Find Chemung County Family Court Records
Chemung County family court records are stored at the Family Court on William Street in Elmira. This court is part of the 6th Judicial District and serves the entire county. Three judges hear family law cases here. You can search for records at the courthouse during regular hours or reach the clerk by phone or email. The court handles custody, child support, family offense, and child protective cases. If you need a copy of a family court record in Chemung County, the clerk staff processes requests on weekdays and can look up cases by name or number.
Chemung County Overview
Chemung County Family Court
Chemung County Family Court is located at 203-209 William Street, P.O. Box 588, Elmira, NY 14902. The main phone is 607-873-9500. The fax is 212-884-8950. You can also email the court at chemungfamilycourt@nycourts.gov. The court is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the intake window runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Three judges serve on the bench. Hon. Mary M. Tarantelli has secretary Karen E. Brown and court attorney Richard J. Brink (phone 607-873-9497). Hon. Bryan J. Maggs works with secretary Jodi VanZile and court attorney Casidhe Gilboy (phone 607-873-9572). Hon. Richard W. Rich, Jr. has secretary Ambir Robinson and court attorney John Brennan (phone 607-873-9430). Having three judges means the court can handle a large number of cases at once.
The Support Magistrate is Samuel Castellino, with assistant Joan Lagonegro-Prechtl (phone 607-873-9500, fax 212-884-8956). The Chief Clerk is Caitlin A. McGurgan, and the Deputy Chief Clerk is Vicki Thompson. Under FCA Section 216-a, the clerk manages all family court records and handles copies.
| Court | Chemung County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
203-209 William Street, P.O. Box 588 Elmira, NY 14902 |
| Phone | 607-873-9500 |
| Fax | 212-884-8950 |
| chemungfamilycourt@nycourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Chief Clerk | Caitlin A. McGurgan |
Searching Chemung County Family Court Records
To search for family court records in Chemung County, visit the courthouse at 203-209 William Street in Elmira. All visitors pass through a magnetometer at the entrance. Bring your ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. You can get plain or certified copies of court orders and other documents.
You can reach the courthouse from Route 17 (east or west) by taking exit 56, then turning left at William Street just past the third traffic light. On-street parking is available near the courthouse.
Online access to Chemung County family court records is restricted. Under FCA Section 166, family court proceedings are not open to the public like other court cases. Child protective records are confidential, and adoption files are sealed. Custody and support records are more accessible, but the judge can limit access when needed. The rules in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 govern who can see family court records in New York.
Chemung County Court Resources
The NYS Navigator page for Chemung Family Court lists the courthouse address, phone, fax, and email for the court.
This directory confirms the court's location in Elmira and its role within the 6th Judicial District. It is a useful reference for people who need to contact the court about family court records.
Law Guardian Office for Chemung County Family Court
The Law Guardian Office for Chemung County is directed by Paul Sartori, Esq. It is located at the HSBC Bank Building, 150 Lake Street, 2nd Floor, Elmira, NY 14901. Law guardians are lawyers appointed by the court to represent children in family court proceedings.
When a case involves kids, the court appoints a law guardian to speak for the child. This happens in custody cases, abuse and neglect proceedings, and other matters where a child's interests need a separate voice. The law guardian talks to the child, investigates the situation, and makes recommendations to the judge. Their reports become part of the family court record. The role is important because children often cannot speak for themselves in court.
The 6th Judicial District includes Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. Forms and procedures are standardized across the district, so the law guardian process works the same way in neighboring counties.
Note: The intake window at Chemung County Family Court closes at 4:00 p.m., which is earlier than the main court hours.
Legal Help for Chemung County Family Court
If you need help with a family court case in Chemung County and cannot afford a lawyer, several options exist. Legal aid organizations serve the Southern Tier area. The court's Help Center can point you toward resources for self-represented litigants. Free court forms are available on the NYS Courts website. The clerk's office at 607-873-9500 can also provide forms.
For divorce records, you need the Supreme Court, not the Family Court. The Family Court does not have power to grant divorces in New York. Only the Supreme Court handles those cases. If you need both family court and divorce records, you may need to visit more than one court office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chemung County. Check your address to make sure you go to the right family court.