The Basics Series: Courts in New York City  (PDF format, 24 pages, 122k)
This easy-to-understand booklet is a guide to the seven different types of courts in New York City. It tells you what kind of cases each court handles and also explains the meaning of words commonly used in each of the courts. Contact information for the courts is included. Published by inMotion, Inc. and the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project. En español.

The New York CourtHelp web site makes finding information about New York City courts easy. This user-friendly web site provides contact information and addresses for the City’s courthouses and also helps you identify the right courthouse for your specific legal problem.

Visit the CourtHelp Law Library for answers to common questions about different types of family, civil and criminal legal cases.

Access the site’s legal dictionary to learn the meaning of common legal terms.

Use the Forms Library to find the legal forms you need to file your case with the court. The site provides uncontested divorce, family and civil law legal forms commonly used in Family Court proceedings.

If you do not have a lawyer and need to represent yourself in court, you can watch a video or read about how to get the help you need when you arrive at the courthouse. The video also explains how court personnel can, and cannot, assist you.

Visit the Family Court section of the New York State Unified Court System web site for detailed information about New York City Family Courts.

Contact information and addresses for the City’s Family Courts
Find the address, hours and primary contact information for the Family Court in your county. Information also includes public transportation directions, parking, handicapped access and Children's Centers available at each Family Courthouse.

Bronx County Family Court
Kings County Family Court
New York County Family Court
Queens County Family Court
Richmond County Family Court

Online Legal Document Library
Visit the site’s online legal document library to download legal forms commonly used in matrimonial and family law proceedings.
Divorce forms
Family Court forms

Learn more about
Office for the Self-Represented (Case Filing)
Courtroom Activity Office (Hearing and Orders)
Child Protective/Permanent Planning Office
Interpreter Services
Frequently Asked Questions  

Look for a Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) education and information site in the entranceway or waiting area of your local New York City Family Court. LIFT staff members are available to answer questions about Family Court, family law and child welfare.

Learn how to contact LIFT's legal hotline. 

LIFT Family Court resource guides
LIFT produces and distributes easy-to-understand, bilingual reference guides to help individuals navigate the New York City Family Courts. The LIFT booklets explain commonly used legal terms and basic procedures followed in Family Court. En español.

The Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) website offers helpful information about accessing the New York City and  police resources available to domestic violence survivors.

The WomansLaw web site provides bilingual information on navigating the court system in New York and other states, including detailed information on divorce, child custody, parental kidnapping, orders of protection and a listing of national resources for immigrant battered women.

Saftey plan for appearing in court with an abusive partner.
En español.