Surrogate's Court - Queens County

About This Court

Queens County Surrogate's Court handles probate, estate administration, guardianship, and adoption proceedings at the Sutphin Boulevard courthouse.

Queens Surrogate's Court shares a building complex with other Queens courts and uses a general inquiries email for initial contact. The court uses mixed recording methods and serves the borough's diverse population, which means some proceedings may involve interpreters. Transcript requests are processed through the general clerk's office rather than a dedicated transcript unit.

Proceedings are recorded using a mix of digital and stenographic methods. Audio is not provided directly. Digitally recorded proceedings are forwarded 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. 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. Contact the Queens Surrogate's Court by phone or email to initiate a transcript request, or visit in person at the Sutphin Boulevard courthouse.
2. Provide the file number, decedent or ward name, hearing date, and the judge or referee who presided.
3. The clerk's office determines the recording method and routes the request to the appropriate vendor or court reporter.
4. Pay the vendor or reporter at the applicable rate and receive the transcript.

Fees & Timing

Vendor rates are $1.00-$3.50 per page; court reporter rates follow statute. 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)