Find Shelton Death Records

Shelton death records are kept by the town clerk for all deaths within city limits. This New Haven County community has about 42,800 residents. The clerk office at city hall issues certified death certificates for deaths that took place in Shelton from July 1897 forward. You can also get copies from the state, but local processing is usually much faster than the state office, which can take months to send back your request.

Shelton Town Clerk Office

The Shelton Town Clerk keeps all vital records for events that happened in the city. This includes deaths at homes, hospitals, and care facilities within Shelton. If a Shelton resident died in another town, that other town holds the record. The clerk office handles requests for birth, death, and marriage certificates for Shelton events.

Walk-in service is available during office hours. Bring a valid photo ID such as a state driver's license, passport, or military ID. The clerk staff can search for records if you provide the name and date. Payment is due when you pick up the certificate. Most Shelton town offices take money orders and some take checks made out to the city. Call first to ask about payment options and confirm they accept credit cards if that is how you plan to pay.

City hall is on Hill Street in downtown Shelton. Parking is available near the building and on nearby streets. The clerk office is open to the public during regular business hours. If you need help with your request or have questions about what documents you need, the staff can guide you through the process. Calling ahead at (203) 924-1551 can save you a trip if the record you need requires extra research time.

Note: Shelton processes most walk-in requests for death certificates on the same day if the record is already on file.

How to Get a Death Certificate

You have several ways to get a Shelton death certificate. In person is fastest. Mail works if you cannot visit in person. Online orders through VitalChek cost more but offer convenience and faster shipping options.

To request in person, go to city hall at 54 Hill Street during business hours. Fill out the request form at the clerk counter. Provide the name of the person who died, the date of death, and why you need the certificate. Show your ID and pay the fee. The clerk can often give you the certificate right away if the record is on file. This method works best when you need the document fast.

For mail requests, download the town death certificate request form from the state Department of Public Health website at portal.ct.gov. Fill it out and include a money order payable to the City of Shelton. Do not send cash or personal checks. Mail your request to Shelton Town Clerk, 54 Hill Street, Shelton, CT 06484. Processing time depends on how busy the office is, but most mail requests are handled within a week.

Online ordering through VitalChek at vitalchek.com is available 24 hours a day. VitalChek is approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The service adds fees for processing and shipping on top of the $20 certificate cost. You can choose expedited shipping to get your certificate faster. All major credit cards are accepted. Orders placed through VitalChek are sent to the town or state office for fulfillment, depending on where the record is stored.

Information Needed for Requests

The clerk needs certain details to find the right death record. The more complete your information, the faster they can process your request. Missing information slows things down and may lead to the wrong record being pulled if multiple people have similar names.

Required details include:

• Full name of deceased person
• Date of death
• Place where death occurred
• Parents' names
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Reason for the request
• Your full name and mailing address

If you know the person's date of birth, include that too. It helps the clerk confirm they have the right record. Mother's maiden name is especially useful since many Connecticut records use that for indexing. If you only have partial information, the clerk may still be able to search, but it could take longer. Call (203) 924-1551 if you are not sure what details you have or what else might help locate the record.

For deaths after July 1, 1997, the social security number is redacted unless you are the spouse or next of kin. If you need an unredacted copy, bring proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or your own birth certificate. Without that proof, you will get a certified copy with the social security number blocked out.

When requesting in person, bring your government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or military ID works. If you do not have one of those, bring two other forms of ID. A social security card and a recent utility bill with your name and address will do. The clerk uses this to verify your identity before releasing any vital record.

Get Records from the State Office

Connecticut keeps copies of all death records at the state level. The Department of Public Health State Vital Records Office in Hartford has death records from every town, including Shelton. You can request a copy from the state if you prefer not to deal with the local town clerk.

The state office is at 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Call (860) 509-7700 with questions about death certificates. Walk-in hours are limited. Monday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. are the current walk-in times. Always check portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records before going to Hartford in case hours have changed.

Processing at the state level takes up to twelve weeks. That is much longer than local offices, which often handle requests in a few days. The fee is still $20 per certified copy. Payment must be a money order made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Credit and debit cards have an extra $2.50 fee. No personal checks are accepted. If you mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Use the same application form whether you request from the town or the state. Download it at portal.ct.gov. Fill it out completely and send it to the state vital records office with your payment. If you need records from multiple towns or prefer one central location, the state office can handle requests for any Connecticut death record from July 1897 forward.

VitalChek Online Service

VitalChek is the only third-party company authorized by Connecticut to process vital records orders online. This service lets you place orders day or night. Orders cost more than going through the town or state directly, but the added fees buy you convenience and faster shipping.

Go to vitalchek.com and select Connecticut, then death certificates. Enter the details about the person who died. Provide your shipping address and payment information. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards. The site shows the total cost before you submit the order. This includes the $20 certificate fee, VitalChek service fees, and shipping costs. Expedited shipping options are available if you are in a hurry.

VitalChek forwards your order to the correct office based on where the death occurred. For Shelton deaths, this is typically the Shelton town clerk. The clerk processes the order and sends the certificate to you. You can track your order status on the VitalChek website using your order number. Most VitalChek orders ship faster than standard mail requests.

If you prefer to order by phone, call VitalChek at 1-888-279-9888. Customer service can help you place an order over the phone. Have the deceased person's information ready when you call. Phone orders have the same fees as online orders. This option works well if you do not have internet access or prefer speaking to someone while placing the order.

Why You Need a Death Certificate

Death certificates from Shelton are required for many legal and financial tasks. Insurance companies, banks, and government agencies all ask for certified copies when handling matters related to someone who has died. Photocopies do not work for these purposes. You need the original certified copy with the raised seal.

Common uses for death certificates:

• Filing life insurance claims
• Settling estates and probate matters
• Closing bank and investment accounts
• Transferring vehicle titles
• Claiming pension or retirement benefits
• Updating Social Security records
• Changing property deeds

Most institutions require at least one certified copy. Some ask for multiple copies if several accounts or policies are involved. Order enough copies at once to cover all the tasks you need to complete. Ordering extra copies later costs the same $20 per copy each time, so it makes sense to get what you need up front.

For genealogy research or family history, you may not need a certified copy. The Connecticut State Library has an online index to death records from 1897 to 2001. This index is free to search and gives basic information like names and dates. It does not provide certified copies, so you cannot use it for legal purposes. But it can help you confirm details before you order an official certificate from Shelton or the state office.

Note: Certified copies from the town clerk have the same legal standing as copies from the state vital records office.

New Haven County Death Records

Shelton is in New Haven County, which has 27 towns and cities. Each town clerk maintains vital records for their jurisdiction. New Haven County is the second most populous county in Connecticut. For countywide resources and links to other towns, visit the New Haven County death records page.

View New Haven County Death Records

Nearby Connecticut Cities

Other New Haven County cities near Shelton include New Haven, Waterbury, West Haven, and Milford. Each town clerk handles vital records for deaths in their area. Connecticut law requires you to request death certificates from the town where the death occurred or from the state office in Hartford.