Find Oneida County Family Court Records
Oneida County family court records are kept at two courthouse locations in Utica and Rome. Both sites serve residents across the county and handle case types that range from custody and support to juvenile matters and family offense petitions. If you need to look up a case or get copies of court documents, you can start by calling the Clerk's Office or visiting in person. The Utica courthouse at 200 Elizabeth Street is the main location, and the Rome courthouse at 301 West Dominick Street serves the eastern part of the county. Each facility accepts new filings and can help you search for existing records from past and current cases.
Oneida County Overview
Oneida County Family Court
Oneida County Family Court runs two locations. The main site is in Utica at the Oneida County Courthouse, 200 Elizabeth Street, 1st Floor. You can call that office at 315-266-4444, and the fax line is 315-266-4421. The Rome location sits at 301 West Dominick Street, Rome, NY 13440, with a phone line at 315-266-4500 and fax at 315-266-4518. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Chief Clerk III Amy Lawter and Deputy Chief Clerk III Kristen Godkin lead the court's day-to-day work at both sites. Family Court Judges at the Utica location include Hon. Raymond F. Bara, Hon. Julia M. Brouillette, Hon. Randal B. Caldwell, and Hon. Paul M. Deep. These judges hear the full range of family matters. At the Rome location, Hon. Jason D. Flemma handles cases. Under Family Court Act Section 166, the records of any case in family court are not open to indiscriminate public inspection. The court may permit access in its discretion.
Support Magistrates in Utica include Todd W. McIntyre, Esq. and Alyssa N. Dwyer, Esq. The Rome location has three Support Magistrates: Kyle W. Crandall, Esq., Jennifer M. Scordo, Esq., and Senta B. Siuda, Esq. Court Attorney Referees Kurt D. Parry (Utica) and Stephen L. Pearce (Rome) provide extra help with case management and settlement talks.
| Court | Oneida County Family Court - 5th Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Utica Address |
200 Elizabeth Street, 1st Floor Utica, NY 13501 |
| Utica Phone | (315) 266-4444 |
| Rome Address |
301 West Dominick Street Rome, NY 13440 |
| Rome Phone | (315) 266-4500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Oneida County Family Court Records
To start a case search, you can visit either courthouse in person. Bring a valid ID and any case details you have. Staff at the Clerk's Office can look up cases by name or case number. You can also file new petitions at both locations. The Family Legal Care guide for the 5th Judicial District walks you through the steps for starting a case. It recommends getting to court by 8:30 a.m. to leave time for security screening and paperwork.
The NYSCEF e-filing system now covers certain family court case types in New York State. For custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support filings, you may be able to submit documents online at nycourts.gov/efile. There is no fee for using the e-filing system itself. E-filing gives you 24-hour access to file and view documents. For case types not yet available for e-filing, you need to file in paper at the courthouse or send documents by mail.
Oneida County is part of the 5th Judicial District, which also covers Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties. The 5th Judicial District Help Center is in Syracuse at the Onondaga County Courthouse, 5th Floor, 401 Montgomery Street. You can reach them at 315-671-1144. While the Help Center sits in Syracuse, it assists people from all counties in the district, including Oneida County.
Note: Under 22 NYCRR Section 205.5, parties to a case and their lawyers can access pleadings, orders, and hearing transcripts without a special court order.
Family Court Records and Case Types
Oneida County Family Court hears a wide range of family law matters. The court handles custody disputes, child support cases, spousal support, paternity, guardianship, and visitation. It also covers juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect proceedings, adoption, PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision), and family offense petitions for orders of protection. Each case type creates its own set of records stored at the courthouse.
The image below shows resources from the Family Legal Care guide for the 5th Judicial District, which covers Oneida County.
This guide lays out how to start a case and what to bring to court. It is free to use and covers all case types heard in the district.
Family Court Act Section 166 controls who can see these records. The law says records are not open to the general public without court approval. But if you are a party to the case, you can get copies of orders, petitions, and transcripts. The clerk keeps all records and seals documents as required by law under Family Court Act Section 216-a.
Filing Process in Oneida County
You begin a family court case by filing a petition. That is a written request asking a judge to make a decision on a family matter. The person who files is the petitioner. The other side is the respondent. You can file at either the Utica or Rome courthouse, whichever is more convenient for you.
Oneida County Family Court uses the NYSCEF system for some case types. Custody, visitation, guardianship, support, and paternity cases can be filed electronically. For other matters, you file in paper at the Clerk's Office. All adjournment requests must go in writing and need consent from all parties. Cases on the calendar stay set until the judge approves any change and the Clerk's Office gets a new agreed date.
The Supreme Court at 200 Elizabeth Street in Utica handles divorce cases, which are separate from Family Court. Supreme Court Justices include Hon. Bernadette T. Clark, Hon. Elizabeth S. Fortino, and Hon. Peter M. Rayhill. E-filing is mandatory for certain Supreme Court case types. The Oneida County Courthouse also houses County Court and Surrogate's Court under one roof.
Note: Security screening is required at both courthouse locations, so plan to arrive early and bring valid photo identification.
Legal Help for Oneida County Family Court Records
If you need help with a family court case in Oneida County, several resources exist. The 5th Judicial District Help Center at 315-671-1144 gives free guidance on forms and court procedures. The Family Legal Care Helpline at 212-343-1122 provides free legal information about New York family law. You can also visit nycourts.gov/courthelp for self-help guides and official court forms at no cost.
Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York serves Oneida County and handles family law cases for people with low income. They can help with custody, support, and protection orders. Contact them for intake information. The New York State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can match you with a family law attorney in the area. You may also use the court's partnership with mediation services for custody and visitation disputes before going to trial.
Under 22 NYCRR Section 205.5, if the court has ordered an address to stay confidential under Family Court Act Section 154-b(2), that address will be removed from any records shared with other parties. This rule protects people who have safety concerns, like victims of domestic violence. The court can also help you apply for the New York State Address Confidentiality Program, which keeps your address off court papers and other government documents.
Cities in Oneida County
All family court cases in Oneida County go through either the Utica or Rome courthouse location. Residents can file at whichever site is closer to them.
Other communities like Rome, Sherrill, and surrounding towns all use the Oneida County Family Court for family law matters.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Oneida County. Make sure you file in the correct county based on where you live.