Orleans County Family Court Records
Orleans County family court records are kept at the courthouse in Albion. The court at 1 South Main Street handles custody, support, juvenile matters, protection orders, and other family cases for all county residents. Orleans County is a smaller county in western New York, part of the 8th Judicial District. If you need to look up a case or file a petition, the Clerk's Office can help you in person or by phone. One judge serves all three courts here, including Family Court, County Court, and Surrogate's Court, which means the court runs lean and each case gets direct attention from the bench.
Orleans County Overview
Orleans County Family Court Details
Orleans County Family Court sits at 1 South Main Street, Suite 3, Albion, NY 14411-1497. The main courthouse phone is 585-283-6622. The Family Court Clerk's direct line is 585-283-6656, with fax at 585-371-3963. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court is closed on state holidays.
Hon. Sanford A. Church serves as the judge for County, Family, and Surrogate's Court. Supreme Court Justice Hon. Frank Caruso also serves Orleans County. Family Court Chief Clerk Laurie A. Bower can be reached at OrleansFamily@nycourts.gov or 585-283-6656. Support Magistrate Kathleen Gray handles child support establishment, modification, and enforcement. IDV Court Coordinator Amy Klein at 585-283-6638 (aklein@nycourts.gov) manages the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, which handles cases with overlapping criminal and family matters.
The NYS Navigator resource directory for Orleans County Family Court provides contact details and confirms court hours. The image below shows the resource page for Orleans County.
The directory lists adoption courts, family law courts, and youth court as the primary services offered at this location.
| Court | Orleans County Family Court - 8th Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
1 South Main Street, Suite 3 Albion, NY 14411-1497 |
| Phone | (585) 283-6656 |
| Fax | (585) 371-3963 |
| OrleansFamily@nycourts.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Orleans County Family Court Case Records
The court handles most cases involving youths between 8 and 16 who are charged with offenses that would be crimes if committed by adults. It also hears cases about child custody, adoption, paternity, support payments, and family disputes. As the 211 Western NY resource page notes, the court covers all types of family disputes except ending a marriage, which goes to Supreme Court only.
The image below is from the 211 Western NY resource page for Orleans County Family Court.
This page confirms the court's hours, eligibility (Orleans County residents or those with legal matters in the county), and contact information.
Under Family Court Act Section 166, records are not open to the general public without court permission. Parties to a case can access their own filings, orders, and transcripts per 22 NYCRR Section 205.5. The clerk keeps all records and handles requests. To get copies, bring a photo ID to the courthouse. If you are eligible, staff can pull your records the same day.
The 8th Judicial District has set a cutoff time for hearing same-day petitions. If you plan to file an emergency petition, get to the courthouse early. The Raise the Age Accessible Magistrate is available through Judge Church's chambers for juvenile matters.
Filing Family Court Records in Orleans County
To start a case, you file a petition at the Clerk's Office. Orleans Supreme and County Court does not currently accept filings through EDDS. E-filing is mandatory for select case types in Supreme Court, but Family Court filings are generally handled in paper. Call the Clerk's Office at 585-283-6656 to confirm how to submit your documents.
Program fees vary by case type. Contact the court for current fee information. If you cannot afford to pay, you may qualify for a fee waiver by filing an affidavit with the court. The intake process starts with a phone call for information. Under Family Court Act Section 216-a, the clerk of court must provide official forms to anyone who requests them and can help self-represented litigants prepare their petitions.
Note: Directions to the courthouse: take the NYS Thruway to Exit 48 at Batavia, then Route 98 to Albion, crossing Route 31.
Legal Help in Orleans County
For free self-help resources, visit nycourts.gov/courthelp. The Family Legal Care Helpline at 212-343-1122 provides free legal information about family law matters in New York. Official court forms are available for download at no cost from the NYCourts website.
The court can also connect you with the Address Confidentiality Program if you need your location kept off court papers for safety. Anyone in Family Court can request an Address Confidentiality Order from the judge. All court visitors must pass through security screening, and the courthouse meets ADA standards with accommodations available on request.
Cities in Orleans County
All family court cases in Orleans County go through the courthouse in Albion. Residents from every town and village in the county file here.
Communities include Albion, Medina, Holley, Kendall, and surrounding rural areas. Orleans County does not have any cities large enough for a dedicated city page, but all family matters are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
Check your address to be sure you are filing in the right county.