Access to Connecticut Vital Records

Access to birth and fetal death records less than 100 years old is restricted by Section 7-51 of the Connecticut General Statutes to the person whose birth is recorded, to his or her close relatives or legal representatives, and to members of genealogical societies incorporated in this state. Membership in Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc., permits access to those records. Town clerks and vital records registrars regularly check membership cards with the expectation that Society members will use their access privileges in a responsible way. Copies of birth records more than 100 years old, all marriage records and all non-fetal death records are available for purchase to any person aged 18 or older. Additional federal restrictions apply to those records containing Social Security numbers. Contact the specific town clerk or registrar to confirm local rules concerning method and/or time of access.

Connecticut State Library

The Connecticut State Library contains the Barbour Collection, a statewide slip index that includes most Connecticut vital records to about 1850. Microfilms of most vital records to about 1900 are also available.

Original Vital Records

The original vital records are generally housed in the town or city of record, though access is restricted as described above. Alternatively, vital records from 1897 to present are also available through the Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office, 410 Capitol Ave., First Floor, Hartford, CT 06134-0308, (860) 509-7700.