How To Get Your Original Birth Certificate in Connecticut
If you are an adopted person born in Connecticut (or a direct descendant of an adoptee born in Connecticut*) and you are over the age of 18, you have the unrestricted right to obtain your original birth certificate as of July 1, 2021.
What do I need do to make my request?
To make your request, just download and fill out the new official request form. You will need to know what town you were born in because you will need to submit the form to the town clerk of that town. If you don’t know the town you were born in, try looking on your current (amended) birth certificate. To the best of our knowledge, that information was not changed when your original one was sealed and your amended one was issued. A second option to learn what town you were born in is to call the Department of Children & Families (DCF) because they maintain an index of all Connecticut adoptions going back to 1915 with the town of birth recorded for each adopted person. Their phone number is 860-550-6300.
Once you know the town you were born in, fill out the form, include a copy of a state-issued identification such as your drivers’ license, and a $65 fee payable by money order to the town clerk. Mail it or visit the town hall in person to submit your request. For your convenience, here is a complete list of addresses and phone numbers for all Connecticut town clerks. Note: some town halls will accept credit cards in place of a money order. We recommend calling them to see what their preferred method of payment is.
What to expect after your request is submitted
Per the law as stated in Public Act 21-21, all requests should be fulfilled within 30 days, though some towns with records maintained on-site may be able to fulfill requests quicker. We recommend reaching out to the town clerk directly to learn more about their current processing times. Again, here is that list of addresses and phone numbers for all Connecticut town clerks.
What to expect when you receive your original birth certificate
You will receive an unauthorized copy of your original birth certificate, meaning it cannot be used for identification purposes. You will still need to use your current amended one which is the one the state uses to carry out its business. Because your original birth certificate is uncertified, it will likely include a stamp with the word “superseded” on it.
One last thing…
Our team has been working closely with the Town Clerks Association for years and they have been incredibly helpful and supportive. We don’t expect you to encounter too much friction in this process but of course, it is a new process for everyone so we appreciate your kindness and patience with the clerks and their office staff. We are here for you if you need anything along the way!
*If you are the descendant of an adoptee, you have the right to obtain the adoptee’s original birth certificate. Use the same form but be sure to note you relationship to the adoptee.