Connecticut Death Records
Connecticut death records are maintained by town vital records offices and the State Vital Records Office in Hartford. Anyone 18 or older can request certified death certificates for events from July 1897 to the present. Each of Connecticut's 169 towns keeps death records for events that occurred locally or involved town residents. You can search for death certificates online through VitalChek, request them by mail from the state office, or visit your town clerk in person. The town-based system makes Connecticut unique since counties do not maintain vital records. Most people get faster service by going directly to the town where the death occurred rather than waiting for the state office to process mail requests.
Connecticut Death Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Death Records in Connecticut
Death records in Connecticut come from two main sources. Town vital records offices handle most requests. Go to the town where the person died. Most towns process requests the same day if you visit in person. Staff can search their records and issue certified copies on the spot. Each town charges $20 per copy. Payment methods vary by town but most accept cash, check, or money order. Some towns now take credit cards with a small fee added.
The State Vital Records Office in Hartford also has death certificates from 1897 forward. This office gets copies of all death records filed in Connecticut. Mail your request to 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, and your relationship to the person. Processing takes up to 12 weeks by mail. Walk-ins are accepted on limited days. The state office charges the same $20 fee as towns but mail requests take much longer to complete.
A third option is VitalChek, the only approved online vendor for Connecticut vital records. This service lets you order death certificates 24 hours a day from home. VitalChek adds processing fees and shipping charges on top of the state fee. Expedited service costs more but cuts wait time. Many people use this when they need certificates fast and cannot visit a town office in person.
The Department of Public Health website at portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records/death-certificates explains how to request death records in Connecticut. It lists what information you need and how much it costs. You can also find town clerk contact info and forms to download.
Search Connecticut Death Records Online
Connecticut does not have a statewide online database to search death records. You cannot look up death certificates on the state website. Each town keeps its own records separately. Some larger towns offer limited online access but most do not. The best way to find death records is to contact the town directly if you know where the death occurred.
For historical research, the Connecticut State Library maintains a Death Records Index from 1897 to 2001. This index is now on Connecticut Open Data. You can search by name to find the date and place of death. The index does not show the full certificate. It just tells you where to request the record. Visit libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hgindexes/DeathRecordsIndex to access this research tool. For records before 1897, the Barbour Collection at the Connecticut State Library has pre-1850 vital records that you can view in person or on microfilm.
VitalChek offers the closest thing to online ordering for Connecticut death certificates. Go to their site and select Connecticut. Enter the deceased person's information and your contact details. Pay by credit card. VitalChek processes the order and sends it to the appropriate office in Connecticut. You get the certificate by mail in a few days or weeks depending on which shipping you pick.
Who Can Get Death Certificates
Any person 18 years old or older may buy a death certificate in Connecticut. You do not need to be a family member. You do not need to show a reason for your request. This is set by Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-51a. The law allows public access to death records with one exception. For deaths on or after July 1, 1997, only the surviving spouse or next of kin can get a copy that shows the Social Security number. All other requesters receive a certificate with the SSN redacted.
Funeral directors who handled the disposition may also get the full certificate with SSN but only within 60 days of the disposition date. After 60 days, even funeral directors get redacted copies. This protects the identity of the deceased. Most people do not need the SSN on the certificate for legal purposes so the redacted version works fine.
Types of Death Records Available
Connecticut death certificates contain specific information required by state law. The certificate lists the full name of the deceased, date and place of birth, date and place of death, parents' names including mother's maiden name, marital status, and occupation. It also shows the cause of death as determined by a medical professional. The funeral home or person who handled the body files the certificate with the town registrar. Connecticut uses an electronic vital records system so most certificates are filed digitally now.
Certified copies have an official seal and signature from the town registrar or state vital records office. Courts and government agencies require certified copies for legal matters. Plain copies without the seal cost less but cannot be used for official business. Most town clerks charge the same $20 fee whether you get a certified or uncertified copy so people usually request certified ones.
Amended death certificates exist when errors are corrected after the original filing. Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-42 governs how amendments work. When the cause of death changes, the original certificate is sealed and kept confidential. A copy is amended and becomes the public record. Only the Commissioner of Public Health can unseal the original. This prevents confusion about the actual cause of death in Connecticut.
Death Certificate Fees
All death certificates in Connecticut cost $20 per copy. This fee is the same at every town office and the state office. Towns cannot charge more or less than this amount. The fee covers one certified copy. If you order multiple copies at the same time, each one costs $20. There is no discount for bulk orders.
Online orders through VitalChek cost more due to added fees. VitalChek charges a processing fee plus shipping charges. The total can be $40 to $60 or more depending on how fast you want the certificate delivered. Regular mail takes longer but costs less. Overnight shipping costs the most. Many people find it cheaper to visit their town clerk in person and pay just the $20 state fee if they live nearby in Connecticut.
Some town offices accept credit cards but add a $2.50 fee for card payments. Cash and money orders are always accepted with no extra charge. Personal checks are not accepted at the state office but some towns do take them. Call ahead to ask about payment options at your local town clerk office.
Veterans receive a special benefit under Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-74. The spouse, child, or parent of a deceased veteran can get one free certified death certificate. You must show valid photo ID and proof of your relationship to the veteran. The veteran status must appear on the death certificate itself. Funeral directors can also get one free copy on behalf of the veteran's family at the time of death.
