Find Suffolk County Probate Court Records

Suffolk County probate court records are filed and maintained at the Surrogate's Court in Riverhead, New York. The court is at 320 Center Drive and serves one of the most populated counties in the state, with nearly 1.5 million residents. You can search records online through the WebSurrogate portal or visit the courthouse in person. Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District and handles all wills, estate administration, guardianship, and related proceedings.

Suffolk County Surrogate's Court

The Surrogate's Court handles all probate court records in Suffolk County. This is one of the busiest Surrogate's Courts in New York, given the county's large population. The court manages probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship, adoptions, and trust matters. It sits at 320 Center Drive in Riverhead, the county seat on the eastern end of Long Island.

Suffolk County's Surrogate's Court has separate departments for different types of cases. The Probate Department can be reached at (631) 852-1725. The Administration Department is at (631) 852-1714. Guardianship is at (631) 852-1735. Accounting and Miscellaneous matters are at (631) 852-1720. The Cashier is at (631) 852-1730. The main number is (631) 852-1745, which connects to a menu system for all departments.

For urgent matters, contact the Office of the Chief Clerk at sufsur-chiefclerk@nycourts.gov. The court requires in-person appearances for Process Calendar proceedings, Orders to Show Cause, and Orders to Compel Production of a Will. Virtual appearances may be allowed for other matters at the court's discretion.

How to Search Suffolk County Probate Court Records

You can search Suffolk County probate court records online or at the courthouse in Riverhead.

WebSurrogate is the free state search tool. It covers Suffolk County. Search by party name and filter by date of death. The File Search feature works when you have a case number. Court records, except for adoption and guardianship proceedings, are available through this portal. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 can be viewed online. For older records, go to the courthouse where public access computers show unrestricted historical files.

At the courthouse, you can view estate indices and files during business hours. The court has specific departments for different case types, so you can call the right one directly. For probate questions, call (631) 852-1725. For administration, call (631) 852-1714. For guardianship, call (631) 852-1735. The main number (631) 852-1745 will route you to the right place through its menu.

Original wills and death certificates can be filed in person at 320 Center Drive. Responsive pleadings should go through NYSCEF if you have a lawyer, or by mail or NYSCEF if you are filing on your own.

Suffolk County Probate Court Records Fees

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

Contested matters have extra fees. Filing objections under SCPA 1410 costs $150. A jury trial demand is $150. A note of issue is $45. 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 in Suffolk County

Suffolk County Surrogate's Court handles a high volume of cases each year. Probate cases happen when someone dies with a valid will. The executor files a petition and the original will. The court checks it against the rules in SCPA Article 4. The court will not accept copies of the will.

Administration cases apply when there is no will. The court names an administrator based on the priority set by New York law. The spouse comes first. Then children, then parents. Small estates worth $50,000 or less can use voluntary administration, which is faster and costs less. Given the high property values on Long Island, many Suffolk County estates exceed this threshold.

The court also handles guardianship for minors and incapacitated adults, trust proceedings, accountings, and wrongful death cases. Adoption records are permanently sealed. Guardianship proceedings are not available on WebSurrogate. Estate tax returns filed between May 1990 and January 2001 are sealed. Documents with social security numbers and death certificates on file have restricted access.

Electronic Filing in Suffolk County

Suffolk County uses the NYSCEF system for electronic filing. Cases with attorney representation must be e-filed for probate and administration matters. Self-represented parties can submit papers in person, by mail, or through NYSCEF.

NYSCEF is available at all hours. It sends email notifications about new filings and court orders. Credit card payments are accepted through the system. For help, call the Electronic Filing Resource Center at 646-386-3033 during business hours. Guardians ad Litem and Attorneys for the Child in pending cases can schedule appointments to review files at the courthouse.

Suffolk County Court Resources

The Suffolk County Clerk's Office works alongside the Surrogate's Court to maintain land records and other documents that relate to estate matters on Long Island.

Historical Probate Court Records

Suffolk County has a long record-keeping history on Long Island. The county was one of the original counties formed when New York was organized. Historical estate files are available for research at the courthouse. The WebSurrogate portal has an Old Index Search feature for looking up older cases by file number or name.

Not all historical records are available online. Some will require a trip to the courthouse in Riverhead. The New York State Archives in Albany holds microfilm copies of older probate records from across the state. FamilySearch has some Suffolk County records on microfilm that can be accessed at Family History Centers.

Towns in Suffolk County

Suffolk County has ten towns on Long Island. All probate cases are filed at the Surrogate's Court in Riverhead.

Other towns in Suffolk County include Riverhead, Southold, East Hampton, and Shelter Island. All estate matters go through the Suffolk County Surrogate's Court at 320 Center Drive in Riverhead.

Nearby Counties

Suffolk County shares a border with Nassau County on Long Island. Probate cases must be filed in the county where the person who died was living.