Cortland County Surrogate’s Court

Overview

The Surrogate’s Court maintains jurisdiction over all actions and proceedings relating to the affairs of decedents including the probate of wills and administration of estates. The Surrogate’s Court in Cortland County also processes all guardianship and adoption proceedings.

Cortland County Surrogate’s Court has records of decedents beginning in 1805. Indexes of court files are available and can be viewed during business hours.

All adoption records are sealed and are not accessible to anyone without a Court Order. The estate tax returns filed between May 1990 and January 2001 are also sealed. Public access to other certain documents may be limited, or subject to written permission, pursuant to court rules:

1. All documents in guardianship proceedings;
2. Death Certificates;
3. Tax returns;
4. Documents containing social security numbers;
5. Firearms inventory;
6. Inventory of assets.

Land records, census records and other information is available in the Cortland County Clerk’s Office which is located on the 1st floor of the courthouse.

Cortland Surrogate’s Court is a MANDATORY efiling county

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Surrogate’s Court

Phone: 607-218-3335
E-Mail: CortlandSurrogate@nycourts.gov

Business Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Monday through Friday

Directions/Info

Judges’ Chambers

Surrogate Court Judge
Honorable David C. Alexander

Secretary
Patricia Romer
Phone: 607-218-3345
Fax: 607-218-3367

Court Attorney
Randolph V. Kruman

Surrogate Court Judge
Honorable Julie A. Campbell

Secretary
M.J. McCracken
Phone: 607-218-3343
Fax: 1-212-520-6829

Court Attorney
A. L. Beth O’Connor

Court Clerk’s Office

Chief Clerk
Lynne Day
Phone: 607-218-3335
Fax: 212-457-2661
E-Mail: lday@nycourts.gov

More Information

• Forms
• Intestate Distribution
• Local Court Practices
• Other Links

Directions and Parking

From Route 81 Northbound:
Take Route 81 North to Exit 11. Go left off the exit.  Go to the second light and take a right.  This will put you on Clinton Avenue. Go to the flashing yellow light, just across the railroad tracks, and take a left at the flashing yellow light. This is Greenbush Street. Continue on Greenbush Street, through two green lights and you will see the Courthouse on the right.

From Route 81 Southbound:
Take Route 81 South to Exit 11.  go right off the exit.  Go to the second light and take a right.  This will put you on Clinton Avenue.  Go to the flashing yellow light, just across the railroad tracks, and take a left at the flashing yellow light.  This is Greenbush Street.  Continue on Greenbush Street, through two green lights and you will see the Courthouse on the right.

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Parking:
Parking is available in marked areas on the streets surrounding the courthouse.  There is a parking lot (no charge) adjacent to the courthouse.

Handicap Accessibility:
The Courthouse is handicap accessible; it has an elevator and handicap accessible rest rooms.

Vending Machines:
There are vending machines for beverages and snacks.