Connecticut Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Connecticut divorce records are official court documents that verify the termination of a marriage. These records serve several vital functions, including establishing post-divorce rights/obligations and providing crucial documentation for handling/processing matters such as name changes, genealogical research, remarriage, and financial or estate planning.

According to statistical reports from the Connecticut Judicial Branch, Connecticut recorded 10,273 dissolution cases in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, comprising 9,691 traditional, 575 non-adversarial, and seven civil union dissolutions. The state's divorce rate in 2023 was 2.6 per 1,000 people, in contrast to the 6.2 per 1,000 people marriage rate.

The availability of divorce records in the U.S. is state-specific, and different states have varying laws and rules that govern access. Connecticut, in compliance with the judicial policy (e.g., Practice Book § 25-59A(h)), fosters open access to divorce records.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Connecticut

In Connecticut, divorce documentation is available in various formal forms, each serving a specific legal or informational purpose. The primary types of divorce documentation in Connecticut are the Divorce Decree (also known as the Judgment File) and the Divorce Case File.

The Decree documents the court's final judgment and stipulations, while the Divorce Case File contains all relevant documents filed during the divorce. Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-67 (judgment of dissolution) and Practice Book § 25-59A (confidentiality of family court records) govern maintenance and access to divorce records in Connecticut.

Here is a summary of the official categories of divorce documentation in Connecticut:

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Decree	The Superior Court (or Clerk's Office) where the divorce was granted.	Formal court order granting the divorce containing the divorce terms	Names of both spouses Date of dissolution Case/docket number Summary or full order of property division Child and spousal support orders Custody and visitation arrangements Signature of judge or clerk
Divorce Case File	Maintained by the Clerk of the court where the divorce was granted.	Complete record of the divorce case, from filing to final judgment.	Complaint/petition for divorce Motions Hearings Affidavits Evidence Notices Final decree/judgment, Etc.

Note: The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) - Vital Records Office does not disseminate certified copies of divorce decrees. Persons seeking a certified copy of a divorce decree or judgment must contact the Superior Court where the divorce was granted. For older or genealogical records, the Connecticut State Library and Archives keeps indexed divorce files.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Connecticut Divorce Records

In Connecticut, divorce records are subject to both public access permissions and confidentiality restrictions, as mandated by judicial policy. While the public generally retains access, financial statements, sensitive information about minors, and other data deemed confidential are removed from public view. For instance, summaries of divorce court cases are available to the general public online; however, official (certified) copies are only provided to the parties involved and their legal representatives.

What Information Do Connecticut Divorce Records Include?

The information in Connecticut divorce records varies depending on the county, the age of the case, and the type of document accessed (case summary, full case file, or certified judgment).

Common data points include

• Full names of both spouses (including maiden/pre-marriage names)
• Dates of marriage and divorce filing or finalization
• Case number
• Court and county where the divorce was granted
• Nature/grounds of the divorce
• Terms of the judgment: Separation of property, spousal support (alimony), child support and custody, visitation rights
• Signatures of the court judge or the court clerk, and the court's seal or certification stamp
• Other filings in the case file, such as petitions, motions, and exhibits

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Connecticut

Divorce records in Connecticut can be obtained through various sources, depending on when and where the divorce was finalized. Most certified divorce decrees are kept by the Superior Court in the Judicial District in which the divorce was issued. Basic case summaries for current cases are available online via the Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-Up Portal. At the same time, older or historical records can be found at the Connecticut State Library and Archives for genealogical research.

It is worth noting that fees, coverage years, and access levels vary depending on the source and document category. The table below summarizes these aspects.

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Judiciary Portal	Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-Up Portal	Recent and active cases	Online case summaries (civil and family)	Free for basic docket information
Superior Court	Local Superior Court Clerk's Office	All years (depending on retention windows)	Certified decrees	$25 for a certified copy of a judgment file and $15 for an uncertified copy
State Archives	Connecticut State Library and Archives	History & Genealogy Indexes (1655- 1953)	Physical or digital search	25 cents per photocopy page or digital image, plus $3 handling fee

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Connecticut

Certified copies of divorce records are official documents bearing the court's seal/stamp, which are required for legal purposes such as remarriage, name change, or enforcement of an order. Here's how to request them in Connecticut:

Step 1. Identify the Court Where the Divorce Was Finalized

Determine the county in which the divorce judgment was issued. The Clerk's Office of that county's Superior Court is the custodian of divorce records-they hold the judgment and case file.

Step 2. Contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office

Contact the Clerk in person, via phone, or through other specified channels to inquire about the requirements for receiving a certified copy of a divorce decree. The Clerk can provide information on the hours of operation, required identification, fees, payment methods, eligible requesters, and whether requests can be made in person, by mail, or via other means.

Step 3. Provide the Necessary Details

The requester will typically need to submit

• Full names of both spouses (including any known former/maiden names)
• Approximate date (or exact date if known) of the divorce finalization
• Case or docket number (if known)
• County and court information where the divorce was entered
• Proof of identity and legal interest (especially if the interested person is not one of the case parties)

Step 4. Pay the Required Fee and Submit the Request

Pay the request fee. It is worth noting that many counties in Connecticut charge roughly $25 for a certified judgment. A certified copy can be mailed, picked up, or delivered electronically, depending on the county. Mail inquiries may take several weeks.

Here's a summary of Connecticut's divorce record types, where to request them, who can order them, and their legal uses.

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified Decree	Superior Court Clerk of the county that finalized the divorce	Only parties to the case, their counsel, or court-authorized entities	Enforcement of divorce judgment terms, name changes, remarriage, immigration
Uncertified Copy of Divorce Judgment/Case File	Superior Court Clerk's Office (by in-person or mail request)	Open to the public unless sealed or restricted	For personal or reference use, research, or background checks. Not valid for official transactions or identity verification.
History & Genealogy Indexes	Connecticut State Library and Archives	Anyone, often researchers, historians, and genealogists	Used for archival or historical research. Not valid for legal purposes

Why Search for Divorce Records in Connecticut?

There are many legal and practical reasons why interested parties seek divorce records in Connecticut, including

• To confirm marital status for remarriage, certain legal claims, or benefits eligibility.
• To change one's name or enforce spousal/child support orders.
• For genealogical or family history research, including determining when and where a marriage ended, the children of the union, and biographical facts.
• To verify previous marital records in legal employment or financial settings (subject to privacy regulations).
• For estate, tax, or financial planning purposes where proof of divorce may affect inheritance rights, ownership interests, or legal obligations.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Connecticut?

According to the Connecticut General Statutes §51-36, divorce decrees and case files are permanent court records and are kept indefinitely by the Superior Court in which the case was filed. Older or inactive files may be transferred to the Connecticut State Library or Archives for preservation and research purposes.