Litchfield County, Connecticut State Court Records

Litchfield County court records provide information on court-related events, such as case proceedings and judicial administrations. Such records typically reveal the case parties' personal details, dockets, case identifiers, transcripts, and judgments.

In addition, some court records may include other public documents that were filed during case proceedings. For instance, family law case files may include vital records, such as marriage and birth certificates. In the same manner, concerned parties may find arrest reports in traffic and criminal case records.

Court records in Litchfield County are under the purview of local and state agencies. The county's courts act as the local custodian of court records, while the Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains statewide access to court documents.

Are Litchfield County Court Records Public?

Yes, most Litchfield County court records are publicly accessible. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, the public can legally view and get copies of case files from designated public agencies. The agencies are required to make records available upon requests from concerned parties.

Connecticut laws, however, prevent public access to specific court documents. The exempted records typically contain information that may violate the privacy or safety of concerned parties. Section 1-210 exempts the following records from public access:

Court records that are protected under client-attorney privilege.
Court data that may interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution.
Adoption records.
Court documents that contain personnel or medical records.
Court documents that include gruesome recordings of crime victims.
Court records that are sealed under state or federal statutes.

What Information is Available in Litchfield County Court Records?

Court records in Litchfield County may reveal the following information:

Defendant's and plaintiff's full names.
Case appearance information
Case information, including case type, court location, case number, and last action date.
Court disposition information, including the judge's name and disposition date.

Litchfield County Court Records Search

Record seekers may use any of these options to locate court records in Litchfield County:

Online Access

The Connecticut Judicial website hosts a searchable portal for cases heard in Litchfield County. Record seekers may look up records on the portal by using these steps:

Visit the Connecticut Judicial website.
Select the case type.
Choose the preferred search option in the left tab. The portal allows searches by case party name, number, attorney/FIRM Juris number, and property address.
Click on "Search" to view relevant case files.

In-Person Access

Record seekers may obtain court records in-person by visiting the court that heard the case. For example, the superior court handles criminal and housing cases and may receive in-person inquiries for such records at this address:

50 Field Street

Torrington, CT 06790

Phone: (860) 626-2100

Note: The court may charge fees for searching and copying out requested court documents.

Mail and Phone Requests

There is no information on sending mail-in requests for court records in Litchfield County. However, record seekers may submit mail-in requests by using these general steps:

Create a request letter that includes specific details about the case.
Attach a copy of valid ID if the record contains confidential information.
Include the required fees.
Send the letter and relevant documents to the courthouse that heard the case.
Upon receiving the request, the courthouse may send the estimated fee for obtaining the record.

Fees for Court Records in Litchfield County

Record custodians in Litchfield County may charge fees for searching and copying out requested court files. Note that the fees may vary depending on the court processing the request, the document type, and the requester.

Per the Connecticut Judicial website, record subjects must pay $3 per page for court transcripts, while state officials must pay $2 per page for the same document. On the other hand, court records and administrative records are $1 and $0.25 per page, respectively.

Litchfield County Courthouse Locations

Litchfield County's trial court system comprises the Superior Court and the Probate Court. The public may find the courts at these locations:

Litchfield Superior Court

50 Field Street

Torrington, CT 06790

Phone: (860) 626-2190

Fax: (860) 626-2191

Litchfield Hills Probate Court

74 West Street

P.O. Box 505

Litchfield, CT 06759

Phone: (860) 567-8065

Fax: (860) 567-2538

Criminal Records Access in Litchfield County

The Connecticut State Police, via the Bureau of Investigations, is the official record custodian of criminal history records. In addition, the agency allows name- or fingerprint-based requests for criminal records.

Interested parties may request Litchfield County criminal records by following these steps:

Print and complete a criminal record request form.
Attach a fingerprint card if using the fingerprint-based request option. Note that this option is only available to the record subject. Record subjects may get their prints taken at a local law enforcement agency.
Include the required fee as a money order or check made payable to "Treasurer-State of CT." The agency charges $36 and $75 for name- and fingerprint-based requests, respectively.
Submit the documents to this address:

DESPP-SPBI

1111 Country Club Road

Middletown, CT 06457-2389

Local criminal case records differ from criminal history files. The former only provides information on court-related activities regarding criminal cases within the county. In contrast, criminal history files may include information on cases heard at multiple court locations. Record seekers may find criminal court records by submitting a request to the court that heard the case.

Litchfield County Probate Records

Litchfield County Probate Court records provide information on legal proceedings regarding the administration of a decedent's estates. Such records may reveal the decedent's name and assets, case files, filed documents, and the identities of executors and beneficiaries.

Most probate information is publicly accessible under Connecticut laws. However, the law expressly prevents unauthorized access to information that may endanger the lives and properties of concerned parties. For instance, the law restricts public access to personal financial statements and identities of minors.

Litchfield County Family Court Records

The Litchfield County Superior Court hears all family law cases, including divorce, child custody, and juvenile delinquency. The superior court also functions as the official record custodian for family court records. Thus, record seekers must submit requests for family records to the courthouse at this address:

Litchfield County Superior Court

50 Field Street

Torrington, CT 06790

Phone: (860) 626-2190

Fax: (860) 626-2191

Note that the court will charge copy fees before disclosing requested documents. The fees may differ based on the document type and format. While non-certified records cost $1 per page, the clerk's office will charge more for certified court documents.

Federal Court Records in Litchfield County

The United States District Court for the District of Connecticuthas jurisdiction over federal cases originating from Litchfield County. Federal cases under the court's jurisdiction include bankruptcy, civil rights violations, drug trafficking, and patent disputes.

To obtain federal court records in Litchfield, record seekers must use resources provided by the federal court. The court allows online searches for court records via the PACER system. Record seekers must register and provide relevant information to view records on the platform.

In addition, the federal court may attend to in-person inquiries during official hours at this address:

The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (Hartford Division)

Abraham A. Ribicoff Federal Building

450 Main Street

Suite A012

Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: (860) 240-3200