Connecticut public records
Connecticut land records and property assessments are organized by town or city, rather than county recorder offices. Judicial Branch case lookup, the state business portal and DPH vital-record services cover other record types. Choose the municipality or agency first to avoid a misdirected request.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Connecticut Freedom of Information Act
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-200 to 1-241
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsConnecticut Judicial Branch | Select civil/family, criminal/motor-vehicle or appellate case lookup. | Basic case lookup and certified copies are separate. Not all filings appear online; request the case document or divorce decree from the appropriate clerk. |
| Property and land recordsConnecticut OPM municipal assessor directory | Find the town or city assessor for valuations; contact the town clerk for land records. | Municipal copy and land-record charges vary. Connecticut property records are organized by municipality, not a single county recorder system. |
| Business recordsConnecticut Business One Stop | Use the business search to locate registered entities and filings. | Lookup and ordered certificates have different costs. A business registration is distinct from a professional license or a town trade-name filing. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceConnecticut Department of Public Health | Order eligible birth, death and marriage certificates through the state or town office. | Certificate fees depend on the issuing office and record. Birth access is restricted; divorce decrees are Judicial Branch records rather than DPH certificates. |
| Criminal-history checksConnecticut Division of Criminal Justice | Follow the official referral to State Police criminal-history services. | The State Police service publishes its check charges. Judicial case lookup does not provide the same history or identity verification as a State Police check. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Connecticut
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may inspect public records or request copies, subject to FOI Act exemptions. Requests for copies should be made in writing.
- How to submit
- Identify the Connecticut agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Access and copies must be prompt. The four-business-day rule concerns denial of an inspection request; it is not a universal delivery deadline.
- Fees and estimates
- Standard copies generally cost no more than 25 cents per page from state agencies or 50 cents from other public agencies; special formats have separate costs.
- If access is denied
- An FOI Commission appeal generally must be filed within 30 days of denial. Retain the dated request and any written response.
Connecticut records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Connecticut public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 1-200 to 1-241), I request electronic copies of the town's approved meeting minutes and executed contract for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Connecticut public records FAQ
Where can I find Connecticut court records?
Select civil/family, criminal/motor-vehicle or appellate case lookup. Not all filings appear online; request the case document or divorce decree from the appropriate clerk.
Sources: Connecticut Judicial BranchAre Connecticut public records free?
Standard copies generally cost no more than 25 cents per page from state agencies or 50 cents from other public agencies; special formats have separate costs. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Connecticut official public-records guidance; Connecticut Judicial Branch; Connecticut Department of Public HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Connecticut?
Order eligible birth, death and marriage certificates through the state or town office. Birth access is restricted; divorce decrees are Judicial Branch records rather than DPH certificates.
Sources: Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Judicial BranchIs a Connecticut court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Judicial case lookup does not provide the same history or identity verification as a State Police check. Follow the official referral to State Police criminal-history services.
Sources: Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice; Connecticut Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Connecticut official public-records guidance — checked
- Connecticut Judicial Branch — checked
- Connecticut OPM municipal assessor directory — checked
- Connecticut Business One Stop — checked
- Connecticut Department of Public Health — checked
- Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions