Paterson Estate Probate Records
Paterson probate court records are filed at the Passaic County Surrogate's Court. Paterson is the third largest city in New Jersey and serves as the county seat of Passaic County. The Surrogate's Court is in the downtown courthouse, making it easy to reach. Records date back to 1837. You can search for wills, estate files, guardianship orders, and letters of administration at this office. Staff assist residents with finding probate court records and filing new cases throughout the week.
Paterson Quick Facts
Paterson Probate Court Records Office
The Passaic County Surrogate's Court handles all probate court records for Paterson. Zoila Cassanova serves as Surrogate. The office is at the Passaic County Courthouse, 77 Hamilton Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach the office by phone at (973) 881-4760, extension 208.
| Office | Passaic County Surrogate's Court |
|---|---|
| Surrogate | Zoila Cassanova |
| Address | Passaic County Courthouse 77 Hamilton Street Paterson, NJ 07505 |
| Phone | (973) 881-4760 ext. 208 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | passaiccountynj.org |
Paterson City Hall is at 155 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. City Hall does not handle probate court records. All estate matters go through the Passaic County Surrogate's Court. The City of Paterson website can help with other city services, but wills and estate files are managed by the Surrogate. Both offices are in downtown Paterson, within walking distance of each other.
How to Search Paterson Probate Court Records
The most direct way to search for probate court records in Paterson is to visit the Surrogate's Court at 77 Hamilton Street. Bring the full name of the person who died. A date of death helps narrow the search. Staff will check the index and pull the file for you. You can view the records on site and order copies right away.
Phone searches work too. Call (973) 881-4760, extension 208. Staff can tell you if a file exists and what you need to bring to get copies. This saves a trip if you are not sure the record is in Paterson. For probate court records filed in another county, the staff can point you in the right direction.
For historical research, the New Jersey State Archives holds Passaic County probate court records on microfilm. These go back to 1837 when the county was formed. Will Books, administration bonds, estate files, and dockets are all part of the collection. You can view the reels at the State Archives in Trenton or request them through interlibrary loan. This is a strong tool for finding old Paterson probate court records.
Note: The downtown location of the Surrogate's Court on Hamilton Street makes it one of the most accessible probate offices in the state for walk-in visits.
Paterson Government and Probate Records
The Paterson city government website offers local services and contact information for various city departments.
While the city website covers many local needs, probate court records are handled by the Passaic County Surrogate's Court. Paterson residents who need wills, estate files, or guardianship records should visit the courthouse on Hamilton Street rather than City Hall.
Filing Probate Court Records in Paterson
Under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-22, you must wait 10 days after the date of death before filing for probate in Paterson. This is a state rule. It applies to all estates. Once the wait passes, the executor named in the will can bring the paperwork to the Surrogate's Court on Hamilton Street. The filing creates new probate court records in Paterson.
To probate a will in Paterson, bring these items:
- The original will
- A death certificate with a raised seal
- Names and addresses of all next of kin
- Filing fees of $150 to $200
- Photo ID for the executor
The base filing fee is $100 for two pages, plus $5 for each added page. Certified copies of probate court records cost $5 each. Under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-19, the Surrogate admits the will to probate and issues Letters Testamentary. These letters allow the executor to manage the estate. The process takes about 30 to 45 minutes when all the paperwork is ready. All documents filed become part of the Paterson probate court records.
When a Paterson resident dies without a will, the estate is intestate. A close family member can apply for Letters of Administration under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-1. You need the death certificate with a raised seal, signed renunciations from other heirs who are willing to step aside, and a list of known assets. The Surrogate reviews everything and issues the letters. This process also takes 30 to 45 minutes and creates probate court records in Paterson.
Types of Paterson Probate Records
The Passaic County Surrogate's Court keeps many types of probate court records for Paterson. Wills show how a person wanted their property split. Letters Testamentary grant the executor the right to act for the estate. Letters of Administration serve that role when no will exists. Guardianship orders protect minors and their assets. Estate accountings track how funds were used. Will contest files record disputes over a will. Each type adds to the collection of Paterson probate court records at the courthouse.
Records from 1837 forward are part of the Passaic County collection. Older filings are available on microfilm at the State Archives. Recent records stay at the Surrogate's Court in Paterson. Together, these sources give a full picture of probate history in the area.
Paterson Probate Records at State Archives
The New Jersey State Archives holds Passaic County probate court records on microfilm. These records cover Paterson and all other towns in the county. The collection includes Will Books, administration bonds, guardianship records, estate files, and dockets going back to 1837. Genealogists and family researchers use these records often to trace lines that pass through Paterson.
The image below shows the State Archives searchable databases page, which can help you start a search for Paterson probate court records from your home.
The database is free to use. It covers records from all New Jersey counties. You do not need to visit Trenton to run a basic search for Paterson probate court records in the state collection.
Small Estate Probate in Paterson
Some Paterson estates do not require full probate. Under N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4, small estates may use an affidavit process. This path is quicker and costs less. It still creates probate court records in Paterson, but the steps are fewer. The Surrogate's staff can tell you if the estate qualifies based on its total value.
Bring the death certificate and a list of all assets. Staff at the Paterson courthouse will review the numbers and guide you to the right process. Many families choose this route when the estate is modest and the heirs agree on how to divide the assets. A single visit to the Surrogate's Court is often all it takes to complete the filing.
Note: Call (973) 881-4760, extension 208, to ask if a Paterson estate qualifies for the small estate affidavit before your visit.
Court Resources for Paterson Residents
The New Jersey Courts website has forms, guides, and contact details for courts across the state. Paterson residents can find probate forms and filing instructions on this site. It covers rules that apply to all probate court records filed in New Jersey, including those in Paterson and Passaic County.
The New Jersey Legislature website provides the full text of probate statutes. These laws govern how wills are admitted, how administrators are named, and what fees apply. Knowing the rules before you visit the Surrogate's Court in Paterson can save time and help you bring the right documents on your first trip. All of the statutes that apply to Paterson probate court records are available on this site at no cost.
Passaic County Probate Court Records
Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County. All probate court records for Paterson are filed through the Passaic County Surrogate's Court. The county page has more detail on office procedures, full fee schedules, State Archives holdings, and links to other resources. For probate court records in other Passaic County towns like Clifton, Passaic, or Wayne, the county page covers those as well.