Connecticut Vital Records

History of Vital Records in Connecticut

Connecticut, “the Constitution State,” has a population of 3.6 million. The Connecticut State Board of Health, now called the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH), was established in 1878. The Vital Records Office (VR); maintains the statewide registries for births, deaths, marriages, and fetal deaths for all vital events from July 1st, 1897, to the present. Each of Connecticut’s 169 towns operates a vital records office. Birth records are confidential and are not open to the public for 100 years. You can request a certified certificate if you are named on the certificate, a parent, guardian, grandparent, spouse, adult child, adult grandchild, or someone who can show cause. Anyone 18 years or older may order a marriage certificate.

If you’re doing genealogy research, the Vital Records Offices may be able to help or try the many available public archives. Find out what information they contain, where to obtain them, and how they are used.

Where to Get Connecticut Vital Records

Every county is responsible for certifying and issuing vital records for birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates within its jurisdiction. The complete directory below lists all vital records-issuing agencies of the Connecticut State Department of Health. The directory offers location details, contact information, and online applications for birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificate requests.

Ordering Connecticut Vital Records Online

Ordering Connecticut vital records online is quick and effortless and involves two simple steps:

1. Complete the online application and upload your documents
2. Process your order

Eligible individuals can conveniently request a Connecticut birth, death, or marriage certificate online. Before you begin your request, ensure you have the required documents ready for uploading during the secure application process.

VRO’s platform assists with gathering, generating, and securely submitting the documents required to request certified copies of vital records. VRO also helps to prevent application rejection due to typical errors or missing documents.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.

✔︎ Learn more about how the online ordering and premium handling process works

Ordering Connecticut Vital Records In Person or By Mail

If you live close to the state vital records office or a town vital records office, you can apply in person for certified copies of vital records. Just ensure the office is open and be prepared for potentially long lines. Alternatively, ordering by mail or online could save you time and hassle.

The steps are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in person or by mail. If you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following:

• Gathering your documents
• Getting photocopies of your documents
• Completing the correct form
• Presenting everything to the health department during their regular business hours

Additionally, to apply by mail, you will need the following:

• Purchasing an envelope
• Including a physical check or a money order
• Obtaining a notarized statement (if required)
• Issuing it to the DPH-State Vital Records Office.

❗️ To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.

❗️ If you mail your application and documents manually, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.

Requirements

It’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements for the specific vital records certificate you are requesting before gathering the documents for your application.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization

The table below outlines the necessary documents and information to order certified copies of Connecticut vital records. If you do not possess a valid ID, you can submit two forms of secondary ID.

If you are requesting a certified birth certificate, you are required by the Connecticut Department of Public Health to verify your identity by providing a valid, government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) or two secondary forms of identity accepted by the CDPH.

If you are requesting a death or marriage certificate, it is only necessary to provide proof of identity if you are requesting a copy that contains the social security number(s) of the individual(s) on record.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Connecticut?

The State Vital Records Office sets distinct criteria for each certificate type and individual circumstance. Refer to the Department of Public Health’s website for complete information regarding eligibility and requirements for replacing birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates in Connecticut.

State ID Requirements

What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Connecticut?

When applying for a vital record in Connecticut, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in Connecticut?

The individual on record can apply for a certified copy of their vital records. To do so, they must verify their identity during the application process.

If you request a vital record for another person, verify your eligibility to ensure you are authorized. In Connecticut, anyone over 18 can request certified copies of a death or marriage certificate. No proof of identity or relationship to the certificate holder is required unless you request a copy that displays the individual’s social security number on record. Birth certificates are restricted to third parties with some form of relationship, family or legal, to the certificate holder, where identification and proof of relationship are required.

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for that person.

Notarized Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

In Connecticut, notarized statements or signatures are not required. The DPH only requires notarized statements when requesting an amendment to a record.

Costs and Fees

The associated costs for requesting vital records certificates depend on the DPH’s fees for each type of certificate and how and where you submit your request.

If you order your vital records certificates through us, the online VRO Application Assistant starts at $29. The State Vital Records office will charge a fee of $30.00 ($20.00 for in-person orders) for each certified birth certificate and $20.00 for each certified death or marriage certificate.

✔︎ Additional copies can be requested during the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my vital records from Connecticut?

The processing times for requesting replacement birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates can vary depending on the type of certificate needed, the required documents, the submission method, and the location.

❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.

How to Track the Status of My Connecticut Vital Records

When using VRO for your application, you can monitor the progress of your application processing and shipment.

If you manually mail your application packet to the Connecticut Vital Records Office, it is recommended to purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm when your application has been successfully received. The state Vital Records Office ships all certified vital records securely via first-class mail. However, they are not accountable for misdirected or undelivered certificates. If your birth certificate goes missing, report it promptly. Be aware that a minor mistake, typo, or missing document can lead to delays, additional shipping charges, or potential exposure of your personal records.

❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Connecticut counties office locations directory.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Apostille

You can obtain apostilles for Connecticut vital records online with VRO or directly through the office of the Secretary of State.

If you file your vital records copy with a foreign government, you will need an apostille seal to verify the certificate’s authenticity. This authentication can be requested for birth, death, and marriage certificates initially filed with the Connecticut Department of Health’s Vital Records Office.

How can I get an apostille for a vital record?

VRO is a trusted provider of authorized apostille services in all 50 US states. We offer endorsement services for birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, ensuring their legal validity in over 100 countries. With professional support and a simple three-step process, you can obtain these services starting at $149 (plus government fees).

1. Complete the Apostille Express online application
2. Submit the required documents for approval
3. Receive your apostille document

Once your document is prepared, we utilize recognized courier services like FedEx and DHL to ship it directly to your doorstep.

If you are manually sending your certificates, you will need to provide the following:

1. Original Document, or a copy (1) accompanied by a written statement affirming that the copy is true and accurate; (2) sworn to and signed before a Connecticut Notary Public (certified vital record certificates do not need to be notarized)
2. Completed Authentication Order Form
3. Payment of $40 per authentication

You can submit requests for vital records apostilles to the DPH-State Vital Records Office CT Secretary of State at the following addresses:

For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:

For standard mail (ONLY US Postal Service Mail), use the following address:

You can reach the office at (860) 509-6002 or online at https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Vital-Records/Apostilles

Corrections and Amendments

If you need to make a change or correction to a birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate, you will need to contact the Vital Records Office in the town where the event occurred. An amendment is required when a vital record is changed, and all amendment requests must be accompanied by proper documentation. No entity can alter the original document, so any changes are made as addendums.

The requirements for requesting an amendment vary depending on which certificate needs to be changed, what changes need to be made, and where the certificate was filed. The procedure can vary.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application
2. Supporting documentation (including a notarized affidavit affirming that the existing record is incorrect or incomplete and that the newly provided information is accurate)

Searching Public Records

Where can I search for free Connecticut public records?

Connecticut birth certificates become public records after 100 years, but death and marriage certificates are unrestricted. If you are at least 18 years old and have the information needed to request the record, you can pay the fee and obtain a copy of any death or marriage certificate. It can be challenging to find free public records, but many vital records in Connecticut are freely accessible to the public. If you can devote the time to browse, you can search Connecticut’s archives of birth, marriage, and divorce records to find the information you want.

Are Connecticut Vital Records Open to the Public?

In Connecticut, the majority of state records are open to the public. However, accessibility varies depending on the type of certificate you’re looking for and the year the event took place.

Various third-party websites can facilitate the research of your vital records. These websites are good reference points, as they allow you to research specific types of vital records and are typically not limited by geographic location. Note: the data on these websites may differ from official government records. To search for a record on a third-party website, you will need to provide the following information:

• The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded.
• The name of the person on record, if it is not a minor.

Connecticut residents have the right to inspect or obtain copies of public vital records under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act.

How Can I Verify That My CT Vital Records Are Official?

Vital records certificates can vary by state, county, and municipality. To confirm that your certificate is a certified copy, you can check what the official, certified documents look like in the county where yours was issued.

What Are the Differences Between Authorized Copies of Connecticut Vital Records Versus Informational Copies?

In Connecticut, there are visual differences between authorized copies of vital records and informational copies. Authorized copies are official certified copies of the original record and can be used to establish identity. They have the raised seal of the issuing authority and are printed on security paper. On the other hand, informational copies are not valid for establishing identity and are typically marked as “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or something similar. These copies are often used for informational purposes and do not contain the raised seal or security features found on authorized copies.

Authorized Copy:

Certified copies of vital records are official identification documents that require proof of eligibility and a “direct and tangible interest” in the document. They can be used as official identification and may contain sensitive information such as social security numbers. Obtaining certified copies can be more difficult compared to informational copies, which are uncertified and cannot be used as official identification.

When requesting a certified birth certificate or a certified death or marriage certificate that includes social security numbers, it is necessary to provide valid identification. Without proper verification of identity, the request will be rejected and returned without processing.

Informational Copy:

Informational copies of vital records in Connecticut are uncertified and cannot be used as official identification. They are typically easier to acquire compared to certified copies. Informational copies do not require proof of eligibility or a “direct and tangible interest” in the document. They may have limitations on their use and may not be accepted for certain legal purposes. They are sometimes referred to as “Uncertified copies” or “commemorative documents” of vital records.

No paperwork is necessary to obtain informational copies of a public vital record. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, citizens have the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records.

Find more references regarding birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates in the resources section.