New Haven Marriage Certificate Search
New Haven marriage records are held by the Bureau of Vital Statistics in City Hall. The office is on Church Street in downtown New Haven. You can search for records in person or by mail. Staff members speak both English and Spanish. The office is fully accessible for people with mobility needs.
New Haven Marriage Records Quick Facts
New Haven Bureau of Vital Statistics Office
The Bureau of Vital Statistics is where you get all New Haven marriage records. The office sits at 165 Church Street in Suite 154. It is on the ground floor of City Hall. You can reach them by phone at (203) 946-7931. The staff handles both marriage licenses and certificates in New Haven.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The first Wednesday of each month has shorter hours. On those days, the office closes at 2:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and all city holidays.
New Haven residents get special treatment at this office. Local residents can walk in for same-day service on marriage licenses. Non-residents must make an appointment ahead of time. Call the office to schedule your visit.
Note: The office is wheelchair accessible and offers bilingual service in Spanish and English.
Getting a Marriage License in New Haven
New Haven requires both parties to appear in person to get a marriage license. The couple must visit the Bureau of Vital Statistics together. Each person must show a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The license fee is $50.
Once issued, the license is valid for 65 days. The wedding must take place within this window. If you do not marry in time, you must apply again and pay a new fee. The officiant must return the completed license to the Bureau after the ceremony.
Couples should plan ahead when getting married in New Haven. Summer months are busy. Spring and fall also see high demand. Winter tends to be slower. Weekday mornings usually have shorter wait times.
The Bureau accepts cash, check, or money order for license fees. Credit cards may not be accepted at all times. Call ahead to confirm payment options before your visit.
New Haven Marriage Certificate Copies
Certified copies of New Haven marriage certificates cost $20 each. You can get them in person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can also request them by mail. The Bureau keeps records of all marriages that took place in New Haven. Their records go back many decades.
To request a copy, you need to know the names of both parties. You also need the date of the marriage. The more details you provide, the faster they can find your record. Include a copy of your photo ID with any mail request.
Under C.G.S. ยง 7-51a, any person 18 or older may purchase a certified copy. You do not need to be related to the couple. You do not need to state your reason for the request. New Haven marriage records are public documents.
Online Marriage Record Orders for New Haven
You can order New Haven marriage certificates online through VitalChek. This is the only online service approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. VitalChek charges the $20 certificate fee plus a processing fee. Orders typically process in 3 to 5 business days.
Visit vitalchek.com to place your order. You will need to provide the names of both parties and the date of marriage. You must also upload a copy of your photo ID. Delivery options include regular mail and expedited shipping.
The state also maintains copies of all Connecticut marriage certificates. You can order from the State Vital Records Office in Hartford. Their address is 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #11VRS, Hartford, CT 06106. State processing can take up to 12 weeks.
For the fastest service, contact the New Haven Bureau of Vital Statistics directly. Local offices often provide same-day service for in-person requests. The state office takes much longer to process mail orders.
Historical New Haven Marriage Records
New Haven has a rich history of vital records. The city has kept marriage records since the 1800s. Older records are stored at the Connecticut State Library. The library is at 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. They have records from before July 1, 1897.
The State Vital Records Office has all Connecticut marriage certificates from July 1, 1897 to the present. This includes every marriage that took place in New Haven during that time. Genealogists often search these records for family history research. New Haven marriage records contain valuable information for tracing ancestry.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Records
Several towns near New Haven also maintain marriage records. If your search in New Haven does not find what you need, try these nearby offices. Each town clerk keeps records for marriages that took place in their town.