How to Find Connecticut Birth Records
In Connecticut, towns were created starting in the early 1630s. Births were and are recorded by town clerks, starting with the beginning of the town. Statewide registration of births began in 1897 in Connecticut and was generally complied with by 1915. The towns have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1897
Birth records were kept by each town clerk. Early town clerks put birth records in town records and in land records. After about 1850, birth information was only put in town records. Town clerks were usually good at recording birth information. The towns continue to keep birth records. These are described further in Connecticut Town Records.
Following the Revolutionary War to about 1870, records were not always recorded.
In 1870, the State Board of Health established. Record keeping in towns improved.
Connecticut towns are like western townships, so several populated places are in a town's borders. The name of the town is used in official records rather than the name of the populated place.
If you do not find birth information in the town where your ancestor was born, you may need to look at substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place or try the records in a neighboring town.
Step 1 - Check indexes
Most online resources for Connecticut Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index, consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.
- New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors ($), has many Connecticut digital records, which can be found through their Digital Catalog. Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
- 1639-1941 - At FamilySearch.org, index. Free; a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. Description of records.
- 1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org Free; a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. Description of records.
- Discover Your Family History search on FamilySearch.org -Free. Indexes many of the births recorded in town records. The former International Genealogical Index (IGI) is part of this.
- Barbour Collection by Jane Devlin - Free (see also the Wiki article Barbour Collection) Also on Ancestry.com ($) Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
- Connecticut Collections on FamilySearch.org - Free. This is a growing database.
- Connecticut Databases listed on Rootsweb- Free. Arranged by town. Only a few birth lists are currently in the database.
Two film indexes are:
- Bowman Collection. This is a card index to Connecticut birth, marriage, and death notices in Massachusetts newspapers, 1800 to 1900. FS Library films 002884-885.
- Index to the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin, Vols 1-8.This is an index at the Connecticut State Library and is on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. FS Library film 002886. It indexes the names found in the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin. FS Catalog book 974.6 H25c.
Step 2 - Check original records
In Connecticut, the following types of records often have birth information:
- Land records
- Town records
Most of the land and town records have been filmed and are available through the FamilySearch site at FamilySearch centers, the Connecticut State Library, and the FamilySearch Library. Original records are usually at the local health department.
To find the film numbers:
- Go to the FamilySearch Catalog
- Do a Place Search for the name of the town.
- On the list of record types for the town, click Vital Records for a list of the available records, including town records and land records.
- Click titles with the town clerk or recorder as the author. Though the original records were usually made by town clerk, sometimes the records were made by a court or the registrar of vital statistics.
Step 3 - Check other types of records
You can also search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births 1897 to the Present
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link.
| Connecticut Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | 1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. Description of records. | ||
| Try 2nd: | *New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors ($) | Has many Connecticut digital records, which can be found through their Digital Catalog. American Ancestors is Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | ||
| Next try: | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| Ancestry | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| Can't access Ancestry? | Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Connecticut Department of Health, State Vital Records Office. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From Town of Birth | From CT Deptment of Public Health office | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | Town websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the town |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth, contact the town of birth to request a search of the available birth records.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:
- The person on the certificate and age 18 or older
- The parents, guardian, or grandparents of person on the certificate
- The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
- The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate and age 18 or older
- Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
- NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.
- For additional information, see the State Vital Records Office.
Birth records more than 100 years old:
- Available to any person over 18 years of age
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.