Access Greece Probate Court Records

Greece probate court records are held at the Monroe County Surrogate's Court in Rochester. The town of Greece borders Rochester to the northwest and is one of the most populated towns in Monroe County. All estate cases for Greece residents are filed at the county Surrogate's Court. You can search records online for free through the state portal, or visit the courthouse to view files and get copies. The Monroe County Surrogate's Court handles wills, estate administration, guardianship filings, small estate proceedings, and trust matters for everyone in the county.

Monroe County Surrogate's Court

All probate matters for Greece go to the Monroe County Surrogate's Court. The court is in downtown Rochester at the Monroe County Office Building. It is part of the 7th Judicial District. The court has full authority over wills, estate administration, guardianship, trust matters, and adoptions for all Monroe County residents.

Monroe County was formed in 1821. The court has kept probate records since then. That is over 200 years of estate files, including wills, letters of administration, guardianship papers, and accounting documents. The Monroe County Clerk's office is in the same building and handles related land records and court documents.

All visitors must enter through the South Fitzhugh Street or Irving Place entrances. The building has a security check at the entrance, so plan for a few extra minutes on arrival. Email is the preferred way to reach the office. Phone numbers go to voicemail.

How to Search Greece Probate Court Records

WebSurrogate is the free state tool for searching Monroe County probate records. You can look up cases by party name or file number. The system displays case history and any documents filed on or after February 19, 2014. It is the fastest way to check on a case from home.

Older documents are not available online. For those, go to the courthouse in Rochester. Public computers at the court let you view unrestricted records from before the 2014 cutoff. Historical files may be on microfilm. The County Clerk's office, located in Room 101 of the same building, has additional records you can search in person, by phone, by fax, or online through their system.

Restricted records include adoption files (always sealed), guardianship papers, death certificates filed with the court, and documents with social security numbers. Estate tax returns from May 1990 through January 2001 are also sealed.

Greece Probate Filing Fees

Filing fees at Monroe County Surrogate's Court follow the statewide schedule under SCPA Article 24. The fee is based on estate value: $45 for estates under $10,000, $75 for $10,000 to $20,000, and up to $1,250 for estates at $500,000 or above. See the court fee page for all amounts.

The Monroe County Clerk charges $0.65 per page for regular copies. The minimum is $1.30. Certified copies are $5 for a document up to 4 pages, with $1.25 for each additional page. The search fee is $5 for every two years searched. Payment can be made by cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard.

For Surrogate's Court specific fees: certified copies of court documents are $6 per page. Record searches cost $30 (under 25 years) or $90 (over 25 years). Will contest objections under SCPA 1410 cost $150 to file.

Types of Estate Cases in Greece

Probate is for people who died with a valid will. The executor files a petition and submits the original will. The court reviews it under SCPA Article 4. If the will is valid, the executor receives letters testamentary and begins managing the estate.

Administration applies to cases with no will. The court appoints an administrator based on the statutory priority: spouse first, then children, then parents and siblings. Small estates valued at $50,000 or less can use a simpler voluntary administration process with lower fees.

The court handles guardianship, trust, and accounting cases too. Wrongful death actions and adoption proceedings also go through the Surrogate's Court. Adoption files are sealed permanently. Only felony convictions are filed with the Monroe County Clerk; federal, city, and town court records are kept separately.

Historical Records for Greece Estates

Monroe County has probate records going back to 1821. Researchers looking into older Greece estate files can find indexed records at the Rochester courthouse. FamilySearch has microfilmed Monroe County probate records covering the 1800s and 1900s. These include wills, letters of administration, estate inventories, and guardianship papers.

The Monroe County Clerk's office in Room 101 of the same building keeps land records, deeds, mortgages, and judgments. If the person who died owned property in Greece, the deed records would be at the Clerk's office. You can search in person, by phone at (585) 753-1600, by fax at (585) 753-1650, or through their online system.

Electronic Filing in Monroe County

Monroe County uses NYSCEF for electronic filing. If you have an attorney, e-filing is mandatory for probate and administration cases. Self-represented parties can file electronically or in person.

The system accepts documents around the clock. Email notifications go out when filings are made and when the court acts on your case. Credit card payments are accepted. For help with NYSCEF, call 646-386-3033 during business hours.

Greece Local Resources

The Town of Greece does not handle probate filings. All estate cases go through the Monroe County Surrogate's Court in Rochester. The town government can assist with other local services and records.

Monroe County Probate Records

For full details on Monroe County court procedures, copy fees, historical records, and services, visit our county page.

Nearby Cities

These cities border Greece or are nearby in the Rochester area. All file probate through the Monroe County Surrogate's Court.