Cortlandt, New York Public Records

Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-824-5300), which has jurisdiction over felony cases and civil matters. The New York State Supreme Court for the Ninth Judicial District (Westchester County) is also located at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-824-5100) and handles major civil litigation, divorces, and other supreme court matters. Family Court matters including custody, child support, and family offense proceedings are heard at the Westchester County Family Court at 53 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701 (phone: 914-831-6400) and 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601. Court records can be searched online through the New York State Unified Court System's WebCivil Supreme portal at https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/FCASMain for Supreme Court civil cases, though many lower court records require in-person or written requests to the specific court clerk. Fees for certified copies of court documents are typically $6 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, with additional fees for exemplified copies. The County Clerk's office also maintains court judgment records and can provide searches for a fee of $5 per two-year period searched.

The Westchester County Clerk's Office, Division of Land Records, located at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-995-3080, website: https://landrecords.westchestergov.com), serves as the official recorder of deeds and maintains all recorded documents affecting real property in Westchester County, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, subdivision maps, and other instruments. The county provides free online access to recorded land records through the Westchester County Land Records Online system at https://landrecords.westchestergov.com, where users can search by party name, document type, or book and page number. The system includes digitized images of recorded documents dating back many decades. To conduct a property search, residents can visit the town assessor's website to find current ownership and assessment information, then use the county land records system to view the complete chain of title and all recorded documents. The Westchester County GIS Office provides an interactive parcel viewer at http://giswww.westchestergov.com that displays property boundaries, zoning, floodplains, and other geographic data. There is no fee to search or view these records online, though certified copies of recorded documents cost $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page from the County Clerk's office.

Major employers in Cortlandt include NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital (located in nearby Cortlandt Manor), the Lakeland Central School District (which employs hundreds of teachers and staff), and various retail establishments in the Cortlandt Town Center and along the Route 6 and Route 202 commercial corridors. The town benefits from its proximity to major transportation routes including the Bear Mountain Parkway, Route 9, and Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line, which provides commuter rail service to New York City from the Cortlandt and Croton-Harmon stations. Retail, healthcare, education, and professional services constitute the dominant industries, with many residents commuting to employment centers in White Plains, Stamford, Connecticut, and New York City. The estimated median household income in Cortlandt is approximately $110,000, higher than the national average but consistent with Westchester County's affluent character. Recent economic development has focused on transit-oriented development near the train stations and revitalization of commercial areas. The closure of Indian Point has created economic challenges but also opportunities for redevelopment of the waterfront site. Cortlandt's economy reflects Westchester County's role as a prosperous suburban region with strong ties to New York City, combining residential desirability with local commercial activity and access to regional employment centers. The town maintains a relatively stable economy with low unemployment and strong property values compared to national averages.

Law enforcement services in Cortlandt are primarily provided by the Westchester County Police Department, which maintains a substation serving the town. The Westchester County Police Department headquarters is located at 10 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595 (phone: 914-864-7700, website: https://police.westchestergov.com). Residents can request police reports, accident reports, and incident records by contacting the Records Unit at the headquarters or submitting written requests under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Requests should include the date, location, and nature of the incident, along with the requestor's identification. The Westchester County Department of Public Safety oversees county-level law enforcement operations and coordinates with state agencies. The Westchester County Sheriff's Office, located at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-864-7777), has jurisdiction over civil processes, court security, and operates the Westchester County Jail. Arrest records and jail bookings for Cortlandt residents can be searched through the Westchester County Department of Correction inmate lookup system at https://inmatesearch.westchestergov.com, which provides information on current inmates including booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and housing locations. New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), found in Public Officers Law §§ 84-90, establishes the right of public access to government records. Under FOIL, agencies must respond to records requests within five business days, either granting access, denying the request with written explanation, or acknowledging receipt with an estimated completion date. Police departments may redact certain information from records to protect ongoing investigations, confidential sources, or personal privacy as permitted under the law. Fees for copying records are limited to 25 cents per page, and agencies may charge for actual staff time spent locating and preparing voluminous records.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com for expedited processing with additional fees. Birth certificates for births occurring anywhere in New York State after 1910 can also be ordered from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602 (phone: 855-322-1022, website: https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records). Death certificates follow the same process and fee structure as birth certificates and can be obtained from either the Westchester County Department of Health or the state office. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a documented legal need can request certified copies; proof of relationship and valid photo identification are required. Marriage licenses must be obtained from any Town or City Clerk's office in New York State, including the Cortlandt Town Clerk at 1 Heady Street (phone: 914-734-1020). The fee is $40 for the marriage license, and there is a 24-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $30. Divorce records are maintained by the court that granted the divorce (typically Supreme Court) and the New York State Department of Health. Records are available from the County Clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted. Most vital records in New York are available from 1880 forward at the state level, with earlier records held by local municipalities.

