Overview

Effective February 1, 2023, a new process for noticing motions and setting their return date in the New York County Surrogate’s Court will go into effect. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the court has been issuing scheduling orders to calendar and set return dates for motions filed with the court. The use of Notices of Motion will now resume with templates for such notices provided by the court. Links to a “Notice of Motion” template for each Surrogate and to instructions for using the templates are found below.

Use of these templates will assist the court’s staff in efficiently and promptly processing and calendaring motions. There may be delays if a litigant files a motion without using the appropriate template. 

Please note that the Notice of Motion template for each Surrogate provides that there will be no appearance on the initial return date of the motion, and any appearance must be separately requested in accordance with the instructions in the Notice of Motion template. If an appearance is requested, the court’s staff will coordinate that appearance (whether in person or virtual) with the parties. This appearance may, but most likely will not, be on the noticed return date. If no appearance is requested, the motion will be marked submitted on the return date. 

• Instructions for Notice of Motion with samples
• Notice of Motion Template - Surrogate Rita Mella
• Notice of Motion Template - Surrogate Hilary Gingold

or scan this QR code: 

Miscellaneous Dept. / Calendar Clerk 
(To file Affidavits of Service, Applications to Open Safe Deposit Boxes & Sealed Apartments)
Phone: 646-386-5001 
misc_general@nycourts.gov

Accounting Department 
(Estate & Trust Accountings)
Phone: 646-386-5002 
accounting_general@nycourts.gov

Guardian / Adoption Department 
(Infant / 17A Applications)
Phone: 646-386-5003 
guardian_general@nycourts.gov

Probate Department 
(Decedents leaving a will)
Phone: 646-386-5004
probate_general@nycourts.gov

Administration Dept. / Small Estates 
(Decedents leaving no will)
Phone: 646-386-5005
administration_general@nycourts.gov

Cashier / Certificates / Certifications 
(Fees)
Phone: 646-386-5006
cashier_general@nycourts.gov

Records Search & Certifications 
Phone: 646-386-5090
recordroom_general@nycourts.gov

Law Department Reception Area 
Phone: 646-386-5800

New York County Public Administrator 
(Estates of decedents leaving unknown heirs / Police Property Vouchers)
Phone: 212-788-8430, Room 311