Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, public records are all data produced, used, received or stored by a government agency, regardless of its form (print, tape records, photographs, etc.). However, certain types of records are excluded from being public. These include trade secrets and financial information that is not required by statute, police records that are at a pre-trial or trial stage, negotiations concerning pending litigation, personal information about students at any school in the state, personal records of employees, adoption records, petitions, and records of complaints, among others.
Records such as birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce records, business registrations, criminal records and court records are available to eligible members of the public openly or on request. In today’s digital environment, most agencies provide online search capabilities and public records request forms to make it easier for you to get the information you need. Not all, however, accept online requests and this is noted on the respective agency’s website. Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions people have when searching for public records in Connecticut.
Are Connecticut birth records public?
Connecticut birth records are confidential and are not available to the general public. The records are only available to the person registered, their parents or legal guardians, spouses of the registrant, their children or another legal court-ordered representative unless it has been at least 100 years since the birth was recorded.
How do you order a certified copy of a birth certificate in Connecticut?
The easiest way to order a certified copy of a Connecticut birth certificate is through VitalChek online. Connecticut has authorized VitalChek to provide official birth certificates online for the state. There is a slightly higher fee for utilizing this service.
For births that took place after 1/1/2003, you can order a certified copy of a birth certificate by completing the state application and mailing it and supporting documentation to any local vital records office or the state vital records office:
Connecticut State Vital Records Office
410 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06134
For births that took place prior to 1/1/2003, you can order a certified copy of a birth certificate through:
- Vital records office in the town where the birth occurred
- The town of the mother’s residence when the birth occurred
- State Vital Records Office
You will need to complete a town application or a state application and provide supporting documentation depending on where you are ordering the certificate from.
Are death records public in Connecticut?
Connecticut death records are public and can be requested for genealogical research by anyone. This applies to certified death certificates that do not include the social security number. Certified copies of death certificates in Connecticut that include the social security number are confidential and can only be ordered by the deceased’s spouse, a funeral director or surviving next of kin.
How do you get a certified copy of a death certificate in Connecticut?
Certified copies of Connecticut death certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek, by mail through the town clerk for the town where the death was recorded and through the state vital records office at:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
410 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06134
Certified death certificates can be ordered by anyone 18 or older for any deceased individual in the state. These certified copies do not include the social security number of the deceased. Only the spouse, next of kin or a funeral director may order a certified copy that includes the social security number.
Are Connecticut marriage records public?
Marriage records in Connecticut are public and are available to anyone. Certified copies that do not include the social security numbers of the couple can be ordered by anyone 18 or older.
How can you order a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Connecticut?
Certified copies of Connecticut marriage certificates can be ordered online through VitalChek, by mail from the town clerk in the town where the couple was married and through the state vital records office at:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
410 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT 06134
Certified copies that do not include the social security numbers of the couple can be ordered by anyone 18 or older. Copies that include the social security numbers can only be ordered by the couple themselves.
Are divorce records public in Connecticut?
Connecticut divorce records are public and can be ordered by anyone that is at least 18 years old. Some sensitive data like financial details, banking information and details of minor children are automatically sealed and are confidential to protect abuse victims and identity theft.
How do you get a copy of a Connecticut divorce decree?
Copies of divorce decrees in Connecticut can be requested from the state superior court where the divorce was finalized. A directory of state superior courts is available at the Connecticut Judicial Branch.
Are Connecticut court records public?
Court records in Connecticut are public records and are available to anyone. There are some exceptions such as juvenile matters, trade secrets, information that poses a security risk, home addresses and financial statements.
Are Connecticut criminal records public?
Yes, criminal records are public in Connecticut. They can be searched for and viewed by anyone.
Where can you find criminal records in Connecticut?
You can search online for Connecticut criminal records at the state Judicial Branch. They offer a criminal and motor vehicle case look up database where you can search for convictions by defendant name or by docket number. You can also search for pending cases. This database covers criminal convictions that occurred within the last 10 years in the state.
You can also find Connecticut criminal records at local law enforcement agencies within the state. Each agency has their own search capabilities and have varying requirements for their search tools.
How do you search for Connecticut property and land records?
You can find land and property records at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment. They provide a tool called the Connecticut Land Registry Pilot that will quickly provide access to property records in the state.
Some towns also offer land records through the clerk of the town where the property is located.
How do you check your driving history in Connecticut?
You can request your Connecticut driving record online through the Department of Motor Vehicles for the state. You will need to provide several pieces of identification to place your order. You can also order your driver history in person at certain local locations across the state. Finally, you can order your driving record by mail at:
Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Driver records can only be ordered by the driver themselves or entities that the driver has given permission to.