Fairfield County Marriage Certificate Lookup
Fairfield County sits in the southwestern corner of Connecticut. It borders New York State and serves as a major hub for the region. Marriage records here are kept at the town level, not the county level. Each town clerk maintains vital records for ceremonies performed in their jurisdiction. You can search these records through individual town offices or the State Vital Records Office. This guide explains how to find marriage certificates and licenses throughout Fairfield County.
Fairfield County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Finding Fairfield County Marriage Records
Each town in Fairfield County keeps its own marriage records. The county seat is Bridgeport. It is the largest city in the county with over 151,000 residents. Stamford follows with 139,000 people. Other major towns include Norwalk, Danbury, and Fairfield. Each maintains separate vital records.
Bridgeport serves as a key location for marriage records in the county. The Bridgeport Vital Statistics Office is located at 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Their phone number is (203) 576-8208. You can visit their website at bridgeportct.gov for more information. They handle all marriage licenses and certificates for ceremonies performed in Bridgeport.
To obtain a marriage record, you must know which town performed the ceremony. Connecticut law requires this. The officiant files the completed license with the town clerk. This happens within the first week of the month following the marriage. Once filed, the record becomes available for certified copies.
Many Fairfield County towns offer in-person services. Walk-in requests often yield same-day results. You will need valid photo identification. Bring the full names of both parties and the date of marriage. This helps the clerk locate your record quickly.
Marriage Records in Major Fairfield County Towns
Stamford is the second-largest city in Fairfield County. It has over 139,000 residents. The Stamford Town Clerk handles all marriage records for the city. You can contact them for licenses and certificates. They process both in-person and mail requests.
Norwalk sits along the coast. It has a population of nearly 94,000. The Norwalk Town Clerk maintains marriage records for ceremonies in that city. They can provide certified copies upon request. You must show proper identification to receive them.
Danbury lies in the northern part of the county. It has about 88,000 residents. The Danbury Town Clerk serves as Registrar of Vital Statistics. They handle marriage licenses for couples planning to wed in Danbury. They also file completed certificates after ceremonies.
Other towns in Fairfield County include Greenwich, Stratford, Milford, Shelton, Trumbull, Westport, and Ridgefield. Each has its own town clerk office. Each keeps separate marriage records. You must contact the specific town where the marriage occurred.
Fairfield County Marriage Record Access Laws
Connecticut law governs access to marriage records. Under C.G.S. § 7-51a, any person aged 18 or older may request a certified copy. You do not need to be related to the parties. You do not need to state a reason. The records are public documents.
The state maintains records from July 1, 1897 to present. This applies to all Fairfield County towns. Records before 1897 are kept at the Connecticut State Library. The library is located in Hartford.
Marriage licenses fall under C.G.S. § 46b-20 through § 46b-30. These statutes cover eligibility and licensing requirements. Both parties must appear in person to apply. They must be at least 18 years old. They cannot be married to anyone else.
Under C.G.S. § 46b-24, marriage licenses are valid for 65 days. The ceremony must occur within this window. If not, the couple must reapply and pay again. The license authorizes the officiant to perform the ceremony.
Note: Social security numbers are redacted on copies issued to the public. Only the parties named on the certificate can obtain copies with this information.
How to Obtain Fairfield County Marriage Certificates
You have several options for getting marriage records in Fairfield County. The fastest method is visiting the town clerk in person. Most offices provide same-day service. You will receive a certified copy with a raised seal. This is valid for all legal purposes.
Mail requests work well if you are not in a hurry. Send your request to the town clerk where the marriage took place. Include the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and the town. Include a copy of your photo ID. Include payment by check or money order.
The State Vital Records Office also keeps copies. You can order through VitalChek. This is the only approved third-party vendor. Online orders take 3 to 5 business days plus shipping. You can also mail requests to the state office at 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134.
State office hours are limited. They are open Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The phone number is (860) 509-7700. Mail requests to the state can take up to twelve weeks.
Fairfield County Town Clerk Offices
Each town clerk in Fairfield County serves as Registrar of Vital Statistics. This is established by Chapter 93 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The town clerk records all births, deaths, and marriages. They issue certified copies upon request.
Contact information varies by town. Most offices are at the town hall or city hall. Hours vary. Some offer evening hours. Others are open Saturdays. Check with your specific town for details.
The following towns are in Fairfield County:
- Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, Fairfield
- Greenwich, Stratford, Milford, Shelton, Trumbull
- Westport, Ridgefield, New Canaan, Darien, Bethel
- Monroe, Newtown, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Redding
- Easton, Weston, Sherman, New Milford
Each town maintains records from its incorporation date. Some go back to the 1700s. These records are valuable for genealogy research. Older records may be on microfilm or in bound volumes.
Other Connecticut Counties
Fairfield County is one of eight counties in Connecticut. Each has its own town clerks and vital records systems. Browse other counties below.
Major Cities in Fairfield County
Find marriage records for specific cities in Fairfield County. Click a city below to learn more.