Tonawanda Probate Court Records
Tonawanda probate court records are managed by the Erie County Surrogate's Court in Buffalo. The town sits in the northern part of Erie County, just north of the City of Buffalo, and all estate cases for Tonawanda residents are filed at the county courthouse on Franklin Street. You can search probate records online through the WebSurrogate portal or go to the courthouse to view files in person. Erie County has a large caseload, and the court staff handles a steady flow of estate filings from communities across the county.
Tonawanda Quick Facts
Erie County Surrogate's Court
The Erie County Surrogate's Court handles all probate cases for Tonawanda. This includes wills, intestate estate administration, guardianship, and adoption matters. The court sits in downtown Buffalo, about 10 miles south of Tonawanda. It is part of the 8th Judicial District.
Tonawanda is one of the most populated towns in Erie County. Many estate filings from this area involve family homes, retirement accounts, and modest personal property. The court deals with both simple and complex cases. If you are an executor or administrator for someone who lived in Tonawanda, your paperwork goes to this court.
| Court | Erie County Surrogate's Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
92 Franklin Street Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Phone | (716) 845-2560 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Tonawanda Probate Records
The WebSurrogate portal is the best free tool for searching Erie County probate records online. You can find cases by the name of the person who died. The system also lets you search by file number. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 can be viewed online.
For older records, you will need to visit the courthouse in Buffalo. Public access computers at the court let you view unrestricted files from before 2014. The court also has index books and microfiche for historical research going back many decades. Staff at the clerk's window can point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to start.
Some records are not open to the public. Adoption files are always sealed. Guardianship documents have limited access. Death certificates on file with the court, tax returns from certain years, and any documents with social security numbers are restricted too. These rules come from Section 207.64 of the Uniform Rules for Surrogate's Courts, which took effect in 2014.
To do a search, bring the full name of the deceased and a rough date of death. A file number helps if you have one. The court can confirm over the phone whether a file exists, so call (716) 845-2560 if you want to check before making the trip.
Probate Filing Fees
Fees for probate filings in Erie County follow the statewide schedule set by SCPA 2402. The fee depends on how much the estate is worth. Estates under $10,000 cost $45. Between $10,000 and $20,000, the fee is $75. For estates from $20,000 to $50,000, you pay $215. Estates worth $50,000 to $100,000 cost $280. From $100,000 to $250,000, the fee is $420. Between $250,000 and $500,000, it costs $625. Estates over $500,000 require $1,250.
Contested cases cost more. Filing objections under SCPA 1410 is $150. Asking for a jury trial adds $150. A note of issue costs $45. Certified copies run $6 per page.
Tip: Call the court at (716) 845-2560 to ask which payment methods they accept before your visit. Most courts take cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
Types of Probate Cases
Probate is for people who die with a will. The executor files a petition and the original will with the court. The court checks that the will is valid under SCPA Article 4. If everything checks out, the court issues letters testamentary so the executor can act on the estate's behalf.
Administration is for people who die without a will. The court appoints someone to handle the estate. New York law sets the order: spouse first, then children, then parents, then other family. Small estates under $50,000 can use a quicker process. The filing fee for estates under $10,000 is just $45.
Other cases handled here include guardianships, trust matters, accountings, and wrongful death claims. Adoption cases also go through the Surrogate's Court, but those records are permanently sealed.
Historical Probate Records
Erie County has probate records dating back to its formation. The New York State Archives holds Surrogate's Court records from 1787 to 1929 on microfilm. These include will books, administration records, and estate inventories. For older records, you can also check FamilySearch, which catalogs many New York probate collections by county.
The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street keeps land records and a will index that can help with estate research. If the deceased owned real property in Tonawanda or anywhere in Erie County, the Clerk's records may show deeds, transfers, and other documents tied to the estate.
Electronic Filing
Erie County uses mandatory e-filing for probate and administration cases when a lawyer is involved. The NYSCEF system handles all electronic submissions. If you have an attorney, they must file through NYSCEF. Self-represented filers can still submit papers at the courthouse in person.
NYSCEF is available around the clock. You can file papers at night or on weekends. The system sends email updates when something new is filed or when the court makes a decision. For technical help, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033.
Tonawanda Resources
The Town of Tonawanda government site provides local services. For all probate and estate matters, you work with the Erie County Surrogate's Court in Buffalo.
Erie County Probate Records
Tonawanda is part of Erie County. All wills, estate filings, and probate cases for Tonawanda go through the Erie County Surrogate's Court at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo. Visit our full Erie County page for more court details and resources.
Nearby Cities
These communities are close to Tonawanda and also file probate cases in the Erie County area.