Surrogate's Court - Kings County

About This Court

Kings County Surrogate's Court in Brooklyn handles probate, estate administration, guardianship, and adoption proceedings, with a dedicated transcript services unit.

Brooklyn Surrogate's Court has a specific Transcription Request Form and a dedicated email address for transcript requests, making it one of the more streamlined Surrogate's Courts for obtaining records. The court uses FTR (For the Record) digital recording for many proceedings and has a specific email for FTR transcript requests.

Proceedings use a mix of digital (FTR system) and stenographic recording. Audio is not provided directly; digitally recorded proceedings are sent to an approved vendor for transcription.

Who Can Request

Executors, administrators, estate attorneys, beneficiaries, and interested parties may request transcripts. Probate records are generally public. Some guardianship and adoption records may be 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. Complete the Kings County Surrogate's Court Transcription Request Form with the file number, hearing date, and judge or referee name.
2. Submit the form by email to the dedicated transcript email address, by mail, or in person at the Johnson Street courthouse (Attn: Transcript Services).
3. For FTR-recorded proceedings, the court sends the digital recording to your chosen OCA-approved vendor. For stenographic proceedings, the court reporter produces the transcript.
4. The vendor or reporter contacts you with pricing; you pay directly and receive the completed transcript.

Fees & Timing

Vendor rates are $1.00-$3.50 per page for digitally recorded proceedings; court reporter statutory rates apply for stenographic proceedings. Standard turnaround is 30-60 days. Fee waivers are available through UCS poor person application forms.

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)