Frequently Asked Questions - COVID-19 and Court Business

1. Where can I find the most up-to-date COVID-19 court information?
The Judicial Branch has a COVID-19 Updates web page with the latest information, which can be used to update any information in this FAQ.

Certain provisions related to Court Operations and Associated Requirements that were suspended by Executive Order No. 7G will no longer be suspended, effective March 1, 2021. See Executive Order No. 10A, issued on February 8, 2021.

2. Which courthouses are currently open, what are the hours, and where can I find the contact information?
Please see this list of courthouses and phone numbers and this directories web page. The days and hours of court business at all open courthouses are currently Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. Are masks required to enter a courthouse?
Effective Monday, March 7, 2022, the Judicial Branch will suspend the requirement of wearing a mask when entering a Judicial Branch facility. If COVID-19 activity increases in the state, mask use by individuals may again be required. Also effective March 7, 2022, the Judicial Branch requests but is not requiring jurors and prospective jurors to wear a mask while in the jury assembly room or the jury deliberation room. Mask wearing is an effective prevention strategy against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. As such, the Judicial Branch supports an individual's decision to wear a mask and to socially distance when indoors, if possible.

4. How can I access Judicial Branch Resources from home?
Please see this pamphlet on Accessing Judicial Branch Resources from Home. The pamphlet points you to contact information and services available online and by email.

5. What types of court matters are being handled remotely?
For information about the types of matters being scheduled for in-person or remote proceedings, see the General Guidelines for the Use of Remote Proceedings Post-Covid. The Judicial Branch has been conducting court business using alternatives to in-person presence since March 30, 2020. Jury trials resumed on June 1, 2021.

6. Are the Probate Courts open? What Probate services are available, and can documents be filed?
The Probate Courts are open. You can contact your local probate court with questions about availability and hours.

Jury Duty Information

7. Do I need to appear for jury duty during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
Jury trials resumed effective June 1, 2021. If you have received a juror summons, please respond to the notice. You may call Jury Administration if you have any questions at 1-800-842-8175 or send an email to jury.administration@jud.ct.gov. On all correspondence, please include your name, your current address, a telephone number and your juror identification number printed on the summons or reminder notice. For additional information, see the Jury Administration web page, which includes a frequently asked questions section.

Court Filing and Pending Cases

8. I have a pending case or trial. Do I need to go to court?
Currently all matters are being heard in Connecticut state courts. If you have an attorney, please contact your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, look up your case on the Judicial Branch's case look up section.

For information on virtual court proceedings, go to https://jud.ct.gov/RemoteJustice/. If a remote court hearing is scheduled and you receive an e-mail invitation to join a Microsoft Teams meeting, see this Connecticut Guide to Remote Hearings For Attorneys and Self-Represented Parties for information and guidance. For further information about the types of matters being scheduled for in-person or remote proceedings, see the General Guidelines for the Use of Remote Proceedings Post-Covid.

9. Are civil short calendars being held?
Yes. For more information on short calendar markings and marking periods, see the Civil Short Calendar Standing Order at https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/super/Standorders/ElectronicCivil.htm.

10. Are civil pre-trials, trial management conferences, and status conferences being held?
Yes. Civil pretrials, status conferences, trial management conferences, and judicial mediations are being conducted.

There are instructions on how to join a Teams Meeting scheduled by the Court. For family matters case dates, pre-trials, and status conferences, see question 18 and question 19.

11. Where can I find information about filing documents with the Superior Court?
Each court location has a Clerk's Office and many locations also have a Court Service Center and a Law Library that can give you information about filing documents with the Superior Court. Please visit the Judicial Branch's E-Services web page for information on E-Filing.

Please note that the process for a Self-Represented Party to be approved to E-File their documents has been simplified so that a party no longer needs to print the request and bring or mail it to a courthouse to verify their identity. Instead, they can email the documents that verify their identity to a centralized emailbox. For more information, see this May 11, 2020 E-Filing court notice.

12. Where can I find online court forms?
Forms can be found on the Official Court Webforms page. The Probate Courts have a separate Probate Court Forms page.

13. How can I get court documents notarized?
The Court Service Centers provide notary public services at each of their locations. The Executive Order of Governor Ned Lamont authorizing the use of remote notarization expired on July 1, 2021. Remote notarization is no longer authorized under Connecticut law.

Foreclosures and Evictions

14. Where can I find information concerning foreclosures and evictions?
This Law About Landlord/Tenant web page has links to information concerning evictions. And the Law About Foreclosures web page has links to information concerning foreclosures.

