What Is Probate?
Probate is the court process that validates a deceased person's will and authorizes the named executor to administer the estate. The court issues Letters Testamentary, which banks and other institutions require before releasing assets.
The legal process is largely the same statewide — the forms are statewide forms and the basic rules don't change from county to county. For the full comparison of probate vs. administration, see our statewide probate vs. administration guide. This page covers what's specific to Queens.
Where to File in Queens
If the person who died was domiciled in Queens, the probate case is filed with Queens County Surrogate's Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435. The clerks' offices are on the 7th floor. The case is handled by the court's Probate Department. The court publishes a direct email for the department — qnssurr-probate@nycourts.gov — and instructs filers to email the department directly with questions about the status of a matter.
Not sure Queens is the right county? The venue rule is statewide — you file where the person who died was domiciled. Our venue guide explains how domicile is determined.
E-Filing (NYSCEF)
Queens is a mandatory e-filing county for Surrogate's Court. Under the court's protocol, new probate proceedings must be commenced electronically through NYSCEF, and later documents in the case are e-filed as well. The mandate — administrative order AO.158.25 — covers all new probate, administration, and related miscellaneous proceedings and took effect June 30, 2026.
What You'll Need
- The original will
- Death certificate — certified copy
- Probate petition and supporting documents — statewide forms
- Asset information and heir/beneficiary details
Filing Fees
Surrogate's Court 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 the full schedule in our statewide filing fees guide.
On top of the filing fee, the court's cashier charges $6.00 for each Certificate of Appointment and $6.00 per page for certification of file documents.
Free Help at the Court
The Queens County Surrogate's Court Help Center assists with estate proceedings, guardianships, and probate/administration, with access to DIY form programs, court forms, sample forms, informational hand-outs, and referrals to other organizations. The court publishes a direct email for the Help Center: qnssurr-helpcenter@nycourts.gov. The New York State Bar Association also runs a pro bono program for certain Surrogate's Court matters (nysba.org/surrogatescourt).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file the probate petition online in Queens?
Under the court's e-filing protocol, new probate proceedings in Queens County Surrogate's Court must be commenced electronically through NYSCEF. Self-represented (pro se) filers are exempt from mandatory e-filing but may choose to participate.
Which department handles probate at the Queens court?
The court has a dedicated Probate Department and publishes a direct email for it — qnssurr-probate@nycourts.gov. The court instructs filers with questions about the status of a matter to email the department directly; the Clerk's Office general number is (718) 298-0500.
What if the person who died didn't live in Queens?
Surrogate's Court proceedings are generally filed in the county where the person who died was domiciled — not where you live. If they were domiciled in another county, you file there instead. Our statewide venue guide walks through how domicile is determined.
How much does probate cost in Queens?
Surrogate's Court filing fees are set by state statute (SCPA 2402) and are the same in every New York county — they are based on the size of the estate. See our statewide filing fees guide for the full schedule.
Is there free legal help for Surrogate's Court matters in Queens?
The Queens County Surrogate's Court Help Center assists with estate proceedings, guardianships, and probate/administration, with access to court forms and informational hand-outs. 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).
How much do certificates and certified copies cost in Queens?
The court's cashier charges $6.00 for each Certificate of Appointment and $6.00 per page for certification of file documents. Plain copies made in person in the record room cost $0.25 per page ($1.00 minimum), payable in cash; copies ordered through the Indexing Department, NYSCEF, or by mail come certified at $6.00 per page. Exemplified copies cost $20 plus $6 per page per document and may only be requested by the fiduciary, the attorney of record, or an agent authorized by a notarized statement; the court does not provide apostille services.
Can I speak with the Probate Department without going to the courthouse?
Yes. The court offers brief remote clerk conferences by Microsoft Teams or phone, requested by email at qsur-probate-vc@nycourts.gov. Conferences are limited to 10 minutes and are for specific procedural issues — not status inquiries. Include the estate name and file number, the participant's name, an email address or phone number, and your status in the matter. For status questions, email the Probate Department directly at qnssurr-probate@nycourts.gov.