Access Hartford County Marriage Documents
Hartford County sits in the north-central part of Connecticut. It is home to the state capital. The county contains 29 towns, each maintaining its own marriage records. Town clerks serve as Registrars of Vital Statistics. They handle all marriage licenses and certificates for their jurisdictions. This page explains how to search and obtain these records throughout Hartford County.
Hartford County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Hartford City Marriage Records Search
Hartford is the capital city of Connecticut. It is also the county seat of Hartford County. The city has over 122,000 residents. It serves as a center for government and commerce. The Hartford Town and City Clerk handles all marriage records.
The Vital Records Office is at 550 Main Street, Room 103, Hartford, CT 06103. Their phone number is (860) 757-9690. You can visit hartfordct.gov for more details. They issue marriage licenses to couples planning to wed in Hartford. They also file completed certificates after ceremonies.
Hartford offers online ordering through Permitium. You can access this at hartfordct.permitium.com. This system allows you to order certified copies from home. It is convenient for those who cannot visit in person. Processing times vary based on demand.
Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license. This is required by state law. You must bring valid photo identification. You must also provide your social security numbers. The license fee is $50. The certificate fee is $20 per copy.
Marriage Records in Other Hartford County Cities
New Britain is a major city in Hartford County. It has about 75,000 residents. The New Britain Town Clerk maintains marriage records. You can visit their office in person. They also accept mail requests.
West Hartford is another large town. It has over 64,000 people. The West Hartford Town Clerk serves as Registrar of Vital Statistics. They handle licenses and certificates. Their office is at Town Hall.
Bristol sits in the western part of the county. It has about 62,000 residents. The Bristol Town Clerk keeps all marriage records. You can contact them for certified copies. They require photo ID for all requests.
Manchester and East Hartford are also significant towns. Manchester has nearly 60,000 residents. East Hartford has over 51,000. Both have their own town clerk offices. Both maintain separate marriage records. You must contact the town where the marriage occurred.
Other towns in Hartford County include Middletown, Wallingford, Southington, Enfield, Glastonbury, and many more. Each town clerk has specific procedures. Each has its own hours and fees. Check with the specific town before visiting.
State Vital Records Office for Hartford County
The Connecticut Department of Public Health maintains copies of all Hartford County marriages. The State Vital Records Office is at 410 Capitol Avenue, MS #11VRS, Hartford, CT 06134. Their phone is (860) 509-7700. You can visit portal.ct.gov/dph/vital-records for information.
The state office has limited hours. They are open Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday hours are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office is closed Tuesday and Thursday. Plan your visit accordingly.
You can order Hartford County marriage certificates by mail. Send your request to the state office. Include the names of both parties and the date of marriage. Include the town where the ceremony occurred. Include a copy of your photo ID. Include payment by postal money order made payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut."
Mail requests to the state can take up to twelve weeks. This is longer than most town clerks. Town offices often provide same-day service. Consider contacting the town clerk first. It may save you time.
Note: The state office only accepts postal money orders for mail requests. Personal checks are not accepted.
Marriage License Requirements in Hartford County
Getting married in Hartford County requires a valid license. You must apply at the town clerk where the ceremony will occur. Both parties must appear in person. No exceptions are made. This is required by C.G.S. § 46b-24.
The license costs $50. It is valid for 65 days. The wedding must take place within this period. If not, you must apply again. You must pay the fee again. Plan your application timing carefully.
Who can perform marriages? Under C.G.S. § 46b-22, judges and retired judges may officiate. Family support magistrates can perform ceremonies. Justices of the peace are authorized. Ordained clergy members may officiate. This includes online ordination.
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license. This goes to the town clerk. It must be filed before or during the first week of the following month. Once filed, it becomes a certificate. You can then order certified copies.
Public Access to Hartford County Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Connecticut. C.G.S. § 7-51a guarantees this access. Any person 18 or older may request a certified copy. You do not need to be a relative. You do not need a reason.
One restriction applies. Social security numbers are removed from public copies. Only the parties named on the certificate can get copies with SSNs. They must prove their identity. This protects against identity theft.
The Connecticut State Library holds older records. Records before 1897 are there. The library is at 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. This is valuable for genealogy research. Many Hartford County records date back centuries.
Other Connecticut Counties
Hartford County is just one of eight counties in Connecticut. Browse records from other counties below.
Major Cities in Hartford County
Find marriage records for specific cities in Hartford County.