New London County, Connecticut Court Records
New London County court records are a set of records documenting the county's judicial proceedings. It encompasses case filings, docket entries, judgments, warrants, and court orders. New London County court records are maintained by the New London Clerks of the Superior Courts, who operate within the county's two judicial districts, New London and Norwich.
Connecticut abolished county-level government in 1960, so there is no single county courthouse authority. Instead, the Connecticut Judicial Branch oversees all state court records.
Court records in New London County are closely connected to other public documents. An example is an arrest record appearing alongside criminal court filings. Also, vital records such as birth and death certificates may be referenced in probate or family court proceedings.
Are New London County Court Records Public?
Yes, New London County court records are generally accessible to the public. Connecticut General Statutes §§ 1-200 to 1- 241 require all public agencies to make non-exempt records available for public inspection and copying. Therefore, any person may examine public records during regular office hours without being required to state a reason for the request, and agencies must respond to written requests within four business days of receipt.
However, certain records are withheld from public view. Connecticut law seals records in cases involving juvenile matters, youthful offenders, mental health proceedings, certain domestic violence situations, adoptions, and cases in which a judge determines that privacy concerns outweigh the public interest.
Additionally, records may be subject to automatic erasure under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a when charges are dismissed or a defendant is acquitted, making them unavailable to the public. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission enforces compliance and adjudicates complaints filed by members of the public who believe their access rights have been denied.
What Information is Available in New London County Court Records?
New London County court records cover different types of court proceedings, but they contain the following common information:
- Case type
- Case number
- Filing date
- Court name and division
- Charges (for criminal cases)
- Name of parties involved
- Name of judge assigned
- Motions and pleadings
- Judgement and sentencing details
- Hearing dates
- Case status
New London County Court Records Search
New London County court records can be found through online portals, in-person visits to record custodians, or by submitting requests via mail.
Online Access
The Connecticut Judicial Branch's Case Lookup platform is the primary online portal for searching court records statewide, including those from New London County. It provides free access to civil, family, criminal, motor vehicle, housing, and small claims case information and is updated each business day. Users can search by:
- Party name
- Docket number
- Case name
- Attorney name
Arrest warrants can be searched through the Violation of Probation lookup tool. However, certain sensitive records like juvenile and mental health matters are not available online.
In-Person Access
Clerks can assist in locating and retrieving case files, providing certified copies, and answering procedural questions. Persons may visit the clerk's offices at either of the two Superior Court locations serving New London County.
New London District Superior Court:
70 Huntington Street,
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 443-5363
Norwich District Superior Court:
1 Courthouse Square,
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: (860) 887-3515
Visitors must submit the party's name or the case number to help with the search. Public access terminals are also available at courthouses for on-site electronic lookups. Office hours run across Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. In-person visits allow access to physical case files and court records that may not be fully indexed online.
Mail and Phone Requests
Mail requests may be directed to the clerk's office of the appropriate court. Requesters should include the party's name, case number, approximate filing date, and a description of the documents sought. Payment for copies must accompany the request.
Accepted payment methods typically include money orders or checks made payable to the "Clerk, Superior Court." Processing times generally range from one to two weeks depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search. Requesters are advised to call the clerk's office in advance to confirm current fees and procedures.
New London District Superior Court:
70 Huntington Street,
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 443-5363
Norwich District Superior Court:
1 Courthouse Square,
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: (860) 887-3515
Fees for Court Records in New London County
Although every person has the right to inspect records, in New London County, it is not entirely free. Costs arise when individuals request physical or certified copies of documents. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-259, the fee for making copies of court records is $1.00 per page.
Administrative records carry a separate rate of $0.25 per page, according to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212. Certified copies cost an additional $2.00 per document. However, probate court fees are set separately by individual districts. Online docket lookups via the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Case Lookup are entirely free of charge.
Also, there are fee waivers for indigent litigants under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-259b through an Application for Waiver of Fees (Form JD-FM-75). The clerk's office accepts cash, check, and money order.
New London County Courthouse Locations
New London County is served by two Superior Court locations and two Probate Court locations. The Superior Courts handle civil, criminal, family, housing, motor vehicle, and small claims cases.
|
Court Name |
Address |
Phone |
|---|---|---|
|
New London District Superior Court |
70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06360 |
(860) 443-5363 |
|
Norwich District Superior Court |
1 Courthouse Square, Norwich, CT 06360 |
(860) 887-3515 |
|
New London Probate Court |
181 State Street, Room 2, New London, CT 06360 |
(860) 443-7121 |
|
Norwich Probate Court |
100 Broadway, Room 122, Norwich, CT 06360 |
(860) 887-2160 |
Criminal Records Access in New London County
Comprehensive background checks and official criminal history records are handled by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI), and not by the county court. The SPBI maintains statewide criminal history information and processes search requests from employers, licensing agencies, and individuals under established legal authority.
Local case records containing plea agreements, sentencing information, or court orders are available through the New London County Superior Court clerks or through the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Case Lookup portal. Criminal records erased under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a after acquittal or dismissal are not accessible through public channels. Juvenile records are not available there either.
New London County Probate Records
New London County probate records document legal proceedings involving the administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and related matters. These records are maintained by the probate courts serving the county. Two probate courts operate in New London County: the New London Probate Court and the Norwich Probate Court.
Probate records are generally accessible to the public. They contain filings related to wills, estate inventories, letters testamentary, guardianship appointments, and trust administration. Recent filings are available through the Connecticut Probate Court's online system, which allows users to search for case information by name.
New London County Family Court Records
Family court records in New London County document matters such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation, child support, paternity, and adoption. These matters are handled through the Family Division of the Superior Court at:
70 Huntington Street,
New London, CT 06320
Family court proceedings involving minor children, adoption, or domestic violence are sealed or restricted under Connecticut law. Non-exempt family records can be searched through the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Civil/Family Case Lookup. To obtain certified copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, or other family court documents, individuals must contact the clerk's office at the relevant courthouse in person or by mail. The clerk can provide certified copies upon request and payment of applicable fees. Requesters can contact the Connecticut Vital Records office, where copies of divorce certificates are maintained.
Federal Court Records in New London County
New London County does not manage Federal court records arising from its county or the state court system. Federal court records are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The District Court covers all eight Connecticut counties, including New London. Federal records include civil and criminal cases heard under federal law, bankruptcy proceedings, and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Persons can search for federal records on the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website. It is a fee-based federal platform that charges $0.10 per page. Users must register for a PACER account to search dockets and retrieve documents. The nearest federal courthouse locations are in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.
