Contact the NYC Family Court

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Related Information

Questions?

If you have questions about New York City Family Court services, records, or procedures, the information below can help. Please check the common questions first - many answers are below. If you still need help, use the email links provided at the end of the page. Please note that the email addresses for each county are meant for general questions about the court and its procedures. They cannot be used to get case-specific information, submit petitions or other court documents for filing, submit evidence, or communicate with Judges, Support Magistrates, and Referees.

Common Questions

Where is Family Court located?

There is a Family Court building in each of the five boroughs:

Bronx County - 900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451
Kings County (Brooklyn) - 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
New York County (Manhattan) - 60 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013
Queens County - 151-20 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432
Richmond County (Staten Island) - 100 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

How do I file a petition?

To file a petition, you have the following options:

File in person at the courthouse.
File electronically:
- For Custody, Visitation, Guardianship, Child Support, Paternity, and Parentage cases, you can file electronically using NYSCEF.
- For Writs of Habeas Corpus and Family Offense (Order of Protection) cases, you can submit your petition via our Electronic Document Delivery System (EDDS).
File by mail.

Note - petitions are not accepted for filing via email.

How do I submit evidence for my case?

You only need to send in evidence for your case when the Judge, Referee, or Support Magistrate asks you to do so. This helps make sure your information is reviewed at the right time and in the right way for your case.

For Support cases, you can submit evidence in-person, by mail, or electronically using NYSCEF or our Electronic Document Delivery System (EDDS).

For Paternity and Parentage cases, you can submit evidence in-person, by mail, or electronically using NYSCEF.

For Family Offense cases, you can submit evidence in-person, by mail, or electronically using our Electronic Document Delivery System (EDDS).

For Custody, Visitation, and Guardianship cases, you can submit evidence in-person, by mail, or electronically using NYSCEF.

Please note that audio and video files must be saved to an external storage device, such as a secure flash drive, and brought to the court in person or mailed to us. We cannot accept any evidence by email.

I lost my court date. Can you tell me when it is?

If you have the file or docket number, you can find your court date on our eCourts page. To request assistance by email, please include a clear photo of your current, government-issued ID with your inquiry.

I'm having trouble having the respondent personally served. Can I mail the summons and petition?

You must first make your best efforts to have the respondent personally served. Keep a record of the attempts and bring it to court. The judge will then decide whether to allow service by another method, such as mail or text message.

How do I request to appear virtually (remotely)?

You may submit an Electronic Testimony Application to the court. Please note that virtual appearances are granted at the discretion of the jurist presiding over the case.

How do I request an adjournment?

To request an adjournment, you can do so in person at the courthouse. You can also complete an adjournment request form. You can email the form to the court with a clear photo of your current, government-issued ID. Please include the docket number or file number for your case, if known.

How do I request to withdraw my petition?

Please complete the withdrawal request form. You may submit the form either in person or by email. Please include a clear photo of your current government-issued ID and the docket number or file number for your case, if known.

Note - Requests to withdraw Family Offense (Order of Protection) cases must be made in person.

I have legal questions. Can court staff help me?

No. Court staff can explain rules and procedures and provide forms, but they cannot give legal advice. If you do not have a lawyer, you can contact the Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program, Family Legal Care, or visit Court Help for assistance.

Can I get an attorney to represent me in my case?

When you appear before the jurist presiding over your case, you will have the opportunity to request a court-appointed attorney, depending on the case type. The jurist will decide if you meet the eligibility requirements for a court-appointed lawyer.

Note - Court-appointed attorneys are typically not assigned in Child Support cases.

Can I send an email directly to the Judge in my case?

No. Litigants are not permitted to write directly to the jurist presiding over their case. Clerical staff are also prohibited from forwarding messages directly to jurists from litigants. This rule is in place to ensure fairness. All parties in a case must be able to hear and know what is being said, and everyone must have the same opportunity to respond. If you need to share information with the court, please do so through the proper filing or submission process.

How do I request copies of my court records?

For information on how to obtain copies of court orders and records, please visit our Records page.

How do I request a transcript?

Please visit our Transcripts page for instructions on how to obtain a written transcript of the proceedings.

How do I file for divorce?

Family Court does not handle divorce cases. Matrimonial matters are heard in Supreme Court - Civil Term. Please contact the Supreme Court - Civil Term in your county or visit CourtHelp for assistance.

Still have questions? If you didn't find the answer to your question in the list above, you may contact the county you need by using its email address below. Please allow us 5-7 business days to respond.

County Email List

Bronx County Family Court - [email protected]

Kings County (Brooklyn) Family Court - [email protected]

New York County (Manhattan) Family Court - [email protected]

Queens County Family Court - [email protected]

Richmond County (Staten Island) Family Court - [email protected]