Find Marriage Records in Cortland County

Cortland County marriage records are filed with the town clerks who issue each license, as well as with the county clerk's office in the City of Cortland. The county clerk holds marriage records from the 1908 to 1935 period when the state required county-level filing. For records after 1935, the local town clerk who issued the license is the primary source. With 15 towns spread across this central New York county, the right office depends on where the couple applied for their license. The county clerk can help point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to start your search.

Where to Get Cortland County Marriage Records

The Cortland County Clerk's office is at 46 Greenbush Street in Cortland, NY 13045. James E. Ervin III serves as the county clerk. You can call them at (607) 753-5021. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office handles recording of documents, court records, passport applications, and business certificates in addition to vital records.

The county clerk keeps marriage records from 1908 through 1935. That was the era when New York State required a copy of every marriage record to be filed with the county. After April 1935, the state changed the rules. Town clerks became the sole local holders of marriage records. So if you need something from 1936 or later, you have to contact the specific town clerk where the license was bought.

Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, both people must show up in person at the clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone else on your behalf. The $40 fee is set by state law. After the license is issued, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before any ceremony can take place. The license expires after 60 days if not used.

How to Search for Marriage Records in Cortland County

Start by figuring out when and where the marriage took place. That tells you which office to contact. For marriages between 1908 and 1935, the county clerk at 46 Greenbush Street can look up the record. They search by the names of the bride and groom plus an approximate date. Call ahead at (607) 753-5021 to confirm they can help with your request before making a trip.

For marriages after 1935, contact the town clerk directly. Cortland County has 15 towns: Cincinnatus, Cortlandville, Cuyler, Freetown, Harford, Homer, Lapeer, Marathon, Preble, Scott, Solon, Taylor, Truxton, Virgil, and Willet. The City of Cortland also has its own clerk. Each of these offices keeps records for licenses they issued. If you are not sure which town handled the marriage, you may need to try a few offices.

The New York State Department of Health is another option. They keep copies of all marriage certificates from 1881 onward for areas outside New York City. You can request a copy by mail for $30 or online for $45 plus processing fees. Mail requests go to the Vital Records Certification Unit in Albany. Processing by mail takes about 8 to 10 weeks. Priority handling is available for an extra $15 and cuts the time to roughly two weeks.

Historical Marriage Records in Cortland County

Cortland County was formed in 1808 from Onondaga County. Marriage records before 1908 are not held by the county clerk's office. For those older records, church records and family papers are often the best bet. Some early records may exist at the New York State Archives or through genealogical societies in the area.

The New York State Archives in Albany holds marriage indexes going back to 1881. These indexes are open to the public once the records are more than 50 years old. Researchers can visit the archives in person or request searches by mail. The indexes give you names, dates, and the municipality where the license was filed, which helps you track down the full record.

The Cortland County Historical Society is a useful resource for genealogy work in the area. They hold local records, family files, and other documents that can fill gaps in official records. The society is based in Cortland and keeps regular hours for researchers. Local libraries in Cortland County may also have microfilm copies of old newspapers that published marriage announcements, which can be a helpful secondary source when official records are hard to find.

Getting a Marriage License in Cortland County

Any town clerk in Cortland County can issue a marriage license. The license is valid statewide, so you do not have to get married in the same town where you bought the license. Both parties need to bring valid photo ID and proof of age. If either person was married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse.

The fee is $40 across the board. That is the same at every clerk's office in the county, since the state sets the price. After you get the license, you wait 24 hours. A judge can waive this waiting period, but that does not happen often. Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk who issued it. The clerk then files the record and can provide certified copies.

New York's official marriage guide spells out the full list of requirements. Both people must be at least 18. There is no residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can get a license in Cortland County. Blood tests are not needed. The process is straightforward, and most clerks can handle the application in about 15 to 20 minutes if you have all your documents ready.

Cortland County Marriage Record Fees

Certified copies from a local town clerk cost $10 each. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $5 each. These fees are set by New York State law and are the same across all municipalities in Cortland County. You can pay by check or money order when requesting copies by mail. Some clerks also take cash for in-person requests.

If you go through the state health department instead, the fee is $30 by mail. Online orders cost $45 plus a processing fee charged by the authorized vendor. The state route takes longer but works well if you do not know which town clerk issued the license. The health department can search their statewide database and find the record regardless of where it was filed.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cortland County. If the marriage took place in a neighboring area, check the county page for that location.