Warren County Family Court

Family court records in Warren County are kept at the Family Court located at the Warren County Municipal Center. The court is part of the 4th Judicial District and handles custody, child support, paternity, family offenses, and child protective cases. You can search for case info online or visit the clerk's office in person. The Public Defender's Office also covers family court cases for people who qualify. Bring photo ID if you plan to visit. The clerk's office can help you find the file you need, pull copies, and walk you through the steps for filing a new petition.

Warren County Family Court Location

The Warren County Family Court is at the Warren County Municipal Center, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845. The phone number is 518-480-6305, and the email is WarrenFamily@nycourts.gov. The court is open Monday through Friday.

The Supreme and County Courts are also at the Municipal Center. The Supreme Court phone number is 518-480-6336, and the email is WarrenSupremeCo@nycourts.gov. Supreme Court Justices include Hon. Martin D. Auffredou at 518-480-6302 and Hon. Robert J. Muller at 518-480-6346. The County Court is presided over by Hon. Robert Smith at 518-480-6351, with Travis Brown as Court Attorney at 518-480-6352.

The Court Clerk can be reached at 518-480-6336 for administrative matters. The Commissioner of Jurors is Wanda Smith at 518-480-6330. County Clerk Carrie Black handles land records and other county filings at 518-761-6427, with Deputy County Clerk Linda Morgan at 518-761-6516.

Here is a look at the state-level Family Court resource page for New York.

That page has info on court structure and services for all Family Courts in the state.

How to Search Family Court Records

You can search for Warren County family court records online through the WebFamily case search system. This tool lets you look up cases by name or docket number. It shows case status, court dates, and basic details. For the full case file, you need to visit the courthouse at the Municipal Center.

At the courthouse, go to the clerk's office. Bring valid photo ID. The clerk can pull your case file and make copies for you. Under FCA Section 166, family court records are not open to the general public without permission from the court. The law says records are not for "indiscriminate public inspection." But the judge can grant access to anyone if there is a good reason. The statute does not make records confidential. It just limits who can walk in and see them without asking first.

Under 22 NYCRR Section 205.5, parties and their attorneys can see pleadings, orders, decisions, and hearing transcripts without a separate court order. If a child is part of the case, the parents, the child's lawyer, and any agency with custody also have access. A prosecutor can get access in cases involving orders of protection where a related criminal case may be started. Everyone else must apply to the court and explain why they need the records.

The NY CourtHelp website is a good starting point if you need help with the process. It explains what forms to use and what to expect.

Types of Family Court Records in Warren County

Warren County Family Court produces records for several types of cases. The court hears matters involving children and families but cannot grant a divorce. Divorce goes to the Supreme Court. The case types that create family court records include:

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

Each case file has petitions, hearing records, and final orders. The clerk keeps all of these at the Municipal Center. The Surrogate's Court, presided over by Hon. John S. Hall, Jr., handles estate proceedings and some guardianship matters separately.

Warren County Public Defender and Family Court

The Warren County Public Defender's Office provides legal help to people in Family Court who cannot afford a lawyer. The office handles custody, visitation, neglect, and other family court matters. If you think you qualify, ask the court about getting assigned counsel at your first court date. The judge will review your income and decide.

Multiple town courts also operate across Warren County, including Bolton, Chestertown, Hague, Horicon, Johnsburg, Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Queensbury, Stony Creek, Thurman, and Warrensburg. These town courts handle traffic and local criminal matters but do not hear family court cases. All family cases go to the county Family Court at the Municipal Center.

The Glens Falls City Court is at City Hall, 42 Ridge Street, 3rd Floor, Glens Falls, NY 12801. The phone number is 518-480-6365. Hon. Gary C. Hobbs and Hon. Jacquelyn P. White preside over the city court, with Lisa Ghenoiu as Chief Clerk. This court handles city-level matters but family cases are heard at the county level.

Filing and Forms

There is no fee to file a case in Warren County Family Court. You can get official Family Court forms online or at the clerk's office. The 4th Judicial District has standardized forms that apply across Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties.

For some case types, you can e-file through NYSCEF. Custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support cases can be e-filed. There is no cost to use NYSCEF. You can file at any time of day. The Family Courts directory has contact info for all 62 county Family Courts in the state.

Transcripts of hearings can be requested. All court proceedings are recorded. Fill out a Request for Transcript form and submit it to the court. For hearings recorded by electronic devices, you will need an outside transcription service. These firms set their own rates. The court can give you a list of approved providers.

Note: If you have a safety concern, ask the clerk about the Address Confidentiality program. The court can keep your address off all court papers.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Warren. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check where you live.