Find Fairfield County Birth Certificates
Fairfield County birth records are kept at the town level, not the county level. Connecticut law requires each town to maintain its own vital statistics. This means you must contact the specific town clerk where the birth took place. Fairfield County has 24 towns, including major cities like Bridgeport and Stamford. Each town clerk serves as the registrar of vital records. They issue certified copies of birth certificates for births within their borders. This guide helps you find the right town office for your Fairfield County birth records request.
How Fairfield County Birth Records Work
Connecticut has a unique system for vital records. The state does not use counties to manage birth certificates. Instead, each town acts as its own vital records office. This system dates back centuries. Town clerks in Fairfield County have kept birth records since the 1600s. The Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 93 governs this process. It requires town clerks to record all births in their jurisdictions.
When a baby is born in Fairfield County, the hospital or midwife reports the birth to the local registrar. The town clerk files the certificate. The state also receives a copy. However, the town clerk remains the primary source for certified copies. This is different from many other states. Most states use county health departments. Connecticut residents must know which town to contact.
Fairfield County borders New York State. Many residents live in one state but work in another. Some babies are born in New York hospitals. Those records go to New York, not Connecticut. Always verify where the birth occurred. The issuing office depends on the place of birth, not the parents' residence.
Bridgeport Birth Records and Town Clerk
Bridgeport is the largest city in Fairfield County. It has its own vital records office. The city clerk handles all birth certificates for births in Bridgeport. Their office is at 45 Lyon Terrace. You can visit in person during business hours. The Bridgeport Vital Records office also accepts mail requests.
The city of Bridgeport keeps birth records from the late 1800s to present. For older records, contact the Connecticut State Library. Bridgeport charges $20 for each certified copy. This matches the state standard fee. Bring photo ID when you visit. The clerk will verify your identity before releasing any records.
Bridgeport Vital Records offers walk-in service. Many people prefer this option. You can leave with your certificate the same day. Call ahead to confirm hours. The office gets busy during peak times.
The Bridgeport office processes hundreds of requests each month. Staff are trained to handle urgent requests. They understand the importance of these documents. Many people need birth certificates for passports or school enrollment. The clerk's office works to provide fast service.
Note: Bridgeport uses the state standard form for all requests. You can download this form from the state website.
Stamford Birth Certificates and Vital Records
Stamford is another major city in Fairfield County. It sits on the Long Island Sound. The Stamford Town Clerk handles all vital records for the city. Their office is in the Government Center on Washington Boulevard. Stamford has a large population. The town clerk's office stays busy with birth record requests.
Stamford offers several ways to get birth certificates. You can visit in person. You can also order by mail. The city participates in online ordering through third-party vendors. The VitalChek system works for Stamford records. This lets you order from home. Extra fees apply for online service.
Stamford Town Clerk maintains records with care. The office keeps secure backups. This protects against loss or damage. Birth records are precious documents. Families rely on them for generations. The town clerk takes this responsibility seriously.
Stamford's office hours are Monday through Friday. Closed weekends and holidays. Plan your visit accordingly. The office can get crowded. Morning visits often have shorter wait times. Staff can answer questions about the process. They can explain what ID you need.
Norwalk Birth Records and Town Clerk Office
Norwalk is a coastal city in Fairfield County. It has a rich maritime history. The Norwalk Town Clerk manages all birth records for the city. The office is at 125 East Avenue. Norwalk offers birth certificates for births from the late 1800s forward. You must prove your identity to get a copy. CGS Section 7-51 requires this protection.
The Norwalk clerk's office provides certified copies only. Non-certified copies have no legal value. Use your certified copy for passports, licenses, and legal matters. The fee is $20 per copy. Payment methods include cash and money orders. Call ahead to verify current payment options.
State Vital Records also keeps Norwalk births. The state has records from July 1, 1897 onward. You can choose to order from the state instead. The state fee is $30. Town offices are often faster and cheaper.
Norwalk residents can order online in some cases. The town may use third-party services. Check the city website for current options. Online ordering costs more. It saves time for those who cannot visit in person.
