Chautauqua County Surrogate's Court
Current Events

New Case Management Database Coming Soon !!

The Surrogate's Courts in the 7th and 8th Judicial Districts have been working together with others from around the State to develop a Uniform Case Management Database specifically for Surrogate's Courts. Shortly we will be scanning all documents in all proceedings into the computer where they will be bar-coded and indexed. The new database will generate our Decrees and Letters as well as track inventories, fees, statistics and closings.

In order to prepare for this we are asking that papers filed be written on one side of the page only. When using "Hot Docs" please do not submit blank or unnecessary pages. Since the scanning may be performed prior to a full review of the proceeding it is very important that the papers be filled out correctly. Any amendments will need to be filed and scanned and we will not be able to make minor corrections as we have in the past.

Welcome Genealogists

With few exceptions our files are public records available for inspection between the hours of 9:00 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Our staff will be happy to show you how to use the indices. When you locate the individual whose estate you are interested in, please note the file number and ask one of us to pull the file for you. If the file is more than 50 years old it may be necessary for us to retrieve it for you. While we will try to do it as soon as possible we may not be able to do so while you wait. If you know at least two days in advance when you will be in our area and what files you need by Index Number you may call and we will have the file ready for you.