Find Middlesex County Civil Records

Civil court records in Middlesex County come from the Superior Court in Middletown. This court serves all 15 towns in the county. You can search these records online or go to the courthouse in person. The files show case details, court dates, and legal documents for civil matters. Contract disputes, property cases, and personal injury claims all create records you can access. Most civil case files are open to the public unless a judge seals them. The Judicial Branch runs a free online search tool that covers Middlesex County and the rest of Connecticut.

Middlesex Superior Court

The Middlesex Judicial District is at 1 Court Street, Middletown, CT 06457. This is the only Superior Court location in the county. All civil cases filed in Middlesex County go through this courthouse. You can reach the Chief Clerk's Office at 860-343-6400. The fax number is 860-343-6423. A Court Service Center operates at the same location. Call them at 860-343-6499 for help with forms and case info.

This court serves 15 towns. That list includes Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook. The Geographical Area court also operates from the same building at 1 Court Street in Middlesex County.

Court hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. The clerk's office keeps the same hours. Legal holidays close the court. You can visit in person to file documents or ask about a case. The clerk staff can help you find case files and make copies.

Note: Housing case information for Middlesex County is available online only for matters filed on or after January 1, 2014.

Search Civil Cases Online

Connecticut gives you free online access to civil case records. The Civil Case Look-up system works for Middlesex County and all other counties. You can search by party name, docket number, or attorney name. The system returns results fast. Most searches take less than a minute to complete.

Start at the Case Look-up Portal on the Judicial Branch website. Pick the civil case search option. Type in what you know about the case. You need at least one of these: a party's full name, the docket number, or an attorney's name. The search tool shows case details right away. You see the filing date, case type, court location, and status for each result.

For old cases or disposed matters, contact the Superior Court Records Center. Send an email to SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and docket number. Or call 860-263-2750. They pull the file and make it ready in one or two business days. You can get it by email for free or pick it up at the courthouse in Middlesex County. Some files may need proof of ID before release.

Civil Case Types

Many kinds of civil cases come through Middlesex County courts. Contract disputes are common. These involve broken deals or unpaid bills. Property cases deal with land, boundaries, or real estate issues. Personal injury claims seek payment for harm from car crashes, falls, or other accidents.

Family cases cover divorce, custody, and child support. These go to a special family court docket. Housing matters include evictions and landlord-tenant disputes. Small claims court handles disputes under $5,000. The limit goes up to $15,000 for home improvement contract cases. Each case type has its own forms and rules in Middlesex County.

All civil cases create records. Most are open to the public. CGS 1-210 requires public agencies to make records available. This law applies to court files. You can ask for copies of documents in any case. The clerk might redact personal info from public copies. Sealed cases stay closed unless a judge orders them open.

Getting Record Copies

You have a few ways to get copies of civil court records. For current cases, go to the clerk's office at 1 Court Street in Middletown. Staff will make copies for you. Court documents cost $1.00 per page. Administrative records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more. You pay when you pick up the documents in Middlesex County.

For older cases, email your request. Use SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov. Put the case name and docket number in your message. The Centralized Services Unit finds the file. They can email small files at no charge. Big files must be picked up. Processing takes one to two days. You can also call the clerk's office at 860-343-6400 to ask questions about specific cases.

The How to Obtain Court Records page on the Judicial Branch site explains the full process. Some records may need ID verification. Bring a driver's license or other ID when you visit the courthouse. The clerk checks ID for certain case types before releasing documents.

Court Forms and Filing

All official forms are on the Judicial Branch website at jud.ct.gov/webforms. The site sorts forms by category. Civil forms are in their own section. You can download them and fill them out on your computer. Or print them and write by hand. Forms are free to download.

E-filing is an option for most civil cases. You can file documents online from home or work. This saves trips to the courthouse. You need an account first. The Court Service Center at Middlesex Judicial District can help you set up e-filing. They answer questions about the system too.

Filing fees vary by case type. Most civil cases cost several hundred dollars to file. The exact amount depends on what you are filing. Fee waivers are available if you have low income. You must fill out an application and show proof of your finances. The court decides if you qualify. Ask the clerk's office about fee waivers in Middlesex County.

Note: The Court Service Center can provide forms and explain procedures, but they cannot give legal advice.

Court Service Center

The Court Service Center at Middlesex Judicial District helps people who represent themselves. The center is at 1 Court Street in Middletown. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Staff can answer questions about court procedures. They do not give legal advice.

Services include free access to computers and printers. You can use the internet to research your case or find legal info. Court forms are available in print and digital formats. Staff show you how to look up case details and docket entries. Notary services are free at the center. For more info, email Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov or call 203-965-5288 to reach the manager.

The center is free to use. Some locations have bilingual staff. They give self-represented parties the tools to navigate the court system. If you need to file a case or respond to one, the Court Service Center is a good starting point in Middlesex County.

Record Access Laws

Connecticut law gives you the right to see public records. CGS 1-210 says all records kept by public agencies are open unless a statute says otherwise. This includes civil court records. You can inspect records during regular office hours. You can make copies too. The law applies to all courts in Middlesex County.

CGS 1-212 sets the fees for copies. State agencies charge 25 cents per page. Municipal agencies charge 50 cents per page. Court records cost $1.00 per page under a separate fee schedule. Administrative court records are $0.25 per page. These are the standard rates across Connecticut.

If the court denies access to a record, they must tell you in writing within four business days. CGS 1-206 says you can appeal to the Freedom of Information Commission. You have 30 days to file an appeal. The FOI Commission can impose penalties on agencies that violate the law. Contact the FOI Commission at 860-566-5682 if you have access issues in Middlesex County.

Legal Help Resources

Statewide Legal Services offers free help to low-income residents in Middlesex County. They handle civil cases involving housing, family law, and consumer issues. The Connecticut Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. You can call to get connected with an attorney who handles civil cases.

Law libraries are open to the public at many courthouses. You can research legal issues and read Connecticut statutes there. Court staff can point you to resources but cannot give legal advice. For specific guidance, talk to a lawyer.

Self-help guides are on the Judicial Branch website. These explain how to file common civil cases. You learn about procedures and what documents you need. The Court Service Center also has printed guides and info sheets in Middlesex County. These resources help you understand the court process.

Major Cities in Middlesex County

Middlesex County has one city over 25,000 people. Middletown is the county seat and largest city. It uses the Superior Court system for all civil cases. Click below to find local courthouse info.

Nearby Counties

Browse civil court records in counties near Middlesex County: