New London Court Records
New London civil court records are managed by the New London Judicial District Superior Court at 70 Huntington Street. With a population of about 28,000 residents, New London is the county seat of New London County and a major coastal city. All civil litigation involving New London residents, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and business lawsuits, is filed at this court. The Superior Court maintains detailed files on all cases from filing to final disposition and makes them available to the public through online search tools and in-person visits to the courthouse in downtown New London.
New London Overview
New London Superior Court
The New London Judicial District Superior Court is at 70 Huntington Street in downtown New London. This court handles all civil cases filed by New London residents and serves the entire county. The courthouse has a Chief Clerk's office that processes filings, answers questions, and provides copies of court records. Note that the Huntington Street entrance is closed to the public. Visitors must enter through the rear entrance off Cottage Street.
| Court | New London Judicial District Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Huntington Street New London, CT 06320 |
| Entrance | Rear entrance off Cottage Street |
| Chief Clerk | (860) 443-5363 |
| Fax | (860) 442-7703 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Doors open at 8:30 AM |
The courthouse serves many towns in New London County, including Groton, Waterford, East Lyme, Old Lyme, Ledyard, and Stonington. All civil cases from these areas go to the same court at 70 Huntington Street. Parking is available near the courthouse, and the building is accessible by public transit. When you visit, bring a photo ID and be ready for security screening at the entrance.
Note: The courthouse is closed on weekends and legal holidays.
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 London. 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 in New London without going to 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 a New London 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 New London and other parts of Connecticut.
Geographical Area Court
In addition to the main Superior Court at 70 Huntington Street, New London County has a Geographical Area Court known as GA 10. This court is at 112 Broad Street in New London. GA 10 handles criminal and motor vehicle cases, not civil matters. Civil cases are filed at the main courthouse on Huntington Street. Make sure you go to the correct location when filing or searching for civil court records in New London.
The Judicial Branch website at jud.ct.gov has directions to both court locations in New London. The site also lists phone numbers and hours for each courthouse. If you are not sure which court to visit, call the Chief Clerk's office at (860) 443-5363 and they can tell you where to go for your civil case.
How to Obtain Court Records
If you need copies of court records from a civil case in New London, you can request them from the Chief Clerk's office. For active cases, call (860) 443-5363 or visit the courthouse at 70 Huntington Street. 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.
Civil Court Forms
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 New London. 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 (860) 443-5363 to ask which forms are required for your type of case in New London.
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, contact the Court Service Center or a legal aid group in New London 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 London 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 New London. 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 New London
Several organizations provide free or low-cost legal help to people in New London 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 London. 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 New London. 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 (860) 443-5363. The staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain filing rules and help you find court forms for civil cases in New London.
Public Access to Records
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 New London.
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 New London, 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 New London and other towns in Connecticut.
New London County Civil Court Records
New London is in New London County, and all civil cases go through the New London Judicial District Superior Court. The county court handles cases for many coastal towns in southeastern Connecticut. For more on the county court system, courthouse locations, and record access options, visit the New London County page.