Litchfield County, Connecticut court records are available through several channels. LitchfieldCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online resources of the state's judicial branch, directly at the court clerk's office, or through public terminals installed in court premises.
Litchfield Court System & Jurisdictions
Connecticut has a unified state court system — there are no separate "district courts" in the traditional sense. Instead, courts are organized by Judicial Districts and Geographical Areas. The territory of the former Litchfield County is primarily served by the Litchfield Judicial District, with the main judicial institution being the Litchfield Superior Court.
Which courts operate and what they handle
- Superior Court — criminal and civil cases. This is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles felonies, civil lawsuits of any amount, family cases (divorce, custody, alimony), and domestic violence cases. The Town Clerk's Office confirms that court documents, including divorce decrees, are stored at the Litchfield Superior Court.
- Superior Court — small claims. Claims up to $5,000 are handled by the same Superior Court in a simplified manner.
- Superior Court — motor vehicle violations. Fines, traffic violations, and related cases also fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court in the respective Geographical Area.
- Litchfield Hills Probate Court. Inheritance, guardianship of incapacitated persons, adoption, and name change cases. Case searches are available through the Case Lookup system on the Connecticut Probate Courts website.
There is no separate Magistrate Court in the state. Magistrate functions are performed by Superior Court judges.
Litchfield Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for the Litchfield Superior Court is published through the centralized system of the Connecticut Judicial Branch. To check which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Court Calendar online portal on the jud.ct.gov website.
- Go to the calendar page on the official website of the judicial branch.
- Select "Litchfield" from the list of Judicial Districts or the appropriate Geographical Area (GA 18).
- Specify a date or date range.
- The results will show the case number, party names, type of hearing, and courtroom.
For Probate Court cases, the schedule can be clarified directly at the Litchfield Hills Probate Court or by calling the office. Information about police reports and incidents that may be related to upcoming court hearings is provided by the reports and records division of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
How to Get a Copy of a Litchfield Court Document
Copies of court documents — decisions, transcripts, motions — are issued by the Clerk's Office of the Litchfield Superior Court. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal reference or personal archive.
- Certified copy — has the official court seal; required for legal proceedings, immigration applications, or registration in another state.
Ways to obtain
- In person. Visit the court clerk's office at the address below. Bring identification and the case number, if known.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. Some documents are available through the Judicial Branch Case Detail portal. However, for a certified copy, you usually need to contact the clerk's office.
For divorce cases, note: the State Vital Records Office does not keep copies of divorce decrees — they are issued only by the court that made the decision.
Litchfield Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees are set by the regulations of the Connecticut Judicial Branch. Below are the main rates applicable to the Superior Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Search in court records (per name) | $25.00 |
| Uncertified copy of a document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of a document | $2.50 for the first page + $0.50 for each additional page |
| Certification of an existing copy | $2.50 |
| Copy of a hearing audio recording | Depends on duration; check with the clerk's office |
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or, in some cases, credit card. Not all clerk's offices accept cash — it's best to check in advance by phone.
For a criminal history check through the State Police Bureau of Identification, a separate fee applies — $75.00 for a fingerprint-based search. A name-only request costs $25.00. These fees are not related to the court clerk's office; they are charged by the State Police Bureau of Identification.
The probate court has its own fee schedule, which can be found on the main page of the Connecticut Probate Courts. Specific amounts depend on the type of case — estate application, guardianship, or name change are charged differently.