How do I access court records?

Connecticut Judicial Branch (state level - unified statewide court system) / Superior Court Clerk (judicial district level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Identify what type of record you need: Superior Court (civil, criminal, family, housing, juvenile), Probate Court (estates, guardianships, conservatorships), or Appellate/Supreme Court
Search online through the Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-Up at jud.ct.gov - search by party name, case number, or docket number for civil and criminal Superior Court cases statewide
For Probate Court records: use the Connecticut Probate Court case lookup at ctprobate.gov/pages/case-lookup - covers all 54 probate districts statewide
For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Superior Court Clerk in the relevant judicial district or the specific Probate Court
In-person access: visit the courthouse clerk's office; bring photo ID and case details

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Case number or full legal name of parties (for searches and requests)

Fee

Online searches free; certified copy fees vary - typically $1 per page plus certification fee; contact specific court clerk for current schedule

Processing Time

Immediate online searches; same day or by mail for certified copies

Online Option

Yes - Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-Up at jud.ct.gov/jud2.htm; Probate case lookup at ctprobate.gov/pages/case-lookup

Where to Go

Superior Court Clerk in the judicial district where the case was filed (for certified copies and full documents); Probate Court in the relevant probate district

Connecticut Notes

Important state-specific details

Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-Up (jud.ct.gov) provides free public access to civil and criminal Superior Court case information statewide.
Probate Court records: Connecticut has 54 probate districts with their own courts - separate from Superior Court; ctprobate.gov covers all 54 districts in one lookup tool.
Housing Court: Connecticut has a specialized Housing Court within the Superior Court system for landlord-tenant and housing matters.
Criminal history/background checks: Connecticut State Police Background Check Unit - portal.ct.gov/despp/background-checks; available to public through name search or fingerprint.
Clean Slate Act (PA 21-32): Connecticut enacted automatic erasure of qualifying convictions phased in 2023-2025; some criminal records may be automatically erased.
Juvenile records: sealed and not accessible to the public.
Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): agencies must respond within 10 days.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Connecticut Judicial Branch - jud.ct.gov | (860) 757-2200; Connecticut Probate Courts - ctprobate.gov | (860) 231-1030