Middlesex County Court Records

Connecticut court records are official court documents. They include exhibits, pleadings, orders, and word-for-word testimony from the trial. Each Middlesex County Court has a Clerk who keeps court records. Court records are part of Middlesex County Public Records. Therefore, individuals have the right to view any document maintained by a court, except if it is sealed or confidential. The content of a Middlesex County criminal and civil court file may include the following documents:

• Official receipts
• Notice of rights
• Judgment mittimus
• Transaction sheet
• Responsive pleadings
• Executed arrest warrant
• Summons and complaint
• Uniform arrest report (UAR)
• Orders regarding probation
• Military or other affidavits
• Memorandum of decision
• Infraction/violation complaint
• Executions issued and returned
• Written plea of nolo contendere
• Original affidavit in support of probable cause
• Orders of notice, appearances, and officers' returns
• Information or indictment and any substitute information
• Cross-complaints, third-party complaints, and amendments
• Judgment file or notation of the entry of judgment and all modifications of judgment
• The complaint, amendments to the complaint, a substituted complaint, or an amended complaint
• Documents on youthful offenders, accelerated rehabilitation, alcohol education, drug education, and family violence education programs.

Middlesex County court records serve several essential values. For example, access to court records allows the public to monitor court operations, helping ensure the fairness and honesty of judicial proceedings. Court records also help protect public health and welfare and provide information essential to media reporting on matters of public interest and concern.

Are Court Records Public in Middlesex County?

Yes. Per the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, court records are public records. This Act authorizes members of the public to inspect and copy court records during a court’s regular office or business hours. However, some court records are closed to the public. Examples of Middlesex Confidential court records are:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records and communications of a party in a case between the following individuals are confidential:
  • Psychiatrist and patient
  • Psychologist and patient
  • Social workers and individuals consulting them
  • Physician, surgeon, or healthcare provider and patient
  • Battered women's or sexual assault counselor and victim
  • Marital and family therapists and individuals consulting such therapist
  • Judicial Branch employee and employee assistance program counselor

Middlesex County Court Records Search

The most common methods of conducting a Middlesex County court records search are:

• Through the Superior Court’s Case Search Look-Up portal
• In-person at the court where the case was handled
• Through third-party platforms
• By calling the Centralized Services Unit
• By emailing the Superior Court

Middlesex County Court Records Search by Name

Individuals can conduct a Middlesex County court search by name online through the Case Lookup Portal. A last name must be entered in the search field, but a first name is optional. The search will return all case parties with the searched name. Click the docket number link to open a particular case.

Alternatively, requesters can retrieve copies of court records at the clerk's office in the court where the case was handled. Most Middlesex Court courts are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Provide a name and the appropriate fee to the Clerk to obtain the desired record.

Middlesex County Courts

The Middlesex County Courts consist of a Superior Court, a Judicial District Court, and several Probate Courts. Below are the addresses of all courts in Middlesex County:

Middlesex Judicial District
1 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 343-6400
Fax: (860) 343-6423

Probate Courts

Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Old Saybrook and Westbrook Probate Courts:
Saybrook Probate Court
302 Main Street
2nd Floor
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone: (860) 510-5028

East Haddam and East Hampton Probate Court
9 Austin Drive, Suite 211
Marlborough, CT 06447
Phone: (860) 295-6239
Fax: (860) 295-6122

Cromwell, Durham, Middlefield, and Middletown Probate Courts
94 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 347-7424
Fax: (860) 346-1520

Portland Probate Court
9 Austin Drive, Suite 211
Marlborough CT 06447
Phone: (860) 295-6239
Fax: (860) 295-6122

Middlesex County Superior Court Case Search

The Middlesex County Superior Court hears civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases. This court includes the Middlesex County Judicial District Court with four (4) divisions: civil, criminal, housing, and family division. Copies of disposed Superior Court records can be retrieved online, in person, by email at SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov, or by calling the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750. A name or docket number is requested to facilitate the request. Record seekers can utilize the Superior Court Case Look-up tool to access Superior Court records online. The processing time for email and phone requests is between one and two business days. Upon making email or phone requests, the desired records can be available by email for free or picked up at any Middlesex County judicial district court location or the Centralized Services Unit. A copy of the Superior Court record costs $1, while a certified copy costs $2.

