Access Cayuga County Family Court Records
Cayuga County family court records are on file at the Family Court on Genesee Street in Auburn. The court is part of the 7th Judicial District and serves all residents of Cayuga County. You can search for records in person at the courthouse or call the clerk to ask about a specific case. The court handles custody, support, family offense, and child protective matters. Whether you need a copy of a court order or want to look up a case, the Cayuga County Family Court clerk's office processes these requests during regular business hours on weekdays.
Cayuga County Overview
Cayuga County Family Court
Cayuga County Family Court is at 157 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021. This is the Historic Old Post Office Building. The phone is 315-237-6400 and the fax is 315-237-6401. The court is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Family Court Judge is Hon. Steve Buschman, whose term runs through 2034. Judge Buschman hears all types of family law cases in Cayuga County, from custody disputes to child protective proceedings. The Support Magistrate is Christopher D. Lucchesi, Esq., who handles child support cases including new petitions, modifications, and enforcement actions.
Under FCA Section 216-a, the clerk of the court is in charge of all family court records. The clerk's office at 315-237-6400 processes requests for copies, handles new filings, and maintains the case files. All adjournment requests must be made in writing, and attorneys have to submit a signed affidavit of engagement. If an adjournment is granted, the court contacts the parties by phone or in writing.
| Court | Cayuga County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Historic Old Post Office Building 157 Genesee Street Auburn, NY 13021 |
| Phone | 315-237-6400 |
| Fax | 315-237-6401 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Judge | Hon. Steve Buschman |
Finding Family Court Records in Cayuga County
To find family court records in Cayuga County, go to the courthouse at 157 Genesee Street in Auburn. Bring your ID. The clerk can search by name or case number. You can request plain copies or certified copies of orders, petitions, and other filings.
Online access to Cayuga County family court records is restricted. Under FCA Section 166, family court proceedings are not open to the general public the same way other courts are. Child protective records stay confidential. Adoption files are sealed by the court. Custody and support cases tend to have more public access, but the judge can still limit who sees the files. The rules in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 set out the access framework for family court records across New York State.
The Cayuga County Courthouse at 152 Genesee Street houses the Supreme and County Court (phone 315-237-6450) and the Surrogate's Court (phone 315-237-6210). If you need divorce records, those are at the Supreme Court, not the Family Court. The 7th Judicial District office is in Rochester at 99 Exchange Blvd., Hall of Justice (phone 585-371-3266).
Cayuga County Family Court Resources
The NYS Navigator resource page for Cayuga County Family Court lists the court address, phone number, and judge information.
This resource confirms the court location at 157 Genesee Street and provides links to court services for anyone looking for family court records in Cayuga County.
Cayuga County Family Court Mediation Services
The Cayuga County Family Court partners with The Center for Dispute Settlement. This group offers mediation to resolve child custody and visitation issues. Mediation is an alternative to a trial. Both parents sit down with a neutral mediator and try to reach an agreement. If they do, the agreement becomes part of the family court record.
Mediation can save time and money. It also tends to produce better outcomes for children because the parents are working together instead of fighting in court. Not every case is right for mediation. Cases with domestic violence may not be good candidates. The judge or the parties themselves can decide whether to try it. If mediation fails, the case goes to trial and the judge makes the final call.
The 7th Judicial District includes Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties. Forms and procedures are standardized across the district, so if you have dealt with family court in one of these other counties, the process in Cayuga County is very similar.
Note: Cayuga County Family Court is in the Historic Old Post Office Building, separate from the main courthouse at 152 Genesee Street.
Access to Cayuga County Family Court Records
Family court records in Cayuga County follow state access rules. Parties to a case can get their own records. Lawyers for the parties can too. People outside the case have more limited access. The judge controls who sees what under FCA Section 166.
Some records are always off limits. Child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile delinquency cases have extra protections because of the age of the person involved. For custody and support files, the clerk can usually provide basic case information to the public, but detailed financial records and evaluations may be restricted. Call 315-237-6400 to ask about a specific case.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Cayuga County. Your address determines which family court has jurisdiction over your case.