Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 36023

Cortland County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Cortland County, New York. Serving a population of 45.752 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Cortland • Land Area: 498,774 sq mi • State: New York (NY)

Call: (518) 791-5213 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Cortland County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cortland, NY 13045

Seat of government for Cortland County in Cortland, NY.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(518) 791-5213

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 36023 • Coordinates: 42.5940° N, -76.0762° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Cortland County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Cortland County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by NY CPLR § 8021 & NY Tax Law § 1402

First Page Base Fee

$50.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$5.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

0.4% state transfer tax ($2.00 per $500) + 1% mansion tax over $1M + NYC Real Property Transfer Tax (1% - 2.625%)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in New York:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Cortland County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Cortland County, New York. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Cortland County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Cortland County

License Fee $40.00 ($35.00 in NYC City Clerk Marriage Bureau)

Waiting Period 24 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Cortland County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Mandatory 24-hour waiting period before ceremony can take place.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $30.00

Death Cert $30.00

Marriage Cert $30.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through New York State Department of Health & NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the local Cortland County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Cortland County

Filing Fee: $35.00

1. Filing Authority

In Cortland County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in New York.

3. State Rules & Notice

Business Certificate (DBA) filed in the County Clerk's Office. In NYC, corporations and LLCs also have statutory publication requirements.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Cortland County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Cortland County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in New York.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

New York Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official New York Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with New York county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get New York Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in New York

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring New York recording offices:

Tompkins County Seat: Ithaca

~22.5 mi →

Chenango County Seat: Norwich

~25.4 mi →

Onondaga County Seat: Syracuse

~29.1 mi →

Madison County Seat: Wampsville

~30.2 mi →

Tioga County Seat: Owego

~30.9 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cortland County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Cortland County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Cortland County office is located at Cortland County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cortland, NY 13045. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (518) 791-5213.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Cortland County?

Under New York statute (NY CPLR § 8021 & NY Tax Law § 1402), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Cortland County costs $50.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: 0.4% state transfer tax ($2.00 per $500) + 1% mansion tax over $1M + NYC Real Property Transfer Tax (1% - 2.625%).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Cortland County, NY?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Cortland County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $40.00 ($35.00 in NYC City Clerk Marriage Bureau). New York requires a waiting period of 24 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Cortland County?

In Cortland County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $35.00. Business Certificate (DBA) filed in the County Clerk's Office. In NYC, corporations and LLCs also have statutory publication requirements.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Cortland County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $30.00 and death certificates starting at $30.00) can be requested through the New York State Department of Health & NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or directly at the Cortland County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.