Surrogate's Court Records

1787 Through 1823

  • 1787 - Established office of surrogate in each county with jurisdiction to issue probate, grant letters testamentary, letters administration with will annexed, to record wills proved before him, to issue decrees to settle payments, to hear and determine all cases touching legacy or bequest, to pay out and compel the payment of personal estates of the testor, to enforce decrees and require the executor or administrator to exhibit the inventory
  • 1799 - Additionally had power to hear cases of persons dying out of state with land in county or living within the county with no land
  • 1823 - Surrogate's office had the same power as Court of Probate

1823 Through Present

  • 1823 through 1846 - Jurisdiction in each county over administration, probate, guardianship and adoption; Located in Albany, Columbia, Cumberland, Dutchess, Montgomery, Orange, Suffolk, Ulster, Washington, Westchester Counties; Appeals to Court of Chancery
  • 1846 through Present - Jurisdiction in each county over administration, probate, guardianship and adoptions; Appeals to Supreme Court - General Term and Appellate Division