Danbury Birth Certificates and Vital Records
Danbury sits in northern Fairfield County. It is known as the Hat City. The Danbury Town Clerk handles all local vital records. The office is at 155 Deer Hill Avenue. Danbury keeps birth records for over a century. The records are well organized. Staff can locate certificates quickly.
The Danbury clerk's office follows all state laws. CGS Section 7-51 controls who can get birth certificates. You must be the person named on the record. You could also be a parent, spouse, or legal guardian. Adult children can get their parents' records. You must show proof of relationship.
Danbury charges the standard $20 fee. The office accepts various payment types. Cash works for walk-ins. Money orders work for mail requests. Some credit cards may be accepted. Ask before you visit. The office aims to provide same-day service for most requests.
The Danbury office is open weekdays. Hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Verify hours before visiting. The office closes on city holidays. Plan ahead if you need a certificate for travel.
Note: Danbury can provide records for births that occurred in the city only. Check your birth certificate for the correct town.
Fairfield Town Birth Records and Certificates
The town of Fairfield is in southern Fairfield County. It borders Long Island Sound. The Fairfield Town Clerk maintains all local birth records. The office is at 611 Old Post Road. Fairfield is a suburban community. The town clerk handles fewer requests than Bridgeport or Stamford. This can mean faster service.
Fairfield offers birth certificates for births in town. Records go back many decades. The town uses modern record-keeping systems. Staff can search electronic databases. This speeds up the process. You still need proper ID to get a copy. The town follows all state privacy laws.
The Fairfield office charges $20 per certified copy. This is the standard town rate. The office accepts cash and checks. Call to ask about credit cards. Staff are helpful and knowledgeable. They can explain the process clearly. Many residents appreciate the personal service.
Greenwich Birth Certificates and Town Clerk
Greenwich is at the western edge of Fairfield County. It borders New York State. The Greenwich Town Clerk manages vital records for the town. The office is at 101 Field Point Road. Greenwich is an affluent community. The town clerk provides high-quality service. Many residents request birth records for various needs.
Greenwich keeps careful records of all births. The town clerk's office is modern and efficient. They offer multiple ways to request certificates. You can visit in person. You can mail your request. Some services may be available online. Check the town website for current options.
The Greenwich office follows Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 93. These laws protect your privacy. Only eligible people can get copies. Bring proper identification. Prove your relationship if needed. The staff will help you through the process.
Other Fairfield County Town Birth Records
Fairfield County has 24 towns total. We covered the largest ones above. Many other towns also maintain vital records. Stratford is a coastal town with its own clerk's office. Shelton sits on the Housatonic River. Trumbull is a suburban community. Newtown is in the northern part of the county. Westport sits on Long Island Sound.
Each town follows the same basic rules. They charge $20 for certified copies. They require photo ID. They keep records confidential for 100 years. You must contact the specific town where the birth occurred. The county government does not handle these requests. Do not contact Fairfield County itself for birth certificates.
Smaller towns may have limited hours. Call before you visit. Some towns close for lunch. Some have reduced summer hours. Plan accordingly. Mail requests work well for smaller towns. Processing may take a few days. The wait is usually shorter than at the state level.
State Vital Records Office for Fairfield County
The State Vital Records Office is another option. It is in Hartford. The state keeps all Connecticut birth records from July 1, 1897 onward. This includes all Fairfield County births. You can order from the state if you prefer. The state fee is $30 per copy.
The state office offers walk-in service on certain days. Check their website for current hours. Mail requests take up to 12 weeks. This is the slowest option. The state office handles requests from all 169 towns. They have a large backlog at times. Town offices are usually faster for recent births.
VitalChek partners with the state for online orders. This service adds extra fees. It is faster than mail. You can order any time. The system works for all Fairfield County towns. This is convenient if you live out of state.
Browse Connecticut Birth Records by Location
Fairfield County is one of eight counties in Connecticut. Each county has multiple towns with vital records offices. Select a county below to find more local resources for birth records.
Fairfield County Cities and Towns
Major cities and towns in Fairfield County maintain their own birth records. Select a location below to learn about getting birth certificates in that area.