Restraining Orders and Civil Protection Orders

15. What is the procedure for filing of restraining orders and civil protection orders during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
Please see this web page on the Procedure for the Remote Filing of Temporary Restraining Orders.

Effective July 1, 2021, and consistent with the Governor's Executive Order 12B, section 3 and sections 46b-15 and 46b-16a of the Connecticut General Statutes, any application for a Temporary Restraining Order/Relief From Abuse or a Civil Protection order must be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath that includes the specific facts that form the basis for relief. After 5:00 PM on June 30, 2021, it is no longer adequate to file the application documents under penalty of false statement.

For applications for relief from abuse and related forms, go to https://www.jud.ct.gov/forms/grouped/family/restraining_order.htm.
For civil protection order applications and related forms, go to https://jud.ct.gov/forms/grouped/civil/civil_protect_order.htm.

Divorce and Custody

16. If we have an agreement, may we have our family court case resolved without having to come to court?
This web page on how to request that certain family matters be handled remotely states that "[d]uring the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Judicial Branch has established a procedure for parties with full written agreements in family court matters to request approval of their agreements without having to come to the courthouse for a hearing. The procedure is available to request the entry of final judgment in any action for custody, visitation between parents, dissolution of marriage, or legal separation, or a final order on any motion in such a case, as long as the parties are in complete agreement and file all necessary documents." Click here for explanations of the procedures and the necessary documents.

17. I have a trial or a specially assigned hearing for a pending case. Do I need to go to court?
Currently all matters are being heard in Connecticut state courts. If you have an attorney, please contact your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, look up your case on the Judicial Branch's case look up section.

Please see this notice, issued on Sept. 21, 2021, about Upcoming Developments in Family Court, including the expansion of in-person proceedings. If you have a remote court hearing scheduled and you receive an e-mail invitation to join a Microsoft Teams meeting, see this Connecticut Guide to Remote Hearings For Attorneys and Self-Represented Parties for information and guidance. For more information on virtual court proceedings, go to https://jud.ct.gov/RemoteJustice/.

For further information about the types of matters being scheduled for in-person or remote proceedings, see the General Guidelines for the Use of Remote Proceedings Post-Covid.

18. My family case has a "case evaluation hearing," a "resolution plan date," or a "case date" hearing. What does that mean?

Please read this document, The Pathways Process in Your Divorce, Custody, or Visitation Case, to review the new process for family cases in 2022. Additionally, see this explanation of the new motion dockets in family courts. There is also this Pathways Process web page.

Case Evaluation Hearings are intended primarily for pending matters that have not had previous court dates. The purpose of a Case Evaluation Hearing is to determine the specific issues in the case, the likelihood of the parties reaching an agreement, the amount of court involvement needed, and the scheduling of further proceedings. More information about Case Evaluation Hearings can be found here: https://www.jud.ct.gov/HomePDFs/CaseEvaluationHearingsFamilyMatters.pdf.

Resolution Plan Date: Connecticut has a new process, The Pathways Process in Your Divorce, Custody, or Visitation Case, for custody, visitation, dissolution of marriage, and legal separation cases. It was developed with the help of the National Center for State Courts based on research and experience in other states. The process is designed to encourage parties to concentrate on resolving their cases by agreement, instead of engaging in lengthy litigation. It seeks to give each case the level of court resources it needs sooner than was possible under the old process, and reduce the number of necessary court appearances. More information about Resolution Plan Dates can be found on the Pathways Process web page. See also: Notice, issued on Sept. 21, 2021, about Upcoming Developments in Family Court, including the expansion of in-person proceedings.

Case Dates are hearings before a judge to address matters like motions for temporary orders on custody, child support, or other subjects, to be in effect while your case is pending. The judge may also hear reports on the progress of services that have been ordered in your case. Due to the pandemic, these meetings will take place virtually for the foreseeable future. Case Dates are not the final trial of your case. They are intended as checkpoints along the way to final resolution, to keep your case on track and to conduct brief hearings on issues that need orders in place before there is a final agreement or trial. More information about Case Dates can be found in the The Pathways Process in Your Divorce, Custody, or Visitation Case document.

19. Are family pre-trials and status conferences being held?
Currently all matters are being heard in Connecticut state courts, including family pre-trials and status conferences.

20. My spouse and I are getting a divorce and we have an agreement. Can we skip the parenting class and get the divorce approved?
If both you and your spouse agree not to participate in the parenting education program, you can request that the court waive this requirement. It is within the judge's discretion to approve or deny this request.

21. Can I take a parenting class online? Do I have to pay for it out of my pocket?
Parenting education programs, offered as part of Connecticut General Statute Sec. 46b-69b, will be conducted virtually until further notice. You can contact the programs listed in this Parenting Education Program Offered Online document for their schedule of Virtual Parenting Education Program dates and times. If you sign up and complete a virtual program, this will be accepted as fulfilling the requirement.

