New Haven County Court Records Search
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New Haven County encompasses a broad swath of south-central Connecticut, including the cities of New Haven, Waterbury, Meriden, Milford, and West Haven, among many smaller municipalities. The Superior Court of Connecticut—the state’s single trial-level court—operates multiple locations throughout the county, organized into judicial districts and geographical areas that handle criminal, civil, family, housing, and juvenile matters. A separate network of probate courts administers estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and related proceedings at the local level. Court records generated by these tribunals document every stage of litigation, from initial filings and pleadings through exhibits, witness lists, orders, judgments, and sentencing details.
Residents and researchers looking for Connecticut court records can begin with the official resources maintained by the Judicial Branch, individual clerk offices, and public access terminals located inside courthouses. Online tools hosted by the state judiciary allow free searches of civil, family, criminal, and probate case information. ConnecticutCourts.us may also assist users in locating publicly available court case data across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in New Haven County?
There are three primary channels for locating a court case in New Haven County: online databases, in-person visits, and written requests.
Online case searches are available through the Connecticut Judicial Branch at no cost. The system is divided by case type:
- Civil, family, housing, and small claims cases can be searched on the Civil/Family Case Look-Up portal by party name, attorney or firm number, docket number, or property address. Select the appropriate judicial district (New Haven, Waterbury, or Ansonia-Milford) to narrow results.
- Criminal and motor vehicle cases are accessible through the Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-Up, which supports searches by defendant name or docket number.
- Probate cases from January 5, 2011, onward (decedent estates and trust matters) can be searched through the Probate Case Lookup tool by case number, party name, case type, or district.
In-person access is available at any clerk’s office during regular business hours. Courthouses are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. Public terminals in some locations allow self-service review of docket information.
Written and telephone requests can be directed to the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750 or by emailing SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov. Provide the case name and docket number when submitting a request.
Copy and certification fees (per Connecticut General Statutes § 52-259):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Court record copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of a copy under seal | $2.00 |
| Exemplified copies | $20.00 |
| Certified copy of judgment file | $25.00 |
| Administrative record copies | $0.25 per page |
Payments at the clerk’s office may be made by cash, personal or bank check, money order, traveler’s check, or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover).
Superior Court locations serving New Haven County:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven Judicial District | 235 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510 | (203) 503-6800 | (203) 789-6424 |
| New Haven JD at Meriden | 54 West Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 | (203) 238-6666 | (203) 238-6322 |
| Ansonia-Milford Judicial District | 14 West River St, Milford, CT 06460 | (203) 877-4293 | (203) 876-8640 |
| Ansonia-Milford JD at Derby | 106 Elizabeth St, Derby, CT 06418 | (203) 877-4293 | — |
| Waterbury JD – Civil | 300 Grand St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 591-3300 | (203) 596-4032 |
| Waterbury JD – Criminal | 400 Grand St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 236-8100 | (203) 236-8090 |
| GA 4 – Waterbury | 400 Grand St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 236-8100 | (203) 236-8090 |
| GA 5 – Derby | 106 Elizabeth St, Derby, CT 06418 | (203) 735-7438 | (203) 735-2047 |
| GA 7 – Meriden | 54 West Main St, Meriden, CT 06451 | (203) 238-6130 | (203) 238-6016 |
| GA 22 – Milford | 14 West River St, 2nd Floor, Milford, CT 06460 | (203) 874-1116 | (203) 874-5233 |
| GA 23 – New Haven | 121 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510 | (203) 789-7461 | (203) 789-7492 |
| Housing Session – New Haven | 121 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510 | (203) 789-7937 | (203) 773-6795 |
| Housing Session – Waterbury | 300 Grand St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 591-3310 | (203) 596-4080 |
| Juvenile Matters – New Haven | 239 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06511 | (203) 786-0339 | (203) 786-0327 |
| Juvenile Matters – Waterbury | 7 Kendrick Ave, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 596-4202 | (203) 596-4431 |
The New Haven Judicial District courthouse also houses a Court Service Center at (203) 503-6819, where staff help the public understand court procedures, complete forms, and notarize documents. Waterbury Judicial District small claims inquiries can be directed to (203) 591-3320.
Are Court Records Public in New Haven County?
Connecticut law presumes that court records are open for public inspection. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants access to records maintained by public agencies, and the Judicial Branch follows complementary access policies.
Any member of the public may view documents in a court file unless a judge has ordered portions sealed or a statute renders the material confidential. The following categories of records are typically restricted from public view:
- Juvenile matters – Records of juvenile delinquency, family with service needs, and neglect cases are confidential under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-124, with limited exceptions (e.g., victims of crimes committed by juveniles may access portions of those records).
