Search Fulton County Probate Court Records

Fulton County probate court records are on file at the Surrogate's Court in Johnstown, New York. The courthouse is at 223 West Main Street and holds estate records dating back to 1838 when the county was formed from Montgomery County. You can search records through the free WebSurrogate portal or visit the courthouse in person. The court processes wills, estate administration, guardianship cases, and related proceedings for all Fulton County residents.

Fulton County Surrogate's Court

The Surrogate's Court is where all probate court records are kept in Fulton County. The courthouse at 223 West Main Street in Johnstown is the center of county government. Fulton County sits in the southern foothills of the Adirondacks and was formed in 1838 when it split off from Montgomery County. Before that date, estate records for the area were filed in Montgomery County.

Fulton County is part of the 4th Judicial District. The district covers a large part of northeastern New York, including Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties. The Surrogate's Court handles wills, estate administration, guardianship, adoptions, trust matters, and accountings. The county has a mix of small cities, rural towns, and lake communities along the Great Sacandaga Lake, and the court serves all of them.

How to Search Fulton County Probate Court Records

You can search Fulton County probate court records online or at the Johnstown courthouse. The online method is free and fast. An in-person visit lets you see the full file and get certified copies.

WebSurrogate covers Fulton County. Search by party name and filter by date of death. The File Search lets you pull up a case when you have the number. Documents filed since February 19, 2014 are viewable online. Older records require a courthouse visit. Staff at the court can help you use the indices but cannot offer legal advice.

The Fulton County Clerk's Office also maintains land records and a will index. When property changes hands through an estate, documents end up in both the Surrogate's Court file and the Clerk's records. Checking both gives a fuller picture. For older records, FamilySearch has microfilmed estate papers from the 1800s. These are indexed by surname and free to browse online.

For estate records before 1838, check Montgomery County. Fulton County did not exist as a separate county until that year, so earlier probate records were filed under Montgomery County's jurisdiction.

Probate Court Records Filing Fees

Filing fees in Fulton County follow the statewide schedule under SCPA 2402. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, the fee is $75. Between $20,000 and $50,000, it costs $215. Estates valued at $50,000 to $100,000 require $280. For $100,000 to $250,000, the fee is $420. From $250,000 to $500,000, you pay $625. Estates over $500,000 cost $1,250.

Contested cases have extra fees. Filing objections under SCPA 1410 costs $150. A jury demand is $150. Certified copies are $6 per page. Searching and certifying a record under 25 years old is $30. Records over 25 years cost $90 to search and certify.

Types of Probate Court Records

Fulton County Surrogate's Court handles all standard estate matters. Probate proceedings happen when someone dies with a valid will. The executor named in the will files a petition, and the court checks that the will meets the requirements of SCPA Article 4. Only the original will is accepted. No copies.

Administration proceedings apply when there is no will. The court appoints an administrator. Spouses have first priority. Children come next, then grandchildren, then parents. Small estates worth $50,000 or less can use the voluntary administration track, which saves time and money. The filing fee for estates under $10,000 is just $45, and the process moves faster than a full administration.

Guardianship cases for minors and incapacitated adults go through this court. So do trust proceedings, estate accountings, and wrongful death actions. Adoption records are filed here but stay permanently sealed. Documents with Social Security numbers have restricted access to protect personal information.

Historical Probate Court Records in Fulton County

Fulton County probate records go back to 1838 when the county was created from Montgomery County. For records before that date, you need to check Montgomery County. The historical records here document the glove-making industry, farming families, and communities along the Great Sacandaga Lake.

FamilySearch has microfilmed copies of many Fulton County estate papers from the 1800s. Records are indexed by surname. The New York State Archives in Albany may hold additional early records. The Fulton County Museum and local historical societies can also help researchers who are tracing family lines in this part of the state.

Electronic Filing in Fulton County

Fulton County uses the NYSCEF system for electronic filing in Surrogate's Court. Attorney-represented cases must be filed electronically. Self-represented filers can choose between e-filing and filing in person at the Johnstown courthouse.

NYSCEF is available around the clock. You get email notifications when documents are filed or decisions are made. Credit card payments are accepted through the system. Standard court fees still apply. For help with NYSCEF, contact the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033.

Communities in Fulton County

Fulton County has two cities: Johnstown and Gloversville. The county also includes the towns of Bleecker, Broadalbin, Caroga, Ephratah, Mayfield, Northampton, Oppenheim, Perth, and Stratford. All probate matters go through the Surrogate's Court at 223 West Main Street in Johnstown.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fulton County. Always file in the county where the person lived at the time of death.