what. Child abuse and neglect records are confidential. Adoption records are sealed. Custody and support case files are generally available to the parties and their lawyers, and the public can access basic case information in many instances.
Albany County Supreme Court and Family Records
The Albany County Supreme Court is at 16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207. The phone is 518-285-8989. If you need divorce records, you go here, not to Family Court. The Supreme Court handles all matrimonial cases. The Chief Clerk is David Cardona, and the Deputy Chief Clerk is Sean Quillinan.
Albany County also runs a Supreme Court Matrimonial Center. This program helps low-income people who represent themselves in contested divorce cases. It does not give full legal representation. But it can answer questions about forms, procedures, and what to expect in a divorce case. This is a useful resource if you are trying to get family-related records from the Supreme Court side of things.
The Albany County Judicial Center at 6 Lodge Street houses some of the County Court operations. The County Court Judge is Hon. Andra Ackerman, with Hon. William Little serving as an additional judge. The County Court handles felony trials and some misdemeanor cases. It does not handle family court matters directly, but there can be overlap when criminal cases involve family members.
Legal Help for Albany County Family Court
The Third Judicial District includes Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. If you live in Albany County and need help with a family court case, several resources are available. The Family Legal Care guide for Albany County walks you through how to start a case step by step.
The NYS Court Help Centers offer free information to people without lawyers. You can get help filling out forms and learn about the process for filing family court records. Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York serves Albany County and can take on cases for people who qualify based on income. The New York State Bar Association also runs a lawyer referral service.
If you just need court forms, they are available for free on the NYS Courts website. You do not have to pay for blank forms. The clerk's office at 30 Clinton Avenue can also give you forms in person.
Note: Street parking in downtown Albany is metered and can be hard to find near the courthouse, so plan to arrive early.
Cities in Albany County
Albany County includes the City of Albany and several towns and villages. All family court cases for residents of Albany County are filed at the Family Court at 30 Clinton Avenue.
Other communities in Albany County include Guilderland, Bethlehem, and Cohoes. All family court records for these areas are held at the Albany County Family Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties are close to Albany County. If you are not sure where to file, check which county your address falls in. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays.