The Bergen County Surrogate’s Court is here to help families at some of the most important – and often
most difficult – moments in life. Whether you are probating a loved one’s will, seeking guardianship for a
vulnerable family member, filing an adoption, or simply planning ahead, our office is committed to making
the process as clear and accessible as possible.
This page introduces you to the history and responsibilities of the Surrogate’s Court and provides
detailed directions to our main office in Hackensack, including driving routes, parking, and helpful tips
for your visit.
About the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court
In New Jersey, the Surrogate's function has its beginnings in the earliest part of our colonial
history. Since so many of our country’s most fundamental legal offices can find their origins in the
laws and practices of England, it is not surprising that the office of Surrogate can be traced back to
when the Church of England had the duty of probating wills. When the Bishops were busy and needed
assistance in handling estates, they would appoint Surrogates to take their place.
The word “Surrogate” is taken from the Latin word “Subrogare”, which
basically means to substitute or to put in the place of another.
The British Governor of the colony of New Jersey originally had the responsibility for probating all
wills and establishing the administration of all estates in the colony. In 1683 and 1698, statutes were
enacted which required wills and letters of administration to be entered in the colony's public
register. By 1693, the Governor of New Jersey had appointed the first “Surrogate” for East New Jersey
as the Governor's appointed deputy. In 1713, wills were required to be proved and entered in one book
of records and registered. The Bergen County Surrogate's Court currently stores and maintains
wills dating back to 1714.
When East and West New Jersey were combined in 1720, the Governor appointed the first Surrogate
covering the entire colony. From 1720 through 1767, the colony was serviced by a number of Deputy
Surrogates appointed by the Surrogate. For several of those years, Bergen County was served by more
than one Surrogate at a time. In 1767, the Governor appointed one Surrogate for all of Bergen County.
In 1822, New Jersey law was amended, granting the state legislature the power to appoint the County
Surrogate. However, in 1844, the New Jersey Constitution prescribed that the Surrogate was to be an
elected, independent constitutional officer in the county, no longer a deputy of the Governor or
appointee of the legislature. The Constitution of 1844 provided that the Surrogate was to be elected
for a five-year term by the people of that county. For nearly 150 years, the people of Bergen County
have elected their own County Surrogate.
Inside the Surrogate’s Court
The Bergen County Surrogate acts as a Judge and also administers a Court which is almost certain to touch
the lives of every person in the county at some time. From probating wills to appointing guardians and
recording adoptions, the Surrogate’s Court is a central point of contact for many important legal and
family matters.
Our front desk staff and clerks are dedicated to helping visitors understand procedures, find the correct
office or courtroom, and ensure that documents are filed properly. While we cannot offer legal advice, we
can explain our processes and direct you to appropriate resources whenever possible.
We are honored to serve our community and grateful for the dedicated staff who work every day to care
for our friends, neighbors, and families here in Bergen County.
Directions to the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court
Our office is located on the fifth floor of Two Bergen County Plaza, right next to the Bergen County Court
House in Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.
The parking garage for the Court House is open to the public with an entrance at
55 Court Street in Hackensack (see image/map below).
Written Directions
From Route 17 North
Exit at Polifly Road. Four lights later, make a right onto Essex Street, cross over the railroad tracks.
See Court House ahead (road curves and splits). Make sure you stay in the middle lane at the split as you
make a left onto Main Street and then the first immediate right onto Court Street. Pass the Court House on
your right and the entrance to the parking garage will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
From Route 17 South
Exit at Essex Street (Maywood–Paterson). Make a left at the stop sign onto Essex Street. Stay on Essex
over Route 17, past Hackensack University Medical Center, cross over the railroad tracks. See Court House
ahead (road curves and splits). Make sure you stay in the middle lane at the split as you make a left onto
Main Street and then the first immediate right onto Court Street. Pass the Court House on your right and
the entrance to the parking garage will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
From Route 46 West
Exit at Bergen Turnpike, which is the first right after the bridge that links Little Ferry to Ridgefield
Park. Bergen Turnpike will split after you pass a shopping plaza with a Valley Fair and Dunkin Donuts on
your right. Stay to the right at the split and continue onto S. River Street. Make a left turn onto East
Kansas Street (pictured as County Pl on some maps). Then, make a right onto Hudson Street at the first
traffic light, and bear right onto Main Street at the second traffic light. Make a right onto Court Street;
pass the Court House on your right. The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
From Route 46 East
Follow Route 46 into Little Ferry. Make a left onto Liberty Street. Liberty Street will become Moonachie
Road. After the intersection of Hudson Street and Moonachie Road, make the next left onto S. River Street.
Make a left turn onto East Kansas Street (pictured as County Pl on some maps). Then, make a right onto
Hudson Street at the first traffic light, and bear right onto Main Street at the second traffic light.
Make a right onto Court Street; pass the Court House on your right. The entrance to the parking garage
will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
From Route 80 West
Exit at #66 (Hudson Street, Hackensack, Little Ferry). Go to the light where you will make a left onto
Hudson Street. Follow Hudson Street until you come to the intersection of Hudson Street and East Kansas
Street. Continue straight past One Bergen County Plaza and bear right onto Main Street, wrapping around the
Court House complex. Make a right onto Court Street; pass the Court House on your right. The entrance to
the parking garage will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
From Route 80 East
Exit at #65 (Green Street, South Hackensack). At the end of the ramp make a left at the stop sign, go to
the light where you will make a left onto Hudson Street. Follow Hudson Street until you come to the
intersection of Hudson Street and East Kansas Street. Make a right at East Kansas Street. Make a left onto
River Street. Make a left turn again onto East Kansas Street (pictured as County Pl on some maps). Then,
make a right onto Hudson Street at the first traffic light, and bear right onto Main Street at the second
traffic light. Make a right onto Court Street; pass the Court House on your right. The entrance to the
parking garage will be on your right.
Once you enter Two Bergen County Plaza, take one of the elevators to the fifth floor and proceed through
the double doors into the Surrogate’s Court.
Should you have any questions, issues or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask the drivers for assistance
or to call our front desk for assistance at (201) 336-6700.
Questions or Need Help Before You Visit?
If you are unsure what documents to bring, how to begin a probate or guardianship matter, or simply want to
confirm directions and parking, please call the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court. Our staff is honored to
serve our community and is happy to guide you.
Address:
Bergen County Surrogate’s Court
Two Bergen County Plaza, Suite 5000
Hackensack, NJ 07601
