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. The Judicial Branch’s COVID-19 Updates web page includes the Governor’s Executive Order No. 7G, Suspension of Non-Critical Court Operations and Associated Requirements.

2. Which courthouses are currently open, and where can I find the contact information?
Please see the List of Courthouses Where Priority Level I Business Functions will Be Handled During the COVID-19 Pandemic. According to this court notice, the hours of operation for courthouses have been reduced. And beginning April 14th, 2020, all courthouses will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays until June 15. The days and hours of court business at all open courthouses are currently Mondays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Starting the week of June 8, 2020, limited operations will resume at Middlesex Judicial District Courthouse in Middletown, Rockville’s Geographical Area No. 19 Courthouse, and the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse at Torrington. Please see this May 27, 2020 court notice for more information.
Starting the week of June 15, all open courthouse locations will be open each day, Monday through Friday. The hours for the public will be Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Starting the week of June 29, the Danbury, Milford, Stamford and Danielson courthouses will be open to the public.
Starting the week of July 6, open courthouse locations will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please see this June 4, 2020 court notice for more information about expansion of operations.

3. Who can enter the open courthouses?
Pursuant to Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7BB, effective immediately no person is permitted to enter a Judicial Branch courthouse or facility without covering his/her mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering.

Please see this March 26, 2020 COVID-19 court notice about minimizing the number of people in Connecticut state courthouses. This April 15, 2020 COVID-19 court notice states that “lock boxes have been placed in the lobby area of the six open Superior Court courthouses, where litigants may leave their documents. The box is for filing non-urgent matters.”

Additionally, the Judicial Branch has published temporary procedures for media representatives seeking to observe criminal proceedings.

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.

Additionally, this May 28, 2020 court notice lists the matters being conducted remotely by the Judicial Branch.

5. Are the Probate Courts open? What Probate services are available, and can documents be filed?
According to the Probate Court COVID-19 Update web page, “Probate Courts are available by telephone, eFiling or for assistance through the Probate Court website. All filings, whether emergency or routine, may continue to be mailed or eFiled with the Probate Courts.”

Jury Duty Information

6. Do I need to appear for jury duty during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
All jury service is suspended until further notice. Even if you have been summoned for jury duty, you should not report. 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.

Court Filing and Pending Cases

7. I have a pending case. Do I need to go to court?
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 pending family matters, please see the Divorce & Custody section of this FAQ.

8. Are civil short calendars being held?
Civil Short Calendar will be reinstated effective May 4, 2020 for non-arguable matters, but no short calendar court sessions will be held until the Judicial Branch resumes normal operations. Please see this April 17, 2020 short calendar court notice for more information.

Starting with the May 18, 2020 calendar, both arguable and non-arguable motions will print on all Indical calendars assigned to a specific judge under the Individual Calendaring Program. Judges will rule on arguable and non-arguable motions that are marked take papers. Arguable motions marked ready instead of take papers will be marked off by the Court and must be reclaimed. Please see this May 1, 2020 short calendar court notice for more information.

9. Are civil pre-trials, trial management conferences, and status conferences being held?
Effective May 18, 2020, the Judicial Branch will resume its daily schedule of civil pre-trials, trial management conferences, and status conferences. These events will be conducted remotely, either by video link or telephone. Please see this May 7, 2020 court notice for more information.

Additionally, there are instructions on how to join a Teams Meeting scheduled by the Court. For family matters pre-trials and status conferences, see question 17.

10. Where can I find information about filing documents with the Superior Court during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
This March 26, 2020 COVID-19 court notice states that “[y]ou may file documents (accompanied by the court fee if one is required) by mailing them to the appropriate courthouse or by e-filing." Please visit the Judicial Branch’s E-Services web page for additional 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.

Additionally, this April 15, 2020 COVID-19 court notice indicates that “lock boxes have been placed in the lobby area of the six open Superior Court courthouses, where litigants may leave their documents. The box is for filing non-urgent matters.”

11. Where can I find online court forms?
Forms can be found on the Official Court Webforms page. There is also a list of recently updated forms. The Probate Courts have a separate Probate Court Forms page.

12. How can I get documents notarized?
For information on notarizing documents, please see this State of Connecticut COVID-19 answer page, which answers the following question:

Can I still get notarization services while the state is under the emergency coronavirus order?

