Free links to official Connecticut state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 9 planning regions.
How to Get Connecticut Vital Records (Start Here)
Vital records in Connecticut are handled at the municipal level. Birth, death, and marriage records are maintained by local city or town clerks. The state office (Town Clerk (local) / DPH (state copies)) keeps duplicate copies.
What this page covers: Connecticut vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Town Clerk (local) / DPH (state copies). For marriage licenses, contact the Town Clerk in the municipality where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Connecticut: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide
Population
3,675,069
Households
1,432,600
Median Income
$90,213
Median Home Value
$343,200
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Connecticut vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at portal.ct.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.
Connecticut Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Connecticut — who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
Who can request a Connecticut vital record
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.
What Changed in 2026 — Connecticut Vital Records
2026
Connecticut vital records portal active
The official Connecticut portal at portal.ct.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
For 2026, Connecticut continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check portal.ct.gov for current fees and processing times.
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Connecticut's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for the .gov complement.
Iriquois Alston and Rackita Smalls were found shot to death in a parked car in Norwalk on August 6, 2011. Mr. Alston, age 27, and Ms. Smalls, age 22, were found in the back seat of the black Honda sedan parked in front of 4 Avenue B in Norwalk ...
Attorneys and law firms are required to mark Civil and Family Short Calendar motions electronically through E-Services unless they have obtained an exclusion from E-Services Requirements . Exclusion from the electronic services requirements can be requested by submitting a Request for Exclusion ...
Create a free account and login to view digital images of original documents from censuses, churches, courthouses, military draft cards, state vital records, and much more. Also use the sites wiki pages for timelines of records kept and current contact information to local repositories. ... FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The Connecticut Wiki External includes links to each of its counties. FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records including birth, death, and marriage.
Previous page · Skip past search results · 1713 – 5 Feb 1782 · Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA · 12 Dec 1688 – 8 Nov 1725 · Portland, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA ·
The first Congregational Church in New Haven is as old as the town. April 15th, 1638, the first settlers having just landed, assembled for public worship. The organization of the church was completed in 1639, at which time the baptismal records begin. The marriage records date only to 1758 , and ...
The various duties and function of the Town Clerk are defined by Connecticut State Statutes and the City Charter. The Town Clerk is considered the government official in charges of public records, vital statistics and plays a key role in the election process.
Where do I order a Connecticut birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in Connecticut are issued by the Official Connecticut Vital Records at portal.ct.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a Connecticut death certificate?▼
Connecticut death certificates are issued by the Official Connecticut Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at portal.ct.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a Connecticut marriage or divorce record online?▼
Connecticut marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Connecticut Vital Records (portal.ct.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a Connecticut vital record?▼
Standard Connecticut vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Connecticut Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at portal.ct.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a Connecticut certified vital record?▼
The Official Connecticut Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at portal.ct.gov.
