Search Connecticut Public Records
Connecticut public records are spread across state agencies, municipal clerk offices, and Judicial Branch systems. This guide is built from the research file and brings those sources together in one place so you can search, request, and verify records without jumping between disconnected sites. You can use this page to find FOI request steps, court lookup tools, state archive indexes, vital records channels, and local city and county-context pages. The goal is direct access with clear routing for Connecticut public records requests and follow-up work.
Connecticut Public Records Framework
Connecticut has a unique public records structure. Counties exist as geographic references, yet county governments were abolished in 1960. That means many record requests are local town clerk requests, not county clerk requests. Land records are maintained in each municipality. Vital records can be sourced from towns and from the Department of Public Health. Court records are indexed through statewide Judicial Branch tools and historical indexes at the State Library.
The Freedom of Information Commission states that the FOI Act guarantees access to records and meetings of public agencies, with limited exceptions. Research guidance notes there is no universal request form across Connecticut agencies. Request language should be specific, concise, and directed to the agency that maintains the record. Appeals are filed with FOIC within thirty days of an alleged violation. This framework is central to all Connecticut public records work.
Note: Connecticut record retrieval usually succeeds faster when the exact custodian office is identified first.
Connecticut Public Records Agencies
The main statewide sources for Connecticut public records include FOIC, the State Library, the Secretary of the State, the Judicial Branch, DPH vital records, and DEEP FOIA pages. The State Library serves as the official archives and preserves extensive historical collections. Judicial systems provide lookup tools for civil, criminal, housing, and appellate pathways. DPH provides statewide vital record channels with town office contact routing. FOIC provides enforcement and appeal pathways for denied or delayed public records access.
- Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
- How to obtain records in Connecticut
- Connecticut FOI Act quick links
- FOIC contact page
- Connecticut State Library
- State Archives at Connecticut State Library
- State Library public records program
- Secretary of the State
- Connecticut business search
- Department of Public Health vital records
- Town vital records contact list
- Judicial Branch case lookup
- Civil inquiry database
- Judicial Branch public records law library guide
- DEEP FOIA requests page
Additional research sources include FOIC regulations, FOIC final decisions, State Library contact, municipal records schedules, municipal policies and forms, birth certificate guidance, death certificate guidance, SOTS business services, SOTS elections and voting, SOTS FOI request page, small claims information, and RecordHub platform access.
The research also notes practical limits. Some archive materials may be unavailable during facility upgrades through Spring 2026, and some agencies may request written submissions when copies are requested. Keeping a dated copy of your request and responses is useful if an appeal becomes necessary.
Connecticut Public Records Request Steps
First identify record type. Then identify custody level. Property and deed files are town clerk records. Court filings use Judicial Branch systems and related court offices. Vital certificates route through town offices and DPH channels. State agency correspondence requests route through each agency FOI contact page. If access is denied, use FOIC appeal rules under Connecticut law.
The FOI legal anchors in the research include CGS 1-200, CGS 1-205, CGS 1-206, CGS 1-210, and CGS 1-212. Municipal copy fees may reach fifty cents per page and state copy fees may reach twenty five cents per page. Certified copies and electronic media can have extra costs.
Connecticut public records requests should include date range, subject names, record format preference, and contact details. Keep requests brief. Keep language neutral. Keep timelines logged. That workflow improves access and supports a clean appeal packet if needed.
Connecticut Public Records Source Images
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://www.jud.ct.gov/lookup.htm.
CT Judicial Branch - Case Look-up - Court Portal adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/courtrecordindexes/HartfordSuperior.
State Library Court Records adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://www.townoflitchfieldct.gov/subpages/land-records.
Litchfield Land Records adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://www.townoflitchfieldct.gov/subpages/vital-records-birth-death-marriage-certificates.
Litchfield Vital Records adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://connecticutcourts.org/middlesex-county.
Middlesex County Court Records Info adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/courtrecordindexes/NewHavenCountyCourt.
State Library Court Indexes adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/courtrecordindexes/NewLondonSuperior.
State Library Court Indexes adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://windhamct.gov/568/Land-Records.
Windham Land Records adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://windhamct.permitium.com/.
Windham Vital Records adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/courtrecordindexes/WindhamCountySuperior.
State Library Court Indexes adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_188.htm#sec_11-8a.
State Statutes adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: http://appellateinquiry.jud.ct.gov/.
Supreme/Appellate Court adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: http://www.jud.ct.gov/crim.htm.
Criminal/Motor Vehicle adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Use this state source for Connecticut public records context: http://www.jud.ct.gov/housing.htm.
Housing Session adds a direct reference point for statewide public records access.
Browse Connecticut County Pages
County pages organize Connecticut public records context by region and link to town-level and state-level resources.
Browse Connecticut City Pages
City pages cover the 46 Connecticut municipalities over 25,000 population listed in the research file.
Connecticut Public Records Help
When a Connecticut public records request needs legal interpretation, start with Judicial Branch public records guidance and FOIC materials. For historical court indexing, use State Library index guides. For business entities use state business search. For agency-specific files use the relevant FOIA page from the state agency. This site keeps those pathways grouped for practical records lookup and request planning across Connecticut.