Find Probate Court Records in Ulster County

Ulster County probate court records are on file at the Surrogate's Court in Kingston. This court has estate records going back to 1787, making it one of the older collections in the state. You can search online for free using the WebSurrogate system, or go to 285 Wall Street in Kingston to view files in person. The Ulster County Surrogate's Court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and handles wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions for county residents.

Ulster County Surrogate's Court

The Surrogate's Court is where all probate court records are managed in Ulster County. Wills are proved here. Estates are settled here. Guardians are appointed here. The court sits at 285 Wall Street in Kingston, in a building that also houses other county court functions.

Ulster County is one of the original counties of New York, formed in 1683. That means the probate records here are among the oldest in the state, starting from 1787. The county is part of the 3rd Judicial District, which also includes Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, and Sullivan counties. Kingston served as the first capital of New York State, and the county has a deep legal history.

The court accepts e-filing through NYSCEF for cases where an attorney represents the parties. Self-represented filers can still come in and file on paper during business hours.

How to Search Ulster County Probate Court Records

The WebSurrogate portal covers Ulster County. It is free and open to everyone. You can search by party name, file number, or date of death. The Name Search is the best place to start if you do not have a file number. Documents filed on or after February 19, 2014 are viewable online.

For records older than that, you need to visit the courthouse at 285 Wall Street. Public access computers there let you view unrestricted documents from before 2014. The court staff can assist with locating files. The court keeps an index of every estate on record, and these indices are open to the public during business hours.

Ulster County's long record history makes it a strong resource for genealogy. Probate court records here can reveal family relationships, property transfers, debts, and personal effects going back more than 230 years. The Ulster County Clerk's Office also keeps related land records that can supplement your research.

For a successful search, bring:

• The full name of the deceased person
• A date of death or rough time frame
• A file or case number if available
• The type of proceeding you are looking for

Ulster County Probate Court Records Fees

Fees at the Ulster County Surrogate's Court are set by state law under SCPA 2402. The fee depends on the gross value of the estate. For estates under $10,000, the fee is $45. From $10,000 to $20,000, it is $75. Estates worth $20,000 to $50,000 pay $215. The $50,000 to $100,000 range costs $280. Between $100,000 and $250,000, the fee is $420. Estates from $250,000 to $500,000 cost $625. And estates of $500,000 or more require $1,250.

Contested will cases add more fees. Filing objections under SCPA 1410 is $150. A jury trial demand costs $150. A note of issue is $45. Certified copies are $6 per page. To get a record searched and certified, it is $30 for records under 25 years old and $90 for older ones.

Types of Probate Court Records in Ulster County

Probate cases happen when someone dies with a valid will. The executor named in the will files a petition with the court. The court reviews the will under SCPA Article 4 to make sure it meets all the legal requirements. Only original wills are accepted.

Administration cases apply when there is no will. The court appoints an administrator based on priority set by New York law. The spouse comes first. Then children. Then parents. And so on. Small estates worth $50,000 or less can use the simpler voluntary administration process, which has lower fees and less paperwork.

The court also handles guardianship proceedings for minors and incapacitated adults. Trust proceedings, estate accountings, and wrongful death actions all go through the Surrogate's Court too. Adoption cases are filed here, but those records are permanently sealed. Documents containing social security numbers are restricted from public view, as are estate tax returns filed between May 1990 and January 2001.

Historical Probate Court Records in Ulster County

Ulster County has one of the deeper historical record collections in New York. Probate court records here go back to 1787. That is nearly 240 years of wills, letters of administration, estate inventories, and guardianship files. For researchers, this is a rich source of data about families who lived in the Hudson Valley.

The New York State Archives holds microfilm copies of Surrogate's Court records from across the state for the years 1787 to 1929. Ulster County records from this period are included. FamilySearch has also cataloged some of these records and made them searchable through their online platform and at Family History Centers worldwide.

The Ulster County Clerk's Office in Kingston keeps land records and other documents that relate to estate matters. When a will transferred real property, those transactions were recorded with the Clerk. Searching both offices gives you a fuller picture of any estate.

Electronic Filing in Ulster County

Ulster County requires e-filing through the NYSCEF system for probate and administration cases when an attorney is involved. This is a statewide rule. Self-represented parties can choose to file online or in person.

The NYSCEF system is available around the clock. You can submit papers at midnight if you want. The system sends email alerts when something new is filed or when the court makes a decision. Credit card payments are accepted. For tech support, call 646-386-3033 during business hours.

Cities and Towns in Ulster County

All probate cases for Ulster County residents go through the Surrogate's Court in Kingston. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site.

Communities in Ulster County include Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Woodstock, and Ellenville. All estate matters are handled at 285 Wall Street in Kingston.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Ulster County. Confirm where the deceased person lived before you file a case. You must file in the correct county.