Find Civil Court Records in Cortland County
Cortland County civil court records are maintained at the County Clerk's office at 46 Greenbush Street in Cortland. The clerk serves as Clerk of the Supreme Court and County Court and has land records dating back to 1808. The 6th Judicial District covers this county. You can search civil cases online through the SearchIQS portal and through the state WebCivil Supreme system. In-person access during business hours is also an option. Cortland County is a small county in central New York, and its clerk's office provides direct help to people looking for civil court filings, case records, and certified copies.
Cortland County Overview
Cortland County Clerk and Records
The Cortland County Clerk handles all civil court records for the county. The office is at 46 Greenbush Street in Cortland. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone: (607) 753-5021. The clerk keeps land records from 1808, court filings, business certificates, and notary applications. Passport services are available at this location too.
Cortland County is one of the smaller counties in New York. The clerk's office handles a moderate volume of civil cases. This often means quicker service for records requests. You can walk in during business hours, ask for a search by name or case number, and get copies while you wait. Under Judiciary Law Section 255, the clerk must search files and give you copies when you pay. Docket books are open for public review during business hours per Judiciary Law Section 255-b.
| Office | Cortland County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
46 Greenbush Street Cortland, NY 13045 |
| Phone | (607) 753-5021 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
How to Search Cortland County Civil Cases
The Cortland County Records Search portal offers online access to indexed public records from 1808 to the present. You can search by name for deeds, mortgages, and court records. Guest access is free for basic lookups.
The WebCivil Supreme tool covers Supreme Court civil cases from every county. For Cortland County, you can search by party name, index number, or attorney. It shows case status, docket entries, and party information for both pending and closed cases. A case will not appear until the Request for Judicial Intervention gets filed. E-filed cases can be accessed through NYSCEF as well.
The 6th Judicial District page for Cortland County gives you all the court contact details. The courthouse at 46 Greenbush Street houses multiple courts. Supreme and County Court: (607) 753-5025. Family Court: (607) 753-5035. Surrogate's Court: (607) 753-5045. The Cortland County contact page has general office information.
Cortland County Court Information
The New York State Courts page for the 6th Judicial District shows Cortland County court details and contact numbers.
This page lists all court divisions in Cortland County with phone numbers and the courthouse address at 46 Greenbush Street.
Cortland County Court Record Fees
Copy fees follow state law. Under CPLR Section 8019(f), copies cost 50 cents per page with a one-dollar minimum. Certified copies add 50 cents per page with a four-dollar minimum. The Cortland County Clerk accepts payment at the counter during business hours.
A certified search under CPLR Section 8020(g) costs five dollars for a two-year span. Each added two-year period costs five more. Court transcripts run from $2.50 to $6.50 per page under 22 NYCRR Section 108. Regular delivery is cheapest. Rush orders cost more. Viewing civil court records in person or through online tools is free.
Note: Cortland County shares the same courthouse building for the clerk's office and the courts, so you can handle records requests and court business in one trip.
Civil Records Access in Cortland County
Most civil court records in Cortland County are open to public review. Under Judiciary Law Section 255-b, docket books stay open during business hours for anyone to view. You don't need to give a reason to look at civil court records. Just go to the clerk's office and ask.
The Cortland County Surrogate's Court is at 46 Greenbush Street. Phone: (607) 753-5045. It handles probate, estates, guardianships, and adoptions. Probate records are generally public. Adoption files are sealed under Domestic Relations Law Section 114. Matrimonial records across the county stay sealed for 100 years under Domestic Relations Law Section 235. Family Court records are confidential under Family Court Act Section 166. A court can seal other records under 22 NYCRR Section 216.1, but must find good cause and put the reasons in writing. E-filing requirements under 22 NYCRR Sections 202.5-b and 202.5-bb mean more recent Cortland County civil cases are available through NYSCEF online.
Getting Cortland County Civil Record Copies
Visit the Cortland County Clerk at 46 Greenbush Street to get copies of civil court records. Walk in during business hours and the staff will help. They search by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Under CPLR Section 8019(f), copies cost 50 cents per page with a one-dollar minimum. Certified copies add 50 cents per page, minimum four dollars.
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Send a letter to the Cortland County Clerk at 46 Greenbush Street, Cortland, NY 13045. Include party names, the case number if you have it, and a clear description of the records. Add a certified check or money order. The clerk will process the request and send copies to you by mail. For e-filed cases, you can use NYSCEF to view documents for free. Certified copies for court use still have to come from the clerk's office though.
Nearby Counties
Cortland County is in central New York. These bordering counties may have civil court records if the case was filed in a different jurisdiction.