New Rochelle Probate Court Records

New Rochelle probate court records are filed at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court in White Plains. The city of New Rochelle is in the southern part of Westchester County, close to the Long Island Sound. All estate matters for New Rochelle residents go through the county Surrogate's Court. You can search records online for free or visit the courthouse at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The court handles will probate, intestate administration, guardianship cases, trust proceedings, and small estate filings for everyone in Westchester County.

Westchester County Surrogate's Court

New Rochelle residents file all probate cases at the Westchester County Surrogate's Court. The court is in White Plains, roughly 15 minutes north of New Rochelle. It handles probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship, trust matters, and adoptions. Westchester County is part of the 9th Judicial District.

Westchester was one of the original counties of New York, created in 1683. The Surrogate's Court has kept estate records for well over two centuries. The county has a large population, and the volume of probate filings is consistently high. The court uses mandatory e-filing and well-organized departments to manage the caseload. Portions of Westchester County were annexed by New York City in 1895 (now the Bronx), so some historical records for those areas may be split between counties.

The court staff can answer procedural questions but not give legal advice. Westchester County has several legal aid organizations that offer help with estate matters if you cannot afford a lawyer.

How to Search New Rochelle Probate Court Records

WebSurrogate is the state's free search tool for Surrogate's Court records. It covers Westchester County. Search by party name or file number. The name search has a date of death filter. Documents filed since February 19, 2014 are viewable online.

Older documents require a trip to the courthouse in White Plains. Public computers there let you browse unrestricted records from before the 2014 cutoff. Some historical files are on microfilm. Court staff can help you navigate the system during business hours.

Certain records are restricted. Adoption files are sealed permanently. Guardianship papers, death certificates filed with the court, and documents with social security numbers have limited access. Estate tax returns from May 1990 to January 2001 are also restricted. These rules apply under Uniform Rule 207.64.

To search, you should have:

• Full name of the deceased
• Date or year of death
• File number if available

New Rochelle Probate Filing Fees

All fees follow the statewide schedule under SCPA Article 24. The filing fee is based on the gross value of the estate. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. Between $10,000 and $20,000, the fee is $75. The amounts increase up to $1,250 for estates valued at $500,000 or more. The court fee schedule has every bracket listed.

Certified copies cost $6 per page. Searching a record under 25 years is $30. Over 25 years, it jumps to $90. Filing will objections under SCPA 1410 costs $150. A jury demand is $150. A note of issue is $45. Bonds cost $20 or $30 to file depending on the value.

Estate Proceedings for New Rochelle Residents

Probate is for people who left a will. The named executor brings the original will and a petition to the court. The court checks the will under SCPA Article 4. If the will passes, the executor gets letters testamentary to manage the estate.

Administration applies when there is no will. The court appoints an administrator based on the legal priority order. The spouse comes first. Then children, parents, and siblings. The administrator gets letters of administration. Small estates valued at $50,000 or less can go through the simplified voluntary administration process.

Guardianship cases for minors and incapacitated persons, trust proceedings, estate accountings, and wrongful death actions all go through the Westchester County Surrogate's Court. Adoption cases are handled here too, but those files are permanently sealed.

Historical Records for New Rochelle Estates

Westchester County has probate records going back to the late 1600s. For New Rochelle families, the Surrogate's Court in White Plains has indexed files spanning centuries. Historical wills, letters of administration, and guardianship orders are available for public research during court hours.

FamilySearch has microfilmed Westchester County probate records from the 1700s and 1800s. These can be accessed through Family History Centers worldwide. The New York State Archives in Albany also holds colonial wills from before 1787 and state probate records from 1787 to 1929 on microfilm. For New Rochelle properties, the Westchester County Clerk keeps land records that often tie into estate matters.

Electronic Filing for New Rochelle Cases

Westchester County participates in NYSCEF for electronic filing. If you have an attorney, e-filing is mandatory for probate and administration cases. Self-represented parties can choose to file in person at the White Plains courthouse or use the electronic system.

NYSCEF is available 24 hours a day. Email notifications go out for new filings and court actions. Credit cards are accepted for fee payments. The Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033 can help with technical issues during business hours.

New Rochelle Local Resources

The City of New Rochelle does not handle probate filings. All estate cases go through the Westchester County Surrogate's Court in White Plains. The city government can help with other municipal records and services.

Westchester County Probate Records

For full details on Westchester County court procedures, records, and resources, visit our county page.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near New Rochelle in Westchester County. All handle probate through the Westchester County Surrogate's Court.