Columbia County Family Court Records
Columbia County family court records are kept at the courthouse on Union Street in Hudson. The court sits in the Third Judicial District and serves all towns and villages in the county. If you need to look up a case, you can go to the clerk's office in person or call for help. The court handles custody, support, family offense, and child protective matters each year. Columbia County sees a steady flow of filings, and the staff can help you find the records you need. You can also use state-level online tools to search for some family court records in Columbia County.
Columbia County Overview
Columbia County Family Court Office
The Columbia County Family Court is at 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534. Call the main line at 518-267-3150. The fax is 518-267-3126. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Chief Clerk is Shara Berg. The Deputy Chief Clerk is Tammy Spampinato. They run the day-to-day work of the court and handle all requests for family court records.
The County Court Judge serving Columbia County is Hon. Michael Howard. The Acting Supreme Court Justice is Hon. Brian Herman. Support Magistrate Sarah A. Richards hears child support cases, including new petitions, modifications, and enforcement actions. Under FCA Section 216-a, the clerk must keep all records in good order and make them available when asked. The Supreme and County Court Chief Clerk is Donna Carlucci, with Deputy Chief Clerk Jennifer Stelling handling related filings at the same courthouse complex.
The Surrogate's Court Chief Clerk is Kimberly Jorgensen. The Commissioner of Jurors is Terri Johnston. All of these offices share the Union Street courthouse, which makes it simpler for people who need records from more than one court type in Columbia County.
| Court | Columbia County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
401 Union Street Hudson, NY 12534 |
| Phone | 518-267-3150 |
| Fax | 518-267-3126 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM |
| Chief Clerk | Shara Berg |
Searching Columbia County Family Court Records
The most direct way to search for family court records in Columbia County is to visit the courthouse at 401 Union Street. Bring a valid photo 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 when you have to present them to another court or agency.
The New York State court system runs online tools like WebCivil Supreme for some case types. Family Court records have tighter rules on what shows up online. Under FCA Section 166, family court proceedings are not fully open to the general public the way other courts are. Some records may be sealed or restricted. Child protective cases and adoption files stay confidential. Custody and support matters are more open, but the court can still limit access depending on the facts. The rules in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 lay out who can see family court records and under what conditions.
Columbia County Family Court accepts e-filed documents for some case types through the NYSCEF system. Check with the clerk to see if your case type requires e-filing in the Third Judicial District. Not all case types use it yet, so you may still need to file in person or by mail.
Note: Directions to the courthouse start from I-90 East to the Hudson exit, then follow Route 9 South to Route 9H and Route 66 into downtown Hudson.
Columbia County Court Resources
The Columbia County Family and Surrogate Courts page on the NYS Navigator site lists contact info, court hours, and directions for anyone looking for family court records in Columbia County.
This resource confirms the court address, phone number, and the range of case types handled at the Columbia County Family Court. It covers adoption, guardianship, foster care, delinquency, PINS, family offense, child protective, custody, visitation, and support filings.
The Columbia County Clerk's Office is a separate office at 401 State Street in Hudson. The County Clerk is Holly Tanner. That office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. While the County Clerk handles land records and some court filings, family court records are managed by the Family Court clerk at Union Street.
Holly Tanner can be reached by email at holly.tanner@columbiacountyny.com. The office has also set up a Fraud Alert program to notify property owners of new transactions recorded under their names.
Family Court Case Types in Columbia County
Columbia County Family Court handles a wide range of family law matters. The court cannot grant a divorce. Only the Supreme Court does that. But the Family Court deals with most other issues that affect children and families in the county.
Cases heard at the Columbia County Family Court include:
- Custody and visitation disputes
- Child support petitions and enforcement
- Family offense cases and orders of protection
- Child protective proceedings for abuse and neglect
- Adoption and guardianship
- Juvenile delinquency and PINS cases
- Foster care approval and review
Each case type creates records that are stored at the court. Under FCA Section 166, the court controls who can see what. Abuse and neglect records are confidential. Adoption files are sealed. Custody and support case files are generally available to the parties and their lawyers. The public can get basic case information in many situations, but limits do apply. If you are not sure whether a record is available, call the clerk's office at 518-267-3150 and ask.
Third Judicial District and Columbia County
Columbia County is part of the Third Judicial District. This district also includes Albany, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. The district uses shared forms and follows the same general rules for how family court records are kept and shared. If you have a case in Columbia County but need records from another court in the 3rd JD, the process will be similar.
The Columbia County Clerk's Office at 401 State Street also holds records for the Supreme and County Courts. If you need divorce records, you go to the Supreme Court side, not the Family Court. The Supreme Court handles all matrimonial cases. For other family law matters like custody, support, and protection orders, the Family Court at 401 Union Street is where you file and where records are kept.
Legal Help for Columbia County Family Court
If you live in Columbia County and need help with a family court case, there are some resources you can turn to. The NYS Court Help Centers provide free information to people who do not have a lawyer. 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 parts of the Third Judicial District and may take cases for people who qualify based on income.
Court forms are free. You can get them on the NYS Courts website or pick them up at the clerk's office on Union Street. You do not have to pay for blank forms. The clerk staff can point you to the right forms for your case type, whether it involves custody, support, or a family offense petition in Columbia County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are close to Columbia County. If you are not sure where to file, check which county your address falls in. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays.