Connecticut ranks 46th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#40of 51
Speed#50of 51
Ease of ordering#35of 51
Birth certificates #48 of 51
Cost
$30 first copy, $30 each extra copy from the state; $20 per copy from the town office
Processing time
Mail: up to 12 weeks from the state (town offices are generally faster); in person: at the town vital records office; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Up to about 13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the town vital records office in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
Births from 2003: the state or any town office; earlier births: the town of birth, the mother’s town of residence, or the state
Marriage records #32 of 51
Cost
$20 per copy from the state or the town office
Processing time
Mail: up to 12 weeks from the state (town offices are generally faster); in person: at the town vital records office; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Up to about 13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the town vital records office in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
The town where the marriage took place or where either spouse lived, or the state
Divorce records #27 (tie) of 51
Cost
Varies by court
Processing time
Varies by court
Time until the copy is in hand
Varies by court
Where to order
Court only: the Clerk of the Superior Court where the divorce was granted
Order online
No statewide online ordering
Death certificates #43 of 51
Cost
$20 per copy from the state or the town office
Processing time
Mail: up to 12 weeks from the state (town offices are generally faster); in person: at the town vital records office; wait time not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Up to about 13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the town vital records office in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Connecticut birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Connecticut birth certificate?
A certified Connecticut birth certificate costs $20 per copy from the town or city vital records office or $30 per copy from the State Vital Records Office in Hartford. Order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. For births before 2003, only the town of birth, the mother’s town of residence or the state can issue the certificate.
Connecticut birth records: ordering details
Who can order
Connecticut birth records under 100 years old are confidential. You can order your own if you’re 18 or older (or an emancipated minor or certified homeless youth). You can also order as a parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, grandparent, spouse, adult child or adult grandchild; as an attorney for the person or an eligible relative; as an agent of an approved state or federal agency; as a member of a Connecticut genealogical society; or as a conservator of the person. Records 100 years old or older are open to the public.
Fee
Town or city vital records office: $20 per copy. State Vital Records Office: $30 per copy. VitalChek adds processing and shipping fees.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek, the only third-party vendor the Department of Public Health (DPH) approves. It charges extra processing and shipping fees. By mail to the state: the state Application to Request a Birth Certificate, a copy of your ID and a postal money order payable to “Treasurer, State of CT” to State Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #11VRS, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308. No cash, personal checks or credit cards. By mail to a town: the town application to the town of birth (or, before 2003, the mother’s town of residence). Town offices take a money order payable to the town; personal checks aren’t accepted. In person: the town vital records office (see the town directory), or the State Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor, Hartford (walk-in hours vary by day; call (860) 509-7700). At the state window, pay by cash or money order, or by card with a $2.50 fee; you need photo ID to enter the building.
ID needed
A copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID showing your name, date of birth, signature and an expiration date. If you don’t have one, send copies of two other documents instead, such as a Social Security card, utility bill or bank statement with your current address, voter registration card, school or college photo ID, military discharge papers, or a government photo ID that expired within the last 12 months. If you’ve legally changed your name, include the court order. If the record isn’t yours or your child’s, include proof of relationship; for example, to get a parent’s certificate, send a copy of your own birth certificate.
Processing time
DPH says town vital records offices are generally faster. The State Vital Records Office’s processing time varies and can be up to 12 weeks. VitalChek offers expedited processing for an extra fee. Estimate: up to about 13 weeks by mail from the state office, including mail time; often much less from the town.
Older and local records
For births on or after January 1, 2003, any town vital records office or the state can issue a copy. For earlier births, go to the town where the birth occurred, the town where the mother lived at the time, or the State Vital Records Office. Each of Connecticut’s 169 towns keeps the original certificates for births in that town.
Tip: Don’t ask for the wallet-size birth certificate if you need it as ID. It has less information than the full-size certificate and doesn’t count as proof of identification.
A certified Connecticut death certificate costs $20 per copy from the town vital records office where the death occurred or from the State Vital Records Office in Hartford. Anyone 18 or older can order one. Order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person.
Connecticut death records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone at least 18 years old can buy a certified copy. Only the spouse or next of kin can get a copy that shows the person’s Social Security number, and you must send proof of identity and relationship to get it.
Fee
$20 per copy from the state or the town. VitalChek adds processing and shipping fees. The spouse, child or parent of a deceased veteran can get one copy at no charge with photo ID and proof of relationship, if veteran status is shown on the certificate (request the waiver on the application).
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek, the only third-party vendor the Department of Public Health (DPH) approves. It charges extra processing and shipping fees. By mail to the state: the state Application to Request a Death Certificate with a money order, business check or cashier’s check payable to “Treasurer, State of CT” to State Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Ave, MS #11VRS, Hartford, CT 06134-0308. No personal checks or cash. By mail to a town: the town application to the town where the death occurred. Town offices take a money order payable to the town; personal checks aren’t accepted. In person: the town vital records office (see the town directory), or the State Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor, Hartford (walk-in hours vary by day; call (860) 509-7700). At the state window, pay by cash or money order, or by card with a $2.50 fee; you need photo ID to enter the building.
ID needed
Only needed if you want the copy with the Social Security number: a valid photo ID and proof of relationship. Without them, you get a copy without the number.
Processing time
DPH says town vital records offices are generally faster. The State Vital Records Office’s processing time varies and can be up to 12 weeks. VitalChek offers expedited processing for an extra fee. Estimate: up to about 13 weeks by mail from the state office, including mail time; often much less from the town.
Older and local records
Request a copy from the town where the death occurred or from the State Vital Records Office. Each town keeps the original certificates for deaths in that town.
Tip: If you’re handling benefits and need the Social Security number on the certificate, check “Yes” on the application and include your photo ID and proof of relationship. Otherwise the number is left off.
A certified Connecticut marriage certificate costs $20 per copy from the town vital records office where the marriage took place, the town where either spouse lived at the time, or the State Vital Records Office. Anyone 18 or older can order one.
Connecticut marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone at least 18 years old. Only the spouses named on the certificate can get a copy that shows their Social Security numbers, with proof of identity.
Fee
$20 per copy from the state or the town. VitalChek adds processing and shipping fees.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek, the only third-party vendor the Department of Public Health (DPH) approves. It charges extra processing and shipping fees. By mail to the state: the state Application to Request a Marriage Certificate with a postal money order payable to “Treasurer, State of CT” to Customer Services, MS #11 VRS, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308. By mail to a town: the town application to the town where the marriage took place. Town offices take a money order payable to the town; personal checks aren’t accepted. In person: the town vital records office (see the town directory), or the State Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor, Hartford (walk-in hours vary by day; call (860) 509-7700). At the state window, pay by cash or money order, or by card with a $2.50 fee; you need photo ID to enter the building.
ID needed
Only needed for a copy with Social Security numbers: proof that you’re one of the spouses, such as a copy of your driver’s license.
Processing time
DPH says town vital records offices are generally faster. The State Vital Records Office’s processing time varies and can be up to 12 weeks. VitalChek offers expedited processing for an extra fee. Estimate: up to about 13 weeks by mail from the state office, including mail time; often much less from the town.
Older records
The original marriage certificate is kept by the vital records office of the town where the marriage took place. Civil unions performed from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2010 are issued with a statement that they converted to marriage on October 1, 2010; the parties can ask the town to convert the certificate to a marriage certificate.
Tip: You don’t have to go to the town where you married. The town where either of you lived at the time of the marriage can also issue a copy.
A copy of a Connecticut divorce decree (or dissolution of civil union decree) comes only from the Superior Court where the divorce was granted. The State Vital Records Office doesn’t keep divorce decrees and can’t issue copies.
Connecticut divorce records: ordering details
Where records are kept
Connecticut divorce decrees are kept by the clerk of the Superior Court where the divorce or dissolution was granted. They aren’t vital records held by the state or by town clerks.