Fictitious business name certificates (doing business as or DBA) must be filed with the Westchester County Clerk's Office at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-995-3070). The filing fee is $25 for registering a business name, and certificates must be renewed every five years. The County Clerk maintains a database of registered business names that can be searched online or in person. Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and other business entities must register with the New York State Department of State, Division of Corporations, at One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231 (website: https://www.dos.ny.gov/corps). The state maintains a free online business entity database at https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry where users can search by business name or entity ID to verify corporate status, view registered agents, principal addresses, and filing history. Filing fees vary by entity type: $125 for LLCs, $205 for domestic corporations. UCC financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the New York State Department of State UCC Division at https://www.dos.ny.gov/corporations/ucc.html. Commercial property tax information can be accessed through the Town of Cortlandt Assessor's Office, where business property owners can look up assessed values, tax rates, and payment history for commercial real estate. The current tax rate varies by property class and special districts within Cortlandt.

Cortlandt voters are served by the Westchester County Board of Elections, located at 150 Grand Street, Suite 100, White Plains, NY 10601 (phone: 914-995-5700, website: https://elections.westchestergov.com). The office handles voter registration, maintains voter rolls, provides information on candidates and ballot measures, and administers elections for federal, state, county, and local offices. New York residents can register to vote online at https://vot.nysvoter.com or by submitting a paper application available from the County Board of Elections, post offices, DMV offices, and other government agencies. The voter registration deadline is 25 days before an election, and New York does not allow same-day registration. Voters must provide name, address, date of birth, and either a New York driver license number, non-driver ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Cortlandt is governed by a Town Board consisting of a Town Supervisor and four Town Council members, all elected to four-year terms in odd-numbered years. The most recent town elections were held in November 2023, with the next scheduled for November 2025 and November 2027. Town elections are nonpartisan in structure but candidates often run with party endorsements. Cortlandt voters also participate in elections for Westchester County Executive, County Board of Legislators (Cortlandt is split among legislative districts), and county judges. Polling place assignments for Cortlandt residents can be found by entering address information at the New York State Board of Elections polling place locator at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov or by contacting the Westchester County Board of Elections. The town operates multiple polling locations in school buildings, fire stations, and community centers. Election records that are public in New York include voter registration lists (available to candidates and parties), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the state Board of Elections (searchable at https://publicreporting.elections.ny.gov), candidate petitions and designating certificates, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Westchester County reported voter turnout exceeding 70% of registered voters, with approximately 650,000 total votes cast countywide. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Cortlandt and Westchester County voters will decide several major races: the election for Governor of New York (four-year term), all New York State Assembly seats (two-year terms including the 95th Assembly District which covers Cortlandt), and potentially a U.S. Senate seat depending on the election cycle. County-level races may include Westchester County Executive and County Board of Legislators seats, depending on district election schedules. State Senate District 40, which includes Cortlandt, will also be on the ballot as state senators serve two-year terms. Absentee ballots in New York can be requested online at https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov or by submitting an application to the Westchester County Board of Elections. New York allows absentee voting for reasons including absence from the county on election day, illness or disability, and other specified circumstances. Early voting is also available in New York, typically beginning nine days before Election Day at designated early voting sites throughout Westchester County, with extended hours including weekends.