Find East Haven Court Records
Civil court records for East Haven are maintained at the New Haven Judicial District Superior Court on Church Street in downtown New Haven. East Haven is a coastal town in New Haven County with a population close to 28,000 residents along Long Island Sound. All civil cases involving East Haven residents, including lawsuits, contract disputes, property claims, business matters, and other non-criminal legal proceedings, are filed at the New Haven courthouse just six miles west of town. The court keeps detailed files on all cases from start to finish and provides public access through online search tools and in-person courthouse visits during regular business hours.
East Haven Quick Facts
New Haven Superior Court
All civil cases for East Haven residents are filed at the New Haven Judicial District Superior Court. The court is at 235 Church Street in downtown New Haven. This courthouse handles civil matters for 11 towns in New Haven County, including Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Wallingford, and Woodbridge. The Chief Clerk's office processes all filings, answers questions, and provides copies of court records.
| Court | New Haven Judicial District Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 235 Church Street New Haven, CT 06510 |
| Chief Clerk | (203) 503-6800 |
| Fax | (203) 503-6885 |
| Court Service Center | (203) 503-6819 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Doors open at 8:30 AM |
The New Haven courthouse is about six miles west of East Haven. You can drive there in about 15 minutes under normal traffic. Parking is available near the courthouse. Public transit options exist, including bus routes that connect East Haven to downtown New Haven. When you visit, bring a photo ID and be ready for security screening at the entrance. The courthouse is closed on weekends and legal holidays.
Note: There is also a Geographical Area Court at 121 Elm Street in New Haven, but civil cases go to the main courthouse at 235 Church Street.
Search Civil Cases Online
Connecticut provides free online access to civil court records through the Judicial Branch website. The Civil Case Look-up system covers all cases statewide, including those filed in New Haven for East Haven residents. You can search by party name, docket number, or attorney. The system displays case details, docket entries, and upcoming court dates. This tool is the quickest way to find info on a civil case without visiting the courthouse.
To run a search, go to the case look-up page and enter the name of a person or business involved in the case. You can also search by case number if you know it. The system shows all matching cases with the filing date, case type, and current status. Click on a case to see more details like docket entries and scheduled events. Most searches take just a few seconds to complete.
The online system does not show full documents or images of court filings. It only shows case summaries and docket text. If you need copies of actual documents from an East Haven civil case, you must contact the clerk's office. The clerk can provide plain copies for $1.00 per page or certified copies with a raised seal for a higher fee. Some records may be available by email if the file size is small.
For help using the online search tools, visit the Case Look-up Portal on the Judicial Branch website. The page has links to all search systems and tips on how to find cases in East Haven and other parts of Connecticut.
Court Service Center
The New Haven courthouse has a Court Service Center that helps people with civil cases. The center is open to the public and staffed by Judicial Branch employees. They can answer questions, help with forms, and show you how to use the online filing system. East Haven residents can visit this center to get help with their civil court matters.
The Court Service Center at New Haven offers these services:
- Statewide calendar and docket info for civil and family cases
- Court forms and judicial publications
- Public use computers with internet and word processing
- Help with electronic filing
- Printers, copiers, fax, scanner, and work space
- Staff to answer questions
- Notary public services
Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays except legal holidays. You can email the center at Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov or call the New Haven Court Service Center at (203) 503-6819. The center does not give legal advice, but staff can help you find the right forms and explain court procedures for civil cases in East Haven.
How to Get Copies of Records
If you need copies of civil court records from an East Haven case, you can request them from the Chief Clerk's office. For active cases, call (203) 503-6800 or visit the courthouse at 235 Church Street in New Haven. For disposed cases, the Judicial Branch has a centralized records center that handles requests for files that are no longer active.
To request disposed records, send an email to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov. Include the case name and docket number in your message. You can also call the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750. Files are usually available within one or two business days. The staff can send small files by email at no charge. Larger files must be picked up at a courthouse or the Centralized Services Unit. Copy and certification charges apply when you get paper copies.
Some files may require proof of ID before the clerk releases them. Most civil cases are public records, but a few have sealed or confidential documents. If part of the file is sealed, you may need a court order to access those papers. The clerk can tell you if a specific file is open or restricted. More info is on the How to Obtain Court Records page on the Judicial Branch website.
