Genesee County Family Court Records
Genesee County family court records are filed at the courts facility in Batavia. The Family Court at 1 West Main Street handles custody, support, family offenses, juvenile matters, and other cases that affect children and families. You can look up records by calling the clerk, visiting the courthouse, or using online tools from the New York State court system. Genesee County is part of the 8th Judicial District, the same district that covers Erie, Niagara, and several other western New York counties. The courthouse in Batavia houses the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, and Surrogate's Court all under one roof.
Genesee County Overview
Genesee County Family Court Office
The Genesee County Family Court is at the Courts Facility, 1 West Main Street, Batavia, NY. Hon. Thomas D. Williams presides over the Family Court. The court handles all family-related cases including custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, family offenses, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, paternity, and adoption.
The Support Magistrate is Kathleen Gray, Esq. She handles support-related matters and makes sure that financial duties to children and families are set right and enforced. The Court Attorney is Peter Crotty, Esq., who does legal research and helps the judge. The Chief Clerk is Michele Zastempowski. She manages the court's admin work and all records. If you need to find a case or get copies, she is your first point of contact.
The Genesee County government page for Family Court explains that this court does not handle divorce, separation, or annulment. Those cases go to the Supreme Court. Family Court forms are on the state court website at nycourts.gov/forms.
| Court | Genesee County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Genesee County Courts Facility 1 West Main Street Batavia, NY |
| Judge | Hon. Thomas D. Williams |
| Chief Clerk | Michele Zastempowski |
| Support Magistrate | Kathleen Gray, Esq. |
Search Genesee County Family Court Records
To look up family court records in Genesee County, contact the Chief Clerk at the courthouse. Staff can search by name or case number. You can visit during business hours at 1 West Main Street in Batavia.
The WebFamily portal from the state court system provides online case searches for family courts across New York. You can search by case number or party name. The NY CourtHelp records page has info on other search tools like eCourts and the NYSCEF guest search for Supreme Court filings.
The County Clerk's Office at County Building I, 15 Main Street in Batavia, keeps records for the Supreme Court and County Court. You can call (585) 815-7802 or send a mail request. Family Court records are separate and stay with the Family Court Clerk. Under FCA § 166, these files are not public. Only parties, lawyers, and some agencies can get them. If you need records and are not a party, you may need a court order from the judge.
Genesee County Court Resources
The New York State Family Court overview page explains the jurisdiction and role of family courts across the state, including Genesee County.
This state-level page covers how family courts work, what cases they hear, and how records are managed. It applies to all 62 counties in New York.
Genesee County Family Court Records Access
Family court records in Genesee County are private. Under FCA § 166, they are not open for public viewing the way most other court files are. The law is there to protect kids and families from having their private info made available to anyone who asks. Only the parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies can see these files without extra steps.
If you want to see a family court record and you are not a party, you have to file a motion. The judge reviews your request and decides if your need is strong enough to outweigh the family's privacy. Under 22 NYCRR § 205.5, the rules for storing and sharing family court records are strict. The clerk must keep all files safe and limit access to those with a legal right.
Juvenile records in Genesee County have even tighter rules. When a juvenile case is handled in Family Court, the records are typically sealed. That means they are not available to anyone outside the case unless a court says otherwise. Adoption records are also confidential. The Surrogate's Court handles probate records like wills and estate papers, and those are generally more open to the public.
The 8th Judicial District has a cutoff time policy for same-day hearing of petitions. If you file late in the day, your case may not be heard until the next business day. The district also has "Raise the Age" accessible magistrates in Batavia City Court, which deals with how juvenile matters are handled.
Family Court Cases in Genesee County
Genesee County Family Court hears the full range of family law cases. Each type of case produces records that the clerk keeps on file at the courthouse.
Cases heard in Genesee County include:
- Custody and visitation disputes between parents or guardians
- Child support proceedings to set and enforce payments
- Family offense petitions for orders of protection
- Child protective proceedings for abuse or neglect
- Juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision (PINS)
- Paternity actions to establish legal fatherhood
- Adoption and guardianship matters
The court takes privacy seriously. Records from these cases are not shared with the public. Under FCA § 216-a, the court can refer some cases to special programs like mediation or treatment court. Genesee County is part of the 8th Judicial District along with Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. Forms for all courts in the district are on the NYS Courts forms page.
Note: The Family Court does not handle divorce. That is the Supreme Court's job in New York.
Legal Help in Genesee County
If you need help with a family court case in Genesee County, the NY CourtHelp website has guides, forms, and info on how to file without a lawyer. The New York State Records page for Genesee County has background on court records access and what to expect when you request files. The clerk's office at the courthouse can also give you info about local legal aid programs and referrals.
Nearby Counties
Genesee County is in western New York between Buffalo and Rochester. These counties border it or are nearby in the 8th Judicial District.