Find Niagara County Family Court Records

Niagara County family court records are filed at two courthouse locations in the county. One sits in Niagara Falls and the other in Lockport. The court is part of the Eighth Judicial District and handles custody, support, family offense, and child protective cases. You can search for records at either location or use state online tools for some case types. Niagara County has three Family Court judges and two support magistrates who manage the caseload across both sites. The clerk staff at each location can help you find the family court records you need.

Niagara County Family Court Offices

Niagara County Family Court runs out of two locations. The Niagara Falls courthouse is at the Angelo Delsignore Civic Building, 775 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301. You can reach that office at (716) 371-4050. The Lockport courthouse is at the Niagara County Courthouse, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094. That phone number is (716) 280-6500.

Three judges serve on the Niagara County Family Court bench: Hon. Kathleen Wojtaszek-Gariano, Hon. Angela Stamm-Philipps, and Hon. Erin P. DeLabio. Court Attorney Referee Cheryl Aloi also provides legal assistance on cases. Support Magistrates Laura A. Wagner and Matthew Weber handle child support matters, including new petitions, modifications, and enforcement actions. Under FCA Section 216-a, the clerk at each location is responsible for keeping all family court records in proper order.

The court handles custody and visitation, child and spousal support, family offenses, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, and adoption cases for all of Niagara County.

Searching Niagara County Family Court Records

Visit either courthouse to search for family court records. Bring your ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. You can get plain or certified copies of court orders, petitions, and other filings. Court clerks are mandated by New York Judiciary Law Section 255 to provide court records to members of the public who ask for them. But the law does not authorize release of every document.

Under FCA Section 166, family court proceedings have limits on public access. Child protective cases and adoption files are confidential. Custody and support cases are more open, but the court can restrict access when it sees fit. The rules in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 cover how public access to family court records works across the state, including Niagara County. Some records, like active investigations, victim details, and juvenile proceedings, are restricted from public view.

People looking for court documents can also use online tools run by the New York State Unified Court System. These include WebCivil Supreme for civil cases, WebFamily for family cases, WebSurrogate for probate matters, and NYSCEF for electronically filed cases. The Niagara County Clerk also provides a web application for court documents, though that service requires a subscription with a $50 activation fee and quarterly fees that range from $150 for county residents to $600 for out-of-state users.

Niagara County Court Records Resources

The Niagara County Clerk's Office is at the courthouse, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094. The mailing address is P.O. Box 461, Lockport, NY 14095-0461. The office encourages the use of E-Recording, US Mail, UPS, and FedEx for submitting documents. If you want to present documents in person, you can schedule an appointment by calling 716-439-7022.

The County Clerk serves as the Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts, maintaining official court records and providing public access under state law. The clerk also handles land records, passport applications, and recording of deeds and mortgages. For family court records specifically, you will want to contact the Family Court clerk's office at one of the two courthouse locations listed above.

Court records in Niagara County are defined under New York Judiciary Law Section 255 as all records, dockets, books, indexes, and papers that the clerk must maintain. This includes case files with pleadings and motions, docket sheets, judicial orders, judgment records, hearing transcripts, evidence admitted during proceedings, and sentencing information. Public access is presumed under New York Public Officers Law Section 84, but family court records carry extra limits under the Family Court Act.

Family Court Case Types in Niagara County

Niagara County Family Court handles all family-related matters. The court cannot grant a divorce. Only the Supreme Court does that. But the Family Court covers custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, family offenses, orders of protection, child protective proceedings, adoption, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, and PINS cases.

Family Court proceedings may be closed to the public under New York Judiciary Law Section 4, and the associated records may be sealed. Records that may be restricted include family court proceedings generally, juvenile delinquency records, sealed criminal records after dismissal or acquittal, adoption proceedings, mental health proceedings, and records with sensitive personal information. If you are not sure whether a record is available, call the clerk at either courthouse and ask about the specific case.

Eighth Judicial District and Niagara County

Niagara County is one of eight counties in the Eighth Judicial District. The others are Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming. The district uses standardized forms and procedures across all member counties. If you have a family court case in Niagara County but need records from another court in the 8th JD, the process will look similar.

The district covers a large area of western New York. Having two courthouse locations in Niagara County helps serve residents across the county without long drives. The Niagara Falls location tends to serve the western and southern parts of the county, while the Lockport location covers the eastern and central areas. Both locations handle the full range of family court cases and maintain family court records for Niagara County.

Legal Help for Niagara County Family Court

If you need help with a family court case in Niagara County but do not have a lawyer, the NYS Court Help Centers offer free information. You can get help with forms and learn the steps for filing. Court forms are free from the NYS Courts website or the clerk's office at either courthouse location.

The Eighth Judicial District also has resources for self-represented litigants. Legal Aid of Western New York may serve Niagara County residents who qualify based on income. The New York State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you need to find a private attorney. Whether you need to file for custody, support, or a protection order, getting the right forms and knowing the process is the first step to working with family court records in Niagara County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Niagara County. Make sure you file in the right county to avoid delays with your case.