Access Schoharie County Family Court Records

Schoharie County family court records are filed at the courthouse on Main Street in the village of Schoharie. This is a small, rural county in the 3rd Judicial District. The Family Court handles custody, support, paternity, and family offense cases. The County Clerk also keeps court and divorce records at a separate office nearby. If you need to search for a case or get copies of a court order, you can visit in person, call, or try the state's online system. The court is open on weekdays and has a small but experienced staff.

Schoharie County Family Court

The Schoharie County Family Court is at 290 Main Street, Schoharie, NY 12157. The mailing address is P.O. Box 669, Schoharie, NY 12157. Call the court at (518) 453-6982 or email SchoharieFamilyCourt@nycourts.gov. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Chief Clerk April Schmick and Deputy Chief Clerk Casey Dingman handle the daily work. Support Magistrate Jennifer Corona, Esq. hears child support and paternity cases. County Court Judge Hon. Ryan T. McAllister also serves in a multi-hat role for the county. The courthouse was affected by flooding during Hurricane Irene in August 2011, and recovery work continued for years after. Some offices were relocated because of the flood damage.

The Supreme and County Court share the same building and can be reached at 518-453-6998 or SchoharieSupremeandCounty@nycourts.gov. The Surrogate's Court phone is 518-453-6986. All three courts operate under the same roof, which makes it easier to handle cases that cross court lines.

Finding Schoharie County Family Court Records

You can search for Schoharie County family court cases online using the New York eCourts system. It shows case status, hearing dates, and party names. Not all family court data is available online. Under Family Court Act Section 166, access to family court records is restricted. Only parties, their lawyers, and authorized agencies get full access to the file.

The NYS Navigator resource page lists the Schoharie County Family Court with its address, mailing address, phone, and email.

This directory connects families with court information and local resources for legal help.

For in-person searches, go to the courthouse at 290 Main Street. Directions: Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 25A, then get on I-88. Take exit 23, which says Schoharie/Central Bridge. Make a left onto Route 30A and go about 4 miles. The courthouse is on the left. Bring your ID and the name or case number you want to look up. The clerk can check records and make copies for a fee.

Schoharie County Clerk Records

The Schoharie County Clerk's office at 284 Main Street keeps divorce, court, and land records. The phone number is (518) 295-8316. This is a different office from the Family Court, though both are on Main Street in the village. The County Clerk handles Supreme Court filings, which include divorce and separation cases. If a custody or support issue is connected to a divorce, you may find related records at both the Family Court and the County Clerk's office.

The Surrogate's Court is at the same courthouse, 290 Main Street, and keeps records of estate proceedings, guardianships, and adoptions. The Surrogate's phone is 518-453-6986, with email at SchoharieSurrogateCourt@nycourts.gov. Guardianship cases sometimes involve both the Surrogate's Court and the Family Court, especially when a child needs a legal guardian.

The Schoharie County Historical Society and Old Stone Fort Museum at 145 Fort Road may have older historical records. The county historian at PO Box 394, Warnerville, NY 12187, phone 518-234-7241, can help with genealogical research. Schoharie is part of the Mohawk Valley Library System, and local libraries maintain special collections on local history.

Family Court Records and Case Types

Schoharie County Family Court hears custody and visitation cases under Domestic Relations Law Section 240. The court looks at the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Support cases are heard by the Support Magistrate, who sets payment amounts based on the parents' income and the Child Support Standards Act.

Family offense cases let someone file for an order of protection against a family or household member. Under Family Court Act Section 812, the court can issue temporary and permanent orders to keep a person safe. These records are part of the family court file and have limited public access. Child protective cases brought by the Department of Social Services are mostly sealed under Family Court Act Section 1046.

The Schoharie County Family Treatment Court at the same address provides services for families dealing with substance abuse in neglect proceedings. This court combines close judicial monitoring with treatment services to help parents get sober and keep their families together. Progress in treatment court can be reported to the family court judge handling the neglect case.

The 3rd Judicial District covers Schoharie along with Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. Standard forms and procedures apply across the district, so papers you file here will look the same as those used in neighboring counties.

Note: Court staff cannot give legal advice. Contact the NYCourts CourtHelp website or a lawyer for help with your case.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Schoharie County. Check where you live to make sure you file in the right court.