Question 1

Where is Queens County Surrogate's Court?

Accepted Answer

Queens County Surrogate's Court is located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, in Jamaica. The clerks' offices are on the 7th floor, and the courtroom is on the 6th floor, Courtroom 62. The Clerk's Office phone number is (718) 298-0500.

Question 2

Do I have to file my case electronically in Queens?

Accepted Answer

Under the court's e-filing protocol, new probate, administration, accounting, guardianship, and miscellaneous proceedings (including small estates) must be commenced electronically through NYSCEF. Self-represented (pro se) filers are exempt from mandatory e-filing but may choose to participate.

Question 3

How do I contact a court department?

Accepted Answer

The court instructs filers to email the appropriate department directly with questions about the status of a matter — Probate, Administration/Small Estate (Article 13), Accounting, Guardianship/Adoption, Miscellaneous Petition, Calendar, Help Center, Records, or Cashier. The Clerk's Office general number is (718) 298-0500.

Question 4

Which county do I file in?

Accepted Answer

Surrogate's Court proceedings are generally filed in the county where the person who died was domiciled (made their primary home) — not where you live. If the person lived in Queens, you file in Queens County Surrogate's Court, even if you live elsewhere. Our statewide venue guide explains how domicile is determined.

Question 5

What is the difference between probate and administration?

Accepted Answer

Probate is used when the deceased person left a valid will — the court validates the will and appoints the named executor. Administration is used when there is no will — the court appoints an administrator according to a priority order set by state law. Our statewide probate vs. administration guide compares the two processes in detail.

Question 6

How much does it cost to file in Queens Surrogate's Court?

Accepted Answer

Filing fees are set by state statute (SCPA 2402) and are the same in all 62 New York counties — they are based on the size of the estate. See our statewide Surrogate's Court filing fees guide for the complete schedule.

Question 7

The estate is small — is there a simpler process?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New York offers voluntary administration (SCPA Article 13) for qualifying small estates. In Queens, these filings are handled by the court's Administration Department / Small Estate (Article 13). See our Queens small estates guide.

Question 8

When are court calendars held in Queens?

Accepted Answer

The Preliminary Conference Calendar is every Monday at 9:30 AM; Pre-Trial Conferences are Tuesdays at 9:30 AM; guardianship and adoption matters are scheduled Wednesdays at 9:30 AM; and Process & Motion Calendars are Thursdays at 9:30 AM (except Thanksgiving). Calendar or adjournment requests must be emailed to the Calendar Clerk.

Question 9

Is there free help at the court if I don't have a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Queens County Surrogate's Court Help Center assists with estate proceedings, guardianships, and probate/administration, with access to court forms, sample forms, informational hand-outs, and referrals. The New York State Bar Association also maintains a Surrogate's Court help resource, and free or low-cost counsel may be available for certain matters (nysba.org/surrogatescourt).

Question 10

Is this website affiliated with the court?

Accepted Answer

No. This is an independent public resource created to help families navigate the Surrogate's Court process. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Queens County Surrogate's Court or the New York State Unified Court System. For official court information, visit nycourts.gov or call (718) 298-0500.

Queens County Surrogate's Court FAQ

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