Civil Court Records in New Haven County

Civil court records in New Haven County are maintained by four Superior Court judicial districts. New Haven, Waterbury, Ansonia-Milford, and Meriden courts all serve the county. You can look up case files using the state's free online system or go to a courthouse. These courts handle civil matters such as contracts, property claims, personal injury suits, and business disputes. The search tool covers all four districts and shows case data from filings to dispositions. Each courthouse clerk's office keeps paper files for cases heard in their district.

New Haven County Superior Courts

Four judicial districts serve New Haven County. New Haven Judicial District is at 235 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510. The Chief Clerk's Office is at 203-503-6800. This court handles cases from Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Wallingford, and Woodbridge. The Court Service Center is at 203-503-6819.

Waterbury Judicial District sits at 300 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. Call 203-591-3300 to reach the Chief Clerk's Office. This district serves Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Southbury, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury. Court Service Center number is 203-591-3308. Criminal and motor vehicle cases use 400 Grand Street in the same city.

Ansonia-Milford Judicial District is at 14 West River Street, Milford, CT 06460. Chief Clerk's Office phone is 203-877-4293. This court covers Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, and West Haven. A Geographical Area court at 106 Elizabeth Street in Derby handles some cases at 203-735-7438.

Meriden Judicial District operates from 54 West Main Street, Meriden, CT 06451. Reach the Chief Clerk's Office at 203-238-6666. This district serves Cheshire and Meriden only. The Court Service Center number is 203-238-6499. All four districts use the same online lookup system at civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov for civil case searches.

Searching for Civil Cases

The Connecticut Judicial Branch runs a free online case search for New Haven County. Go to the Case Look-up Portal and pick civil cases. You can search by name, case number, or lawyer. Results show which court has the case. You also see when it was filed and its current status. The system pulls data from New Haven, Waterbury, Ansonia-Milford, and Meriden courts.

Old cases that are closed go to the Superior Court Records Center. Email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and number. Or call 860-263-2750. Files come back in one or two days. They can email you the file if it is small. You can pick it up at any court if you need a copy printed in New Haven County.

CGS 1-210 requires public agencies to let you see records. This includes court files. Docket numbers are on the case lookup site. Use the docket number when you request files. Some files need proof of ID under CGS 1-206 procedures before the clerk releases them.

What Civil Cases Cover

New Haven County courts hear a range of civil matters. Contract cases involve deals gone wrong or unpaid bills. Property disputes might be about land lines, deeds, or real estate sales. Personal injury suits ask for money after harm from crashes, falls, or medical errors. These are common in civil court.

Housing matters go through special sessions. Eviction cases and landlord-tenant fights fall here. Small claims court takes cases under $5,000. Home improvement claims can reach $15,000 in small claims. Family court deals with divorce, custody, and support. Each type of case has its own rules and forms in New Haven County.

Note: Housing case information under CGS 54-142a is not meant for tenant screening and does not contain full personal identifying data.

Forms and E-Filing Options

All official court forms are free on the Judicial Branch site. Visit jud.ct.gov/webforms for civil forms. The site groups them by type. Download them or fill them out on your computer. You can also e-file them directly in New Haven County.

E-filing lets you submit documents any time of day. Set up an account first. Most civil cases allow e-filing. This saves trips to the courthouse. Court Service Centers at New Haven, Waterbury, and Meriden can show you how to use e-filing. They answer questions about the process.

Filing fees depend on the case type. Civil cases often cost hundreds of dollars to file. Low-income filers can ask for fee waivers under CGS 1-212 guidelines. You fill out a form and show your income. The court reviews your application and decides if you qualify in New Haven County.

Record Copy Procedures

You can get copies of civil court records in a few ways. For active cases, go to the clerk's office where the case was filed. Staff make copies. Court documents cost $1.00 per page. Administrative records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more than plain ones in New Haven County.

For closed cases, email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov. Put the case name and docket number in your message. The Centralized Services Unit retrieves the file. They email small files for free. Big files must be picked up in person. Processing usually takes one to two business days.

You can also call the clerk's office at any New Haven County courthouse to ask about a case. Phone numbers are listed on the Courthouse Directory. Clerk staff can tell you what info is on the computer screen. Other material must be viewed at the clerk's office under CGS 1-206 rules.

Help From Court Service Centers

Court Service Centers help people who handle their own cases. They are at New Haven, Waterbury, and Meriden courthouses. They open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Staff answer questions about court steps. They do not give legal advice.

Services include computers, printers, and forms. You can use the internet to look up case law. Staff show you how to check case info and docket entries. Notary services are free. Email Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov or call the manager at 203-965-5288 for more details about New Haven County centers.

These centers do not charge fees. Some have staff who speak other languages. They give self-represented parties tools to work through the court system. If you need to file or respond to a civil case, a Court Service Center is a good first stop in New Haven County.

Finding Legal Assistance

Statewide Legal Services gives free help to low-income residents in New Haven County. They work on civil cases like housing, family law, and consumer matters. The Connecticut Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call them to find an attorney who handles civil cases near you.

Law libraries are open to the public at some courthouses. You can research legal topics and read Connecticut statutes there. Court staff point you to helpful resources but cannot offer legal advice. For specific guidance about your case, talk to a lawyer in New Haven County.

Self-help guides are on the Judicial Branch website. They explain how to file common civil cases. You learn about procedures and what papers you need. Court Service Centers also have printed guides and info sheets to help you get started in New Haven County.

Major Cities in New Haven County

New Haven County has many cities and towns. Each uses the Superior Court system for civil cases. Click a city below to find local courthouse details and civil case info.

Nearby Counties

Browse civil court records in counties near New Haven County: