Access East Hartford Civil Records
Civil court records for East Hartford residents are filed at the Hartford Judicial District Superior Court. This town of just over 51,000 people sits across the Connecticut River from the state capital. All civil case filings for East Hartford go through the Hartford court system. You can search these records online through the state database or visit the courthouse in Hartford. The online tool gives free access to case info including docket entries, court dates, and filing details for civil matters from East Hartford.
East Hartford Quick Facts
Where East Hartford Cases Are Filed
East Hartford residents file civil cases at the Hartford Judicial District Superior Court. The courthouse is at 95 Washington Street in Hartford. This is the main location for all civil matters from East Hartford. The Chief Clerk's Office handles case filings and record requests. You can call them at 860-548-2700. The courthouse sits in downtown Hartford near the state capitol building.
Additional court locations serve specific case types. Small claims and housing cases may be filed at 80 Washington Street. Family court operates from 90 Washington Street in Hartford. All three buildings serve East Hartford residents. Each has its own clerk staff and handles different types of civil matters.
| Court | Hartford Judicial District Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 95 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106 |
| Phone | (860) 548-2700 |
| Fax | (860) 548-2711 |
| Court Service Center | (860) 706-5064 |
The courthouse opens at 9:00 a.m. each weekday. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. to allow time for security checks. Clerk offices stay open until 5:00 p.m. Legal holidays close the court. You can reach Hartford from East Hartford by crossing the Founders Bridge on Route 2. Public parking is available in garages and lots near the courthouse for those visiting from East Hartford.
Search Civil Records Online
Connecticut offers free online case lookup for all civil records. The Civil Case Look-up system covers East Hartford cases filed in Hartford Superior Court. You need a party name, docket number, or attorney name to search. The system shows filing dates, case status, and upcoming court dates. This tool works from any computer or phone.
Search results appear right away. You can see the case type and which court location has the file. Docket entries list all filings and court actions. Party names and attorney info are included. Most East Hartford civil cases are in this online system going back many years.
For older disposed cases, you may need to contact the records center. Email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and docket number. The Centralized Services Unit at 860-263-2750 can also help. Files are ready in one or two days. You can get records by email for free if the file size allows. Larger files need to be picked up at a court location in Hartford.
Note: Copy charges are $1.00 per page for court documents if you request printed copies.
Civil Case Types in East Hartford
East Hartford residents file many types of civil cases. Contract disputes involve broken agreements between people or businesses. These may include unpaid debts, service contracts, or sales agreements. Property cases deal with land boundaries, ownership disputes, or real estate transactions. Personal injury lawsuits seek money for harm from car crashes, slip and fall incidents, or medical errors.
Housing matters go through the housing session. Evictions and landlord-tenant disputes are common. Rent issues and housing code violations are also heard here. Small claims court handles cases under $5,000 for most matters. Home improvement contract disputes can go up to $15,000 in small claims.
A typical civil case file includes several documents. The complaint starts the case and states what the plaintiff wants. The defendant files an answer in response. Motions ask the court to take certain actions. Court orders show what the judge decided. Final judgments close the case and state who wins. All these papers become part of the public record in East Hartford civil cases.
Family court deals with divorce, custody, and support matters. These are civil cases but use different procedures. CGS 1-210 makes most civil court records public. Some cases are sealed by court order. Juvenile files and certain family matters remain confidential under Connecticut law.
Help for Self-Represented Parties
East Hartford residents can use the Court Service Center at the Hartford courthouse. This center helps people who don't have lawyers. Staff answer questions about court procedures and forms. They can't give legal advice but they can explain how the court system works. The center is free to use and open to all.
The Court Service Center provides these services:
- Statewide case and docket information
- Access to official court forms
- Public computers with internet and word processing
- Printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners
- Help with e-filing documents
- Notary public services
- Work space and phones for court business
The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Call 860-706-5064 for more info. You can also email Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov with questions. Some staff speak languages other than English. The center has publications and guides about common civil case types for East Hartford residents.
Court Forms for East Hartford Residents
All official court forms are available online at no cost. Visit the Court Forms Directory to find what you need. Forms are sorted by category such as civil, family, housing, and small claims. You can search by form name, number, or keyword. The site has forms in Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, and Chinese as well as English.
You have three ways to use the forms. Download them and fill them out by hand with a pen. Type into them on your computer before printing. Or use the e-filing system to submit them online. Each form has instructions that explain how to complete it and where to file it. The instructions tell you which courthouse to use for East Hartford cases.
E-filing is available for most civil cases. The Judicial Branch E-Services portal lets you file documents from home. You create an account and upload your forms. The system charges a small processing fee for e-filed documents. This saves a trip to Hartford for East Hartford residents.
Filing fees vary by case type. Small claims cases have lower fees than regular civil cases. You pay the clerk when you file your papers. Cash, check, money order, and credit cards are accepted. Fee waivers are available for people who can't afford the filing costs. Ask at the clerk's office for a fee waiver application if you need help with costs.
How to Get Court Document Copies
You can get copies of civil court records several ways. For active cases, the online lookup system shows many docket entries. You can see what was filed and when. For full documents, visit the clerk's office in Hartford. Ask for the case file by docket number. Staff will let you review the file and make copies.
Disposed cases are stored at the records center. Email your request to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov or call 860-263-2750. Include the case name and docket number. Files are usually ready in one or two days. You can pick up copies at any courthouse or have them emailed if the file is small. Copy charges are $1.00 per page. Some files need proof of ID before release.
Certified copies have an official seal and signature. These are needed for legal purposes in other states or agencies. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Ask the clerk how much it will cost to certify the documents you need. The clerk's office can certify any document in a civil case file from East Hartford.
Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-212 sets the copy fees for court records. The statute requires agencies to provide copies within a reasonable time. Most requests are filled within a few days. Large case files may take longer to process for East Hartford residents.
Note: Criminal record checks are handled by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, not by the courts.
Legal Help in East Hartford
Several organizations offer free or low-cost legal help to East Hartford residents. Connecticut Legal Services provides civil legal aid to people with low incomes. They handle cases involving housing, family matters, public benefits, and consumer issues. Call their Hartford office at 860-541-5000 to see if you qualify. Their website at ctlegal.org has info about their services.
The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. This can connect you with an attorney in your area. The first meeting is usually at a reduced rate. Call 860-223-4400 to get a referral. The bar association also has a free legal clinic on certain days where you can ask brief questions of a lawyer.
Law school clinics sometimes help with civil cases. The University of Connecticut School of Law has clinics that take cases under faculty supervision. These clinics focus on certain types of legal problems. Contact the law school to learn about their current clinic offerings and how to apply for help.
More Information
The Connecticut Judicial Branch website at jud.ct.gov has guides and videos about the court system. You can find info about court procedures, filing requirements, and what to expect at a hearing. The site explains how civil cases move through the courts from filing to judgment.
Publications are available on topics like small claims, housing court, and family matters. These guides are written in plain language for people without legal training. Download them from the Judicial Branch site or pick up printed copies at the Court Service Center in Hartford for East Hartford use.
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission ensures public access to court records. If you have trouble getting records, you can file a complaint with the FOI Commission. Visit portal.ct.gov/foi or call 860-566-5682. The commission can order agencies to release public records under Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 14.