Cherry Hill Township Probate Records
Cherry Hill Township probate court records are filed at the Camden County Surrogate's Court. Cherry Hill is one of the largest towns in Camden County, with about 74,000 residents. The Surrogate's office handles wills, estate files, administration cases, and guardianship papers for Cherry Hill and all other Camden County municipalities. Records date back to 1844 when the county was formed. You can search for probate court records by calling the Surrogate's office, making an appointment to visit, or mailing a written request.
Cherry Hill Township Quick Facts
Camden County Surrogate for Cherry Hill
Michelle Gentek-Mayer serves as the Camden County Surrogate. Her office manages all probate court records for Cherry Hill Township and the rest of the county. The main office is at 509 Lakeland Road in Blackwood, NJ 08012. A satellite location is at 101 South 5th Street in Camden, NJ 08103. You can reach the office by phone at (856) 225-7282.
All in-person visits require an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted. Call the office to schedule a time before you go. Cherry Hill residents can also submit documents by mail or use the Purple Drop Box at the Blackwood location. The Cherry Hill Municipal Building at 820 Mercer Street handles local government tasks but does not process probate court records. All estate filings go through the Camden County Surrogate.
The Camden County Surrogate website has forms, hours, and instructions. Attorneys can use the e-filing system for certain probate filings in Camden County.
| Main Office |
Camden County Surrogate's Court 509 Lakeland Road Blackwood, NJ 08012 |
|---|---|
| Satellite |
101 South 5th Street Camden, NJ 08103 |
| Phone | (856) 225-7282 |
| Hours | By appointment only |
| Website | camdencounty.com/Surrogate-Court |
Note: You must call (856) 225-7282 to book an appointment before visiting either Camden County Surrogate location for probate court records.
Cherry Hill Township Government
The Cherry Hill Township official website covers municipal services, departments, and contact details. Property tax data and other local records are at the township level. Probate court records are handled separately through the Camden County Surrogate.
Use this site for property assessments and ownership data that may be needed when settling an estate in Cherry Hill Township.
How to Search Cherry Hill Probate Court Records
Schedule an appointment at the Camden County Surrogate's office in Blackwood or Camden. Bring the full name of the deceased. A death date helps narrow the search. Staff will check the index and pull the file. You can view wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, and other estate documents. Copies cost a fee. This is the most direct way to find probate court records for a Cherry Hill Township estate.
You can also call the office at (856) 225-7282 to ask about a specific case. Staff can confirm whether a file exists and tell you what copies are available. For records older than about 100 years, the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds Camden County will books and other probate court records on microfilm. Records date from 1844, when Camden County was formed from Gloucester County.
The New Jersey Courts website has forms that Cherry Hill residents may need for estate filings. Download blank forms from the site to fill out before your appointment.
Note: Camden County was formed in 1844. Probate court records for Cherry Hill Township before that year are held by Gloucester County.
Cherry Hill Probate Court Records Fees
The Camden County Surrogate charges set fees for probate filings. These fees apply to Cherry Hill Township estates and all other cases in the county. Call ahead to confirm current rates, as they may change. The fee schedule covers standard probate, administration, short certificates, and complaints.
- Probate of a will: $100 for up to two pages, plus $5 for each extra page
- Letters of Administration: $125
- Short certificates: $5 each
- Filing a complaint: $175
Short certificates are the most common document people need from probate court records. Banks, insurance companies, and title companies often ask for one. You may need several copies. Each short certificate costs $5 at the Camden County Surrogate's office. Cherry Hill residents should order enough copies to cover all the institutions that need proof of the executor's or administrator's authority.
Probate Process for Cherry Hill Estates
When a Cherry Hill Township resident dies with a will, the executor takes the original will and death certificate to the Camden County Surrogate. The Surrogate reviews the will under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-22 and admits it to probate. Letters Testamentary are issued to the executor. This creates probate court records on file in Camden County for the Cherry Hill estate.
If the person died without a will, a family member applies for Letters of Administration under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-1. The surviving spouse has first right. Adult children come next. The Surrogate issues the letters after reviewing the application. The administrator must then gather assets, pay creditors, and distribute the estate. Under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4, the court may require a surety bond based on the estate value.
Small estates in Cherry Hill may qualify for a simplified process. If the estate has only limited personal property, a small estate affidavit may be enough. The Camden County Surrogate staff can tell you if this applies. Larger estates go through the full probate process, which produces more detailed probate court records including inventories and accountings.
Camden County Records at State Archives
The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds older Camden County probate court records on microfilm. Will Books date from 1844 onward. Administration records, Orphans Court minutes, and guardian bonds are also available. These historical records cover Cherry Hill Township and every other Camden County town.
Below is the New Jersey State Archives website, where you can learn about their holdings and plan a research trip.
Archives staff can help you find the right microfilm reels for Camden County estates. Old probate court records often name heirs, list real property, and describe personal items. They serve both legal and genealogical purposes for Cherry Hill Township research.
Will Requirements for Cherry Hill Residents
Cherry Hill Township residents who write a will must follow N.J.S.A. 3B:3-19. The testator must be at least 18 and of sound mind. The will must be in writing. The testator must sign it. Two witnesses must also sign in the testator's presence. A self-proving affidavit, while optional, speeds up admission to probate by removing the need for witness testimony later.
Once filed, the will becomes part of the permanent probate court records in Camden County. Wills admitted to probate are public records. Anyone can request a copy from the Surrogate's office. Cherry Hill residents should keep the original will in a safe, accessible place. Some people choose to deposit their original will with the Surrogate's office for safekeeping before death.
Cherry Hill Probate Court Records and E-Filing
The Camden County Surrogate's office offers electronic filing for attorneys. This system lets lawyers submit probate court records online without visiting the office. It is available for certain types of filings and helps speed up the process. Individual Cherry Hill residents who are handling an estate without an attorney still need to file by mail, drop box, or appointment.
The e-filing option is part of Camden County's effort to make probate court records more accessible. Check the Surrogate's website for current details on which filings are accepted electronically. Not all document types are eligible.
Camden County Probate Court Records
Cherry Hill Township is in Camden County. All probate filings go through the Camden County Surrogate's Court. The county page has more details on record types, historical holdings, the full fee schedule, and nearby county offices. Visit it for a broader view of probate court records across Camden County.