Search Clinton County Probate Court Records

Clinton County probate court records are maintained at the Surrogate's Court at 135 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh, New York. The court has estate files going back to 1788, making it one of the older collections in the state. You can search these records for free using WebSurrogate or visit the courthouse in person during business hours. The court handles wills, estate administration, guardianship matters, and adoptions for all residents of Clinton County in the North Country region.

Clinton County Surrogate's Court

The Surrogate's Court is where all probate court records are kept in Clinton County. This court handles the probate of wills, administration of intestate estates, guardianship proceedings, and adoption cases. It sits at 135 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh, on the western shore of Lake Champlain. The court is part of the 4th Judicial District, which also includes Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties. This district covers much of northeastern New York.

Clinton County was formed in 1788 from Washington County. That makes the probate records here some of the oldest in northern New York. Plattsburgh played a key role during the War of 1812, and the court's historical files include estates of military personnel from that period. The court works with the Clinton County Clerk's Office at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 102, which keeps land records and a Will Index. The Clerk can be reached at (518) 565-4701.

How to Search Clinton County Probate Court Records

There are two main ways to search. Use the online portal for fast lookups, or visit the courthouse for full file access.

WebSurrogate is the state's free tool for Surrogate's Court records. Select Clinton County from the menu and search by party name or file number. Filter by date of death if needed. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 can be viewed and downloaded. For older probate court records, visit the courthouse at 135 Margaret Street. Public access computers there let you view unrestricted historical documents that are not available online yet.

The Clinton County Clerk at 137 Margaret Street, Suite 102, maintains a Will Index and land records. To search for wills, pick "will" under the document description. The Clerk also has deeds and mortgages that may relate to estate settlements. Phone: (518) 565-4701. With both offices on Margaret Street, you can check probate records at the Surrogate's Court and property records at the Clerk in one trip.

For researchers looking into Clinton County families, the FamilySearch wiki has detailed information about available microfilm and other genealogical resources. The county's position on the Canadian border means many estate records involve cross-border families and properties.

Clinton County Probate Court Records Fees

Filing fees in Clinton County follow the statewide schedule set by SCPA 2402. Fees are based on the gross estate value. Estates under $10,000 cost $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, the fee is $75. Between $20,000 and $50,000, it is $215. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 pay $280. The range of $100,000 to $250,000 is $420. From $250,000 to $500,000, the cost is $625. Estates of $500,000 or more pay $1,250.

Contested matters bring extra charges. Objections under SCPA 1410 cost $150 to file. A demand for jury trial is $150. Filing a note of issue costs $45. Certified copies are $6 per page. Searching a record under 25 years old costs $30. Records over 25 years cost $90 to search and certify. Authentication for out-of-state use adds $20.

Types of Probate Court Records in Clinton County

Probate proceedings happen when someone dies with a valid will. The executor files a petition and the court verifies the will under SCPA Article 4. The original will is required. The court issues citations to interested parties and, if there are no objections, admits the will and issues letters testamentary.

When there is no will, the court starts an administration proceeding. An administrator is picked based on priority under New York law. The spouse has the first right. Then children, parents, and siblings. Small estates at $50,000 or under qualify for voluntary administration under SCPA 1301. That process uses a simple affidavit and skips the formal petition. It is the fastest way to wrap up a small estate in Clinton County.

Guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults also go through this court. Trust matters, accountings, and wrongful death claims are handled here too. Adoption records are permanently sealed. Guardianship documents, death certificates, tax returns, social security numbers in filings, and firearms inventories are all restricted under Uniform Rule 207.64. Estate tax returns from May 1990 to January 2001 are sealed.

Historical Probate Court Records in Clinton County

Clinton County has probate court records from 1788. The FamilySearch catalog lists wills from 1788 to 1918, letters of administration from 1788 to 1915, and estate papers from 1788 to 1900. These are on microfilm and available at Family History Centers. The records cover more than 230 years of estate filings in the Lake Champlain region.

Plattsburgh was an important military site during the War of 1812, and historical estate records include files for soldiers and military families from that conflict. The county's location on the Canadian border means the records also cover families with ties to Quebec and other Canadian provinces. For genealogists, these cross-border connections make Clinton County's probate records especially interesting. The County Clerk's land records at 137 Margaret Street add more detail by showing property transfers through estate settlements.

Unrestricted documents from before February 2014 can be viewed on the court's public access computers. Current rules require filers to redact personal information before submitting any new documents.

Electronic Filing in Clinton County

Clinton County requires e-filing for probate and administration proceedings when attorneys represent the parties. The NYSCEF system handles all electronic submissions. Self-represented parties can file in person at 135 Margaret Street or choose to use NYSCEF. Credit cards are accepted through the portal, and the system sends automatic email notifications.

For help with the e-filing system, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033 or email nyscef@nycourts.gov. Staff are on hand from 8 AM to 6 PM on business days.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County has several towns and villages. All of them file probate cases at the Surrogate's Court in Plattsburgh. Communities include Plattsburgh, Peru, Chazy, Ellenburg, and Champlain. Every estate case goes through the court at 135 Margaret Street.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Clinton County. Make sure to file in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death.