Middlesex County District Court Records

The Middlesex County Judicial District Court handles criminal, civil, and family cases, excluding juvenile cases. Interested individuals can find Judicial District Court records online through the Superior Court Case Look-up portal. The search parameters are by party name, docket number, or attorney/firm juris number. Alternatively, requesters can visit any Middlesex County Judicial District Court locations to request court records in person. Requests can be made between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Contact the Chief Clerk's Office by phone at (860) 343-6400 or Fax at (860) 343-6423 for more information about Judicial District Court records.

Middlesex County Criminal Records

A criminal record provides a review of Middlesex County arrest records and police records. Record seekers can request criminal records at any Middlesex Judicial District Law Enforcement Office. A name or date of birth will be required to process the request. Copies of criminal records attract a small fee.

The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification also issues Middlesex County criminal records to the public. Fingerprint criminal record requests can be made in person at the Fingerprint Identification Unit. This service is only provided by appointment. The requesters must visit the Unit with an appointment confirmation page, a pre-enrollment confirmation page, a valid Government-issued photo ID, a $15 fingerprinting fee, and a $75 fee for a State Criminal History Check. These fees are payable by check, money order, or cash. Note that criminal record check fingerprinting must be done by a law enforcement agency. Criminal records requests can also be made by mail. Mail requesters must submit a Criminal History Record Request Form. This service costs between $36 and $75, depending on the background search type. Payments can be made by check or money order. Send the form and payment to:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 685-8480

Middlesex County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Middlesex County Superior Court Criminal Division hears criminal cases like felonies, misdemeanors, violations, and infractions. Requests for criminal court case lookup can be made online, by email, or in person at the courthouse. Individuals can find criminal court records online through the Criminal / Motor Vehicle Case Look-up portal. A search can be conducted by the defendant’s name, docket number, court location, or attorney/firm juris number. Streamline a name-based search by selecting “Middlesex Judicial District” from the court location dropdown.

Requests for Middlesex County criminal court records can also be made in writing at the geographical area court location where the arrest occurred. The request must contain the defendant’s name, date of birth, and arrest or disposition date, if possible.

Get Middlesex County Civil Court Records

The Middlesex County Superior Court Civil Division handles cases where a person is being sued to protect personal, civil, or property rights. Examples of civil cases include landlord-tenant and product or professional liability disputes, automobile or personal accidents, and disputed contracts. The Division is divided into civil jury, administrative appeals, civil non-jury, small claims, and landlord-tenant.

Civil court records can be viewed for free on the Superior Court’s Civil, Family, Housing, and Small Claims Case Look-up portal. A search can be conducted by party name, docket number, or attorney/firm juris number. Narrow the search by selecting “CV” from the “Case Category” dropdown. Copies of civil court records can be obtained in person at any Middlesex County Judicial District Court location during business hours. This service costs $1 per copy and $2 per certified copy.

Middlesex County Family Court Records

The Middlesex County Superior Court has a Family Division that hears cases involving juveniles and family relationships. Examples of family court cases include dissolution of marriage or divorce, child custody, child abuse and neglect, relief from abuse and family support payments, juvenile delinquency, and termination of parental rights.

The Superior Court’s Civil, Family, Housing, and Small Claims Case Look-up portal is a great tool for accessing family court records for free. The search criteria are by party name, docket number, or attorney/firm juris number. Inquirers can streamline their search by selecting “FA” from the “Case Category” dropdown. Request for copies of public family court records can be made in person at any Middlesex County Judicial District Court location. The Clerk will require a name or docket number and a fee of $1 per copy or $2 per certified copy to initiate the search.

Middlesex Dissolution of Marriage Records

Middlesex County members use dissolution of marriage and divorce interchangeably. Dissolution of marriage records is public and can be retrieved in person from the Middlesex County Judicial District Clerk's Office in the court where the dissolution occurred. A case name, docket number, and a $25 per certified copy will be required to process the request. Individuals can also find dissolution of marriage records for free via the Superior Court’s Civil, Family, Housing, and Small Claims Case Look-up tool. The search query is by party name, docket number, or attorney/firm juris number.

