Hartford County Court Records Search
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Hartford County sits at the geographic and governmental center of Connecticut, with the state capital of Hartford as its county seat. The county’s court system — anchored by multiple Superior Court locations and more than a dozen probate districts — generates records across criminal, civil, family law, and probate proceedings. These records encompass case filings, docket entries, motions, evidence exhibits, transcripts, orders, and judgments produced during the course of litigation.
Locating court records in Connecticut typically begins with the official resources maintained by the judicial branch. The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides online case lookup tools, and individual clerk offices accept in-person and mail-based requests. Public access terminals may also be available at certain courthouses. ConnecticutCourts.us may help users find publicly available court case information across the state. For probate matters, the Connecticut Probate Courts system operates independently and maintains its own search tools and court directories.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hartford County?
Hartford County court cases can be researched online, in person at the relevant courthouse, or through written requests to the Centralized Services Unit. The correct approach depends on the case type.
Online Case Search — Superior Court
The Connecticut Judicial Branch hosts free Case Look-up tools organized by category:
- Civil/Family/Housing/Small Claims Case Look-up — search by party name, attorney or firm, docket number, or property address
- Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up — search by defendant name, docket number, or daily docket; options for conviction records and pending cases
When searching, select the specific Hartford County court location from the dropdown menu. Results typically display party names, docket numbers, case type, status, and scheduled hearing dates.
Online Case Search — Probate Courts
The Connecticut Probate Courts Case Look-up contains probate case data from January 5, 2011, to the present for decedent estates, trust matters, and other probate filings.
In-Person Access
Court files can be inspected at the clerk’s office where the case was filed during regular business hours. Members of the public may view any document in a court file unless it has been sealed or made confidential by law.
Requesting Copies of Disposed Records
Copies of disposed Superior Court records can be requested by emailing SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov or by calling the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750. Every request must include the case name and docket number. Retrieved files are typically available within one to two business days and may be delivered by email at no charge, or picked up at any court location with applicable copy and certification fees.
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Court records and documents | $1.00 per page |
| Administrative records | $0.25 per page |
| Transcript — private party, regular service | $3.00 per page |
| Transcript — previously produced pages | $1.75 per page |
| Audio recording of court hearing | $25.00 per day, per docket number |
Hartford County Superior Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford Judicial District | 95 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 548-2700 |
| New Britain Judicial District | 20 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051 | (860) 515-5180 |
| Geographical Area 12 — Manchester | 410 Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040 | (860) 647-1091 |
| Geographical Area 13 — Enfield | 111 Phoenix Avenue, Enfield, CT 06082 | (860) 741-3727 |
| Geographical Area 14 — Hartford | 101 Lafayette Street, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 566-1630 |
| Geographical Area 15 — New Britain | 20 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051 | (860) 515-5080 |
| Geographical Area 17 — Bristol | 131 North Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010 | (860) 582-8111 |
| Centralized Small Claims | 80 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 756-7800 |
| Housing Session — Hartford | 80 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 756-7920 |
| Housing Session — New Britain | 20 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051 | (860) 515-5130 |
| Juvenile Matters — Hartford | 920 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 244-7900 |
Superior Court hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. Additional resources are available at the Hartford Court Service Center, located at 90 Washington Street, Hartford — Phone: (860) 706-5064
Are Court Records Public in Hartford County?
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court records. Members of the public have the right to inspect any document in any court file unless it has been sealed by judicial order or rendered confidential by statute.
Several categories of Hartford County court records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — Generally confidential under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124; limited exceptions apply for crime victims in delinquency cases
- Sealed records — A judge may order all or part of a file sealed; only the portions specifically ordered sealed become unavailable while the rest remains public
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and not accessible to the general public
- Automatically sealed communications — Records of privileged communications between patients and psychologists, psychiatrists, or physicians; between domestic violence or sexual assault counselors and victims; and between social workers or therapists and clients
- Erased records — Under CGS § 54-142a, police, court, and prosecutorial records must be erased when a case results in acquittal (after 20 days), a nolle prosequi is entered (after 13 months), a pardon is granted, or the underlying offense is later decriminalized
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers are not included in publicly accessible records
- Medical and mental health records — Protected by state and federal privacy laws
Anyone affected by a sealing order may petition the Appellate Court for review within 72 hours of issuance, per CGS § 51-164x. Connecticut’s Clean Slate law also provides for automatic erasure of certain qualifying criminal convictions after extended crime-free periods, with implementation of automatic erasures having begun in 2025.