Court Forms for Civil Cases
The Connecticut Judicial Branch offers all official court forms online at no charge. Visit jud.ct.gov/webforms to download forms for civil cases. The site has forms for complaints, motions, answers, and other filings you might need for a case in East Haven. You can fill out some forms on your computer before printing them, or print blank forms and fill them in by hand.
Forms are divided into categories like civil, family, housing, and small claims. Use the search box on the forms page to find a specific form by name or number. If you are not sure which form to use, the Chief Clerk's office can help. Call (203) 503-6800 to ask which forms are required for your type of case in East Haven.
Some forms are available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish. This helps people who do not speak English as their first language. For help filling out forms, visit the Court Service Center at the New Haven courthouse or contact a legal aid group in New Haven County.
Filing and Copy Fees
Filing a civil case in Connecticut costs money. The fee amount depends on the type of case and the relief requested. The Judicial Branch sets these fees and they apply to all Superior Courts, including the New Haven courthouse. You pay the fee when you file your complaint or other document with the clerk.
Copy charges for court records are $1.00 per page. Administrative records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and include a raised seal. The clerk can tell you the exact fee when you request copies of a civil case file from East Haven. Transcript charges vary based on how fast you need the transcript and the type of case.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may apply for a fee waiver. You must complete an application and show that you have low income or financial hardship. The judge will review your application and decide if you qualify. If approved, you can file your civil case without paying the fee up front. Ask the clerk's office for the waiver application or find it on the court forms website.
Legal Help in East Haven
Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to people in New Haven County. These groups focus on civil matters like housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. If you need a lawyer for a civil case but cannot afford one, contact these groups to see if you qualify for help.
Connecticut Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income residents across the state. They have offices in several counties, including New Haven. Visit ctlegal.org or call their office to apply for help. They handle cases involving housing, public benefits, and other civil matters for people who meet income guidelines. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut also provides free help to low-income residents. Learn more at slsct.org.
The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. This service can connect you with an attorney who handles civil cases in East Haven and New Haven County. Some lawyers offer a free or low-cost first meeting. The referral service can match you with a lawyer based on your legal issue and location.
For general questions about court procedures, contact the Chief Clerk's office at (203) 503-6800 or visit the Court Service Center at the New Haven courthouse. The staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain filing rules and help you find court forms for civil cases in East Haven.
Public Access to Court Files
Most civil court records in Connecticut are open to the public under state law. This means anyone can inspect case files, get copies, or view records online. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, found in Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 14, governs access to public records across the state, including court records in East Haven.
Some records are not open to the public. Sealed files, juvenile records, and certain family court documents are restricted. If a judge ordered a file sealed, you need a court order to access it. For most civil cases in East Haven, the file is public and anyone can view it or request copies. The clerk can tell you if a specific case is open or restricted.
The Court Records FAQs page on the Judicial Branch website explains what records are public and how to access them. It covers civil files, docket sheets, dispositions, and copy charges. The page also lists contact info for records requests in East Haven and other towns in Connecticut.
Electronic Filing
Connecticut offers electronic filing for civil cases. The system lets you submit court documents online instead of going to the courthouse in person. E-filing is available through the Judicial Branch E-Services portal. East Haven residents can use this system to file complaints, motions, and other papers in their civil cases at the New Haven court.
To use e-filing, you must create an account on the E-Services portal. The system accepts credit card payments for filing fees. Once you file a document, you get an email confirmation. The court receives your filing right away and it becomes part of the case file. E-filing is faster than filing in person and you can do it any time of day.
Not all document types can be filed electronically. Some filings still require a paper submission. Check the E-Services portal or call the Chief Clerk's office at (203) 503-6800 to ask if your document can be e-filed. The clerk can also help if you have questions about how to use the e-filing system for civil cases in East Haven.
Nearby Cities
East Haven is near several other towns in New Haven County that use the same court system. Branford is to the east. New Haven is to the west. North Haven is to the north. All of these towns file civil cases at the New Haven Judicial District Superior Court. The court serves the entire county and handles civil matters for all 11 towns in the district.
If you live in East Haven but need to file a case involving someone in a nearby town, you still file at the New Haven courthouse. The court has jurisdiction over all civil matters in the county. The same online search tools and court resources apply to all towns served by the New Haven court.
New Haven County Civil Court Records
East Haven is in New Haven County, and all civil cases go through the New Haven Judicial District Superior Court. The county court handles cases for many towns in south-central Connecticut. For more on the county court system, courthouse locations, and record access options, visit the New Haven County page.