(a) When, in an uncontested probate proceeding, a witness to a will is outside the jurisdiction of the court, and SCPA 1406 is not utilized, the court may order that the witness be examined in the Surrogate's Court of another county or in an appropriate court of another state or county or before a commissioner designated by the court pursuant to SCPA 508, specifying the nature and manner of the examination, and shall send such other court or commissioner a copy of such order together with the original will or court-certified reproduction thereof. If the original will is sent, a court-certified copy thereof shall be retained in the office of the court wherein the proceeding is pending.

(b) When the testimony of the witness is obtained, it shall be annexed to the will or to the copy to which it relates, and together they shall be returned to and filed in the court wherein the proceeding is pending, as provided in SCPA 507.