Ontario County Probate Court Records

Ontario County probate court records are kept at the Surrogate's Court in Canandaigua. The courthouse at 27 North Main Street handles all estate matters for Ontario County residents. You can search these records for free through the WebSurrogate system or visit the courthouse to review files and get copies. Ontario County is in the 7th Judicial District and has estate records dating back to the late 1700s. The county covers a scenic part of the Finger Lakes region with a population of about 113,000.

Ontario County Surrogate's Court

All probate court records in Ontario County are on file at the Surrogate's Court in Canandaigua. The court manages will probate, intestate estate administration, guardianship cases, and adoption proceedings. It is part of the 7th Judicial District, which also covers Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties.

Ontario County was formed in 1789 from Montgomery County. Canandaigua has been the county seat since the beginning. The courthouse on North Main Street is a landmark in the town center. The Surrogate's Court shares the building with other county offices. Estate records here go back to the late 1700s, making them valuable for historical and genealogical research.

E-filing through NYSCEF is required for probate and administration cases with attorney representation. Self-represented parties can still file in person at the clerk's window.

How to Search Ontario County Probate Court Records

The WebSurrogate portal is the best way to search Ontario County probate court records from home. It is free. You can search by party name, file number, or date of death. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 are viewable online. Older documents need an in-person visit to the courthouse.

At the Canandaigua courthouse, public access computers let you look through the court's index and pull up unrestricted files. Bring the full name of the deceased and any dates you have. A file number helps a lot if you have one. The court staff can help you navigate the system but cannot offer legal guidance.

The Ontario County Clerk's Office also in Canandaigua keeps land records and deed information that may relate to estate cases. If real property is part of the probate matter, check with the Clerk's office for property transfer records and ownership history.

Ontario County Probate Court Records Fees

Fees follow the statewide schedule under SCPA 2402. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, the cost is $75. Between $20,000 and $50,000, it is $215. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 pay $280. The fee for $100,000 to $250,000 is $420. From $250,000 to $500,000, the fee is $625. Estates worth $500,000 or more cost $1,250 to file.

Contested cases cost more. Objections under SCPA 1410 are $150 to file. Jury demands run $150. A note of issue is $45. Certified copies cost $6 per page. Record searches are $30 for files under 25 years old and $90 for older records.

Types of Probate Court Records

Ontario County Surrogate's Court processes several types of estate matters. Probate cases involve a valid will. The executor files a petition and the original will with the court. The court verifies the will under SCPA Article 4 rules. Only originals are accepted.

Administration proceedings happen when there is no will. The court names an administrator in the order set by state law. Spouses get first priority, then children, then parents. Small estates valued at $50,000 or less can use voluntary administration. The fee for estates under $10,000 is just $45.

The court also handles guardianship matters for minors and incapacitated persons. Trust proceedings, estate accountings, and wrongful death claims are part of the court's work too. Adoption records are permanently sealed. Guardianship documents, death certificates, and papers with Social Security numbers have restricted access under rules from 2014.

Historical Probate Court Records

Ontario County has estate records from the late 1700s. The county was one of the earlier ones formed in western New York, and the Surrogate's Court has maintained files since its creation. These historical probate court records are a rich source for genealogists researching Finger Lakes families.

FamilySearch has digitized many New York probate records, including Ontario County files. The New York State Archives holds additional probate records on microfilm from 1787 to 1929. For older files not yet digitized, the courthouse in Canandaigua has physical records and microfilm available during business hours.

The Ontario County Historical Society also holds materials that can help with estate research. Local libraries in Canandaigua and Geneva may have indexed will books and other reference tools for researchers tracing families in the Finger Lakes area.

Ontario County Court Records

The Ontario County Clerk's Office in Canandaigua manages land records and other documents that often relate to estate proceedings.

Cities in Ontario County

Ontario County includes the cities of Canandaigua and Geneva along with several towns. All probate cases for county residents go through the Surrogate's Court at 27 North Main Street in Canandaigua. No cities in Ontario County meet the population threshold for a separate page, but all communities file at the same courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ontario County. Make sure you file in the county where the deceased person lived.