Rochester Probate Court Records

Rochester probate court records are on file at the Monroe County Surrogate's Court on West Main Street in downtown Rochester. As the county seat and largest city in Monroe County, Rochester is home to the Surrogate's Court that handles all estate matters for the area. You can search these records for free online using the WebSurrogate portal or visit the courthouse in person to view files and get copies of probate court records.

Monroe County Surrogate's Court

Monroe County Surrogate's Court is at 39 West Main Street, Room 101, in downtown Rochester. The court handles all probate court records for people who lived in Monroe County at the time of death. Rochester is the county seat, so the court is right in the city. It is part of the 7th Judicial District.

The Surrogate has exclusive jurisdiction over estate matters under SCPA 205. This includes probate of wills, administration of intestate estates, guardianship cases, trust proceedings, accounting disputes, and adoptions. Monroe County is one of the more populated counties in upstate New York, so the court handles a large volume of cases.

The court building is in the center of Rochester's government district. Parking is available in nearby public lots and garages. The building has a security check at the entrance, so allow extra time when you visit.

How to Search Rochester Probate Court Records

Go to WebSurrogate and select Monroe County. Type the name of the deceased person. You can also search by file number if you have one. The system returns matching cases with file numbers, dates, and case types. Documents filed after February 2014 can be viewed right on the screen.

For older records, visit the courthouse at 39 West Main Street. Public access terminals are set up in the clerk's office for searching the full index. Staff can help pull case files. If you need certified copies, they cost $6 per page. A search and certification is $30 for records under 25 years old and $90 for older records.

Monroe County has probate records going back well over a hundred years. For genealogy research, older records may be on microfilm or in the county archives. The Rochester Public Library and the Monroe County Clerk's Office also hold related historical documents that may help with estate research.

Probate Filing Fees in Rochester

Filing fees are the same in every county. They follow SCPA 2402. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, the fee is $75. Estates valued from $20,000 to $50,000 cost $215. Between $50,000 and $100,000, the fee is $280. Estates from $100,000 to $250,000 pay $420. The fee for estates between $250,000 and $500,000 is $625. The top rate is $1,250 for estates over $500,000.

Extra fees apply in contested matters. Filing objections to a will under SCPA 1410 costs $150. A jury demand is $150. Notes of issue are $45. Cash, check, and money order are accepted. Ask about credit card payments when you call.

How Probate Works in Rochester

When a Rochester resident dies with a will, the executor files a petition at the Monroe County Surrogate's Court. You must bring the original will and a certified death certificate. The court reviews the will under SCPA Article 14. If valid, the court admits the will and issues letters testamentary to the executor.

Without a will, you file for letters of administration. The court uses the priority order in SCPA 1001. Spouses come first. Then children. Then grandchildren, parents, and siblings. The administrator usually needs a surety bond.

Small estates under $50,000 can use voluntary administration under SCPA Article 13. It is faster and the fee is lower. Guardianship, trust, and accounting matters round out the types of cases the court handles.

Electronic Filing

Monroe County Surrogate's Court uses the NYSCEF system for electronic filing. Attorneys must e-file for probate and administration proceedings. Self-represented parties can file in person or choose to use NYSCEF. The system runs 24 hours a day and sends email alerts about new filings and court decisions. Filing fees can be paid by credit card through the system.

Monroe County Probate Court Records

For a full guide to the Monroe County Surrogate's Court, including historical records and detailed filing information, visit the county page.

Nearby Cities

Greece and Irondequoit are towns in Monroe County that border Rochester. They file probate at the same Surrogate's Court in downtown Rochester.