Middlesex County Marriage and Divorce Records

Public members can obtain divorce records from the Middlesex County Judicial District Clerk's Office in the court where the divorce occurred. The Clerk's Office will require a case name and docket number to process the request. Certified copies of divorce records cost $25 per copy. Alternatively, requesters can use the Superior Court Case Look-up to find divorce records online at no cost. The search criteria are by party name, docket number, or attorney/firm juris number.

Record seekers at least 18 years old can purchase certified copies of Middlesex County marriage certificates at the Clerk’s Office in the town where the marriage occurred. All information on the marriage certificate is available to the public except the spouses’ social security numbers. Only parties to the marriage can obtain copies of Middlesex County marriage records, including the spouse’s social security numbers. Town Clerk Offices make marriage records available online, by mail, and in person during normal business hours. This service costs $20 per copy. For example, online requests can be made at the Durham and East Haddam Town Clerk's websites. Other Clerk Offices such as Chester, Clinton, and Cromwell permit mail requests. In-person requests involving the Clerk’s Office where the marriage occurred during business hours. A name or marriage date will be required to process the request.

Middlesex Birth and Death Records

Each town in Middlesex County operates a vital records office that issues birth and death certificates that occurred in that town. Middlesex County birth records are confidential records. They only become public after 100 years. Confidential Middlesex County birth certificates are only open to record holders (18 years of age or older), parents, legal guardians, grandparents, spouses, adult children, adult grandchildren, legal representatives, genealogical societies, and title examiners. Anyone at least 18 years old can obtain a certified copy of a Middlesex County death certificate. However, the decedent's social security number is only issued to the decedent's spouse or next of kin.

Town Clerks are the keeper of Middlesex County vital records. They disseminate birth and death records online, by mail, or in person. A certified copy of a birth or death record costs $20 per copy. Wallet-sized birth certificates cost $15 per copy. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card, depending on the request method. For example, record seekers can obtain certified copies of birth or death records from the Deep River Town Clerk by completing the appropriate request form. The request form can be presented in person at the Town Clerk's office or mailed along with a copy of a valid photo ID, proof of relationship (for birth certificate), a postal money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Middlesex County Probate Court Records

Each City/Town in Middlesex County has a Probate Court that has jurisdiction over cases involving estates, wills, adoptions, testamentary trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and estates of minors. The most common method of conducting probate court record searches online is via the Connecticut Probate Courts’ Case Lookup tool to find probate court records for free. This is a name-based search but can be filtered by case type and district. Individuals who cannot find their desired records online can visit the Probate Court in the town where the case was handled. Visitations should be done during business hours. A small fee applies for these services.

Middlesex County Property Records

Middlesex County property records are majorly maintained at the town/city level. Town/City Clerks, Tax Collectors, Assessors, and Treasurers are the custodians of property records in Middlesex County. Typically, individuals can visit any custodian offices in the town or city where the property is located to find property records. Copies of property records cost $1 per copy, while certified copies cost $2 per copy. Custodians in Middlesex County also disseminate property records online to residents. For example:

• The Town of Portland Assessor’s Office has an Assessment Records Online Database where individuals can find property records. The search criteria are owner name, location address, and parcel number.
• The Deep River Tax Collector’s Office issues property tax records online through its Portal. Users can search by name, property location, bill number, unique ID, and list number.
• The East Hampton Town Clerk's Office offers online access to its land records. Users can search records as guests or create an account to become subscribers. Individuals can search for property records by name, recording date, instrument number, or book/page. Subscribers can download or print property records for $2 per image.

The Middlesex County Superior Court also provides property information online to the public through the Housing Case Look-up tool. The search criteria are by address. Click the Property Address Search link, select a case type, and enter a city/town and a street address in the appropriate search fields.

Middlesex County Court Records Online

Individuals can find Middlesex County court records online through third-party platforms like connecticutcourtrecords.us. Most third-party sites provide only name-based searches, which makes them easy to navigate. The only major advantage of the third-party platform is that it provides court information across multiple jurisdictions. A typical third-party site returns basic court information for free, but extensive searches cost between $2.95 and $4.95 for seven (7) days of unlimited access or a monthly subscription charge between $19.95 and $24.95. It is advisable to verify.