Divorce records in Fairfield, Connecticut can be accessed through several channels. FairfieldCTCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Fairfield County. You can also obtain records directly from the Connecticut Superior Court that issued the decree, the town clerk's office, or the Connecticut State Vital Records Office. Which office you contact depends on whether you need a full divorce decree or a divorce certificate.
Fairfield Divorce Records Search
In Connecticut, divorce cases — formally called dissolutions of marriage — are handled by the Superior Court. For residents of the Town of Fairfield, cases are heard at the Bridgeport Superior Court, which serves the Fairfield Judicial District. The court clerk's office maintains the official case file, including the divorce decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, parenting plans, and related filings.
The Connecticut Vital Records Office does not maintain copies of divorce decrees. Instead, it keeps only a statistical record of divorces reported by the courts. To obtain an actual divorce decree, you must contact the Superior Court where the case was decided.
Key records typically found in a Fairfield divorce case file include:
- Dissolution (divorce) decree
- Separation agreement
- Custody and visitation orders
- Child support orders
- Property settlement documents
- Motions and court orders filed during the case
Bridgeport Superior Court — Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Fairfield
Connecticut uses a unified Superior Court system. There is no separate family court — all divorce and dissolution matters for Fairfield residents are filed in the Fairfield Judicial District Superior Court located in Bridgeport. After the judge signs the decree, the original remains with the court clerk's office at that courthouse.
The state's Vital Records Office, part of the Department of Public Health, records the occurrence of a divorce but does not hold the decree itself. If you need proof that a divorce occurred — for example, for a name change or remarriage — you may request a divorce certificate (a summary document) from the Vital Records Office. If you need the full decree with all terms and orders, you must go through the court.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or court orders | Bridgeport Superior Court Clerk's Office |
| Divorce certificate (summary record) | CT Vital Records Office |
| Case lookup for probate-related matters | Connecticut Probate Courts Case Lookup |
Connecticut Vital Records Office
Note that Connecticut does not have county-level recording for vital records. The Fairfield Town Clerk handles marriage licenses and certain local records but is not the custodian of divorce decrees.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Fairfield
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copy (non-certified), per page | $1.00 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document | $2.50 per page (minimum $5.00) | Several business days |
| Divorce certificate from CT Vital Records | $20.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Expedited divorce certificate (CT Vital Records) | $20.00 + expedite/shipping fees | 1–2 weeks |