Groton Birth Records Lookup

Groton is a coastal town in New London County, Connecticut, with a rich maritime history that spans many centuries. The town borders Long Island Sound and has served as an important naval center for the region for many years. Groton birth records date back to the early days of the town. The Town Clerk maintains these vital records for all births that take place within the town. You can request certified copies of Groton birth records for any legal purposes that require official birth documentation. The office serves residents and those with family ties to the town. Birth records from Groton are valid for passports, school enrollment, driver licenses, and other official uses.

Groton Birth Records Office Location

The Groton Town Clerk maintains all birth records at Town Hall for the town of Groton, Connecticut. The office is located at 45 Fort Hill Road in Groton, Connecticut. This is where you go to get certified copies of Groton birth records for yourself or family members.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm for all vital records requests. The office is closed on weekends and all state holidays throughout the year, so you should call ahead to confirm the office is open before you make a trip. This simple step can save you an unnecessary trip to the office if the Town Clerk is closed.

You can reach the office by telephone during regular business hours Monday through Friday at (860) 441-6640, and staff can answer questions about Groton birth records and the request process. They can tell you what identification documents to bring with you when you visit the office. They can also check if your specific birth record is on file before you make a trip. The fax number for the Town Clerk is (860) 441-6703, and you can send forms by fax.

Note: The office may close early on days before holidays and special events.

Groton Birth Record Fees and Payment

The cost for a certified birth record from Groton is $20 per copy for the full size certificate. This full size certificate contains all details from the original record on file and is accepted for all legal purposes. The wallet size birth record costs $15 for a compact version.

You can pay using several different methods for in person visits to the Town Clerk office. Cash is always accepted at the Town Clerk window during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Personal checks are accepted when made out to "Groton Town Clerk" for the exact fee amount. Credit cards may be accepted with a service fee added to the total cost of your order.

Mail orders must include a check or money order made out to Groton Town Clerk for the correct amount. Do not send cash through the mail because it can be lost or stolen, but include a self addressed stamped envelope with your request.

Groton Issues Statewide Birth Records

Groton can issue birth records for births that occurred anywhere in Connecticut from 2003 to the present day. This convenient service means you do not need to visit the town where the birth actually took place in person. Groton can help you even if you were born in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, or any other Connecticut town.

This statewide service makes it easy for current Groton residents to get birth records in one convenient location. The process works the same as for births that occurred in Groton, with the same fees and requirements, and you still need to show proper identification when requesting birth records.

For births that occurred before 2003, the rules are different and more restrictive for obtaining certified copies. You must go to the town where the birth took place for older records, or contact the state office. Groton cannot issue birth records from other Connecticut towns for births before 2003.

Note: Always call first if you need a birth record from another Connecticut town.

Order Groton Birth Records Online

You can order Groton birth records online through the VitalChek service, which is the only vendor authorized by the state of Connecticut for online orders. This provides a fast and convenient way to get records without visiting the office in person during regular business hours.

Visit vitalchek.com to begin your online birth record request through the secure portal. Select Connecticut as the state from the dropdown menu on the website, then pick Groton as the town where you want to order your birth record from.

Online orders have additional fees added to the record cost, and VitalChek charges a service fee for handling your request and processing your payment securely. The records are sent by standard mail after processing is complete, so allow extra time for postal delivery to your address.

Who Can Get Groton Birth Records

Connecticut state law limits who can obtain certified copies of birth records based on their relationship to the person named. The person named on the record can always request their own birth certificate when they are over 18 years of age. Parents whose names appear on the birth certificate can also get certified copies for their children. This rule applies in all 169 towns across Connecticut.

Other family members may need to provide proof of their relationship to the person named on the birth certificate. Spouses must show a current marriage license as proof of their legal relationship. Adult children need to show documents proving they are related to the person named on the birth record.

You must show a valid government issued photo ID when you request a birth record. A driver license from any state will work as proof of your identity. A state ID card or passport also meets the requirements for obtaining certified copies. The ID must be current and not expired.

Groton Birth Record Requirements

You need to provide certain facts when requesting a birth record from the Groton Town Clerk office. The full legal name on the birth certificate is the most important piece of information needed. The complete date of birth including month, day, and year is also required to locate the record.

The full names of both parents are required on the application form for all birth record requests. This includes the mother's full maiden name before marriage, and you should also provide your current phone number for contact purposes.

Always bring proof of your identity when requesting vital records from the Town Clerk office. A photo ID is the best form of identification to bring with you.

Groton Historical Birth Records

Groton maintains old birth records that date back many decades to the early days of the town. The town started keeping formal vital records in the 1800s for all births that occurred within town limits.

Old birth records help people research their family history and genealogy projects, tracing ancestors back through time. Genealogists often use these records to trace family trees back through multiple generations. You can view records that are more than 100 years old without restrictions.

The Connecticut State Library also maintains copies of historical vital records on microfilm for researchers and genealogists. They have microfilm records from many towns across the state that you can view. You can visit the Connecticut State Library in Hartford at 231 Capitol Avenue during their regular open hours for research.

Note: Old records may have spelling variations in names because they were recorded by hand.

Groton Birth Record Processing Times

In person requests at the Groton Town Clerk are processed the fastest, usually while you wait at the counter. Most requests are completed within minutes if you bring proper identification and payment method with you.

Mail orders take longer to process and return to you through the postal service. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned to your address. The time depends on postal service speed and the current office workload at the Town Clerk office.

Online orders placed through VitalChek also take time because they must verify your identity before processing. Then the record is mailed to you through standard postal mail delivery to your address. Allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Contact Groton Vital Records Office

You can call the Town Clerk office with questions about birth records or the request process. The phone number is (860) 441-6640 during regular business hours. Staff members are happy to help you.

Write to the office if you prefer to communicate by mail instead of phone or in person. Send letters to Groton Town Clerk at 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340. Include your phone number.

Visit in person for the fastest service on your birth record request. Bring your ID and payment. Fill out the birth record request form when you arrive at the counter. Most requests are processed while you wait at the office.

State Vital Records Office Option

You can also get birth records from the Connecticut State Vital Records Office in Hartford. The state office is located at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. They maintain all Connecticut birth records from 1897 to now for the entire state.

The state office has limited walk-in hours for in person requests from the public. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only for walk-in service. You can call (860) 509-7700.

State issued birth records cost $30 per certified copy. This is more expensive than town issued records at $20 per copy. The state office takes longer to process requests they receive by mail from the public.

Visit portal.ct.gov/dph for state record information and downloadable forms. This official website has detailed instructions for all request methods including mail and in person.