Where is the New York County Surrogate's Court?

The New York County Surrogate's Court is at 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007, in the landmark Surrogate's Courthouse near City Hall. The court is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is (646) 386-5000.

How much does probate cost in Manhattan?

Filing fees range from $45 for estates under $10,000 to $1,250 for estates of $500,000 or more, as set by SCPA Section 2402. Publication of citations in the New York Law Journal typically costs $300 to $600. Additional costs may include certified copies, bond premiums, and guardian ad litem fees if appointed by the court.

Is e-filing mandatory in New York County Surrogate's Court?

Yes. NYSCEF e-filing is mandatory for most new proceedings in New York County Surrogate's Court, except Miscellaneous filings. Attorneys must e-file. Self-represented parties may request an exemption. Original wills and death certificates must still be submitted in hard copy to the court.

How long does probate take in Manhattan?

Simple estates typically take 7 to 12 months. Average estates take 12 to 18 months. Complex or contested estates, which are common in Manhattan due to high-value assets, can take 2 years or longer. Timelines depend on citation service, objections, tax clearance, and accounting requirements.

What is the small estate threshold in New York?

New York allows voluntary administration under SCPA Article 13 for estates consisting only of personal property valued at $50,000 or less. This simplified process does not require full probate. Real property cannot be transferred through voluntary administration regardless of its value.

Does New York have its own estate tax?

Yes. New York imposes a separate estate tax with an exemption of approximately $6.94 million. Estates that exceed 105% of the exemption lose the entire exemption amount (the 'cliff'). This means estates just above the threshold may face significant tax liability. Consult a tax professional for estates near this value.

What happens if heirs are unknown in Manhattan?

When heirs cannot be identified or located, a kinship proceeding under SCPA 2225 may be required. The court typically appoints a guardian ad litem to investigate and report on potential heirs. This process can add significant time and cost to the estate administration.

Do I need an attorney for probate in New York County?

An attorney is not legally required, and the court's Help Center in Room 302 provides procedural assistance to self-represented individuals. However, Manhattan estates often involve complex assets, high values, and detailed procedural requirements. An attorney is strongly recommended for contested matters, estates with real property, or estates subject to estate tax. The NYC Bar Association offers referrals at (212) 626-7373.

New York County Probate Guide: Surrogate's Court, Fees & Process (2026)

Overview

New York County, coextensive with the Borough of Manhattan, is home to one of the oldest and busiest Surrogate's Courts in the state. The New York County Surrogate's Court handles all estate matters for individuals domiciled in Manhattan at the time of death. The court is housed in the landmark Surrogate's Courthouse at 31 Chambers Street.

New York probate is governed by the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA). Manhattan estates often involve complex assets including cooperative apartments, business interests, art collections, and financial accounts. The court handles testate proceedings (will probate), intestate administration (no will), voluntary administration for small estates under $50,000, accountings, and contested matters.

New York County Surrogate's Court requires NYSCEF electronic filing for most proceedings except Miscellaneous filings. The court also has a Help Center for self-represented individuals in Room 302.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current requirements with the New York County Surrogate's Court or a qualified attorney.

Courthouse Information

New York County Surrogate's Court

The court is located in the historic Surrogate's Courthouse, a Beaux-Arts landmark in lower Manhattan near City Hall.

Address: 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007

Phone: (646) 386-5000

Department-Specific Numbers:

Calendar Clerk: (646) 386-5001
Accounting Department: (646) 386-5002
Small Estates: (646) 386-5005
Cashier/Certificates: (646) 386-5006
Help Center: (646) 386-5208

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Help Center Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Room 302, first come first served)

Website: nycourts.gov/courts/1jd/surrogates

Access and Transportation

The courthouse is near City Hall, accessible via 4, 5, 6 (Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall), R, W (City Hall), J, Z (Chambers Street), and A, C (Chambers Street) subway lines. Limited metered parking is available nearby.

Filing Process

Step 1: Determine the Proceeding Type

Probate Proceeding (SCPA Article 14): For estates with a will. The executor petitions for the will to be admitted to probate.
Administration Proceeding (SCPA Article 10): For intestate estates. A distributee petitions for appointment as administrator.
Voluntary Administration (SCPA Article 13): Simplified process for personal property estates valued at $50,000 or less.

Step 2: Prepare and E-File the Petition

New York County requires NYSCEF e-filing for most new proceedings. Prepare:

Completed petition
Original will and codicils (submit hard copy to court)
Certified death certificate (submit hard copy)
Filing fee based on estate value
List of all distributees with addresses

Step 3: Citation and Service

After filing, the court issues a citation. The petitioner must serve all necessary parties:

Personal service for parties in New York
Certified mail for out-of-state parties
Publication if parties cannot be located

Return proof of service (affidavits of service) to the court before the return date.

Step 4: Probate Decree or Letters

If no objections are filed, the Surrogate issues a decree admitting the will to probate or appointing an administrator. Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration are then issued.

Step 5: Administration and Accounting

The fiduciary administers the estate: collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to beneficiaries. A formal or informal accounting may be required to close the estate.

Local Requirements

New York County-Specific Procedures

NYSCEF mandatory e-filing applies to most new proceedings in New York County Surrogate's Court, except Miscellaneous filings. Attorneys must e-file. Self-represented parties may seek an exemption.
Manhattan real estate: Estates with cooperative apartments, condominiums, or other Manhattan real property may involve additional requirements including transfer tax filings and managing agent notifications.
High-value estates: New York County processes many high-value estates. The New York estate tax exemption is approximately $6.94 million, with a "cliff" that can eliminate the entire exemption if the estate exceeds 105% of the threshold.
Art and collectibles: Estates containing valuable art, antiques, or collectibles may require professional appraisals filed with the court.

Bond Requirements

Bond may be required unless waived by the will or by consent of all distributees. The court sets the bond amount based on the value of the estate's personal property.

Creditor Notice

The fiduciary should publish a notice to creditors. While not mandatory in all cases, publication provides a framework for limiting creditor claims and is standard practice for Manhattan estates.

Timeline & Fees

Filing Fees (New York County)

Filing fees are set by SCPA Section 2402 based on gross estate value:

Under $10,000: $45
$10,000 to under $20,000: $75
$20,000 to under $50,000: $215
$50,000 to under $100,000: $280
$100,000 to under $250,000: $420
$250,000 to under $500,000: $625
$500,000 and over: $1,250

Additional costs:

Certified copies: approximately $6 per copy
Publication of citation: $300-$600 (New York Law Journal rates)
Guardian ad litem fees: set by the Surrogate
Bond premium: varies

Payment Methods

The cashier's office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards. A convenience fee may apply.

Estimated Timelines

Simple estates: 7-12 months
Average estates: 12-18 months
Complex or contested estates: 2 to several years

New York County Surrogate's Court handles a high volume of complex filings. Processing times vary based on citation service, objections, tax matters, and accounting requirements.

Local Resources

New York County Surrogate's Court Resources

Court Website: nycourts.gov/courts/1jd/surrogates
NYSCEF E-Filing Portal: iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef
WebSurrogate (case search): websurrogates.nycourts.gov
Help Center: Room 302, 31 Chambers Street -- assistance for self-represented individuals

Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals

City Bar Justice Center: (212) 382-6600 -- free legal help for qualifying New Yorkers
New York City Bar Association Referral Service: (212) 626-7373
Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300

Publication

New York Law Journal: Primary publication for legal notices in New York County
City & State NY: Designated in New York County for legal notices

Probate in New York County (Manhattan), New York: 2026 Guide