Surrogate's Court - Bronx County

About This Court

Bronx County Surrogate's Court handles probate, estate administration, guardianship, and adoption proceedings.

Bronx Surrogate's Court uses a mix of digital and stenographic recording. The help center is the first point of contact for transcript requests and can direct you to the correct process. Bronx Surrogate's sees a high volume of uncontested probate matters, but contested estate proceedings (which are more likely to require transcripts) receive individual attention.

Proceedings use a mix of digital and stenographic recording methods. Audio recordings are not provided directly to the public. If a proceeding was digitally recorded, the audio is sent to an approved vendor for transcription.

Who Can Request

Executors, administrators, estate attorneys, beneficiaries, and other interested parties may request transcripts. Probate records are generally public, though certain guardianship and adoption records may be sealed or restricted.

What You Can Request

• Certified transcript: Yes. Official transcripts are available.
• Audio copy: No. Audio recordings are not provided to litigants.
• On-site listening: Not available.

Recording method: Mixed (digital audio and stenographic)

What You Need (Data Checklist)

• Case name and index/docket number
• Date(s) of the proceeding
• Judge's name and courtroom/part (if known)
• Your contact information (name, phone, address)
• Selected transcription vendor from the approved list

Court-Specific Process

1. Contact the Bronx Surrogate's Court help center by phone, email, or in person to initiate a transcript request.
2. Provide the file number, decedent or ward name, hearing date, and the name of the judge or referee.
3. For digitally recorded proceedings, the court forwards the recording to an OCA-approved vendor. For stenographic proceedings, the court reporter produces the transcript.
4. Pay the vendor or court reporter at the applicable rate and receive the transcript upon completion.

Fees & Timing

Vendor-produced transcripts cost $1.00-$3.50 per page; court reporter transcripts follow statutory rates. Standard turnaround is 30-60 days. Fee waivers are available through the UCS poor person application (UCS-FW1 through UCS-FWO1).

Common Pitfalls

Before You Submit

Required Forms

Fee Waiver (Poor Person Relief)

Fee waiver may be requested for transcript costs

To apply for a fee waiver, you'll need these forms:

• Application to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FW1)
• Notice of Motion to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FW2)
• Affirmation of Service (Motion to Waive Fees) (UCS-FW3)
• Order – Application to Waive Court Costs, Fees, and Expenses (UCS-FWO1)