Vital Records
General Questions
For answers to general questions please browse through our Frequently Asked Questions.
Requesting a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate
Connecticut birth records that are less than 100 years old are NOT open to the public. To be eligible to receive a copy of a birth certificate, you must be able to document that you are related to the person whose birth is recorded in one of the following ways:
Birth records less than 100 years old
- You are the person whose birth is recorded, and you are 18 years of age or older;
- You are such person’s child, grandchild, spouse, parent, guardian, or grandparent (You must be able to provide documentation proving relationship);
- You are an attorney-at-law representing such person or such person’s parent, guardian, child, or surviving spouse;
- You are a member of a genealogical society authorized by the Secretary of the State to do business in the State of Connecticut; or
- Other person or entity as allowed by Connecticut General Statutes §7-51. (See link below)
Birth records more than 100 years old:
- Available to any person over 18 years of age
See Connecticut General Statutes §§7-51 and 7-51a
How Do I Request A Birth Certificate?
If you are an eligible party to the birth certificate, you may request it either by mail or in person. To request a birth certificate by mail, please complete the application for the birth certificate (see link below). Mail the application, a photocopy of your I.D., a check or money order payable to the Town of Windsor for $20.00 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Town Clerk’s Office at 275 Broad Street, Windsor CT 06095.
You must submit a photocopy of your photo identification (Do Not Submit Originals). The identification must be a valid, government issued document. Acceptable forms of identification are:
- Driver’s License
- State issued identification card
- Government issued employment identification
- Passport
If you do not have an acceptable form of photo identification, you may submit photocopies of two (2) of the following documents:
- social security card
- social security card supplemented with either an employment I.D., a paycheck stub or a W-2 form. (Providing the documents in this subdivision fully satisfies the identification requirements)
- auto registration
- copy of utility bill w/ name & address
- checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name & current address
- voter registration card
- valid government issued trade or professional license
- valid government issued firearm permit
- probation documents issued by court or other government agency , pursuant to a criminal conviction
- letter from a government agency verifying identity (letter should be dated within the last 6 months)
- release documentation from a correctional institution containing a photograph of the former inmate and a release date within 12 months prior to request
- birth certificate of the requester
- military discharge papers
- current school or college photographic identification; or
- government issued photographic I.D. that has expired within 12 months prior to the request.
- If the Registrar doubts the authenticity of a document, the Registrar may request any additional document from the above list.
Certified copies can also be obtained in person during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please bring photo identification with you.
Requesting a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate
In the State of Connecticut, marriage certificates are open to the public. Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Connecticut marriage certificate. You must be able to provide basic information such as the names of the bride and groom and the date of marriage, so that the proper marriage record can be identified.
If you are requesting a marriage certificate, the social security numbers of the bride and groom will NOT be included on the certificate that you receive, unless you are the bride or groom. (***See below)
Certified copies of marriage licenses may be obtained in the town where the marriage ceremony occurred OR in the Connecticut town of residence of the bride or groom at the time the marriage took place. You may request a marriage certificate either by mail or in person
Obtaining Certified Copies of a Marriage Certificate by mail:
To request a certified copy of a marriage license by mail send a letter to the Town Clerk’s Office with the following information OR print and complete the application below. Mail the application, a photocopy of your I.D., a check or money order payable to the Town of Windsor for $20.00 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Town Clerk’s Office at 275 Broad Street, Windsor CT 06095.
- Name of bride and groom
- Date of Marriage
- Include photocopy of your driver’s license or state I.D. card with photo.
- State your relationship to the bride or groom (for marriages occurring on or after July 1, 1997, the access and issuance of a fully disclosable certified copy is restricted & proof of eligibility is required. See Below.)
*** In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes 7-51A for all marriages occurring after July 1, 1997 access to social security numbers is allowed to all parties specified on the license and only those shall be issued a certified copy of a marriage license containing the social security numbers of the bride and groom. All other requesters will receive a certified copy with the security numbers redacted. Connecticut General Statutes §7-51a
Certified copies can also be obtained in person during normal office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Requesting a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate
In Connecticut death certificates are open to the public. Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Connecticut death certificate. You must provide basic information such as the name of the person, the approximate date of death, and the town where the death occurred, so that the proper death record can be identified.
In accordance C.G.S. § 7-51A, for deaths occurring on or after July 1, 1997, only the surviving spouse or next of kin may obtain a copy of the death certificate with the decedent’s Social Security number listed on the death certificate. The Funeral Director who was in charge of the disposition of the body may also obtain the death certificate with the Social Security number if the request for such certificate is within 60 days of the date of disposition. After that period, the Funeral Director may only receive death certificates with the Social Security number redacted. All other requesters, other than those approved by the Department of Public Health, will receive a certified copy of the death certificate without the decedent’s Social Security number.
See Connecticut General Statutes §7-51a
You may request a death certificate either by mail or in person. To request the death certificate by mail, please complete the application for the death certificate below. Mail the application, a photocopy of your I.D., a check or money order payable to the Town of Windsor for $20.00 and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Certified copies can also be obtained in person during normal office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please bring a picture I.D. with you.
How Do I File For A Divorce?
You may file for a divorce in the judicial district where you live or where your spouse lives. If your spouse resides out of the state, file the case in the judicial district serving your town. In the Town of Windsor, residents should file for divorce in the Hartford Judicial District (Family Division) located at 90 Washington Street in Hartford. They may be reached at 860-706-5100.
How Do I Request A Divorce Decree?
To obtain a copy of your Divorce Decree you must request it from the Superior Court where the divorce was granted. See Directory of Connecticut Superior Courts. Please call the appropriate court for fees and requirements.
How Do I File For A Divorce?
You may file for a divorce in the judicial district where you live or where your spouse lives. If your spouse resides out of the state, file the case in the judicial district serving your town. In the Town of Windsor, residents should file for divorce in the Hartford Judicial District (Family Division) located at 90 Washington Street in Hartford. They may be reached at 860-706-5100.
How Do I Request A Divorce Decree?
To obtain a copy of your Divorce Decree you must request it from the Superior Court where the divorce was granted. See Directory of Connecticut Superior Courts. Please call the appropriate court for fees and requirements.
Apostille
Requesting a Vital Record with an Apostille
If you are using a vital record for an international purpose, such as to apply for dual citizenship or to marry in a foreign jurisdiction, you may need to have the vital record certified with an Apostille. An Apostille is a special form of certificate authentication prepared under the terms of an international treaty known as “The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.” In Connecticut, the Office of the Secretary of State is designated to issue certifications by Apostille.
For questions and fees related to obtaining an Apostille for a vital record, please contact the CT Office of the Secretary of State at www.ct.gov/sots/ or:
CT Secretary of State
30 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 509-6002