Connecticut Public Records
Public records in Connecticut are referred to as any original document like a plan or map, paper, or any instrument of writing that can be recorded or copied by “photographic, micrographic, electronic imaging or other process.”
How to Find Connecticut Public Records
The general provisions to find public records in Connecticut are in line with the Freedom of Information Act enacted in 1975.
Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, the public has access to all available public records of government bodies in the state. The general public may:
- Request to view public records,
- View public records without obtaining a copy, or
- Obtain a copy of the public record as is their right under the FOIA law.
However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.
Are Connecticut Public Records Available Online?
Connecticut public records are available online. However, there are exemptions to the availability of online public records, which means that requesters must go to the government office or agency that holds the public record and request the records in person. The state’s judicial branch has a comprehensive list of Connecticut public records available online.
What Records are Not Available in Connecticut?
Some of the exemptions that are not available in Connecticut as a public record are preliminary drafts, medical files, trade secrets, and financial information given in confidence.
Types of Public Records Available in Connecticut
The state of Connecticut allows access to the following public records:
Connecticut Public Criminal Records
The Judicial Branch of the state of Connecticut provides two different online platforms to search for public criminal records and pending criminal records.
To search for a public criminal record online, you need to provide the following information:
- Name including last name and first initial
- Birth year and year range
- Court location where the criminal record might be available
- Type of conviction
Otherwise, you need to submit a records request to the Connecticut State Police Department.
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Connecticut :
Arrest Records and Warrants
You can access arrest records and warrants from 2016 up to the present using the statistics provided by the state’s Judicial Branch. Arrest records are available for download in PDF containing information on active warrants and other warrants issued due to felony, violation of probation, and failure to appear for a scheduled court hearing.
You can also search for outstanding arrest records and warrants online by providing information on the person’s last name (with at least the first two letters), town, and court location. Optional entries include the first letter of a person’s first name, birth year, and the birth range.
Inmate and Jail Records
The Connecticut State Department of Correction maintains and manages all information on inmate and jail records. The state department also has a search tool for you to lookup offender information online by entering the inmate number,
If you don’t know the inmate number, you can do a search by entering the last name, first name, and a person’s date of birth.
Jails and Prisons in Connecticut :
Connecticut Background Checks
There are several ways you can run a background check in Connecticut.
For example, the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) has a dedicated background check unit on individuals who will be providing direct or indirect service to families or children.
To request a background check in Connecticut, you must fill out and complete the CPDS Background Check form or use this form instead if you need a background check for adoption and foster care.
Once you fill out the forms, you may email the DCF or mail it to their office and wait at least two weeks for the results of your background check request.
How to Find Sex Offenders in Connecticut
There are two ways how you can find sex offenders in Connecticut.
First is through the sex offender registry by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, which is a division of the State Police Department. The other is through the National Sex Offender Website by the U.S. Department of Justice, which also offers an advanced search for sex offenders in the states.
Connecticut Public Vital Records
The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s State Vital Records Office is the statewide registry for records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces from July 1, 1897, up to the present.
The State Vital Records Office is the only office to process original birth certificates for adoption, foreign birth adoptions, and stillbirth certificates. All other public vital records are available at the town office where a vital event occurred.
Records requests at the State Vital Records Office can take up to 12 weeks, while town offices process public vital records request more quickly. Online requests for public vital records are also available for a fee.
Note that town-issued vital records require a fee of $20 per copy plus additional fees for processing and shipping. The State Vital Records Office also charges the same fee for death, civil union, and marriage certificates. However, the following certificates are available for $30 per copy:
- State-issued birth certificates
- Stillbirth certificates
- Fetal death certificates
For marriage certificates, you may request a certified copy through the state or the town office where the marriage occurred. For divorce decrees, you can only get a record from the Superior Court where the divorce was granted.
Connecticut Court Records
The Connecticut Judicial Branch allows access to the following court records:
- Criminal convictions and pending cases
- Civil, family, housing, and small claims
- Arrest warrants
- Pending foreclosures
You may also lookup a court case online using the party name search.
For court records not mentioned or unavailable online, you would need to make a record request in person.
State Court System in Connecticut
The state court system in Connecticut is composed of the Supreme Court, the appellate courts, the superior court, and the probate court.
Courts in Connecticut :
Driving Records
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has an online tool where you can request driving records within 5 to 7 minutes. However, you need to have a CT.gov account to access the DMV’s online services or continue as a guest if you’re going to use their system one time.
However, note that you can only request your own driving records online. Driving records online are free and available for download for 30 days. To request the driving records of another person, you have to mail a request to the DMV and pay a non-refundable fee of $20.00.
Civil Driving Infractions
Civil driving infractions in Connecticut are rated according to severity following the points assessment by state law. The more severe the driving infraction is, the higher the points against their driving record.
Some examples of point assessment include the following:
- One-point assessments - speeding and failure to drive in the right lane.
- Two-point assessment - failure to obey traffic signal or a traffic officer.
- Three-point assessments - failure to grant the right of way to ambulance or pedestrian.
- Four-point assessments - intent to harass or passing stopped school bus.
- Five-point assessments - operating a school bus at excessive speed and homicide with a motor vehicle.
Acquiring 10 points will result in a 30-day license suspension.
Connecticut License Plate Lookup
The State of Connecticut DMV has a license plate lookup tool online. Just enter the exact plate number and plate class and click continue to proceed with the verification.
Connecticut Property and Asset Records Online
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has a land registry that lets you check for state land records to determine property ownership and download parcel information records, including land management plans, deeds, and surveys. Property records are managed by the registry of deed offices which are also organized on a county level.
Connecticut Unclaimed Property and Assets
The Office of the Treasurer maintains unclaimed property or assets in Connecticut after three to five years of losing contact with its owner.
Unclaimed properties include uncashed checks, savings or checking accounts, bonds or mutual funds, matured certificates of deposit, stocks, money orders or travelers’ checks, and unclaimed life insurance benefits.
You may request a claim online by uploading the proper documentation.
Important Government Agencies in Connecticut
Below are the important government agencies to help you find public records in Connecticut.
- Secretary of State
- Governor’s Office
- Legislature Office
- Judicial Branch
- Supreme Court
- Appellate Courts
- Superior Court
- Probate Court
- Connecticut State Police Department
- Department of Correction
- Department of Children and Families
- Connecticut Sex Offender Registry
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- State Vital Records Office
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Office of the Treasurer
Counties in Connecticut
Other Records in Connecticut
List of Content
- How to Find Connecticut Public Records
- What Records are Not Available in Connecticut?
- Types of Public Records Available in Connecticut
- Connecticut Public Criminal Records
- Arrest Records and Warrants
- Inmate and Jail Records
- Connecticut Background Checks
- Connecticut Public Vital Records
- Connecticut Court Records
- State Court System in Connecticut
- Driving Records
- Civil Driving Infractions
- Connecticut License Plate Lookup
- Connecticut Property and Asset Records Online
- Important Government Agencies in Connecticut
- Other Records