Obtaining Copies of Wills in New York State

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify the Correct Surrogate's Court: Wills are filed in the county where the decedent resided at death. (Not necessarily where they died or where property is.)
2. Visit or Contact That Court: Find address/phone via nycourts.gov or county clerk.
3. Request the Will: Provide decedent's full name, date of death. If probated, it's public record.
4. Prove Standing (if required): Some courts ask for ID and relationship proof (beneficiary, heir, creditor).
5. Pay Fees: Per-page copy fees + certification fee if needed (~$1–$5/page, $10–$20 certified). Varies by county.
6. Receive Copy: In-person, mail, or sometimes email (court-dependent).

Special Cases

• Not yet probated: Not public. Only interested parties (named executor, beneficiaries) may access via court petition.
• Ancient wills (pre-1800s): May be in State Archives or NYPL.
• New York City (5 boroughs): Each has its own Surrogate's Court (Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn/Kings, Queens, Staten Island/Richmond).

Online Options

Some counties offer e-filing/search portals (e.g., NYSCEF). Check the specific county Surrogate's Court website.