Probate Court in New York: Search Surrogate’s Court Records, Wills, Estates & Forms
Use official New York State Unified Court System resources to find the correct county Surrogate’s Court, search estate records in WebSurrogate, access probate forms, start a small estate, check filing-fee guidance, and avoid wrong court portals.
In New York, probate matters are handled by the Surrogate’s Court. Choose your task below to find the right official path for estate records, probate forms, small estate filings, administration, e-filing, or county court location.
📂 Search Surrogate’s Court estate records
Use this for: estate case lookup, decedent name search, public probate documents, historical records, and Surrogate’s Court file information.
Best official path: use WebSurrogate, the official New York Surrogate’s Court record search service.
Important: search by decedent name, file number, county, date range, or other known estate details when available.
New York Probate Court Quick Facts
New York does not usually use the phrase “probate court” as the official court name. Probate, estate administration, wills, fiduciary appointments, accounting matters, and many related estate filings are handled by the Surrogate’s Court in the county connected to the decedent.
What This New York Probate Court Guide Covers
Official Probate Court Path in New York
The official probate court path in New York is the county Surrogate’s Court. The Surrogate’s Court hears cases involving decedents, including the probate of wills and the administration of estates. It may also handle adoptions and other specialized matters depending on the case type.
For estate filings, users should not start with criminal court, Supreme Court civil records, county clerk land records, or private background-search websites unless the Surrogate’s Court directs them there. Start with the county Surrogate’s Court and WebSurrogate.
Use this when the decedent left a will and the will must be admitted by the Surrogate’s Court.
Use this when the decedent died without a will and someone needs authority to handle the estate.
Use voluntary administration when the estate meets New York small estate requirements.
Use WebSurrogate to search public Surrogate’s Court files and retrieve available documents.
How to Search New York Surrogate’s Court Records Online
WebSurrogate is the official New York State Surrogate’s Court online record search service. It allows users to search estate proceedings and other Surrogate’s Court filings, retrieve public documents, and view historical records that are considered public information.
Open WebSurrogate
Start with the official WebSurrogate website, not a private record site.
Select the correct county
Choose the county where the decedent lived or where the estate proceeding belongs. County selection is critical in New York.
Search by name or file detail
Use the decedent’s full legal name, estate name, file number, fiduciary name, approximate filing year, or date of death if known.
Open available public documents
Some documents may be available online, while certified copies, sealed records, or special requests may require direct court contact.
How to Find the Correct Probate Court in New York
New York Surrogate’s Courts are county-based. The correct court is usually tied to the decedent’s domicile, meaning the person’s main or permanent home at the time of death. If the decedent lived in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Albany, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Erie, Monroe, or another New York county, use that county’s Surrogate’s Court.
Manhattan probate matters generally use New York County Surrogate’s Court.
Brooklyn probate matters generally use Kings County Surrogate’s Court.
Queens probate matters generally use Queens County Surrogate’s Court.
Bronx and Staten Island each have their own Surrogate’s Court path.
Probating a Will in New York Surrogate’s Court
Probate is the court process used to prove that a will is valid and to appoint the executor named in the will. In New York, the original will and supporting documents are usually filed in the Surrogate’s Court connected to the decedent’s county.
The original will is usually required. Ask the county Surrogate’s Court how original documents must be submitted.
A certified death certificate is commonly needed with probate filings.
If the will is admitted, the nominated executor may receive letters testamentary.
The decedent’s distributees may need to be listed and may receive notice or citation depending on the case.
Administration When Someone Dies Without a Will in New York
If a person dies without a will, the estate may require an administration proceeding instead of probate. The Surrogate’s Court can appoint an administrator to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property according to New York law.
Confirm there is no will
Search family papers, safe deposit information, attorney records, and court records when appropriate.
Identify distributees
Distributees are the people who may inherit if there is no will. They are important in administration proceedings.
Use administration forms
Use the official Surrogate’s Court administration forms and county instructions.
Request letters of administration
The appointed administrator may need letters of administration for banks, property transfers, agencies, or estate business.
New York Small Estate and Voluntary Administration
New York’s official small estate affidavit program may be used when the decedent had $50,000 or less in personal property and the case meets the program’s conditions. This type of proceeding is commonly called a small estate or voluntary administration.
The official program states the decedent must have had $50,000 or less in personal property.
Personal property can include accounts, vehicles, stocks, bonds, and other assets titled only in the decedent’s name.
If the decedent owned real property, small estate eligibility can be more complicated. Review the official program conditions carefully.
The small estate filing commonly uses an Affidavit of Voluntary Administration.
New York Surrogate’s Court Forms, Fees and E-Filing
New York Courts provides official Surrogate’s Court forms arranged by proceeding type, including probate, administration, small estate, accounting, guardianship-related, adoption-related, wrongful death, and miscellaneous forms. Many forms are fillable PDFs, but users must follow court instructions for filing.
Surrogate’s Court Forms
Official New York forms arranged by Surrogate’s Court proceeding type.
Open FormsProbate Forms
Use this page for probate petition forms and related probate documents.
Open Probate FormsFee Schedule
Surrogate’s Court filing fees are governed by official fee schedules and may depend on estate value.
Open Fee ScheduleCertified Copies, Letters Testamentary and Estate Documents
Online record access can help you find a file, but official transactions often require court-issued documents. Banks, title companies, government agencies, insurance companies, and attorneys may require certified copies or original letters.
Issued when an executor is appointed in a probate proceeding.
Issued when an administrator is appointed in an estate without a will.
Used when a plain online printout is not enough for official use.
Some records may not be viewable online and may require court review or direct request.
Official New York Probate Court Links
WebSurrogate
Search public estate proceedings and Surrogate’s Court documents.
Open WebSurrogateSmall Estate Program
Official DIY program for qualifying small estates.
Open Small Estate ProgramNYC Surrogate Courts
New York City Surrogate’s Courts for the five boroughs.
Open NYC Surrogate CourtsNew York Surrogate’s Court Map and Court Locator
Because New York probate matters are county-based, there is not one single statewide probate courthouse for every estate. Use the New York Courts “Find a Court” directory to locate the correct county Surrogate’s Court. The map below uses New York County Surrogate’s Court as an example for Manhattan probate matters.
Probate Court in New York FAQs
What is probate court called in New York?
In New York, probate matters are handled by the Surrogate’s Court. This is the court for wills, estates, administration, many fiduciary matters, and related estate filings.
How do I search New York probate records online?
Use WebSurrogate, the official New York Surrogate’s Court online record search service. Search by county, decedent name, file number, or other known estate details.
Which New York Surrogate’s Court should I use?
Use the Surrogate’s Court in the county connected to the decedent, usually the county where the decedent lived at death. Use the New York Courts Find a Court directory if you are unsure.
What is a small estate in New York?
The official New York small estate program may apply when the decedent had $50,000 or less in personal property and the case meets the program’s conditions.
Where do I get New York probate forms?
Use the official New York Courts Surrogate’s Court forms page. Forms are arranged by proceeding type, such as probate, administration, small estate, accounting, and miscellaneous proceedings.
Can I file New York probate documents online?
Some Surrogate’s Court matters may be eligible for e-filing through NYSCEF, but availability depends on county, proceeding type, and court rules. Verify with the correct county Surrogate’s Court before filing.