Please note that the instructions for filing a temporary restraining order or civil protection order state that “during this period, the usual requirement that you take an oath before a notary public or other official has been suspended. Instead, the forms are signed, without a notary, under the ‘penalty of false statement.’”

Foreclosures and Evictions

13. Where can I find information about the legal protections and other court orders concerning foreclosures and evictions during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
For information on housing related legal protections, there is a State of Connecticut COVID-19 web page titled Homeowners and Renters. On this web page you will find a FAQ for renters as well as information on residential rent protections, the moratorium on foreclosures and evictions, and mortgage relief for residents and businesses.

The COVID-19 Updates web page has the latest court related information on these issues. Here are the three most recent orders:

05/15/20 -- Strict Foreclosure Order : All Judgments of Strict Foreclosure entered in matters with law days prior to July 7, 2020 are opened by the Court for the sole purpose of extending the Law Day in those matters to July 7, 2020 for the owner of equity of redemption and thereafter for subsequent encumbrancers in the inverse order of their priorities. The plaintiff in those matters is hereby ordered to file a notice of the new law day in the court file.
04/23/20 -- All foreclosure sales scheduled for June and through July 18, 2020 are hereby cancelled in order to prevent a potential gathering of individuals at the auction site. Click here for more information.
04/23/20 -- Per order of Judge James W. Abrams, Chief Administrative Judge of Civil Matters, there is an IMMEDIATE STAY of the service of all issued executions on evictions and ejectments through June 1, 2020. Click here for the order.

Restraining Orders and Civil Protection Orders

14. 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. Please note that the instructions for filing a temporary restraining order or civil protection order state that “during this period, the usual requirement that you take an oath before a notary public or other official has been suspended. Instead, the forms are signed, without a notary, under the ‘penalty of false statement.’”

Divorce and Custody

15. 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.

16. I have a trial or a hearing for a pending case. Do I need to go to court?
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. With some exceptions, all family trials and specially assigned hearings which had been scheduled to commence or continue on dates during the months of May or June, 2020, will be continued to dates to be determined at a later date. You can view the full-text of this April 29, 2020 court notice for exceptions.

17. Are family pre-trials and status conferences being held?
Family pre-trials and status conferences will be held telephonically starting the week of May 11, 2020. These remotely held events will be scheduled in cases from all Judicial District courts, whether or not the court location is currently open. Please read this May 15, 2020 Message Regarding Remote Family Pretrials and Status Conferences for more detailed information. (See also: May 7, 2020 Family Matters Update.)

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. What is the status of my custody agreement during this crisis?
All custody agreements remain in effect. A party can file an emergency motion if the child is in imminent or present physical danger or psychological harm.

Child Support

22. 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 but that motion will not be heard until court business resumes.

23. 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.

24. How can I contact Support Enforcement Services (SES) about an important child support issue?
The COVID-19 Updates web page states that “[d]uring this time, SES is operating with reduced staffing and is providing limited services. 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.”

Gestational Agreements

25. 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

26. What types of criminal matters are currently being acted on by the courts?
Please see this May 13, 2020 court notice titled Criminal Matters Continue Expanding its Capability to Handle Cases. For additional information, see this May 28, 2020 court notice.

27. 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.

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

29. Where can I find information on traffic tickets and reopening motor vehicle matters?
This COVID-19 court notice states that “[y]ou may pay, plead not guilty or request online review of your traffic ticket. Questions concerning traffic tickets may be sent to traffictickets@jud.ct.gov. Fines and fees for criminal and motor vehicle matters are deferred until further notice. 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.” Please see this Traffic Violation FAQ for further details.

30. 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.

31. 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

32. Are Adult Probation offices open during the COVID-19 public health emergency? How can I contact an Adult Probation office?
The COVID-19 Updates web page states that the Judicial Branch has closed Adult Probation offices to public access, including to probation clients, unless authorized by a probation officer, until further notice. The offices are staffed the same hours as the courts are open, and you may contact the offices by telephone. Adult probation officers are connecting with clients via telephone contacts. Please do not hesitate to call if you need assistance from a probation officer. For additonal information, see this Adult Probation COVID-19 Update and this May 28, 2020 court notice.

Suspended Court Rules

33. Where can I find the currently suspended Practice Book rules?
Please see this page on the Emergency Meeting of the Rules Committee of the Superior Court pursuant to Section 1-9B of the CT Practice Book. The suspended rules are in Appendix A and a new rule is in Appendix B.

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