New London County Public Records

What Are Public Records in New London County?

Public records in New London County are defined under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 as any recorded data or information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, received, or retained by a public agency. Connecticut operates under a strong presumption of openness, meaning government-held records are accessible to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

New London County encompasses numerous municipalities, each maintaining its own records at the town or city level. The following categories of public records are available through various local and state offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Connecticut Judicial Branch and may be accessed through the Superior Court serving New London County.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are filed at the town clerk's office in each municipality, as Connecticut does not maintain county-level recording. Members of the public may search land records through the City of New London's official portal.
Vital records — Birth, death, and marriage certificates are held by the town or city clerk where the event occurred. The City of New London provides access to birth, marriage, and death records through its Vital Records office.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and trade name registrations are maintained by the Connecticut Secretary of the State and individual municipal clerks.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are held by each municipality's assessor's office.
Voting and election records — Maintained by the town clerk and the Connecticut Secretary of the State.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Local boards, commissions, and councils are required to post and retain minutes pursuant to state law.
Budget and financial documents — Available through each municipality's finance department or town clerk.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by local police departments and the Connecticut State Police.
Land use and zoning records — Maintained by municipal planning and zoning departments.

Is New London County an Open Records County?

New London County, consistent with all Connecticut jurisdictions, is governed by the state's Freedom of Information Act, codified at Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 through § 1-241. Connecticut does not operate a county-level government; therefore, open records obligations fall upon individual municipalities, state agencies, and the courts within the county's geographic boundaries.

Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all public agencies are required to make their records available for public inspection and copying. Key provisions of the law include:

Any person may inspect or copy public records during regular office hours without being required to state a reason for the request.
Public agencies must respond to written requests promptly and, in any case, within four business days of receipt.
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission enforces compliance and adjudicates complaints filed by members of the public who believe their access rights have been denied.

Each municipality within New London County — including the cities of New London, Norwich, and Groton — maintains its own public records policies consistent with state sunshine laws. Members of the public may file a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission if a local agency fails to comply with statutory requirements.

How to Find Public Records in New London County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain public records in New London County through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the record type and custodian. Determine which agency holds the record. Property and vital records are held at the municipal town clerk's office; court records are held by the Connecticut Judicial Branch; state agency records are held by the relevant state department.
Submit a written request. While oral requests are permitted under Connecticut FOIA, a written request creates a clear record. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate agency.
Use online portals where available. The Connecticut Judicial Branch offers online case lookup through its e-Services portal. Municipal land records may be searchable through individual town clerk websites.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant municipal or state office.
Request certified copies when needed. Certified copies of vital records and land documents require a formal written request, valid photo identification, and applicable fees.
Follow up if no response is received. If an agency does not respond within four business days, the requester may file a complaint with the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in New London County?

Current fees for public records in New London County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212 governs the fees that public agencies may charge for copies of public records.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Paper copies: Public agencies may charge no more than $0.50 per page for standard paper copies of public records under state statute.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): The City of New London charges $20.00 per certified copy, payable by check or money order to the New London City Clerk.
Land record copies: Recording and copy fees for land documents vary by municipality. In-person recordings must be submitted no later than 3:45 p.m. at the relevant town clerk's office.
Court records: Fees for copies of court documents are set by the Connecticut Judicial Branch and vary by document type.
Certified copies: Additional fees apply for certification of documents.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly established under Connecticut FOIA, though agencies retain discretion in individual circumstances.

Does New London County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in New London County consistent with Connecticut law. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodian agency.

Free or no-cost access is currently available through the following official sources:

In-person inspection at any municipal town clerk's office, assessor's office, or planning department within New London County, at no charge.
Connecticut Judicial Branch online case lookup — The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides free online access to civil and criminal case information through its public search tools.
Connecticut Secretary of the State — Business entity records and election information are searchable at no cost through the SOTS Business Registry.
Municipal websites — Several municipalities within New London County post meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and zoning documents on their official websites at no charge.

Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested; inspection itself remains free of charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in New London County?

Any person may request public records in New London County regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210 establishes that public records shall be available for inspection by any member of the public, and agencies may not require requesters to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be Connecticut residents or New London County residents.
Identification: Identification is generally not required to inspect records. However, certified copies of vital records — such as birth and death certificates — require a valid government-issued photo ID from the person making the request, consistent with state vital records statutes.
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as their own vital records or court files, may be required to provide identification to verify identity and eligibility.
Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under Connecticut FOIA and may submit requests to any public agency in the state.

What Records Are Confidential in New London County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Connecticut law. Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b) enumerates specific exemptions to the general right of public access. Agencies must apply a balancing test in some circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or governmental interest in confidentiality.

Records currently exempt from disclosure include:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records relating to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Connecticut law.
Ongoing investigation records — Records compiled in connection with the detection or investigation of crime are exempt to the extent their disclosure would not be in the public interest.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personal identifiers are protected from disclosure.
Medical records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Confidential under state and federal child protection laws.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary records of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to agencies in confidence and protected from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure are exempt.

New London County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Connecticut does not maintain a county-level recorder's office. All land records, vital records, and related documents are recorded and maintained at the municipal level by the town or city clerk of each municipality within New London County. The following principal offices serve residents of the county:

New London City Clerk's Office 181 State Street, New London, CT 06320 (860) 447-5215 New London City Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (recordings accepted until 3:45 p.m.)

Norwich City Clerk's Office 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 (860) 823-3731 Norwich City Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Groton Town Clerk's Office 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340 (860) 441-6640 Groton Town Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Connecticut Superior Court – New London Judicial District 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320 (860) 443-8343 Connecticut Judicial Branch Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 566-5682 Freedom of Information Commission