Divorce records in Cortland County, New York, are available through several channels. CortlandCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Cortland County. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the Cortland County Clerk's office, or the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. Each office holds different types of documentation, so the right starting point depends on what you need.
Cortland Divorce Records Search
In New York, divorce cases are handled by the Supreme Court — which, despite its name, is the state's trial-level court of general jurisdiction. The Cortland County Supreme Court hears divorce and matrimonial actions filed in the county. After a divorce is granted, the court clerk's office retains the complete case file.
Records maintained by the court typically include:
- Divorce decrees (judgments of divorce)
- Settlement and separation agreements
- Custody and visitation orders
- Equitable distribution orders
- Related motions and filings
The New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section also maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not contain the full terms of the settlement. These certificates cover divorces granted in New York State from January 1963 to the present.
For in-person requests or questions about Cortland County court records, contact the County Clerk's office:
Cortland County Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Cortland
Understanding which office holds the record you need will save time. In Cortland County, divorce-related records are filed and stored in different locations depending on the document type.
Cortland County Supreme Court & County Clerk
All divorce actions in Cortland County are filed in the New York State Supreme Court, Sixth Judicial District. The Cortland County Clerk serves as clerk of the Supreme Court and maintains the official case files, including the judgment of divorce, property settlement agreements, and custody orders. If you need a copy of the full divorce decree or any document from the court file, this is the office to contact.
New York State Department of Health — Vital Records Section
The state vital records office issues divorce certificates for divorces finalized anywhere in New York from 1963 onward. A divorce certificate confirms the divorce but does not include the detailed terms found in the court decree. This is often sufficient for proof-of-divorce purposes such as remarriage or name changes.
Which Office Should You Contact?
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or judgment | Cortland County Clerk (Supreme Court records) |
| Settlement or custody agreements | Cortland County Clerk (Supreme Court records) |
| Divorce certificate (confirmation only) | NYS Department of Health Vital Records |
| Older records (pre-1963 certificates) | Cortland County Clerk's Office |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Cortland
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from NYS Dept. of Health (mail request) | $30.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce certificate — expedited processing (NYS Dept. of Health) | $30.00 + additional priority handling fee | Approximately 15 business days |
| County Clerk — certified copy of court document | $1.25 per page (minimum $5.00 for certification) | Varies; in-person requests often same day |
| County Clerk — search fee for court records | $5.00 per name, per two-year period searched | Varies by complexity |