- Sealed records – A judge may order all or part of a file sealed. Only the sealed portions are removed from public inspection; remaining contents stay accessible. Sealed materials become disclosable when the sealing order expires, though some may never be released.
- Automatically sealed items – Communications between patients and psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, social workers, marital and family therapists, battered women’s or sexual assault counselors and victims, and Judicial Branch employee assistance counselors are sealed by statute.
- Adoption records – Generally confidential.
- Medical and mental health records – Protected from public disclosure.
- Trade secrets and privileged financial information – Shielded when filed under applicable protective orders.
An expedited 72-hour appellate review is available to anyone affected by a sealing order, except for orders relating to family matters, search warrants, pretrial proceedings, and affidavits supporting arrest warrants (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-164x).
Record erasure is governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142a. Police, court, and prosecutorial records must be erased when more than 20 days have passed after an acquittal or dismissal, 13 months after a nolle prosequi, upon an absolute pardon, upon decriminalization of the underlying offense, or upon discharge of a youthful offender. Connecticut’s Clean Slate law, which took effect January 1, 2023, provides for automatic erasure of certain eligible convictions after defined crime-free periods.
New Haven County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in New Haven County—felonies, misdemeanors, and certain infractions—are heard at the geographical area courts (GA 4 in Waterbury, GA 5 in Derby, GA 7 in Meriden, GA 22 in Milford, and GA 23 in New Haven) and at the judicial district level for more serious cases.
Searching criminal court records can be done in several ways:
- Online – Use the Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-Up to search by defendant name or docket number. Select the relevant court location from the drop-down menu.
- In person – Visit the clerk’s office at the court where the case was heard during regular hours (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday).
- Written request – Submit a request containing the subject’s name, date of birth, and, if known, date of arrest or disposition to the geographical area court where the arrest occurred.
Statewide criminal history checks are handled by the State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI). To request a criminal history record, complete the DPS-0846-C form and mail it to:
DESPP-SPBI
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457-2389
Phone: (860) 685-8480
Fees for SPBI services are $75 for a state criminal history check, $13.25 for a federal criminal history check, and $15 for fingerprinting.
Inmate records are maintained by the Connecticut Department of Correction. The department’s online inmate search allows lookups by DOC number, name, or date of birth. Written inquiries may be sent to:
Connecticut Department of Correction
Public Information Office
24 Wolcott Hill Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 692-7780
The District Attorney’s Office for the New Haven Judicial District also maintains community and law enforcement resources that may assist with locating police department contacts for individual municipalities.
New Haven County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in New Haven County—including contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, employment matters, and property cases—is adjudicated by the Superior Court’s civil division. Depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim, cases may be assigned to the New Haven, Waterbury, or Ansonia-Milford Judicial District or handled as small claims.
How to obtain civil court records:
- Online – Search the Civil/Family Case Look-Up by party name, docket number, or property address.
- Email – Send a request with case details to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov.
- Phone – Call the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750.
- In person – Visit the relevant clerk’s office. For staff directory information and direct phone numbers, consult the Judicial District Staff Directory.
Small claims are filed at the Waterbury Judicial District (300 Grand St, Waterbury; small claims Phone: (203) 591-3320) or at the centralized small claims location for the district. The filing fee for a small claims action is $95, with a $95 counterclaim fee. If a small claims case transfers to the regular docket, an additional $125 fee applies (C.G.S. § 52-259).
Selected civil filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil cause (general) | $360 |
| Civil cause (demand under $2,500) | $230 |
| Counterclaim / cross complaint / third-party complaint | $205 |
| Summary process (landlord-tenant) | $175 |
| Small claims | $95 |
| Jury fee | $440 |
| Motion to open/set aside/modify civil judgment | $130 |
The complete court fee schedule lists all filing, motion, and program fees under applicable statutory authority.
New Haven County Family Court Records
The family division of the Superior Court handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence restraining orders. Family matters in New Haven County are heard primarily at the New Haven and Waterbury Judicial District courthouses.
Accessing family court records follows the same general process as other Superior Court records:
- Search online through the Civil/Family Case Look-Up.
- Contact the clerk’s office at the court where the case was filed, in person, by phone, or by emailing SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov.
Certain family court records carry confidentiality protections. Juvenile and adoption files are generally closed to public inspection. The clerk may require identification before releasing particular documents.
Divorce decrees are referred to as “Judgment Files” in Connecticut practice. To obtain a copy, contact the Judicial District clerk’s office where the divorce was adjudicated. You will need the case name and docket number. A certified copy of a judgment file costs $25; other documents are charged at $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification if needed.
