Records of divorce in New Haven, Connecticut, are available through several channels. NewHavenCourt.us will help find public information regarding divorce records in the county. Additionally, copies of court decisions can be obtained directly from the office of the Superior Court that handled the case. The Connecticut Office of Vital Records maintains divorce certificates, although full court decisions are only kept in court.
New Haven Divorce Records Search
In the state of Connecticut, divorce cases (officially — dissolution of marriage) are handled by the Superior Court. For New Haven, this is the New Haven Superior Court — Judicial District, located at:
The court office keeps complete case materials: divorce decrees, property distribution agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents. If you need a copy of the court decision, contact the office of this court.
The Office of Vital Records maintains a separate registry — divorce certificates. This is a shorter document that confirms the fact of divorce but does not contain details of the agreement or custody terms. The office explicitly states: it does not issue copies of full court decisions.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in New Haven
The record-keeping structure in Connecticut differs from many other states. Here's what you need to know.
Which Court Handles Divorce Cases
The Superior Court is the only court of general jurisdiction in Connecticut, and it handles all divorce cases. For New Haven residents, cases are filed with the Judicial District of New Haven. Once a decision is made, it remains in the court office where the case was heard.
Where to Go Depending on Your Needs
- Full court decision (divorce decree), property distribution agreement, custody order — Superior Court office:
- Divorce certificate — a brief certificate confirming the fact of divorce:
Note: The Office of Vital Records does not keep copies of court decisions. If you need a decree, contact the court. However, a certificate is often sufficient to confirm marital status when processing documents.
Separate inheritance-related issues associated with divorce sometimes fall under the Probate Court, but the divorce process itself is exclusively handled by the Superior Court.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in New Haven
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (certified copy) — Office of Vital Records | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Expedited certificate processing — Office of Vital Records | $20.00 + additional delivery fee | 1–2 weeks |
| Copy of court decision (divorce decree) — Superior Court Clerk | Depends on the number of pages; usually $1.00 per page | Usually during a visit or a few business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document — Superior Court Clerk | $2.50 for certification (in addition to copy costs) | Usually during a visit |