Marriage Records Search in Middlesex County
Middlesex County sits in the central part of Connecticut along the Connecticut River. The county includes fifteen towns that keep marriage records at the local level. Each town clerk serves as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for their community. You can search and obtain marriage certificates from these town offices. Records date back many decades. Most towns have files from the early 1900s to the present day. The county seat is Middletown.
Middlesex County Marriage Records Quick Facts
Middletown Town Clerk Marriage Records
Middletown serves as the county seat and largest city in Middlesex County. The city has a population of 48,616 residents. The Middletown Town Clerk office handles all marriage records for the city. You can visit them to apply for a license. You can also request certified copies of marriage certificates. The office is at 245 deKoven Drive in Middletown. Their phone number is (860) 638-4850.
The town clerk maintains records of all marriages that take place in Middletown. This includes the marriage license application. It also includes the completed certificate after the ceremony. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a license. The fee is $50 for a marriage license. Certified copies cost $20 each. The license is valid for 65 days from the date of issue.
Middletown offers same-day service for many requests. Walk-in visitors can often get certified copies within minutes. Bring photo identification. Know the names of both parties and the date of marriage. Staff can search records quickly with this information. Call ahead to confirm office hours.
Marriage Records in Other Middlesex County Towns
Connecticut law requires vital records to be kept at the town level. This means each of the fifteen towns in Middlesex County has its own marriage records. You must contact the town clerk where the marriage took place. This applies even if the couple now lives elsewhere. The record stays with the town of the ceremony.
Other towns in Middlesex County include Cromwell, Durham, East Hampton, Haddam, and Middlefield. Portland, Westbrook, and East Haddam also keep their own records. Each town clerk has the same duties. They issue marriage licenses. They file completed certificates. They provide certified copies to the public.
Fees are set by state law. Each town charges $50 for a marriage license. Each town charges $20 for a certified copy. Some towns accept cash only. Others take checks or cards. Call the town clerk before you visit. Ask about their payment options. Ask about their hours of operation.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health provides guidance on vital records. They oversee the town clerks. They ensure records are kept properly. They also keep copies of all marriage certificates at the state level.
State Level Middlesex County Marriage Certificates
The State Vital Records Office keeps copies of all marriage certificates. This includes every marriage in Middlesex County. Records go back to July 1, 1897. You can order copies from the state office. This is useful if you do not know which town held the ceremony. It is also helpful if the town office is closed.
The State Vital Records Office is at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. Their phone number is (860) 509-7700. Office hours are limited. They are open Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are open Friday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check holiday schedules before visiting.
Mail requests to the state take up to twelve weeks. Include full names of both parties. Include the date of marriage. Include the town where it took place. Send payment by postal money order. Make it payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Include a copy of your photo ID.
Note: State office processing times are longer than most town clerks. Use the town clerk for faster service when possible.
How to Access Middlesex County Marriage Records Online
VitalChek is the only approved third-party vendor for Connecticut. You can order marriage certificates online through their service. Visit vitalchek.com to place an order. This service adds fees to the base cost. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days plus shipping time. This is faster than mail to the state office.
Online searches for Middlesex County records require basic information. You need the names of both parties. You need the approximate date of marriage. You need to know the town where the ceremony occurred. Without this data, searches are difficult. Records are indexed by these fields.
Marriage License Laws for Middlesex County
Marriages in Middlesex County follow Connecticut state law. The laws are set out in Chapter 815e of the Connecticut General Statutes. These rules apply to all towns in the county. They cover who can marry. They cover how to get a license. They cover what makes a marriage valid.
Under C.G.S. § 46b-20, a person must be 18 or older to marry. They must not already be married. They must not be under conservatorship. They must not violate the consanguinity rules in C.G.S. § 46b-21. These rules bar marriages between close relatives.
Both parties must apply in person for a license. This is required by C.G.S. § 46b-24. The license fee is $50. The license expires after 65 days. If you do not marry within that time, you must apply again. You must pay the fee again.
Several people may perform marriages under C.G.S. § 46b-22. Judges and justices of the peace may officiate. Ordained clergy may perform ceremonies. This includes those ordained online. Family support magistrates may also officiate.
Public Access to Middlesex County Marriage Records
Marriage records are public in Connecticut. Under C.G.S. § 7-51a, any person 18 or older may request a certified copy. You do not need to be related to the couple. You do not need to give a reason. The records are open to all.
One limit applies to the data on certificates. Social security numbers are redacted. They do not appear on copies issued to the public. This protects privacy. The parties named on the certificate can get copies with this data. They must prove their identity.
Genealogists often use marriage records. Family historians find them valuable. The records show family connections. They verify dates and places. They help build family trees. Records from before 1897 are at the Connecticut State Library.
Browse Other Connecticut Counties
Connecticut has eight counties with marriage records. Each county has multiple towns that keep vital records. Pick a county below to learn more.