Marriage records in Cortland County, New York, are available through several channels. CortlandCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also contact the issuing authority — the Cortland County Clerk's Office — directly, visit in person, or submit a request by mail. For marriages that occurred in Cortland County, the County Clerk maintains local records, while the New York State Department of Health keeps statewide vital records for events occurring outside New York City.
Cortland County Marriage Records Search
In New York, marriage records are maintained at two levels. The town or city clerk who issued the marriage license retains a local copy, and a duplicate is filed with the New York State Department of Health's Vital Records Section. For Cortland County, the County Clerk's Office also records and indexes marriage certificates that have been filed locally.
The Cortland County Clerk's collection includes marriage licenses issued within the county, returned marriage certificates, and historical marriage records dating back to the mid-1800s. Older records — particularly those predating 1881 — may be incomplete or held at the New York State Archives. Contact the office directly to confirm availability for a specific date range.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Cortland County
Fees for marriage record copies in New York are set by state statute and local fee schedules. The table below reflects standard fees for the Cortland County Clerk's Office. Fees may change — confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $5.00 |
| Search fee (if no record found) | $10.00 |
These fees align with the schedule established under New York Domestic Relations Law and Public Health Law. Payment methods accepted in person typically include cash, check, or money order. Mail requests generally require a check or money order payable to the Cortland County Clerk. Processing times vary but in-person requests are usually handled the same day if the record is on file locally.
For records held by the New York State Department of Health, the fee for a certified copy is $30.00. State-level requests may take several weeks to process.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Cortland County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Cortland County:
Online
The New York State Department of Health accepts online orders for marriage certificates through its VitalChek partnership portal. This applies to marriages recorded at the state level. Additional processing and service fees apply when ordering online. The Cortland County Clerk's Office does not currently offer its own online ordering system for marriage records.
In Person
Visit the Cortland County Clerk's Office during regular business hours:
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are not a named party on the record, you may need to demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record under New York Public Health Law § 4174. Walk-ins are generally accepted, though calling ahead is recommended for older or hard-to-locate records.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail, send the following to the Cortland County Clerk's Office:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and the purpose of the request
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to "Cortland County Clerk"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return mailing
Mail your request to:
Allow two to four weeks for processing by mail. If the Clerk's Office cannot locate the record locally, you may be directed to contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section in Albany, which maintains records for marriages occurring anywhere in New York State outside of New York City.
For genealogical research involving records more than 50 years old, the New York State Archives may also hold relevant historical marriage records. CortlandCourt.us provides additional guidance on locating publicly available records for Cortland County.