East Hartford Vital Records

East Hartford death records are kept by the town clerk at town hall on Main Street. This Hartford County town of over 51,000 people maintains vital records for all deaths that occur within town limits. The clerk office has death certificates on file from 1897 to the present. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through online ordering. Walk-in requests usually get same-day service during business hours. Mail requests take about two weeks to process. Online orders through VitalChek offer faster delivery for additional fees. Town clerk staff can search for records by name and date, so you do not need the exact details to start your request.

East Hartford Town Clerk

The vital records office at East Hartford Town Hall handles all death certificate requests for the town. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is on the first floor of town hall with accessible parking and entrance. Staff are available to help you complete request forms and answer questions.

Town hall is on Main Street in the center of East Hartford. Parking is available at the building. Bus service covers the area with several routes. When you visit, bring a valid photo ID. If you want to check if a record is on file before you make the trip, call ahead at (860) 291-7235. Staff can look up records by name and date.

Requesting Death Certificates

Three ways to get an East Hartford death certificate exist. Visit the town clerk office in person. Mail a completed request form with payment and a copy of your ID. Or order online through VitalChek. Walk-in service is fastest if you live nearby. Mail works if you are not in a rush. Online ordering costs more but gives you tracking and expedited shipping options.

For in-person requests, bring your photo ID and be ready to provide the full name of the deceased and the date of death. The clerk will search the records and print a certified copy while you wait. Payment is due at the time of service. Most town offices accept cash, check, money order, and credit cards.

To request by mail, download the Connecticut death certificate request form from the state Department of Public Health website. Fill it out with:

• Full name of deceased
• Date of death
• Place of death (East Hartford)
• Your name and address
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Reason you need the certificate

Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order for $20 per copy. Personal checks are not accepted. Mail to East Hartford Town Clerk, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. Processing by mail takes one to two weeks. You can call to check on your request if needed.

Online orders go through VitalChek, the only approved third-party vendor for Connecticut vital records. VitalChek adds service fees and shipping charges on top of the $20 certificate cost. You can choose expedited shipping for faster delivery. The site accepts all major credit cards.

Death Certificate Costs

One certified death certificate costs $20 in East Hartford. This is the standard Connecticut rate that applies in all towns. Each additional copy also costs $20. You can order as many copies as you need at the same time. Getting all the copies you need in one request saves time and return trips.

Veterans and their family members may get one free death certificate under Connecticut law. The spouse, child, or parent of a deceased veteran can request a free copy if they provide proof of their relationship and the veteran status. This is in Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-74. You need a valid photo ID and documents like a marriage certificate or birth certificate to prove the relationship. The death certificate must show veteran status for the waiver to apply.

Note: Credit card payments may have a small processing fee added by the card processor.

Who Can Get Death Certificates

Any person 18 years or older can purchase a certified death certificate from East Hartford. You do not need to be related to the deceased. This is set in Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-51a. However, if the death happened after July 1, 1997, only the spouse or next of kin can get a copy with the social security number visible. All other requesters receive a copy with the SSN redacted.

Common reasons to request East Hartford death certificates:

• Estate settlement and probate
• Life insurance claims
• Bank account closures
• Property title transfers
• Social Security survivor benefits
• Pension claims
• Family history and genealogy

You must state your reason on the request form. Most uses are routine and approved without question. If you are not sure what to write, call the East Hartford clerk office for guidance.

Hartford County Records

East Hartford is in Hartford County in central Connecticut. Vital records are maintained at the town level in Connecticut, not the county level. Each town in Hartford County keeps its own death certificates. East Hartford only has records for deaths that occurred within town limits. For deaths in nearby towns like Manchester, Glastonbury, or South Windsor, contact those towns directly.

For legal matters related to a death in East Hartford, such as probate or estate issues, you may need to work with the local probate court. East Hartford has its own probate court district. Contact the East Hartford Probate Court for help with wills, estates, and guardianship. The town clerk does not handle these legal processes.

State Vital Records Office

The Connecticut State Vital Records Office in Hartford has copies of all East Hartford death certificates from 1897 forward. If you cannot get a record from the East Hartford town clerk, the state office is a backup option. However, state processing can take up to twelve weeks. Most people get faster service by working directly with the East Hartford clerk office.

State office walk-in service is limited. Check the website or call before you go. For mail requests to the state, use a money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted by mail at the state office.

Using Death Certificates

A certified death certificate is needed for many legal and financial tasks. Banks require it to close accounts or release funds. Life insurance companies need it before paying claims. Social Security must see it to stop benefits and start survivor payments. Real estate offices use it to transfer property titles. Probate courts need it to open estates and settle wills.

Order multiple copies if you know you will use them at different places. It is faster and cheaper to get all the copies you need at once. Each certified copy from East Hartford has full legal standing. A photocopy will not work for most official uses. The certified copy has a raised seal and signature from the town clerk.

Death Records in Nearby Towns

Towns near East Hartford each maintain their own death records. If the person died in Manchester, Glastonbury, South Windsor, or Hartford, contact that town's clerk office. East Hartford records only cover deaths within East Hartford town limits.