Who can order
Set by the court. Contact the Superior Court clerk.
Older divorce records also stay with the Superior Court where the divorce was granted.
Tip: Don’t send a divorce request to your town clerk or the state office. Have the names of both people, the approximate year and the court location ready when you contact the Superior Court.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Connecticut records people search for
Official Connecticut sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
eLicense Lookup Department of Consumer Protection and Department of Public Health licenses.
Unclaimed property
CT Big List Run by the Connecticut State Treasurer.
Last verified:
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Connecticut public records
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, this definition excludes a number of records. 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.
Vital Records
Connecticut birth and death certificates, marriage, civil union and divorce records all are considered to be vital records and they are archived in two ways. The town in which the event occurred or was permitted will hold a complete archive of all records. The State Vital Records Office also maintains a copy of all records from 1897 to current. Records older than 1897 can be obtained from the State Library's History and Genealogy Unit.
CT Department of Public Health Vital Records Office 410 Capitol Ave. MS#11VRS Hartford, CT 06134-0308 (860) 509-7700
It is important to be aware that the State Vital Records Office does not accept online requests. It does provide a request form, but then it needs to be sent by mail or submitted in person either to the State Office or the Vital Records Office in the city or town where the event recorded in the document occurred. Requests sent to city or town offices take a shorter time to process, although this time varies from town to town. Requests sent to the State Vital Records Office, though, take quite some time: between six and eight weeks. If you really need to submit your request online or by phone, you could use the services of the only approved company that provides such a service, VitalChek. It charges an additional fee but it offers the only way to pay for the public record reference with a credit card. The Vital Records Office does not accept credit card payments.
Criminal and Court Records
The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is the place to go to find information about a court case. The branch’s website has a database including records from Supreme and Appellate Court cases, civil and family cases, criminal, motor vehicle and housing cases, and cases from small claims courts. For criminal and motor vehicle cases you have access to convictions, daily dockets and pending cases, which you can search by docket number, defendant’s name, and the court or law firm involved. If you need information about a housing case, you should know that at the moment the only public records available on the Judicial Branch website concern summary process cases from the districts of Hartford, New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport, Norwalk and Waterbury. For the districts of Tolland, Meriden, Danbury and Middlesex this information is available from the civil/family case search section.
Secretary of the State’s office
Here is where business entity records are kept and where you can search for any business information that is publicly available. These records are in custody of the Commercial Recording Division and include information about business names, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships and trademarks, since these are all registered with the Secretary of the State. If you need license information about broker-dealers, investments advisers, collection agencies or any other entity that does business in the area of financial services, you’d need to go to the Department of Banking. The same goes for insurance sector companies: for public records concerning such companies the agency in charge is the State of Connecticut Insurance Department.
Department of Motor Vehicles
As the name suggests, records about anything related to cars -- car insurance, registration and ownership, etc. -- are kept here. Driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance information, and lists of violations can all be requested with a single application form. Since these records include personal information, the DMV requires that you specify one or more eligible reasons for access to the records of a person other than yourself. These include but are not limited to: acting on behalf of a government agency, seeking to confirm the accuracy of personal information that the person whose record you are requesting has already provided to you and acting on behalf of an insurance company in an investigation of claims relating to insurance policies. Obtaining the consent of the individual is also listed as reason enough to access their records. You also need to supply an identification document that contains your photo when applying for access to public records held by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
While not all public record custodians would ask you to supply valid identification when requesting to access these records, some may do so, depending on the type of record you want to access. For contemporary birth certificates, for example, you would have to supply proof that you are either directly related to the registrant, a legal representative of the person whose record this is, working for a state or federal agency that has authorized your access to the record, the chief elected official of the town or city where the birth occurred or the local director of health for the town where the birth occurred. Access is also granted to incorporated genealogical societies with authorization to do business in the state. So, bear in mind when making a request for access to a public record whether you are eligible to request such access and make sure to provide proof of this eligibility along with the request.
