---
title: "Passaic County Surrogate, NJ: Probate & Short Certificates"
description: "The Passaic County Surrogate's address and phone, how probate works in New Jersey, what to bring, and how short certificates work."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/surrogate/passaic-county"
---

Passaic County, NJ

# Passaic County Surrogate: probate and estate paperwork

Where the Passaic County Surrogate is, what to bring to probate a will, and how to get the short certificates banks ask for.

✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials)

## Passaic County Surrogate at a glance

| Office | Passaic County Surrogate's Office |
| --- | --- |
| Address | 71 Hamilton St., Room 101, Paterson, NJ 07505 |
| Phone | 973-881-4760 |
| Hours | Not listed on the State's page; check the Passaic County Surrogate's own page |
| Source | [NJ Courts Surrogate listing](https://www.njcourts.gov/ht/node/976826) |

## What the Surrogate does

The Surrogate is the county officer who probates wills, appoints administrators when there's no will, and issues the certificates an executor needs to collect and retitle assets. It also handles guardianships and holds money for minors.

## Probating a will: the usual steps

- **Wait 10 days** after the date of death. New Jersey law doesn't allow probate sooner.

- **Gather** a certified death certificate, the original will and any codicils, and the executor's photo ID.

- **Book or file:** most Surrogates work by appointment, and many accept filings online through eProbate. Call 973-881-4760 to ask what Passaic County offers.

- **Order short certificates** for every bank, broker and agency that will ask. Extra copies later cost another trip.

No will? The Surrogate appoints an administrator instead, usually the closest relative, and may require a bond. Fees depend on the office and the number of pages and certificates; ask when you book.

## How we help executors in Passaic County

- Notarizing renunciations, refunding bonds and releases, and affidavits, [at your door](/notary/mobile-notary) or [online](/notary/remote-online-notarization) where the receiving office accepts it.

- Carrying papers to the Surrogate or the County Clerk, and [pulling certified records](/notary/records-retrieval/passaic-county).

- The free [New Jersey executor checklist](/notary/executor-checklist-new-jersey).

We aren't lawyers and can't tell you how to handle an estate. For disputes or complicated estates, talk to an attorney.

[Book an estate notary](/notary/estate-planning-notary) [Passaic County deed recording](/notary/document-recording/passaic-county)

Office details from the NJ Courts Surrogate listing, checked 2026-11. Probate steps from [a New Jersey Surrogate's probate page](https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Surrogate-Court/Probate). Confirm hours and fees with the office before you go.

## Questions

**Where is the Passaic County Surrogate?**

Passaic County Surrogate's Office, 71 Hamilton St., Room 101, Paterson, NJ 07505, 973-881-4760.

**How soon after a death can a will be probated in New Jersey?**

Not until 10 days after the date of death, under New Jersey law. Surrogates won't complete probate or administration before then.

**What do I bring to probate a will?**

A certified copy of the death certificate, the original will with any codicils, and photo ID for the executor. If there's no will, a list of assets held only in the person's name with no beneficiary.

**What is a short certificate?**

A certificate from the Surrogate showing the will was probated and who the executor or administrator is. Banks, brokers and the MVC ask for one before they release or retitle assets. Ask for enough copies at the start.

**Do I need a lawyer to probate a will?**

Many executors handle a simple probate at the Surrogate's office themselves; the staff walk you through the forms but can't give legal advice. For disputes, a missing will or a complicated estate, talk to an attorney. We aren't lawyers.

**Do any probate documents need a notary?**

Often. Renunciations, refunding bonds and releases, and some affidavits are signed before a notary. We can come to you or do it online where the receiving office accepts it.

General information, not legal advice. We aren't lawyers.

## Need estate papers notarized? Call the desk.

[Book Now](/notary/#order)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)