Find Death Records in Stratford

Stratford death records are kept by the town clerk for all deaths in this Fairfield County community. With about 53,600 residents, Stratford sits along Long Island Sound between Bridgeport and Milford. The town clerk issues certified death certificates for deaths in Stratford 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 processing time of up to twelve weeks.

Stratford Town Clerk Office

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

Walk-in service is available during business hours at town hall. Bring a valid photo ID such as 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 Stratford. Some offices accept credit cards with an extra processing fee. Call (203) 385-4020 to confirm payment options.

Town hall is on Main Street in Stratford. Parking is available at the building and on nearby streets. The clerk office is in Room 106. The building is open to the public during regular hours. If you have questions about the request process or what documents you need, the clerk staff can assist. Calling before you visit can save time if the record requires extra research.

Three Ways to Request Certificates

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

For in-person requests, visit town hall at 2725 Main Street during office hours. Go to Room 106 where the town clerk office is located. Fill out the request form at the counter. Provide the name of the deceased, date of death, and your reason for needing the certificate. 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 quickest way to get a death certificate in Stratford.

To request by mail, download the town death certificate request form from the Connecticut Department of Public Health website at portal.ct.gov. Fill it out completely and include a money order payable to the Town of Stratford. Do not send cash or personal checks for vital records. Mail your request to Stratford Town Clerk, 2725 Main Street, Room 106, Stratford, CT 06615. Processing time varies but is typically 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.

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

What You Need to Provide

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

Required information includes:

• Full name of deceased person
• Date of death
• Place where death occurred
• Parents' names, 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. It helps confirm the clerk has 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 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 the full record with the social security number, bring proof of your relationship such as a marriage certificate or your own birth certificate. Without proof, you get a certified copy with the social security number blocked out.

When requesting in person, show 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 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 Stratford 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. This is an alternative if you prefer not to contact the town directly.

The state office is at 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. Call (860) 509-7700 for questions about death certificates. Walk-in hours are limited. 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. Check portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records before visiting 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 still $20 per certified copy. Payment must be a money order made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Credit or debit cards have an extra $2.50 fee. Personal checks are not accepted. If you mail your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.

Use the same 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 one central location, the state office can handle requests for any Connecticut death from July 1897 forward.

VitalChek Online Service

VitalChek is the only authorized third-party vendor for Connecticut vital records orders. This online service lets you place orders anytime. 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 deceased person's information, including name, date, and place of death. Provide your shipping address and payment details. VitalChek accepts all major credit cards. The site shows the total cost before you submit. 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 Stratford deaths, this is usually the Stratford 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.

Why You May Need a Death Certificate

Death certificates from Stratford are required for many legal and financial tasks. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all require certified copies when handling 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 get 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.

Fairfield County Death Records

Stratford is in Fairfield County, the most populous county in Connecticut with over 950,000 residents. Fairfield County has 23 towns and cities, each with its own town clerk handling vital records. For information about other Fairfield County towns or countywide resources, visit the Fairfield County death records page.

View Fairfield County Death Records

Nearby Fairfield County Cities

Other Fairfield County cities near Stratford include Bridgeport, Milford, Fairfield, and Norwalk. 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.