Nassau County Court
Nassau County Probate Court Records

Nassau County, New York Probate Court Records

Nassau County probate court records refer to official legal documents concerning the administration of the estates of deceased persons. These include documents such as Wills, estate inventories, and court proceedings. In Nassau County, the Surrogate’s Court serves as the probate court. The Nassau County Surrogate’s Court:

Oversees the administration of estates after a person passes away
Ensures that wills are properly executed and supervises related legal matters
Appoint legal guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
Handles conservatorship matters
Protects the rights of heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors, and ensures that estates are settled in accordance with the law.

Nassau County probate records include:

Last Wills and Testaments
Petitions
Court orders
Estate inventories
Creditor claims
Guardianship and conservatorship orders
Final accountings
Notices to heirs and beneficiaries
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Motions, affidavits, and other filings necessary to resolve estate or guardianship matters.

Understanding the Parties Involved in Probate Cases

Understanding the roles of individuals and entities involved in probate cases is essential for interpreting probate records. Each individual or entity in a probate case performs a specific role. Nassau County probate cases may involve the following parties:

Decedents - The individual who has passed away and whose death triggered the probate process
Heirs - These are the individuals who are legally entitled to inherit from the decedent under New York Intestate Law when there is no valid will
Beneficiaries - These are named individuals or entities whom the decedent designated to receive specific assets or portions of the estate; they may include family, friends, charities, or organizations
Executor (or Executrix) - The person named in the Will to carry out the decedent’s wishes
Personal Representative - This includes executors and administrators (if there is no will), who are appointed by the court to oversee the administration of the estate. The duties and reports of a personal representative are central to the probate file.
Attorneys - These are legal professionals representing the estate, the executor, or sometimes individual heirs or beneficiaries.
Creditors - These are individuals or businesses to whom the decedent owed money; they may file claims against the estate to recover debts.

Legal Purpose and Importance of Probate Court Records in Nassau County

Nassau County probate records serve as the legal foundation for managing a decedent's affairs. The Nassau County Surrogate's Court manages these documents and uses them to ensure the orderly administration of estates and the protection of all parties involved. The Court utilizes these records to:

Authenticate Wills and oversee the legal transfer of property
Appoint and supervise fiduciaries, including executors, administrators, and guardians
Safeguard the rights of heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, and minors
Ensure transparency and provide legal finality to estate matters
Professional & Personal Utility.

Beyond legal administration, these records provide essential data for:

Genealogical and historical inquiries
Verifying legal authority and resolving property disputes
Maintaining a permanent, reliable record of estate proceedings.

In summary, Nassau County probate records uphold the rule of law and protect vulnerable individuals. Additionally, they provide a transparent, long-term legal framework that ensures fairness and accountability long after the conclusion of an estate.

Differences Between Wills, Estates, and Other Probate Filings in Nassau County

The Nassau County Surrogate's Court generates a wide range of documents during probate adjudications. These documents help readers understand what they are viewing, why it was created, and how they fit into the probate process. Each Nassau County probate document has distinct legal significance and a role.

Nassau County probate document	Role	Legal Significance
Nassau Wills (last testaments)	States the decedent’s wishes for how property and assets should be distributed after death, names the executor responsible for administering the estate, and may appoint guardians for minor children	Serves as the foundation of a probate case once admitted by the Surrogate’s Court Guides the court and executor in distributing assets Provides legal authority for court oversight and enforcement of the decedent’s intent.
Estate inventories	Lists all assets owned by the decedent at the time of death, including: Real estate Bank accounts Investments Personal property and other valuables	Establishes the scope and value of the estate Allows the court, heirs, and creditors to understand what property is available Forms the basis for debt payment, tax obligations, and eventual distribution
Estate Accounting	Provides a detailed financial record of how the estate was managed, including money received, expenses paid, creditor claims, and distributions to beneficiaries	Enables court review of the executor’s or administrator’s actions Protects beneficiaries from mismanagement or misuse of estate funds Court approval of the final accounting is often required to close the estate
Guardianship or conservatorship records	Appoint and supervise individuals responsible for minors or incapacitated adults Define the guardian’s authority over personal care, finances, or property	Protects vulnerable individuals and their assets under court supervision Requires ongoing reporting and accounting to ensure responsible management Provides legal authority and accountability for guardians or conservators
Petitions and motions filed during probate	Formal requests asking the court to take specific actions; the court uses these documents to initiate probate, resolve disputes, or obtain approval for estate decisions	Drive the probate process forward by placing issues before the court Create an official record of disputes, approvals, and procedural steps Result in court orders that govern how the estate is administered.

