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Search Probate Court NYC Records, Surrogate’s Court Cases, Wills & Estate Filings
Use official New York City Surrogate’s Court, NY Courts, NYC311, WebSurrogate, and CourtHelp resources to search estate records, find the correct borough court, file probate or administration papers, request copies, and avoid wrong private record portals.
In New York City, probate matters are handled by the Surrogate’s Court in the county/borough connected to the decedent. Choose what you need below to reach the right official path.
📂 Search NYC probate or estate records
Use this for: estate proceedings, filed Surrogate’s Court documents, public probate records, and historical record searches.
Best official path: use WebSurrogate, the NY Courts public search tool for New York State Surrogate’s Court filings.
Important: search by decedent name, estate name, file number, county, or date details when available.
Probate Court NYC Quick Facts
New York City probate matters are handled by Surrogate’s Courts. The court hears cases involving people who have died, including probate of wills and estate administration. NYC has Surrogate’s Court locations for Bronx, Kings County/Brooklyn, New York County/Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond County/Staten Island.
What This Probate Court NYC Guide Covers
Official Probate Court NYC Path: Surrogate’s Court
In New York City, the court most people call “probate court” is officially the Surrogate’s Court. NY Courts explains that the Surrogate’s Court hears cases involving decedents, including the probate of wills and administration of estates. It also handles adoptions.
The correct NYC probate court usually depends on the borough/county connected to the decedent. New York City boroughs are also counties: Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, and Richmond County.
Use this path when a person died with a will and the will must be admitted by the Surrogate’s Court.
Use this path when a person died without a will and someone must be appointed to handle the estate.
Use this path for voluntary administration when the estate qualifies under New York’s small estate rules.
Use WebSurrogate to search public estate proceedings and Surrogate’s Court filings.
NYC Surrogate’s Court Locations by Borough
NYC311 lists the five New York City Surrogate’s Court offices with addresses, phone numbers, and business hours. Use the borough/county connected to the decedent before filing or requesting records.
Address: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 618-2300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
Address: 2 Johnson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 404-9700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
Address: 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (646) 386-5000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
Address: 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435
Phone: (718) 298-0500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
Address: 18 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: (718) 675-8503
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM
Call the correct borough court first if you need certified copies, file access, probate filing instructions, or current calendar information.
How to Search NYC Probate Records Online
The official WebSurrogate system provides information on estate proceedings and other filings within New York State Surrogate’s Courts. It is a free official service for searching files, retrieving documents, and viewing public historical records.
Open WebSurrogate
Start with the official WebSurrogate search page, not a private background-check or paid record website.
Select the correct county
Choose Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, or Richmond depending on the decedent’s county/borough connection.
Search by strong details
Use the decedent’s full legal name, estate file number, date of death, filing year, fiduciary name, or attorney information if available.
Confirm document access
Some records may be public online, while other documents, older files, sealed matters, or certified records may require court assistance.
Probating a Will in NYC Surrogate’s Court
Probate is the proceeding used when a person dies with a will. The Surrogate’s Court reviews the will and related papers, and if accepted, the estate can be handled according to the will. The person named in the will may request authority to act as executor.
The original will is usually important. Do not rely only on a copy unless the court tells you what procedure applies.
A certified death certificate is commonly needed for estate filings and court review.
The executor named in the will may need letters testamentary before banks or agencies will recognize authority.
File in the correct county Surrogate’s Court, usually connected to where the decedent lived.
NYC Estate Administration When There Is No Will
Administration is commonly used when a person died without a will. The Surrogate’s Court may appoint an administrator to handle estate assets, debts, distributions, and court-required estate steps.
The court may appoint a legally eligible person to handle the estate when there is no will.
Family relationship and distributee information can matter in administration proceedings.
Bank accounts, refunds, claims, personal property, and other assets may require court authority to collect.
Letters of administration may be needed before institutions release or transfer estate assets.
NYC Small Estate / Voluntary Administration
NY CourtHelp explains that a small estate can be filed when the decedent had $50,000 or less in personal property. This is also called voluntary administration and can be used whether or not there was a will, depending on the facts.
Check the estate value
Confirm whether the decedent’s personal property is $50,000 or less and whether real property issues affect the filing.
Use the official DIY form program
NY Courts provides a Small Estate Affidavit Program for eligible Surrogate’s Court filings.
File in Surrogate’s Court
Use the correct NYC borough/county court before submitting the affidavit or supporting documents.
NYC Surrogate’s Court Forms and Filing Help
Use official NY Courts Surrogate’s Court forms and CourtHelp resources before filing. Some NYC borough Surrogate’s Courts may also have local notices, instructions, or procedures.
NYC Surrogate’s Court
Main NY Courts page for New York City Surrogate’s Court information and borough pages.
Open NYC Court PageSurrogate’s Court Forms
Official forms page for Surrogate’s Court filings and related NY Courts forms.
Open FormsCourtHelp
Plain-language court help for users without lawyers, including “When Someone Dies.”
Open CourtHelpCertified Copies, Letters and NYC Probate Documents
An online record can help you find a case, but banks, title companies, agencies, insurers, and government offices may require certified court documents or official letters. Contact the correct borough Surrogate’s Court before ordering copies.
Used when an executor is appointed under a will and needs official authority.
Used when an administrator is appointed for an estate without a will.
Small estate matters may involve certificates or short certificates depending on the filing.
Ask the court whether a plain copy, certified copy, exemplified copy, or sealed copy is needed.
Official Probate Court NYC Links
NYC Surrogate’s Court
Main official NY Courts page for NYC Surrogate’s Court.
Open NYC Surrogate’s CourtWebSurrogate
Official free search for Surrogate’s Court estate proceedings and public filings.
Open WebSurrogateNYC311 Surrogate Court
NYC borough addresses, phone numbers, and business hours.
Open NYC311 PageWhen Someone Dies
NY CourtHelp guide for probate, administration, and small estates.
Open CourtHelp GuideNew York County Surrogate’s Court Map
For Manhattan/New York County matters, NYC311 lists New York County Surrogate’s Court at 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. For other boroughs, use the borough address listed above.
Probate Court NYC FAQs
What is Probate Court called in NYC?
In New York City, probate matters are handled by the Surrogate’s Court. It handles probate of wills, estate administration, and other matters involving decedents.
How many Surrogate’s Courts are in NYC?
There are five NYC borough/county Surrogate’s Courts: Bronx, Kings County/Brooklyn, New York County/Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond County/Staten Island.
How do I search NYC probate records online?
Use WebSurrogate, the official NY Courts public search system for New York State Surrogate’s Court estate proceedings and filings.
Where do I file probate in NYC?
File in the correct borough/county Surrogate’s Court, usually based on the decedent’s county connection. Call the court if you are unsure.
What is a small estate in New York?
NY CourtHelp says a small estate can be filed when the decedent had $50,000 or less in personal property. This is also called voluntary administration.
Can court staff give legal advice?
Court staff can provide procedural information, but they generally cannot give legal advice, choose legal strategy, or tell you which petition is best for your situation.