What are Litchfield County Public Records?
According to the FOIA, Litchfield County public records include recorded information or data related to the transaction of public business, retained, received, owned, used, or produced by a public agency. The definition also covers records that laws or acts entitle the agency to receive. Litchfield County public records may be photographs, recordings, videotapes, handwritten or typewritten documents, or information recorded by other means.
Any person unjustly denied access to a public record may file an appeal within thirty days of such denial. However, Connecticut law specifies that some records, including the following, are not open to public access:
- Trade secrets
- Exam data for employment, academic, or licensing examination, such as test questions or scoring keys
- Real estate appraisals related to the acquisition or construction of property. This includes feasibility and engineering evaluations or estimates
- Personal financial data
- Names and addresses of public school students without the consent of each student if at least 18 years old, or their parent or guardian if younger
- Any information obtained by illegal means
- All records considered confidential by state or federal law
- Adoption records
- Security records and emergency plans
- Records containing logs or other information related to the assignment or transfer of correctional facility staff or inmates
- All records where there are reasonable grounds to believe a safety risk may result from public disclosure
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Litchfield County Crime Statistics
The Connecticut Department of Public Safety publishes annual reports containing crime statistics received from participating law enforcement agencies. According to the 2017 report, Litchfield County reported 2,037 index offenses, including 2 murders, 38 rape incidents, 25 robberies, 86 aggravated assault cases, and 309 burglary incidents. The report also listed 1,425 larcenies, 153 motor vehicle thefts, and 7 cases of arson. In 2016, the offense report showed 2,295 reported crimes, representing an 11% reduction in crime activity between both years.
Are Litchfield County Criminal Records Public?
Litchfield County criminal records are considered public information. The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification allows all interested persons to book appointments for in-person requests, or submit mail applications. Requesting parties will need to complete the Criminal History Record Request Form with the subject's full name, date of birth, and all known aliases or maiden names. A date of birth and name search costs $36 and will only confirm the existence of a record. A full criminal conviction history record search will cost $75 with or without fingerprints. Persons requesting fingerprint searches must pay an additional $15 fee for each request. Requestors should make checks payable to "Treasurer-State of CT." Requests for more than one name require multiple forms, but one check for the total amount. Parties should submit requests to:
DESPP-SPBI
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457-2389
Phone: (860) 685-8480
Fax: (860) 685-8361
How to Obtain Litchfield County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons may obtain Litchfield County arrest records and police reports from the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the incident. Typically, requests should contain the names of involved persons, relevant dates and times, the names of involved officers, and other known specifics. Requesters may visit one of the law enforcement agencies in Litchfield County or send them written requests. Record seekers should note that all requests may cost varying fees.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Litchfield County
Members of the general public can find information on registered Litchfield County sex offenders via the state’s Sex Offender Registry. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) regularly updates published information and allows anyone to search the registry by area, name, city, internet names or email, and phone number. Record seekers can also view a separate list of non-compliant sex offenders. Available information includes each offender’s full name, photograph, aliases, physical description, address, offense information, registration number, and last verification date.
How to Find Litchfield County Inmate Records
The Connecticut State Department of Correction (CT DOC) maintains a public offender information search that lists details of inmates in the state. Anyone can search by providing the inmate's CT DOC number or the first few letters of the last name. Record seekers may also add first name and date of birth information. The search results display each inmate's current location, status, bond amount, latest admission date, controlling offense, and date of sentence. Public information also includes the maximum and estimated release dates and special parole end date where applicable.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Litchfield County Jail?
Visiting inmates from Litchfield County depends on each person’s housing facility. Prospective visitors must contact one of the Department of Correction’s facilities to book appointments. While visitation specifics may vary between facilities, all visitors must book appointments at least 72 hours in advance, and arrive no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled visits. The facility may shorten or cancel visits if the visitor arrives late.
Valid photo identification is necessary for entry. In addition, all visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list. No more than 2 visitors, including children, may visit an inmate at a time. Each visit will last a maximum of 30 minutes. Visitors must not bring cell phones or other electronic devices into the facilities.
Video visits are also available and are free of charge. Visitors must enter the visit at least 15 minutes in advance for screening and verification. Facilities allow a maximum of 3 authorized persons per visit. Minors may only visit if accompanied by parents or guardians. A minor who is a victim of the inmate or has an active protective order against the inmate will not be allowed. All video visits will be recorded by facility staff.
Court Records
In Litchfield County, Superior and Probate Courts handle court cases. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all court cases, while the Probate Court hears wills, trusts, probate, adoptions, and estates. In addition, the Probate Court shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court over name changes, custody matters, paternity, and mental health cases. All Probate Court cases that require a jury must transfer to the Superior Court and return after a jury trial.