Hartford County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Hartford County — felonies, misdemeanors, and certain infractions — are heard in the Superior Court system. The Hartford Judicial District at 95 Washington Street handles felony trials and major criminal proceedings. The Geographical Area courts at Hartford (GA 14), Manchester (GA 12), Enfield (GA 13), New Britain (GA 15), and Bristol (GA 17) process arraignments, motor vehicle violations, and lower-level criminal matters. Juvenile criminal cases are heard at the Juvenile Matters and Detention Center at 920 Broad Street, Hartford, Phone: (860) 244-7900
Searching Criminal Cases Online
The Judicial Branch’s Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up provides access to conviction records, pending cases, and daily docket information. Search by defendant name or docket number after selecting the specific Hartford County court location.
In-Person Criminal Record Searches
Written requests for a criminal or motor vehicle record search can be submitted at the Geographical Area court where the arrest occurred. Include the defendant’s name, date of birth, and if possible the arrest or disposition date. Each search covers only the specific court location queried.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Superior Court does not conduct criminal background checks. Formal criminal history reports are handled by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), State Police Bureau of Identification. To request a criminal history record:
- Complete form DPS-0846-C (criminal history record request).
- Enclose applicable fees by check, money order, or cash (exact change only).
- Mail to:
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 685-8480
Applicable DESPP fees: $75 for a state criminal history check; $13.25 for a federal criminal history check; $15 for fingerprinting services.
Incarceration Records
Information about persons in the custody of the state correctional system can be obtained through the Connecticut Department of Correction.
Hartford County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hartford County — contract disputes, property claims, personal injury actions, employment discrimination, consumer protection matters, and tort claims — is heard in the Superior Court. The Hartford Judicial District at 95 Washington Street and the New Britain Judicial District at 20 Franklin Square handle Judicial District–level civil cases. The Geographical Area courts also hear certain civil matters within their jurisdictions.
Housing disputes, including eviction proceedings, are processed through dedicated Housing Sessions at Hartford (80 Washington Street, Phone: (860) 756-7920) and New Britain (20 Franklin Square, Phone: (860) 515-5130).
Searching Civil Records
The Civil/Family/Housing/Small Claims Case Look-up allows searches by party name, attorney or firm, docket number, or property address. Select the appropriate Hartford County court location when running a search.
For copies of documents from a civil file, contact the clerk’s office at the court where the case was filed or email the Centralized Services Unit at SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov for disposed cases. Court record copies cost $1.00 per page. In-person inspection of files is available during regular clerk office hours.
Small Claims
Small claims matters for Hartford County are handled through the Centralized Small Claims office at 80 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106, Phone: (860) 756-7800, Fax: (860) 756-7805
Property and Land Records
Property records in Hartford County — deeds, liens, mortgages, zoning documents, and tax records — are maintained by the town clerk in each municipality. The State of Connecticut also operates a Public Use and Benefit Land Registry pilot portal that may assist with property-related research.
Hartford County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hartford County — dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, emancipation, domestic violence restraining orders, and protection orders — are processed through the Superior Court’s family division. The Hartford Judicial District handles family filings at 90 Washington Street, Hartford, with the Family Clerk’s Office reachable at (860) 706-5100. The New Britain Judicial District also processes family law matters, including juvenile matters at (860) 515-5165.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family case information is searchable through the Civil/Family/Housing/Small Claims Case Look-up. While family court records are generally public, access to sensitive portions may be limited. Records involving minors can be sealed or redacted. Adoption records are confidential by statute. Communications between parties and counselors, therapists, or social workers are automatically sealed.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the clerk of the Judicial District court where the divorce was granted. A copy of the divorce decree — officially the “Judgment File” — can be obtained from that clerk’s office. The clerk will need the case name and docket number. Judgment files carry a flat fee; other documents are charged at the standard per-page rate. Divorce judgments are also accessible through the online Civil/Family Case Look-up.
