Fairfield Vital Records Search

Fairfield death records are maintained by the town clerk at town hall on Old Post Road. This coastal town in Fairfield County has over 65,000 residents and keeps vital records for all deaths within town limits from 1897 to the present. The town clerk office issues certified death certificates to anyone who requests them. You can get copies in person at town hall, by mail, or through online services. Walk-in requests usually get same-day service. Mail requests take one to two weeks. Online orders through VitalChek offer fast delivery for extra fees. The clerk staff can search for records by name and date to help you find what you need even without complete details.

Fairfield Town Clerk Office

The vital statistics office at Fairfield 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. Staff are available to help you complete request forms and answer questions about what documents you need.

Town hall is on Old Post Road near the Fairfield town center. Parking is available at the building. Metro-North train service stops in Fairfield, and bus routes cover the area. When you visit, bring a valid photo ID. The office accepts cash and checks only, so be prepared. If you want to check if a record is on file before making the trip, call ahead at (203) 256-3090.

How to Request Death Certificates

Three ways to get a Fairfield death certificate exist. Visit the town clerk office in person. Mail a completed request form with payment and 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. Cash and checks are accepted. Credit cards are not accepted at the Fairfield clerk office.

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 (Fairfield)
• 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 Fairfield Town Clerk, 611 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. 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.

Note: The Fairfield clerk office accepts cash or check only, not credit cards.

Fairfield Death Certificate Fees

One certified death certificate costs $20 in Fairfield. 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.

Who Can Request Records

Any person 18 years or older can purchase a certified death certificate from Fairfield. 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 for privacy protection.

People request death certificates for many reasons:

• Settling estates and probate cases
• Filing life insurance claims
• Closing bank and credit accounts
• Transferring property titles
• Claiming Social Security survivor benefits
• Pension and retirement claims
• Genealogy and family history research

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 Fairfield town clerk for guidance before you submit your request.

Fairfield County Records

Fairfield is in Fairfield County on the Long Island Sound coast. Connecticut does not keep vital records at the county level. Each town maintains its own death certificates. Fairfield only has records for deaths that occurred within town limits. For deaths in nearby towns like Bridgeport, Westport, or Norwalk, you need to contact those towns directly.

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

State Vital Records Office

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

State office walk-in hours are very 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." The state office does not accept personal checks or credit cards by mail.

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 five copies at once than to request more later. Each certified copy from Fairfield 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 Fairfield each maintain their own death records. If the person died in Bridgeport, Westport, Norwalk, or Stratford, contact that town's clerk office. Fairfield records only cover deaths within Fairfield town limits. You must request from the town where the death took place.