Marriage records are maintained by the town clerk in the municipality where the marriage occurred and by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Requests can be submitted using the state marriage record request form or the town-level request form. State-issued copies are mailed to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Services, MS #11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Town-level requests should be sent to the local vital records office where the marriage took place. Requesters must be at least 18 years old.
Birth records less than 100 years old are confidential under Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93, § 7-51. Eligible requesters include the registrant, parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, grandparents, grandchildren, legal representatives, and certain government officials. Applications are available in both state and local versions. The fee for a state-issued birth certificate is $30; town-issued copies are typically $20. In the City of New Haven, vital records are managed by the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 165 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510, Phone: (203) 946-7931
Death certificates may be requested by anyone who is at least 18 years old. The Social Security number of the decedent is disclosed only to the spouse or next of kin. Applications for death records are available as a state form or a town form. A one-time fee waiver applies for a close relative of a deceased veteran who provides valid photo identification and proof of relationship.
New Haven County Probate Court Records
Connecticut’s probate courts operate independently of the Superior Court and have jurisdiction over wills, estate administration, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, adoptions, name changes, and involuntary commitments for mental health treatment. New Haven County is served by numerous probate districts, each with its own judge and clerk.
Probate courts in New Haven County:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven (PD-38) | 200 Orange St, 1st Floor, New Haven, CT 06504 | (203) 946-4880 | (203) 946-5962 |
| Waterbury (PD-20) | 49 Leavenworth St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 755-1127 | (203) 597-0824 |
| Branford–North Branford (PD-35) | Town Hall, 1019 Main St, Branford, CT 06405 | (203) 488-0318 | (203) 315-4715 |
| Cheshire–Southington (PD-18) | 84 South Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410 | (203) 271-6608 | (203) 271-3735 |
| Derby (PD-41) | City Hall, 253 Main St, Ansonia, CT 06401 | (203) 734-1277 | (203) 736-1434 |
| East Haven–North Haven (PD-36) | Town Hall, 250 Main St, East Haven, CT 06512 | (203) 468-3895 | (203) 468-5155 |
| Hamden–Bethany (PD-37) | Government Center, 2750 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, CT 06518 | (203) 287-7082 | (203) 287-7087 |
| Madison–Guilford (PD-34) | Memorial Town Hall, 8 Meeting House Ln, Madison, CT 06443 | (203) 245-5661 | (203) 245-5653 |
| Meriden (PD-16) | City Hall, 142 East Main St, Room 113, Meriden, CT 06450 | (203) 630-4150 | (203) 630-4043 |
| Milford–Orange (PD-40) | 70 West River St, Milford, CT 06460 | (203) 783-3205 | (203) 783-3364 |
| Naugatuck (PD-21) | Town Hall, 229 Church St, Naugatuck, CT 06770 | (203) 720-7046 | (203) 720-5476 |
| Wallingford (PD-17) | Town Hall, 45 South Main St, Wallingford, CT 06492 | (203) 294-2100 | (203) 294-2109 |
| West Haven (PD-39) | City Hall, 355 Main St, West Haven, CT 06516 | (203) 937-3552 | (203) 937-3556 |
| Region #22 (PD-22) | Town Hall, 501 Main St South, Southbury, CT 06488 | (203) 262-0641 | (203) 264-9310 |
| Central CT Regional Children’s (PD-56) | 1501 East Main St, Suite 203, Meriden, CT 06450 | (203) 235-1014 | (203) 235-1075 |
| New Haven Regional Children’s (PD-55) | 873 State St, New Haven, CT 06511 | (203) 773-9556 | (203) 773-9685 |
| Waterbury Regional Children’s (PD-58) | 65 Center St, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (203) 573-5080 | (203) 573-5088 |
Searching probate records can be done through the Probate Case Lookup tool, which covers decedent estate and trust cases from 2011 forward. Clicking a case number displays fiduciary contact information, and clicking the district name links to the court’s contact details.
The eFiling system allows registered parties and their attorneys to initiate cases, file documents, serve other eFilers, receive notices, and view the court’s file electronically. Public access through eFiling is limited to eligible parties; members of the general public seeking records of pending matters should contact the clerk of the relevant probate court directly.
Requesting copies of probate records follows the same in-person and mail procedures available at each court’s clerk office. Fees for probate services can be estimated using the Fees & Expenses Calculators on the Connecticut Probate Courts website. A complete directory of probate judges and courts is also available for download.
Records relating to mental health commitments, tax returns, and certain conservatorship proceedings may be confidential and unavailable for public review. The probate court clerk can advise on which portions of a file are accessible.