Southington Vital Records Access

The Southington Town Clerk maintains death records for all deaths that occurred in this New Haven County town. Southington has about 44,200 residents and is located between Hartford and New Haven. Death certificates are available from July 1897 to the present. You can get copies from the town clerk or from the state office in Hartford. Town processing is faster than state processing, which can take up to twelve weeks for mail requests.

Southington Town Clerk Office

The town clerk in Southington handles all vital records for events within town limits. This includes death certificates for deaths at homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other locations in Southington. If a Southington resident died elsewhere in Connecticut, that other town's clerk has the record. The clerk also issues birth and marriage certificates for events that took place locally.

Walk-in service is available during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The clerk can search for records if you provide the full name and date of death. Most walk-in requests are processed the same day if the record is on file. Payment methods include money orders and checks made payable to the Town of Southington. Some offices accept credit cards with an extra fee. Call (860) 628-7801 to confirm payment options.

Town hall is on Main Street in the center of Southington. Parking is available at the building and on nearby streets. The office is open to the public during regular hours. If you have questions about the request process or what documents to bring, the clerk staff can assist. Calling ahead can save time if the record you need requires extra research.

Three Ways to Get a Death Certificate

You can request a Southington death certificate in person, by mail, or online. Each method has benefits. In person is fastest. Mail works if you cannot visit the office. Online through VitalChek costs more but offers convenience.

For in-person requests, go to town hall at 75 Main Street during office hours. Fill out the request form at the clerk counter. Provide the name of the deceased, date of death, and your reason for needing the certificate. Show your ID and pay the fee. If the record is on file, you can often get it the same day. This is the quickest way to get a death certificate in Southington.

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 and include a money order payable to the Town of Southington. Do not send cash or personal checks for vital records. Mail everything to Southington Town Clerk, 75 Main Street, Southington, CT 06489. Processing time varies but is typically 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, seven days a week. 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.

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

What Information You Need

The town clerk needs specific details to locate the correct death record. Providing complete and accurate information speeds up the process. Missing or incorrect details can delay your request.

Required information includes:

• Full name of deceased person
• Date of death
• Place where death occurred
• Names of both parents
• 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 too. It helps the clerk confirm they have the right record, especially for common names. 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 Connecticut records are often 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 the full record with the social security number shown, bring proof of your relationship. A marriage certificate or your own 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 government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or military ID is acceptable. 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 records.

Connecticut State Vital Records Office

You can also get Southington 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 Connecticut. This is an alternative if you prefer not to contact 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 on a request. Walk-in service is limited to specific days and times. Current walk-in 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 check portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records before traveling to Hartford to confirm hours have not changed.

Processing time at the state level is up to twelve weeks. This 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 mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the copy mailed back to you.

Use the same application form whether requesting from the town or state. 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 from July 1897 forward.

Order Online Through VitalChek

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

Visit vitalchek.com to start your order. Select Connecticut and then death certificates. Enter the information 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 Southington deaths, this is usually the Southington 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.

Reasons to Get a Death Certificate

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

Common 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 require at least one certified copy. If you are handling multiple accounts, policies, or agencies, you may need several copies. It makes sense to order enough copies up front to cover all your needs. 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 has a free online death records index covering 1897 to 2001. This index shows names, dates, and places but does not provide certified copies. Use it 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.

New Haven County Death Records

Southington is in New Haven County, which has 27 towns and cities. Each town maintains its own vital records through the town clerk office. 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

Other New Haven County Cities

Nearby cities in New Haven County include New Haven, Waterbury, New Britain, Wallingford, and Cheshire. Each town clerk handles vital records for deaths in their jurisdiction. You must request death certificates from the town where the death occurred or from the state office in Hartford.