Locations of Courts in Litchfield County
Litchfield County Superior Court
Geographical Area 18
Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse
50 Field Street
Torrington, CT 06790
Phone: (860) 626-2301
Phone: (860) 626-2100 - Judicial District Court
Housatonic Probate Court
47 Bridge Street
New Milford, CT 06776
Phone: (860) 355-6029
Fax: (860) 355-6024
Litchfield Hills Probate Court - Litchfield
Town Hall
74 West Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
Phone: (860) 567-8065
Fax: (860) 567-2538
Litchfield Hills Probate Court - North Canaan
Town Hall
100 Pease Street
North Canaan, CT 06018
Phone: (860) 824-7012
Fax: (860) 824-7428
Litchfield Hills Probate Court - Kent
Town Hall
41 Kent Green
Kent, CT 06757
Phone: (860) 927-3729
Are Litchfield County Court Records Public?
Connecticut law allows public access to most Litchfield County court records. However, records of juvenile matters are only available to persons involved in the cases. Sealed court records are also considered confidential. In the case of partial sealing, some information will be open to the public. Parties should also note that some information is also automatically sealed by statute. Examples include communication between certain health care professionals and their patients.
Can You Look Up a Litchfield County Court Case Online?
The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides a case look-up page for public access to Litchfield County court records. Record seekers can search the Judicial Branch’s database for Supreme, Appellate, Superior, Civil, and Criminal Court records.
How to Obtain Litchfield County Civil Court Case Records
Requestors may obtain Litchfield County civil court records from the court that heard the case. Interested persons may visit the court or submit mail requests containing case numbers, involved parties’ names, relevant dates, charge details, and other case-related information. Each record costs $1 per page, payable as preferred by the overseeing court.
How to Obtain Litchfield County Criminal Court Case Records
Litchfield County criminal court records are available at the overseeing court. Individuals must first identify the applicable court, and contact its Clerk's Office with case information. All requests should describe the desired record, including incident and charge specifics, along with the court's final judgment. Parties may submit mail or in-person records to the court.
What are Litchfield County Vital Records
Litchfield County vital records contain details of life events in the county, including marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Interested requestors may submit requests for Litchfield vital records to the applicable custodian agency. However, some records are not open to the general public.
Where and How to Obtain Litchfield County Divorce Records
Persons seeking Litchfield County divorce records should submit requests to the Litchfield County Judicial District’s Clerk’s Office. Required information includes the case name and docket number. Record seekers may also provide the Clerk’s Office with other related details. Each certified copy of a Litchfield County divorce decree costs $25. Applicants should send requests to:
Litchfield Judicial District Court
Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse
50 Field Street
Torrington, CT 06790
Phone: (860) 626-2100 - Judicial District Court
Where and How to Get Public Litchfield County Marriage Records
The Connecticut Vital Records Office maintains Litchfield County marriage records and issues copies to requestors. These records are available to all persons who submit copies of the state application form, completed with the full names of both parties before marriage, the date of marriage, and town of marriage. Each record costs $20, payable by a money order made out to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Requestors should note that public copies of Litchfield County marriage certificates do not contain the couple's social security numbers. Parties should mail application forms and payments to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Services, MS #11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Alternatively, a requestor may submit a completed town application form to the vital records office in the town of marriage.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Litchfield County
Confidential marriage records contain the couple’s social security numbers and are only obtainable by the couple. Parties to the marriage may complete a state application form or town application form and include a money order for $20. Applications submitted to the state’s office require money orders made out to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut.” Eligible persons may submit requests to the relevant town’s vital records office or to the state’s office:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Services, MS #11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Where and How to Find Litchfield County Birth Records
Requestors can obtain Litchfield County birth records from the Connecticut Vital Records Office. However, birth records are only available to the following persons for 100 years after the birth date:
- The person named on the record if at least 18 years, a certified homeless youth, or an emancipated minor
- The person’s parent, grandparent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, or adult grandchild
- An attorney-at-law representing the person listed on the record or an eligible relative
- Eligible parties according to C.G.S. Section 7-51
All requests should include a completed state application or town application, valid photo ID, proof of eligibility if the requestor is not the registrant or listed parent, and a money order payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” if requesting from the state. While state-issued birth certificates cost $30 per copy, town-issued copies cost $20 each. All parties should submit applications to the applicable town’s vital records office, or the state’s office:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Services, MS #11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Where and How to Find Litchfield County Death Records
All interested persons may request Litchfield County death records from the Connecticut Vital Records Office or the vital records office in the town of death. Connecticut law restricts records with the decedent’s social security number to the person’s next of kin or spouse. All death certificates cost $20.
Each applicant should complete the state or town application and submit it with a money order for the applicable fee, as well as a valid ID and proof of relationship if requesting a certificate with the decedent's social security number. Parties should submit requests to the town’s vital records office or the state’s office using the contact information below:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
Customer Services, MS #11 VRS
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
