Queens County Probate Court Records Search

Queens County probate court records are on file at the Surrogate's Court in Jamaica, Queens. The court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard handles all estate matters for anyone who lived in Queens at the time of death. You can search these records online through WebSurrogate for free or visit the courthouse in person. Queens County is part of the 11th Judicial District and has probate records dating back to 1787. With over 2.3 million residents, the Queens Surrogate's Court handles one of the largest caseloads in the state.

Queens County Surrogate's Court

All probate court records in Queens County are filed and kept at the Surrogate's Court in Jamaica. The court handles will probate, estate administration, guardianship proceedings, and adoption cases. The Hon. Peter J. Kelly serves as the Surrogate's Court Judge. The court is part of the 11th Judicial District, which covers Queens County exclusively.

Queens County is one of the original twelve counties in New York, created on November 1, 1683. The court has maintained probate records since 1787, when the Surrogate's Court system was established across the state. That gives Queens one of the longest continuous records in New York. The sheer size of the population means the court processes a very high volume of estates each year.

The courthouse at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard is near the Jamaica LIRR station and multiple subway lines. E-filing through NYSCEF is mandatory for attorney-represented cases. The court also has dedicated departments for probate, administration, and small estates, each with its own contact information for questions.

How to Search Queens County Probate Court Records

The free WebSurrogate portal is the best place to start a search. You can look up Queens County cases by party name, file number, or date of death. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 are viewable right on screen. For older records, you need to go to the courthouse in Jamaica.

At the courthouse, public access computers let you search the court index and view unrestricted files. The court has a Help Center that can assist self-represented parties. You can reach the Help Center by email at qnssurr-helpcenter@nycourts.gov. Staff can point you in the right direction but are not able to give legal advice.

Queens has specific departments you can contact with questions. The Probate Department handles cases with wills and can be reached at qnssurr-probate@nycourts.gov. The Administration Department handles intestate cases and small estates. You can reach them at qnssurr-admin@nycourts.gov. These email addresses make it easy to get answers without a trip to the courthouse.

Bring these details when you search:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of death or approximate year
• File number or docket number if you have it
• Type of case (probate, administration, small estate)

Queens County Probate Court Records Fees

Filing fees in Queens County follow the statewide schedule under SCPA 2402. The amount depends on the gross value of the estate. Estates under $10,000 pay $45. Between $10,000 and $20,000, it is $75. From $20,000 to $50,000, the fee is $215. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 cost $280. The fee for $100,000 to $250,000 is $420. Between $250,000 and $500,000, the cost is $625. Estates at $500,000 or more pay $1,250.

Contested cases bring extra fees. Filing objections under SCPA 1410 costs $150. A jury trial demand is $150. A note of issue costs $45. Certified copies are $6 per page. Searching and certifying a record under 25 years old costs $30. For records over 25 years, the fee is $90. Filing a will for safekeeping costs $45. Bond filing runs $20 for bonds under $10,000 and $30 for bonds of $10,000 or more.

Types of Probate Court Records in Queens County

Queens County Surrogate's Court handles several types of estate matters. Probate proceedings happen when someone dies with a valid will. The named executor files a petition and the original will. The court checks the will under SCPA Article 4. Only original wills are accepted. Copies will not do.

Administration proceedings apply when there is no will. The court appoints an administrator based on state law priority. Spouses come first. Then children. Then parents. Then more distant kin. Small estates valued at $50,000 or less can use voluntary administration. This is faster and costs less. The $45 fee covers estates under $10,000.

The court also handles guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults. Trust matters, accountings, and wrongful death claims go through the Surrogate's Court as well. Adoption records are permanently sealed. Access to guardianship papers, death certificates filed with the court, and documents with Social Security numbers is restricted under the court rules that took effect in February 2014.

Historical Probate Court Records in Queens County

Queens County has probate court records going back to 1787. That is nearly 240 years of estate files. FamilySearch has Queens County Probate Records from 1785 to 1950 available for browsing online. These records are a major resource for genealogy research in the New York City area.

The NYC Municipal Archives holds additional historical records for Queens, including vital records from 1898 onward (when Queens became part of New York City). For the period before 1898, records may be scattered across different archives. Long Island City records start as early as 1871, which helps for tracing Queens families from that era.

The New York State Archives has probate records on microfilm from 1787 to 1929 for all counties. The Old Index Search on WebSurrogate can help find historical files by name or number. Not all old records are digitized, so a trip to the courthouse may still be needed for some historical searches. Many historical records are available on microfilm and in digital formats at the court.

Electronic Filing in Queens County

Queens County requires e-filing through NYSCEF for probate and administration proceedings when attorneys represent the parties. Self-represented filers can choose between filing online or bringing papers to the courthouse in Jamaica.

The system is available at all hours. Email notifications go out for filings and court decisions. Credit card payments are accepted. For technical help, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033 during business hours or email nyscef@nycourts.gov.

Queens County Records Search

The NYS Surrogate's Court fee schedule applies to all 62 counties, including Queens County. Fees are based on estate value and range from $45 to $1,250.

Cities in Queens County

Queens County is coterminous with the Borough of Queens in New York City. All probate cases for Queens residents go through the Queens County Surrogate's Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica.

Queens is one of five boroughs in New York City. Each borough has its own Surrogate's Court. You must file in the county where the deceased person lived, not where you live or where the property is located.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Queens County. Check where the deceased person lived to file in the right place.