Where to Look in Connecticut
The six most productive places to start a people search in Connecticut. Each links directly to the official record source.
1Best Starting Points in Connecticut
https://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/
The official portal for civil, family, and housing cases.
What it's useful for: Finding lawsuits, evictions, and family court dockets statewide.
https://www.concord-sots.ct.gov/
Secretary of the State business registry.
What it's useful for: Linking individuals to CT corporate entities and UCC filings.
https://www.elicense.ct.gov/
State portal for verifying professional licenses.
What it's useful for: Checking credentials for medical, trades, and professional service providers.
2Official State Sources
CT State Library & Archives: https://ctstatelibrary.org/state-archives/ - The repository for historical and genealogical state data.
CT Vital Records: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Vital Records/ - Handled by the Department of Public Health and local town clerks.
3Court Records
CT Judicial Branch: https://www.jud.ct.gov/
Although Connecticut's eight counties (Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, Windham) no longer exist as functioning governments, the court system still organizes Judicial Districts roughly along these geographic lines. However, all searches are performed centrally via the state judicial website.
4Corrections & Inmate Records
https://www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us/
What it's useful for: Locating active inmates within the CT state prison system.
https://www.communitynotification.com/cap_office_disclaimer.php?office=54567
What it's useful for: Maintained by the Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
5Property & Tax Records
Connecticut handles real-estate records differently than most states. Because Connecticut abolished county government in 1960, all deeds, mortgages, and land transfers are recorded at the town level - by each town's Town Clerk - not by a county recorder. With 169 towns and cities, that means 169 separate land-records offices.
For property assessments and tax data, every town also has its own Assessor. Many use a hosted portal called Vision Government Solutions, which lets you look up an owner's name, address, parcel ID, lot size, and assessed value. Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and most mid-size towns have their own GIS sites. The CT.gov Office of Policy and Management keeps an up-to-date directory of every municipal assessor.
https://connecticut-townclerks-records.com/
A multi-town portal indexing deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents from participating CT towns. Available 24/7.
What it's useful for: Searching property ownership history, mortgages, liens, and recorded deeds across multiple Connecticut towns from one entry point.https://portal.ct.gov/opm/igpp/directories/municipal-assessors
The official directory of every town assessor in Connecticut, with contact info and links to municipal databases.
What it's useful for: Locating the correct local office for a property valuation, ownership lookup, or tax appeal in any CT town.https://www.vgsi.com/connecticut-online-database/
A consolidated portal hosting property assessment data for many Connecticut towns, searchable by owner name or address.
What it's useful for: Quick property look-ups for towns that contract with Vision, covers most of the state's mid-size municipalities.More Connecticut Record Tools
Combine a people search with Connecticut-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
Frequently Asked Questions, Connecticut
Are Connecticut traffic tickets public record?
Yes, infractions can generally be searched via the CT Judicial Branch portal under the criminal/motor vehicle section.
How do I search Connecticut court records?
Use the Connecticut Judicial Branch case look-up at jud.ct.gov/jud2.htm. Connecticut runs a statewide centralized portal that covers Superior Court civil, criminal, family, housing, and small claims cases, the state has no separate county courts since county government was abolished in 1960.
Where are Connecticut property records kept?
At the town level. Each of Connecticut's 169 cities and towns has its own Town Clerk who records deeds and an Assessor who handles valuations. The Connecticut Town Clerks Portal aggregates indexed records for participating towns; Vision Government Solutions provides free assessor data for many municipalities.
How do I order a Connecticut birth or death certificate?
Through the CT DPH Vital Records Unit at portal.ct.gov/dph/vital records, or directly from the town where the event occurred. Birth records are confidential for 100 years; death and marriage records are open to anyone 18 or older.
Is the Connecticut sex offender registry public?
Yes. The Connecticut State Police Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable at communications.ct.gov/sor by name, address, town, or ZIP code, free of charge.
Can I look up a Connecticut inmate?
Yes. The Department of Correction's Inmate Information Search at portal.ct.gov/doc lets you search by name or inmate number for adults housed in Connecticut state correctional facilities.
Can I use Connecticut public records for a background check on an employee or tenant?
Only through an FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency. Records you find on Connecticut court or registry portals can be used for personal information, but any FCRA-covered decision (employment, tenancy, credit) requires a licensed CRA.
Final Takeaway: In Connecticut, mastering the state's judicial portal and understanding the reliance on Town Clerks (rather than county officials) is essential. Avoiding data brokers and using these direct state and municipal links provides the most reliable timeline of a person's footprint in CT.
How do I search Connecticut court records?
Use the Connecticut Judicial Branch case look-up at jud.ct.gov/lookup.htm. Separate searches cover Civil/Family/Housing/Small Claims, Criminal/Motor Vehicle, and Centralized Small Claims. Most searches are free.
What is the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act?
Connecticut's FOIA, codified in Chapter 14 of the Connecticut General Statutes, gives anyone the right to inspect or copy public records. No statement of purpose is required, and the state operates an independent FOI Commission to handle appeals.
Are Connecticut criminal convictions public?
Yes. The CT Judicial Branch publishes a free Convictions search by defendant name. Pending cases and motor vehicle cases are also separately searchable through the same portal.
Where do Connecticut land records live since the state has no counties?
Land records are held by the Town Clerk in each of Connecticut's 169 cities and towns. Many participate in the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal and CTLandRecords for indexed online searching.
How do I find a Connecticut inmate?
Through the Connecticut Department of Correction inmate search at portal.ct.gov/doc, searchable by name or inmate number for all state prison facilities.
Can I order Connecticut vital records as a relative?
Yes. Anyone 18 or older may order a certified Connecticut death certificate. Birth certificates are restricted for 100 years and only released to the registrant, parents named on the certificate, or specific qualified parties.
Is Connecticut court e-filing public?
Yes for most case types. CT Judicial's e-filing portal allows public viewing of filings in family, civil, and small-claims matters. Criminal e-filings have stricter access rules.