Westchester County Family Court Records

Westchester County family court records are on file at three courthouse locations: White Plains, Yonkers, and New Rochelle. This setup is part of the 9th Judicial District and gives residents across the county easier access to the court system. You can search for family court records online or visit any of the three locations in person. The clerk of court keeps all case files, orders, and petitions from custody, support, paternity, family offense, and child protective cases. Bring photo ID if you plan to request copies of any court documents.

Westchester County Family Court Locations

Westchester is one of the few counties in New York with more than one Family Court location. Having three courthouses spread across the county means less travel for residents. The White Plains location is the main courthouse. Yonkers and New Rochelle serve the southern parts of the county. Each location handles the same types of cases.

The White Plains courthouse is at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601. The phone number is 914-824-5500, and the fax is 914-824-5860. You can reach them by email at VirtualWestchesterFamilyCourtWhitePlains@nycourts.gov. This location handles all family court case types and serves as the administrative hub for the county.

The Yonkers location is at 131 Warburton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701. The phone is 914-831-6555, and the fax is 914-831-6409. Yonkers is the most populated city in Westchester, so this branch sees a heavy caseload.

The New Rochelle location is at 420 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801. The phone number is 914-831-6590. This courthouse serves New Rochelle and the surrounding communities in southern Westchester.

Here is a look at a state-level family court resource page.

That page provides an overview of the New York State Family Court system and its operations across all counties.

Under Family Court Act Section 216-a, the clerk of court keeps all records and the court seal for each county. In Westchester, this means the clerk's office at each location can help you find and copy records from your case. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District, which also covers Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.

How to Search Westchester Family Court Records

You can search for Westchester County family court records online or in person at any of the three locations. The WebFamily case search system lets you look up cases by name or docket number. It shows case type, status, and hearing dates. For the full file, you need to go to the courthouse.

At the courthouse, go to the clerk's window. Bring valid photo ID. The clerk can pull your file and make copies. Under FCA Section 166, family court records are not open to the general public without the court's permission. The law says records are not available for "indiscriminate public inspection," but the court can allow access when there is a good reason. Parties to the case, their lawyers, and certain agencies can see the records without asking the judge.

22 NYCRR Section 205.5 sets out the full list of who can access records without a court order. This includes the petitioner, the respondent, and their attorneys. They can see pleadings, orders, decisions, and hearing transcripts. When a child is involved, the child's parents, their lawyer, the child's law guardian, and any agency with custody also get access. If you do not fall into one of these groups, you must file a written application explaining your need for the records. The judge reviews and decides.

NYSCEF e-filing is available for custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, and support cases in the 9th Judicial District. You can file and view documents at any time from any location with internet access. There is no fee to use NYSCEF. For case types not covered by e-filing, you can submit documents through EDDS or file paper copies with the clerk.

Types of Family Court Records in Westchester

Westchester County Family Court has the power to hear all family law matters except divorce. Divorce and separation cases go to the Supreme Court. The Family Court handles these case types:

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

Every case creates a file. That file holds the original petition, any motions, interim orders, hearing records, and the final decision. Support magistrates handle child support matters. Judges hear cases that could lead to incarceration, including family offense and neglect proceedings. Referees and judicial hearing officers sometimes preside over custody and visitation disputes. A law guardian is appointed for children in custody cases to make sure the child's interests are represented.

The Westchester County Court is at 111 Martin Luther King Blvd in White Plains, sharing the same complex as the Family Court. The County Court phone is 914-824-5840. The Legal Aid Society of Westchester's court directory lists all court locations in the county, including city courts in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Rye, White Plains, and Yonkers. City courts handle local criminal and traffic matters. Family cases still go to the Family Court.

Westchester County Family Court Resources

The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County is a key resource for low-income residents who need legal help in family court. They offer representation in custody, support, and family offense cases. Check their website at laswest.org or call for intake information. If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may be able to help you at no cost.

The NY CourtHelp website explains how to request records from any court in the state. It is run by the court system and gives step-by-step directions. If you are trying to get copies of an order or find out the status of a case, that site is a useful starting point.

The official Family Court forms are available online for free. These are the same forms used in every county across the state. You can download and print them at home, or pick them up at the clerk's office. The forms page is organized by case type, so you can find the right petition for custody, support, paternity, or any other matter quickly.

Westchester County also has an Integrated Domestic Violence Court, which handles cases where criminal and family court matters overlap. If your situation involves both a criminal charge and a family offense petition, the IDV court may hear both matters together under one judge. This can make the process smoother and avoid conflicting orders from different courts.

Address confidentiality is available for parties who feel unsafe. Under Family Court Act Section 154-b(2), the court can order that your address be kept off all court papers. Tell the clerk when you file your petition. New York also runs a statewide Address Confidentiality Program for victims of domestic violence. If you have moved or plan to move for safety, this program keeps your new address secret on court papers, government records, and more.

Getting Copies of Westchester Family Court Records

To get copies, visit the clerk's office at any of the three Westchester County Family Court locations. The White Plains courthouse is the main office, but Yonkers and New Rochelle can also help. Bring photo ID. If you are a party to the case, the clerk will pull the file and let you review it. Copies can be made on the spot. There is no filing fee for Family Court cases in New York. There may be a per-page charge for photocopies.

Transcripts of hearings are available by request. Fill out a Request for Transcript form and submit it to the court where the hearing took place. For hearings recorded by electronic device, you will need to contact an outside transcription service. These are independent contractors with their own rates. The court can provide a list of approved firms.

If you need records from another county in the 9th Judicial District, contact that county's Family Court directly. Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess each keep their own files. The Family Courts directory has contact info for all 62 counties in the state. Records do not transfer between counties automatically. You have to contact the court where your case was heard.

Cities in Westchester County

Westchester County has many cities and towns. Family court cases are heard at the White Plains, Yonkers, or New Rochelle courthouse depending on the location and case assignment.

White Plains is the county seat and home to the main Family Court building. All Westchester County residents can file cases at the White Plains location.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Westchester. Check your home address to confirm which county handles your case.