Public Access to Probate Court Records in Nassau County

Similar to other court records, most Nassau County probate court records are public. Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law stipulates that court clerks must keep court records open for public inspection during business hours, and interested individuals can view or copy these documents. However, public access to court records (including Nassau County probate court records) is not absolute. The New York Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) § 2501 provides that probate records are open to public inspection, subject to statutory or court-ordered exceptions. Under New York laws, the public cannot access:

Sealed probate records
Guardianship records involving minors
Guardianship records for incapacitated adults
Confidential personal and financial information
Estate and fiduciary tax records
Wills filed for safekeeping (pre-death or pre-probate)
Adoption records
Attorney–client privileged materials.

Methods for Searching Nassau County Probate Court Records

In Nassau County, the Surrogate's Court maintains probate court records, and the public has several options for searching for probate records. Though the tools for accessing these documents vary, they facilitate transparency and accessibility. The search options for Nassau County's probate records include online through the New York State Unified Court System WebSurrogate Search Portal, in-person search at the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court, and written or mail-in record requests to the Nassau County Surrogate's Court.

Notwithstanding the search method, access to Nassau County probate court records typically requires search criteria, such as:

Case or docket number
Decedent’s name
Names of heirs, beneficiaries, or fiduciaries
Filing or probate date
Type of document.

How to Find Nassau County Probate Cases Online for Free

The New York State Unified Court System WebSurrogate Search Portal is the official online platform for accessing probate court records in New York. This search tool provides free access to:

Case index/docket information
Uploaded documents/images
Public notices/filings
Historical summaries.

Access to probate court records through the New York State Unified Court System WebSurrogate Search does not require registration. Notwithstanding, users may need to accept terms to use some features. The New York State Unified Court System WebSurrogate Search Portal provides limited information about Nassau County's probate cases. Individuals seeking full case files should contact the Nassau County Surrogate's Court.

Accessing Nassau County Probate Court Records in Person

Generally, accessing a court document in person requires a visit to its custodian agency's office. To access Nassau County probate court records in person, visit the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court or Clerk’s Office at:

The Nassau County Courthouse

262 Old Country Road,

Mineola,

NY 11501

Phone: (516) 493-3805.

Most probate files are indexed by the decedent's name, executor/administrator name, case number, or filing year. Individuals seeking Nassau County probate court records through the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court or Clerk’s Office can speed up their search processes by consulting the court’s index books or electronic index terminals to identify the correct case file and docket number before requesting access.

After identifying the probate record, request the file from the clerk's office. Requesters should note that access to Nassau County probate court records may incur fees (if the requester requires copies of the documents). Additionally, in-person requests for Nassau County's probate records may require a valid government-issued photo ID.

Requesting Nassau County Probate Court Records by Mail

In addition to online and in-person access to Nassau County probate records, the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court or Clerk’s Office permits mail-in access to probate court records. To request copies of Nassau County probate records through the mail:

Determine the specific document(s). For instance:

Wills or last testaments
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Estate inventories or accountings
Court orders, petitions, or motions

Write a formal request letter addressed to the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court. The letter should include:

The requester's full contact details
Name of the decedent
Case number or docket number, if known
Specific document(s) requested
Method of return (regular mail or certified mail)

Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage and a check or money order to cover applicable costs (this should be payable to Nassau County Clerk)
Mail the request to:
Surrogate’s Court — Nassau County
262 Old Country Road,
Mineola,
NY 1150.

Nassau County Probate Court Record Access Methods

Access Method	Where to Use It	What You Can Access
Online Access	New York State Unified Court System WebSurrogate Search Portal	Case index/docket information Uploaded documents/images Public notices/filings Historical summaries
In-Person Access	The Nassau County Courthouse 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 Phone: (516) 493-3805 Email: Nassausur.records@nycourts.gov	Wills and probate files Letters of testamentary and letters of administration Estate administration records Creditor and claims records Petitions and motions filed during probate Court orders and decrees Intestate estate records (no Will) Guardianship records (limited public access) Trust-related probate filings
Mail-In Requests	Surrogate’s Court — Nassau County 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 1150	Wills and probate filings Letters of administration and letters of testamentary Estate administration records Petitions and motions Court orders and decrees Creditor-related filings.

Applicable Fees for Nassau County Probate Court Record Requests

Access to Nassau County probate court records may involve search fees, per-page copy fees, and certification charges. Section 2402 of the New York Surrogate's Court Procedure Act stipulates the exact fees for accessing copies of probate court records. According to the New York Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, the Nassau County Surrogate's Court Clerk's Office charges the following fees for copies of probate court records:

Copy fees - $0.65 per page
Certification of a copy of records - $6.00 per document
Exemplification (if required) - $15.00 in addition to copy and certification charges.

These charges apply regardless of whether the request is made by mail or in person.