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1. Who can request a certified copy of a birth certificate?

Connecticut birth records that are less than 100 years old are not open to the general public. To be eligible to receive a copy of a birth certificate, you must be able to document that you are related to the registrant in one of the following ways:

Birth records less than 100 years old

• You are the registrant, and you are 18 years of age or older
• You are the parent, guardian, grandparent, or spouse of the registrant
• You are the child or grandchild of the registrant, and you are 18 years of age or older
• You are an attorney-at-law representing the registrant or the registrant's parent, guardian, child, or surviving spouse
• You are a state or federal agency employee and have an authorized release from the registrant who is 18 years of age or older
• You are the Local Director of Health of the town/city where the birth occurred or where the mother was a resident at the time of the birth
• You are the chief elected official of the town/city where the birth occurred
• You are a member of an incorporated genealogical society authorized to conduct business in the State of Connecticut (please visit the CSL History and Genealogy Unit website for more information)

You must submit a copy of photographic identification (Do Not Submit Originals). The identification must be a valid, government-issued document. Acceptable forms of identification are:

• Driver's license
• State-issued identification card
• Government-issued employment identification
• Passport

If you do not have an acceptable form of photographic identification, you may submit photocopies of two of the following documents:

• Social Security card;
• Written verification of identity from the employer;
• Automobile registration;
• Copy of utility bill showing name and address;
• Checking account deposit slip stating name and address;
• Voter registration card.

If you are requesting a birth certificate for someone other than yourself or your child, you will need to submit proof verifying your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting. For example:

• If you are requesting the birth certificate of your parent, you must submit a copy of your own birth certificate in order to prove the parent/child relationship.
• If you have had your name legally changed by a court decree and your birth certificate does not reflect your new name, you must submit a copy of the court order verifying the legal name change.
• Application for Certified Birth Certificate (PDF)

2. Who can request a certified copy of a death certificate?

Connecticut death certificates are available to the general public. Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Connecticut death certificate. You must provide basic information such as the name of the decedent, the approximate date of death, and the town where the death occurred so that the proper death record can be identified.

See Connecticut General Statutes §7-51a.

3. Who can request a certified copy of a marriage certificate?

Connecticut marriage certificates are open to the general public. Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Connecticut marriage certificate. You must provide basic information such as the names of the wife and husband, the approximate date of marriage, and the town in which the marriage took place so that the proper marriage record can be identified.

If you are requesting a marriage certificate, the social security numbers of the bride and groom will not be included on the certificate that you receive, unless you are the couple named on the certificate.

4. Who can request a certified copy of a civil union certificate?

Connecticut civil union certificates are open to the general public. Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Connecticut Civil Union Certificate. You must provide basic information such as the names of the parties to the civil union, the approximate date of the civil union, and the town in which the civil union took place so that the proper civil union certificate can be identified.

If you are requesting a civil union certificate, the social security numbers of the civil union partners will not be included on the certificate that you receive, unless you are one of the parties to the civil union, the officiator of the civil union, or the town clerk.

For additional questions regarding obtaining certified certificates, please call 203-879-8100, ext. 112.

• Application for Certified Death Certificate (PDF)