Groton Civil Records Search

Civil court records for Groton are maintained by the New London Judicial District. Groton is in New London County and has about 38,800 people. The town includes Groton City, the Naval Submarine Base, and several villages along the Thames River. All civil cases for Groton residents are filed at the New London Superior Court. You can search for these records online or visit the courthouse to get copies. The Judicial Branch makes most civil case information available to the public at no cost for basic searches.

Civil Court for Groton Residents

Groton residents file civil cases at the New London Judicial District courthouse on Huntington Street in New London. This is the main court for all of eastern Connecticut. It handles civil, family, criminal, and housing cases for Groton and about 20 other towns in New London County. The courthouse is a short drive from Groton, just across the Gold Star Bridge or through downtown New London. Parking is near the courthouse on side streets and in public lots.

The main entrance to the New London courthouse is on Huntington Street. The rear entrance is off Cottage Street and is the only public entrance now. The Huntington Street door is closed to visitors. Bring a valid ID. All bags and personal items go through security. The clerk's office is inside on the first floor. Staff can help you file new cases, search for records, or get copies of documents for civil cases involving Groton residents.

Note: The courthouse serves many towns, so you may see cases from Groton, Waterford, Stonington, and other nearby places all on the same docket.

How to Search Groton Civil Records Online

Connecticut offers a free online system to search civil court records for Groton and all other towns. The Civil Case Look-up system is run by the Judicial Branch. You can search by party name, attorney name, or case number. Results show case details, court dates, and docket activity. This system covers all Superior Courts in the state, so you will see cases from Groton along with cases from other towns if the names match.

To search for Groton civil records, enter a name in the search box and select New London as the court location. This narrows the results to cases filed in that district. You can see case status, hearing dates, and sometimes the outcome of the case. The online system does not always show document images, but it tells you what papers were filed and when. For full documents, call the clerk's office or visit the courthouse in New London.

The Judicial Branch also has a main case look-up portal that links to different search tools for civil, criminal, housing, and small claims cases. Pick the Civil/Family option to search for Groton civil court records. The system is updated daily, so new filings appear within a day or two. Older cases going back many years are also in the system, but some very old records may not be digitized yet.

If you are looking for a specific case in Groton, you need:

• Full name of one party in the case
• Approximate year the case was filed
• Case number if you know it

Without at least a name, the system cannot find the case. If the name is common, you may see many results. Use filters for date range or case type to narrow down the list. The online search is free, but some courts charge for copies of documents. Call (860) 443-5363 to ask about copy costs for civil records from Groton cases.

Accessing Court Files in Person

You can visit the New London courthouse to see civil court files for Groton cases in person. The clerk's office has all active case files on site. Go to the clerk's counter and ask to see a file by case number or party name. Staff will pull the file for you. You can look through it at a desk in the courthouse. Take notes or ask for copies. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and more for certified copies under Connecticut law.

For closed or disposed cases, files may be stored off-site. The clerk can request the file from the central records center. It may take one or two business days to get the file. You can also email your request to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov or call the Centralized Services Unit at (860) 263-2750. Include the case name and docket number. They will tell you when the file is ready and how to get copies.

Connecticut law under CGS Chapter 14 makes most civil court records public. You do not need to be part of a case to see the file. Some files are sealed by court order. If a file is sealed, the clerk will tell you it is not available. You may need to petition the court to unseal it. Most civil cases in Groton do not have sealed records, so you should be able to see what you need without issues.

Filing a Civil Case for Groton Residents

Groton residents who want to file a civil case go to the New London Superior Court. Bring your completed forms and the filing fee. The clerk checks your papers and gives you a case number. Filing fees vary by case type. Small claims cases have lower fees. Larger civil cases cost more. Call the court at (860) 443-5363 to ask about current fees before you file.

Connecticut court forms are free to download from the Judicial Branch website. Pick the form type that matches your case. Civil forms include complaints, motions, and answers. Fill them out at home or use a computer at the courthouse. Many forms have instructions. Read them carefully before you file. If you have questions, ask the clerk's office, but they cannot give legal advice.

After filing, you must serve the other party. Service means giving them a copy of the complaint and summons. You can use a state marshal, constable, or any adult who is not part of the case. Proof of service goes back to the court. Once the other party is served, they have time to respond. The court sets a schedule for hearings and deadlines. All court dates appear on the docket. You can check the docket online or call the clerk to find out your next court date for a Groton case.

Connecticut also offers electronic filing for some civil cases. The E-Services portal lets you file documents online and get notices by email. Not all case types are eligible yet. Check with the clerk's office to see if your Groton case can be filed electronically. E-filing saves time and lets you handle your case from home.

Note: If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the court for a fee waiver by filling out the proper form and showing proof of low income.

Legal Help for Groton Residents

Several organizations offer legal help to Groton residents who need assistance with civil cases. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut provides free legal aid to people with low income. They handle civil matters like housing, family law, and consumer issues. Their New London office serves the eastern part of the state, including Groton. Call (800) 453-3320 to see if you qualify. Visit their website at slsct.org for more info on what cases they take and how to apply.

The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (860) 223-4400. This service matches you with a local attorney who handles your type of case. The first meeting may cost a reduced fee. For Groton residents, a lawyer can help you understand court rules, file documents, and represent you in civil court if needed.

Groton also has town resources that may help with some civil matters. The Groton Social Services Department at (860) 441-6785 can point you to local programs for housing, food, and other needs. They do not provide legal services, but they may know of other groups that can help with issues related to your civil case.

For people who want to represent themselves, the Judicial Branch website has self-help guides. The Court Forms page has all the forms you need. The clerk's office can tell you what forms to use and where to file them, but they cannot fill them out for you or give legal advice. If you need more help, ask about the nearest Court Service Center where staff can explain court procedures in more detail.

Housing and Small Claims for Groton

Housing cases and small claims cases for Groton residents are also filed at the New London Superior Court. Housing cases include landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, and habitability issues. Small claims cases are for money disputes up to $5,000. The filing fees for these cases are lower than regular civil cases. The processes are simpler, and you can often handle them without a lawyer.

The Connecticut Housing Session page has info on how to file housing cases and what to expect in court. The Small Claims page explains the small claims process and has forms you need. Both types of cases are searchable online through the Civil Case Look-up system. You can see case status, court dates, and outcomes for housing and small claims cases involving Groton residents.

Housing and small claims cases move faster than regular civil cases. Many are resolved in a few weeks or months. If you have a housing issue or a small money dispute in Groton, these court options may be a good fit. Call the New London courthouse at (860) 443-5363 to ask about filing fees and procedures for housing or small claims cases.

Groton is home to the Naval Submarine Base, and many military families live in the town. If you are on active duty or a military spouse, you may have special protections under federal and state law. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act limits some court actions against military members. Ask the clerk's office or a legal aid attorney if you are in the military and facing a civil case in Groton.

New London County Civil Court Records

Groton is part of New London County in southeastern Connecticut. The county has two judicial districts: New London and Norwich. Groton falls under the New London Judicial District. For more on the county court system, court locations, and civil case resources, visit the New London County page.

View New London County Civil Records