The State Vital Records Office, a division of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, also maintains divorce records. Marriage and divorce records can be requested from the vital records office in the town where the event was registered.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained by the town clerk in the municipality where the marriage license was issued. They can also be obtained through the State Vital Records Office.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in Connecticut are confidential under CGS § 7-51 and restricted to authorized individuals unless the record is at least 100 years old. Authorized requesters include the registrant (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, grandparents, spouses, adult children, adult grandchildren, and attorneys representing the registrant. Fees are $30 from the State Vital Records Office or $20 from the town of birth.
Death certificates, by contrast, can be purchased by any adult at least 18 years old. The decedent’s Social Security number is only disclosed to a spouse or next of kin. Fees for death certificates follow the same structure — $30 from the state office, $20 from the town. A one-time fee waiver is available for a spouse, child, or parent of a deceased veteran.
To order by mail from the state, complete the appropriate application from the DPH applications and forms page, include a copy of valid photo identification, enclose the applicable fee, and mail to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Service MS #11VRS
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Hartford County Probate Court Records
Connecticut’s probate courts operate independently from the Superior Court. Hartford County is served by numerous probate districts, each covering designated towns. These courts handle estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships of minors, conservatorships of adults, mental health commitments, and certain adoption and name change matters.
Hartford County Probate Courts
| Probate District | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford (PD-1) | 250 Constitution Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103 | (860) 757-9150 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| West Hartford (PD-2) | 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107 | (860) 561-7940 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Tobacco Valley (PD-3) | 50 Church Street, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 | (860) 627-1450 | Mon–Wed 8:00–4:00; Thu 8:00–6:00; Fri 8:00–1:00 |
| Greater Windsor (PD-4) | 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT 06074 | (860) 644-2511 ext. 2371 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| East Hartford (PD-5) | 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 | (860) 291-7278 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Newington (PD-7) | 66 Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111 | (860) 665-1285 | Mon–Thu 8:30–4:30; Fri 8:00–4:00 |
| Berlin (PD-8) | One Liberty Square, New Britain, CT 06050 | (860) 826-2696 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Bristol-Plymouth (PD-9) | 240 Stafford Avenue, Bristol, CT 06010 | (860) 584-6230 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Farmington Regional (PD-10) | One Monteith Drive, Farmington, CT 06032 | (860) 675-2360 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| North Central CT (PD-11) | 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT 06082 | (860) 253-6305 | Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Glastonbury-Hebron | 2143 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 | (860) 652-7629 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Region #14 | 9 Austin Drive, Suite 211, Marlborough, CT 06447 | (860) 295-6239 | Mon–Wed 8:30–4:30; Thu 8:30–5:00; Fri 8:30–4:00 |
| Simsbury Regional | 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070 | (860) 658-3277 | Mon 8:00–5:30; Tue–Thu 8:00–4:30; Fri 8:00–1:00 |
| Hartford Regional Children’s Probate Court | 250 Constitution Plaza, 3rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103 | (860) 757-9190 | Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Searching Probate Records
The Connecticut Probate Courts Case Look-up provides online access to case data from 2011 to the present. Select the appropriate Hartford County probate district when searching. For older records or records not available online, contact the probate court directly. The Connecticut State Library maintains historical probate records and can assist with genealogical research.
Requesting Copies
Most probate court records are public and can be accessed by any interested person, though portions containing sensitive financial details or personal information may be redacted or sealed. To request copies, visit the probate court in person during posted hours or contact the court by phone to inquire about mail request procedures. Each probate court maintains its own fee schedule for copies and certifications. The Probate Court Administrator’s Office, located at 186 Newington Road, West Hartford, CT 06110, Phone: (860) 231-2442, oversees the probate court system statewide through the Connecticut Probate Courts website.