Forms and ID Requirements
Connecticut requires specific information on all death certificate requests. You must provide the deceased person's full name with the last name in capital letters. Include the date of death or at least the year if you do not know the exact date. List the place of death, which is usually the town name. Give the names of both parents including the mother's maiden name if known. State your relationship to the deceased and why you need the record. Add your own name, address, and signature.
Download the request form from portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records/applications-and-forms. Two versions exist: one for town offices and one for the state office. Use the correct form for where you send your request. Fill it out completely. Incomplete forms cause delays.
In-person requests require photo ID. Acceptable forms include a state driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must be current and valid. If you lack primary ID, bring two secondary forms such as a Social Security card, recent utility bill with your name and address, voter registration card, or car registration. These rules apply at both town offices and the state office in Connecticut.
Mail requests do not require ID unless you are requesting a certificate with the SSN visible. In that case, send a copy of your photo ID and proof of your relationship like a marriage certificate or birth certificate. The state office reviews these before issuing the record.
Legal Framework for Death Records
Connecticut law requires all deaths to be registered with the town where they occurred. Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-36 gives town registrars the duty to receive, record, and preserve death certificates. Each registrar must send an authenticated copy to the Commissioner of Public Health by the 15th of each month. The state builds a central registry from these monthly reports. Towns also notify the registrar of voters about deaths of people 17 or older so voter rolls stay current.
Electronic filing became standard in Connecticut under Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-41. This law established the electronic vital records system. Funeral homes, hospitals, and medical examiners file death certificates electronically. The system uses digital signatures and authentication to ensure security. Paper certificates are no longer the norm in Connecticut.
Public access to death records is governed by state transparency laws. Connecticut's Freedom of Information statutes apply to vital records held by towns and the state. Anyone can request and receive copies. The only restriction involves Social Security numbers on recent death certificates as noted earlier. Otherwise death records are fully public in Connecticut.
Historical Death Records and Research
The state vital records system began July 1, 1897. All death certificates from that date forward are on file at the State Vital Records Office and the town where the death occurred. For deaths before 1897, you must use other sources. The Connecticut State Library in Hartford holds the Barbour Collection of pre-1850 vital records. These were compiled from old town records and church registers across Connecticut. Genealogists use this collection to trace family history before modern record keeping began.
The Death Records Index covers 1897 to 2001 and helps researchers locate specific certificates. It has been migrated to Connecticut Open Data for easier searching. You can find the name, date, and place of death but not the full certificate text. Once you identify the record you need, request it from the town or state office.
Annual vital statistics reports are published by the Department of Public Health. These reports from 1992 to the present show death counts by state, county, health district, and town. They do not list individual names but give demographic data useful for public health research. Access these reports at portal.ct.gov/DPH/Health-Information-Systems--Reporting/Hisrhome/Vital-Statistics-Registration-Reports.
How to Order Death Certificates
In-person requests at town offices are the fastest option in Connecticut. Walk into the town clerk during business hours. Most towns operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring your photo ID and the information about the deceased. Fill out a request form. Pay the $20 fee. Many towns issue the certificate while you wait. Smaller towns may need a day or two if the record is archived.
Mail requests go to the State Vital Records Office at 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Download and complete the state request form. Make your money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Do not send cash or personal checks. Include a stamped return envelope if you want one. Mail it and wait up to 12 weeks. The state processes hundreds of requests each week so delays are common.
Online ordering through VitalChek is available 24/7. Create an account on their site. Enter the details about the death. Choose your shipping method. Pay with a credit card. VitalChek forwards your order to the correct office in Connecticut. Standard processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Rush service costs more but delivers in 3 to 5 business days. Overnight options exist for urgent needs at the highest cost.
Some towns offer their own online ordering through platforms like Permitium or VitalDirector. Hartford and Windham use these systems. Check your town's website to see if they have online options. These town-specific systems may be faster and cheaper than VitalChek since they go directly to the local office in Connecticut.
Help with Vital Records Requests
Questions about death certificates can be directed to the State Vital Records Office. Call (860) 509-7700 during business hours. Staff can explain requirements and check on pending requests. The office is open Monday 9 AM to 1 PM, Wednesday 9 AM to 3:30 PM, and Friday 11 AM to 3:30 PM. Phone hours are similar. The office closes for all state holidays.
Each town clerk office has its own contact information. A directory is available at portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records/contact-us. Look up the town where the death occurred. Call that town clerk directly for faster service. Town staff know their local records best and can often answer questions immediately.
For genealogy research help, contact the Connecticut State Library at libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/home. Librarians assist with historical vital records research. They can guide you through the Barbour Collection and other archival materials. The library offers research services by appointment.
Browse Death Records by County
Connecticut's eight counties are geographic regions only. Vital records are not kept at the county level. However, towns within each county handle death certificates for their residents. Select a county below to see which towns serve that area.
Death Records in Major Connecticut Cities
Larger cities and towns in Connecticut each have their own vital records office. Town clerks issue death certificates for deaths that occurred within town limits. Find your city below to learn about local death record services.