Connecticut Public Records

A Connecticut public record contains information created, received, or maintained by a government agency or official while conducting official business. Government agencies and officials are required to retain and disclose public records per the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This Act empowers the public to access various records, including court, property, jail, birth, and arrest records.

In Connecticut, public records provide citizens with essential information about government activities. They also promote transparency and accountability in governance and serve as a means to monitor and track the actions of elected officials.

Are Connecticut Records Public?

Yes. The Sunshine Law, otherwise known as the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, designates government records as public records and guarantees public access to records maintained by public agencies. According to the law, any person can examine or obtain public records in Connecticut (Sec. 1-210(a)). Hence, record custodians must provide public records to any interested party who submits a public records request for documents in their keep.

Although the Connecticut FOIA empowers members of the public to obtain records in the public domain, it directs officials to restrict access to or redact documents if they are deemed classified or sensitive under state laws. According to the Act, documents to be exempted or redacted from public disclosure include:

Files or documents that reveal the identity of minor witnesses to crimes
Arrest records of juvenile offenders
Commercial or financial information given in confidence
Trade secrets and financial information
Personnel or medical files
Statements of personal worth or personal financial data
Examination-related information, such as test questions and scoring keys
Any file, document, or information obtained by illegal means
Education records
Inter-agency or interagency data
Records disclosing the district or city of residence of individuals in state protection

Connecticut Public Records Act

The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted by the state's legislature in 1975, is a series of laws that provide the public with the right to access government records and information. The FOIA exists to enhance transparency, accountability, and openness in government operations. The law ensures that both citizens and non-citizens of the state have the right to access records and information held by government agencies.

Under the Connecticut FOIA, individuals seeking to obtain or examine public records need only submit a request to the relevant record custodian. There is no requirement for record seekers to state a purpose when viewing or obtaining copies of public records in the state.

According to Sec. 1-200 of the Connecticut FOIA, a public record includes, but is not limited to, typed, handwritten, tape-recorded, photocopied, videotaped, and photographed data, such as emails, maps, graphs, charters, books, memoranda, folders, symbols, music files, and videotapes.

Irrespective of the format of the public record, FOIA mandates record custodians at both state and local levels to provide access to non-confidential records to requesters. Examples of these records include, but are not limited to, the following:

Arrest records
Property records
Marriage records
Inmate records
Court records, case information and verdicts
Criminal records
Vital records, such as birth or death records.

How Do I Find Public Records in Connecticut?

Interested members of the public can obtain public records from agencies or record custodians in Connecticut. The processes or procedures for submitting public records requests vary between agencies or custodians. However, requesting individuals can follow the steps outlined below to find and obtain files or documents from record custodians in the state.

Step 1: Determine the Record(s) Required and Its Custodian

Each state or local agency is typically responsible for specific records. Individuals should first identify the type of record they need to obtain and then determine the exact agency or public office that maintains such records. For example, inquirers may obtain court records from the court where a case was filed, and the local clerk or recorder's office receives requests for property records.

Step 2: Contact the Record Custodian to Determine Access Requirements

Most agencies maintain official websites. Visit the agency's website and reach out to the record division or designated contact using the provided details, such as a phone number or email. Contact them to inquire about the availability of the sought-after public records and to learn about any access requirements. This may include information to facilitate the search including page number, case number, docket number and so on.

Step 3: Complete and Submit a Request

Requesters should use the designated public records request procedures established by the record custodian. Accepted methods may vary, but record custodians often prefer in-person, written, or online requests. In-person requests entail visitation to the custodian's physical location, while written requests involves mailing a completed form with a return address. Online access may require completing and submitting a request form via a portal or website maintained by the custodian for file inspection.

Regardless of the available method, requesters are typically required to specify the desired record, supply document-identifying information (such as names, numbers, dates, etc.), and provide their contact details.

Step 4: Pay Applicable Fees

Processing public records requests may incur costs, especially when seeking copies of public records, and requesters should be prepared to pay. The amounts and payment methods may vary by agency or record custodian.

Find Connecticut Public Records Free

Free access to public files or records in Connecticut is often possible through online or in-person access. A public agency or record custodian may offer a public access terminal at its physical location or an open data portal that the public can access for free. Here are a few examples:

The Offender Information Search tool by the Connecticut Department of Corrections
The Business Records Search Portal by the Connecticut Secretary of State
The Connecticut Supreme and Appellate Court Case Lookup portal
County property records portals (e.g., Fairfield County property records).

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

When seeking public records in Connecticut, individuals may encounter refusals for various reasons, including privacy concerns, ongoing investigations, trade secrets, and statutory exemptions. Under the Connecticut FOIA (Sec. 1-206), when a public record request is denied, the record custodian must communicate the denial and provide a written explanation within four business days of receiving the request.

Requestors who are refused access to a record may file an appeal or complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission. Generally, record seekers must file a complaint within 30 days of the denial of regular public records requests. However, for secret meeting records, a complaint must be filed within 30 days after obtaining solid evidence or notice of the meeting. Before filing a complaint, record-seekers are advised to refer to the FOI statutes to confirm that the refusal of their request violates the law.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Connecticut Public Record?

It depends. Record custodians are required to provide Connecticut public records to interested individuals within four business days unless the document is exempt under the law. However, when a request is determined to be subject to subsections (b) and (c) of Section 1-214, the record custodian is allowed ten business days to provide feedback. This time frame covers the duration it will take the agency to do their due diligence to determine whether or not to fulfill the request or notify the record seeker about the status of their request.