SCPA § 2502

Books to be kept by clerk The clerk shall keep and maintain: 1 · as in force on May 31, 2026

§ 2502. Books to be kept by clerk

The clerk shall keep and maintain:

1. A record book properly indexed in which shall be entered a description of every proceeding with proper entries under each denoting the papers filed, orders and decrees made and the steps taken therein, with the dates of filing and recording the several papers in the proceeding.

2. Such other record books, properly indexed, as may be necessary or convenient to record at length any documents required by law to be recorded.

3. A court and trust fund register in which shall be entered a reference to any proceeding in which a decree or order directs a deposit of money, the date thereof, the amount thereof, the amount so deposited, any receipt therefor and the name of the person to and for whom the deposit is made.

4. A record book, properly indexed, with proper entries denoting the name and file number of the estate and the date of filing any informal account or any release pursuant to 2202.

5. Such other books as the chief administrator of the courts in each department or the court in each county may direct to be kept.

Official sourcehttps://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/SCP/2502

In plain English

The records the Surrogate's Court clerk must keep:

(1) An indexed record book describing every proceeding, with entries for each paper filed, each order and decree, each step taken, and the dates of filing and recording. ★
(2) Other indexed books needed to record documents at length where the law requires recording.
(3) A court and trust fund register listing every decree or order directing a deposit of money: its date, the amount ordered, the amount deposited, any receipt, and who it is for.
(4) An indexed book of the estate name, file number and filing date for every informal account and every § 2202 release.
(5) Any other books the Chief Administrator of the Courts in each department, or the court in each county, directs.

Marked in the text: penalties, time limits, sums of money. Editorial emphasis added by this edition; it does not appear in the statute as enacted.

In print

This provision appears in Volume 1 — The Surrogate's Court in Plain English; Volume 2 — The Surrogate's Court Procedure Act; Volume 5 — Your Career: Surrogate's Court in Plain English.