Tompkins County Probate Court Records

Tompkins County probate court records are filed and stored at the Surrogate's Court in Ithaca. The court holds estate files dating back to 1817 when the county was formed. You can search recent records for free through the WebSurrogate portal, or visit the courthouse at 320 North Tioga Street to view older documents in person. The court handles all estate cases for people who lived in Tompkins County at the time of death, including wills, administration proceedings, and guardianship matters.

Tompkins County Surrogate's Court

All probate court records in Tompkins County go through the Surrogate's Court. This is where wills get proved, estates get settled, and guardians get named. The court sits at 320 North Tioga Street in Ithaca, right in the downtown area near other county offices.

Tompkins County was created in 1817 from parts of Cayuga and Seneca counties. Probate records start from that year. The court belongs to the 6th Judicial District, which spans a large part of central New York. Ithaca is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, and the county has a mix of urban and rural residents. All of them file estate cases at this court.

How to Search Probate Court Records in Tompkins County

The WebSurrogate portal is the fastest way to search Tompkins County probate court records online. It is free. You can look up cases by party name or file number. The Name Search lets you narrow results by date of death. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 can be viewed right on the screen.

For older probate court records, you need to go to the courthouse in person. Public access computers at the court let you view records that are not yet online. The court index lists every estate that has been filed. Staff can help you find what you are looking for if you bring enough details.

If you are doing genealogy work, these records are a gold mine. Wills list heirs, property, and personal items. Administration files show who inherited when there was no will. You can find family connections that do not show up in other types of records.

What you need for a search:

• Full name of the person who died
• Date of death or a rough estimate
• File number if you already have one
• The kind of case (probate, administration, small estate)

Tompkins County Probate Filing Fees

Filing fees at the Tompkins County Surrogate's Court match the state schedule under SCPA 2402. The fee is based on estate value. Estates under $10,000 cost $45 to file. From $10,000 to $20,000 it is $75. The $20,000 to $50,000 range is $215. Estates from $50,000 to $100,000 cost $280. Between $100,000 and $250,000 the fee is $420. From $250,000 to $500,000, you pay $625. And $500,000 or more costs $1,250.

Contested matters carry added costs. Objections under SCPA 1410 cost $150. A jury demand is $150 more. A note of issue runs $45. Certified copies are $6 per page. Record searches cost $30 for files less than 25 years old and $90 for older records.

Types of Probate Court Records

Probate is the main type of case. When a person dies with a will, the named executor files a petition. The court checks the will under SCPA Article 4. Only the original will is accepted. No copies.

When there is no will, the case is called administration. The court picks an administrator. Spouses come first in line. Then children, then parents, and on down the list. Small estates at $50,000 or less can go through voluntary administration, which is much simpler. The filing fee for the smallest estates is $45.

Tompkins County Surrogate's Court also handles guardianship cases, trust matters, accountings, and wrongful death claims. Adoption cases are filed here too, but those records stay sealed. Estate tax returns filed between May 1990 and January 2001 are sealed as well. Any document with a social security number has restricted access under the court rules that took effect in February 2014.

Historical Records in Tompkins County

Tompkins County probate court records go back to 1817. That is more than 200 years of estate files. For early records, the courthouse has microfilm and original documents. FamilySearch also has some Tompkins County probate records on microfilm that can be accessed at Family History Centers around the world.

The New York State Archives in Albany holds probate records from across the state on microfilm, covering the years 1787 to 1929. Tompkins County files from this period are in that collection. These old records often list family members by name, describe property in detail, and show debts owed by the deceased. They are among the best sources for pre-1900 genealogy research.

If you need colonial-era records from before the county was formed, check with the archives. Parts of what became Tompkins County were in Cayuga and Seneca counties, so records from those courts may be relevant to your search.

Electronic Filing in Tompkins County

The NYSCEF system handles e-filing for Tompkins County Surrogate's Court. If you have a lawyer, e-filing is required for probate and administration cases. People without a lawyer can still file in person at the courthouse on North Tioga Street.

E-filing works around the clock. You can submit papers at any time. The system sends email notices about new filings and court decisions. Credit card payments are accepted through the online system. If you need help, the Electronic Filing Resource Center is at 646-386-3033.

Cities and Towns in Tompkins County

All probate cases in Tompkins County are filed at the Surrogate's Court in Ithaca. There are no cities in the county that meet the population threshold for a separate page.

Communities in Tompkins County include Ithaca, Dryden, Groton, Trumansburg, and Lansing. Each of these files estate cases at 320 North Tioga Street in Ithaca.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Tompkins County. Make sure you know where the person lived before you file. You must use the right county.