Search Rensselaer County Family Court Records

Rensselaer County family court records are kept at the Family Court in Troy, which is part of the 3rd Judicial District. The court hears custody, support, paternity, family offense, and child protective cases for all residents of the county. You can search for records online through the state court system or visit the clerk's office in person at 1504 Fifth Avenue. Bring photo ID if you plan to ask for copies of any court papers. The clerk manages all filings, orders, and case documents. Rensselaer County Family Court also has support magistrates who handle child support matters on a regular basis.

Rensselaer County Family Court

The Rensselaer County Family Court sits at 1504 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. The main phone number is 518-453-5515, with a fax line at 518-285-8504. The court is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. It is part of the 3rd Judicial District, which also covers Albany, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. The district keeps forms and rules the same across all seven counties.

Family Court Judges include Hon. Elizabeth Walsh, Hon. Jill Kehn, and Hon. Matthew Turner. They preside over custody, support, juvenile delinquency, child protective cases, and other family law matters. Support Magistrates Jennifer Corona, Esq. and Laura Deitz, Esq. handle child support cases, including new filings, changes, and enforcement. The Chief Clerk is Lawrencia Colon, and the Deputy Chief Clerk position was listed as vacant in recent court records, though Jamie Empie has served in that role according to the 2025 county directory.

Under Family Court Act Section 216-a, the clerk of court keeps all records and manages the court seal. This means every petition, order, and judgment filed in Rensselaer County Family Court is held by the clerk's office. If you need a copy of a court order, you go to the clerk. Bring valid photo ID. The staff can pull your file and make copies for you on the spot.

How to Search Rensselaer County Family Court Records

You can look up Rensselaer County family court records online or at the courthouse. The WebFamily case search tool lets you search by name or docket number. It shows case type, status, and court dates. But it does not show the full file. For that, you need to go in person.

At the courthouse, head to the clerk's office on the main floor. Give them your name and case number if you have it. Under FCA Section 166, family court records are not open to the general public without the court's say-so. Parties to the case, their lawyers, and some agencies get access as a matter of right. Everyone else must file an application with the court. The judge decides on a case-by-case basis.

The rule in 22 NYCRR Section 205.5 spells out who can see what. Petitioners, respondents, and their attorneys can view pleadings, orders, decisions, and hearing transcripts. When a child is part of the case, the parents, the child's lawyer, and any agency with custody can also review the file. If a prosecutor needs records for a related criminal matter, there is a process for that too. But the general rule is that you have to be connected to the case or get the judge's permission.

NYSCEF e-filing is now available for certain family court case types in the 3rd Judicial District, including custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support. This means you can file and view documents from home at any time. There is no fee to use the system. For older cases or paper-only filings, the clerk's office is your only option.

Types of Family Court Records

Rensselaer County Family Court handles a wide range of family law cases. Each one creates its own set of records. The court has the power to hear any matter that deals with children and families, but it cannot grant a divorce. Only the Supreme Court does that. Here are the main case types:

• Custody and visitation disputes
• Child support and spousal support
• Paternity establishment
• Family offenses and orders of protection
• Child protective proceedings (abuse and neglect)
• Juvenile delinquency and PINS
• Adoption and guardianship

Each case file has petitions, court orders, hearing notes, and final decisions. Support magistrates handle the child support side. Judges hear cases that could lead to jail time, like family offenses and some neglect matters. Referees and judicial hearing officers may preside over custody and visitation cases. A law guardian is appointed to represent children in custody matters, taking part in every stage of the case.

If you were part of a case and need a copy of an order, the clerk can provide one. Certified copies of pleadings and orders can be sent to other courts without a separate court order, which is helpful when a case crosses county lines. For transcripts of hearings, you fill out a Request for Transcript form. If the hearing was recorded by an electronic device, you will need to contact an outside transcription service. Those firms set their own rates and turn times.

Rensselaer County Family Court Resources

The Rensselaer County Family Court resource directory from NYS Navigator lists the court's address, phone, and links to support services in the county. This is a good starting point if you are not sure where to begin.

Here is a look at the Rensselaer County Family Court resource page from NYS Navigator.

That page shows court contact details and links to family services throughout the county.

The court serves residents of Troy and all towns in Rensselaer County, including East Greenbush, North Greenbush, and the surrounding areas. Getting to the courthouse is fairly simple. From I-787 North, take the Watervliet/Green Island exit. At the end of the ramp, turn right, then right again over the bridge. Go through the next light, take the second right onto Fifth Avenue, and continue for six lights. At the sixth light, turn left onto Ferry Street. The court is on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ferry Street. Turn left into the visitor parking lot.

CDTA bus lines also serve the area. Parking is available at the building, including spots for people with disabilities. The courthouse is ADA accessible. If you need a specific accommodation, call the court ahead of time to make arrangements.

The Rensselaer County Courthouse at 80 Second Street in Troy houses the Supreme and County Courts. That is where you go for divorce or matrimonial matters, not the Family Court. The Supreme Court Chief Clerk is Beth Muller, reachable at 518-285-5025. Keep in mind that family court and supreme court are two different courts with different clerks and different buildings in Rensselaer County.

Getting Copies of Family Court Records in Rensselaer County

To get copies, visit the Family Court clerk's office at 1504 Fifth Avenue in Troy. You need photo ID. The clerk will look up your case and let you see the file if you are a party. Copies can be made right there. There is no filing fee for Family Court cases in New York, but there may be a per-page cost for photocopies.

If you are not a party to the case, you must ask the court for permission. File a written application that explains why you need the records. The judge will review it and decide. This is based on FCA Section 166, which says records are not open to "indiscriminate public inspection" but gives the court the power to allow access when it makes sense. The statute does not make records fully confidential. It just means you can't walk in and browse case files without a reason.

For records from other counties in the 3rd Judicial District, contact the Family Court in that county directly. Albany County Family Court is at 30 Clinton Avenue in Albany. Columbia County and the others each have their own clerk's office. The Family Courts directory has contact info for all 62 counties across the state.

The official Family Court forms page has every form you might need for any type of case. These are free to download and print. You can also pick them up at the clerk's office in Troy. If you need help filling them out, ask about the court's self-help resources or contact a legal aid group in the area.

Cities in Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County includes Troy, the county seat, along with several smaller towns and villages. All family court cases for Rensselaer County residents are heard at the Family Court in Troy.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Rensselaer. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check your home address.