Access Simsbury Death Records

Simsbury death records are maintained by the town clerk for deaths that took place within the town. This Hartford County community of about 25,300 people sits northwest of Hartford. The town clerk office issues certified death certificates for Simsbury deaths from July 1897 to the present. You can also order copies from the state office, but town processing is faster, often same-day for walk-in requests, compared to the state's twelve-week wait.

Simsbury Town Clerk Office

The town clerk in Simsbury keeps all vital records for events in the town. Death certificates are issued for deaths at homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other locations within Simsbury borders. If a Simsbury resident died elsewhere in Connecticut, that other town's clerk holds the record. The clerk also handles birth and marriage certificates for events that happened locally.

Walk-in service is available during business hours at town hall. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. The clerk can search for records if you provide the full name of the person who died and the date of death. Most walk-in requests are handled the same day. Payment is accepted in the form of money orders or checks made payable to the Town of Simsbury. Some offices accept credit cards, but they may charge an extra processing fee. Call ahead at (860) 658-3243 to confirm payment options.

Town hall is on Hopemeadow Street in the center of Simsbury. Parking is available on site and on nearby streets. The building is open to the public during office hours. If you have questions about what documents you need or how to complete the request form, the clerk staff can help. Calling before you visit can save time, especially if the record you need is not on file or requires research.

How to Request Death Certificates

You can get a Simsbury death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Each method works, but they differ in speed and cost. Choose the one that fits your needs and timeline.

For in-person requests, go to town hall at 933 Hopemeadow Street during office hours. Fill out the application form at the clerk counter. Provide the name of the deceased, the date of death, and your reason for requesting the record. Show your photo ID and pay the $20 fee. If the record is on file, you can often get the certified copy the same day. This is the fastest way to get a death certificate in Simsbury.

To request by mail, download the town death certificate request form from the Connecticut Department of Public Health at portal.ct.gov. Fill it out completely and include a money order payable to the Town of Simsbury. Do not send cash or personal checks for vital records. Mail everything to Simsbury Town Clerk, 933 Hopemeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070. Processing time varies, but most mail requests are completed within a few business days.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek is the only third-party service approved by Connecticut for vital records. The site is open 24 hours a day. You pay the $20 certificate fee plus VitalChek service fees and shipping costs. Expedited shipping is available if you need the record quickly. All major credit cards are accepted. Your order is sent to the appropriate town or state office for processing.

Note: Any person 18 years old or older can request a death certificate in Simsbury.

Information You Need to Provide

The town clerk needs specific information to locate the correct death record. Having complete details makes the search faster and more accurate. Incomplete information can slow down the process or lead to errors.

Required information includes:

• Full name of the person who died
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Names of parents, including mother's maiden name
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Reason for requesting the certificate
• Your name and mailing address
• Your signature

If you know the deceased person's date of birth, include that as well. It helps confirm the clerk has the right record, especially if the name is common. If you only know the year of death, the clerk can still search, but it may take longer. The mother's maiden name is particularly useful because many Connecticut records are indexed using that information.

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

When requesting in person, you must show a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, or military ID. If you do not have one of those, bring two other forms of ID such as a social security card and a recent utility bill with your name and address. The clerk uses these to verify your identity before releasing the record.

Connecticut State Vital Records Office

You can also request Simsbury death certificates from the state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health State Vital Records Office in Hartford keeps copies of all death records from every town in the state. This is an alternative to contacting the town directly.

The state office address is 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Call (860) 509-7700 for questions about death certificates or to check the status of a request. Walk-in service is limited to certain days and times. Current hours are 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. Always verify hours on the state vital records website at portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records before making the trip to Hartford.

Processing time at the state level is up to twelve weeks. That is much slower than requesting from the town clerk, which often handles requests within days. The fee is the same $20 per certified copy. Payment must be a money order made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Credit or debit card payments have an extra $2.50 fee. Personal checks are not accepted. If you request by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the copy mailed back to you.

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

Order Online with VitalChek

VitalChek is the only authorized third-party vendor for Connecticut vital records orders. This online service lets you place orders any time of day or night. It costs more than going directly through the town or state, but it offers convenience and faster shipping options.

Visit vitalchek.com to start your order. Select Connecticut and then death certificates. Enter the details about the person who died, including name, date, and place of death. Provide your shipping address and payment information. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards. The site shows the total cost before you submit your order. This includes the $20 certificate fee, VitalChek service fees, and shipping costs. You can choose expedited shipping to get your certificate faster.

VitalChek forwards your order to the correct office based on where the death occurred. For Simsbury deaths, this is usually the Simsbury 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 are processed faster than standard mail requests.

If you prefer to order by phone, call VitalChek at 1-888-279-9888. Customer service representatives can help you place an order over the phone. Have all the required information ready when you call. Phone orders have the same fees as online orders. This is a good option if you do not have internet access or prefer speaking with someone while placing your order.

Common Uses for Death Certificates

Death certificates from Simsbury are required for many legal and financial tasks. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all require certified copies when settling matters related to a deceased person. Photocopies or printouts do not work for these purposes. You need the original certified copy with the raised seal and signature.

Typical reasons to request a death certificate:

• Claiming life insurance benefits
• Settling estates through probate court
• Closing bank accounts and credit cards
• Transferring property titles and deeds
• Claiming pension or retirement benefits
• Applying for Social Security survivor benefits
• Filing final tax returns for the deceased
• Canceling government benefits and services

Most organizations need at least one certified copy. If you are dealing with multiple accounts, policies, or agencies, you may need several copies. It makes sense to order enough copies up front to handle all your tasks. Ordering additional copies later costs the same $20 per copy each time, so getting what you need in one request saves money and time.

For genealogy or family history research, you may not need a certified copy. The Connecticut State Library maintains an online death records index covering 1897 to 2001. This free resource shows names, dates, and places but does not provide certified copies. Use the index to confirm details before ordering an official certificate from the town or state office. The index is available at libguides.ctstatelibrary.org.

Note: Certified copies from the town clerk and the state office have the same legal standing and are accepted by all institutions.

Hartford County Death Records

Simsbury is in Hartford County, which has 29 towns and cities. Hartford County is the second most populous county in Connecticut. Each town maintains its own vital records through the town clerk office. For countywide resources and links to other Hartford County towns, visit the Hartford County death records page.

View Hartford County Death Records

Other Hartford County Cities

Nearby cities in Hartford County include Hartford, West Hartford, Bristol, Manchester, and Farmington. Each town clerk handles vital records for their jurisdiction. Death certificates must be requested from the town where the death occurred or from the state office in Hartford.