Online parenting courses are paid for out of pocket unless the fee has been waived by the court. If you have an attorney, please contact your attorney.

22. How can I request approval of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) during this crisis?
Please review this document on How to Request Approval of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order by Electronic Means. To facilitate the continued processing of QDROs, the Judicial Branch has established an optional procedure whereby the proposed orders may be submitted and acted upon electronically. This option is available only in paperless, electronic files in which at least one appearing attorney or self-represented party is enrolled in e-filing. The procedure is not available in paper files.

23. What is the status of my custody agreement during this crisis?
All custody agreements remain in effect.

Child Support

24. What is the status of child support payments if I lost my job?
All child support orders remain in effect. You can file a motion for a modification. Please see this Child Support Frequently Asked Questions page for information.

25. Will my stimulus payment be reduced if I owe child support?
For information on the Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payments and the Treasury Offset Program for child support, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) published by the Department of Social Services (DSS) at https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Child-Support/Child-Support. You may contact DSS with any questions about the offset program. For specific questions about your child support balance or case please contact SES.

26. How can I contact Support Enforcement Services (SES) about an important child support issue?
If you have an important child support issue or question regarding your case, you may email SES at CSIPRU@JUD.CT.GOV. You may also continue to call the automated payment processing line for payment information on your case, at 1-888-223-7223. Additionally, there is a directory of SES offices available.

Gestational Agreements

27. How can I request approval of a gestational agreement without a court hearing?
Please review this document on How to Request Approval of a Gestational Agreement and the Entry of Pre-Birth Orders Without a Court Hearing. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Judicial Branch has established a procedure whereby parties to gestational carrier agreements may request the approval of their agreements, and the entry of pre-birth orders, without coming to the courthouse for a hearing.

Criminal and Motor Vehicle

28. What types of criminal matters are currently being acted on by the courts?
The Judicial Branch has been conducting court business using alternatives to in-person presence since March 30, 2020, and has steadily increased the types of matters that are being handled remotely. Currently all matters are being heard in Connecticut state courts. Jury trials resumed on June 1, 2021. For further information about the types of matters being scheduled for in-person or remote proceedings, see the General Guidelines for the Use of Remote Proceedings Post-Covid.

29. How do I find information about a pending criminal or motor vehicle case?
Information on pending criminal and motor vehicle cases can be found online by utilizing the case lookup page.

30. How do I find out when my next court date is?
Court date information can be found online by utilizing the case lookup page.

31. How do I apply for a public defender?
Please see this Division of Public Defender Services Office Directories web page for contact information.

32. Where can I find information on traffic tickets and reopening motor vehicle matters?
Please see this Traffic Violation FAQ. Questions concerning traffic tickets may be sent to traffictickets@jud.ct.gov. If you wish to reopen a motor vehicle matter that has been closed out pursuant to C.G.S. sec. 14-140 please remit payment by mail. Please send a money order (personal checks are not accepted) in the amount of $60.00 made payable to 'Clerk of Court' and mail to the court of jurisdiction. Please provide your name and docket number in the body of the money order. For additional information, contact the Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB).

33. Where can I get information on my driver's license status and/or DMV information?
For questions about your driver's license and/or DMV information, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DMV. For questions regarding a suspended license, please contact the DMV suspension line at 860-263-5720 or send an email to dmv.suspension@ct.gov.

34. How do I request a criminal history record?
Criminal history records can be requested through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. This Criminal History Record Request Form also includes the contact information.

Adult Probation

35. Are Adult Probation offices open during the COVID-19 public health emergency? How can I contact an Adult Probation office?
The offices are staffed the same hours as the courts are open, and you may contact the offices by telephone. Please do not hesitate to call if you need assistance from a probation officer.

36. Can diversionary program educational requirements be completed remotely?
Pretrial Alcohol Education and Pretrial Drug Education and Community Service clients may complete their education program requirements via tele-health evaluations and remote group sessions. CSSD clients may attend Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panels remotely.

Suspended Court Rules

37. Where can I find the currently suspended Practice Book rules?
To find the current Connecticut Practice Book, including current and proposed revisions and amendments, see the court rules web page. The suspended rules are available as an Appendix (page 682) to the 2022 Connecticut Practice Book.

Subsequent to the publication of these rule changes, some of the provisions have changed due to the fluid nature of the public health emergency and the civil preparedness emergency. To determine whether or not certain rules are still suspended, check the Judicial Branch's home page and COVID-19 Updates web page for notices and orders.

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