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. Additionally, Executive Order No. 9L extends to February 9, 2021 all previously issued executive orders related to COVID-19 that were in effect as of November 9, 2020.

2. Which courthouses are currently open, what are the hours, and where can I find the contact information?
Please see this List of Courthouses that are Open to the Public. 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. Who can enter the open courthouses?
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 7NNN, no person is permitted to enter a Judicial Branch courthouse or facility without covering his or her mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering. In addition, to allow for adequate social distancing, the number of people allowed into a courthouse, courtroom, office, lobby, or corridor, may be limited.

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...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.

5. What types of court matters are being handled remotely?
Please see this July 28, 2020 court notice about how the Judicial Branch is expanding its remote capabilities.

6. 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. Hearings continue as scheduled and may be conducted by audio or video conference. All filings, whether emergency or routine, may be mailed or eFiled with the Probate Courts.”

Jury Duty Information

7. Do I need to appear for jury duty during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
Jurors scheduled to appear in a Connecticut courthouse from now until January 31, 2021 should not report. Their jury service has been cancelled. Judicial Branch officials are developing strategies to safely resume jury trials. 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?
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.

Remote hearings on the record and remote court trials are being scheduled and conducted in identified civil cases. 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.

9. Are civil short calendars being held?
Beginning with the October 26, 2020 calendar, Short Calendar 01 (civil arguable matters) will resume, and all motions printing on the calendar can be marked during the marking period. 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. Please see this October 13, 2020 court notice for more information. Do not come to court on the date of the short calendar.

Non-arguable motions marked "take papers" on civil short calendar 10 and all Indical calendars are being ruled on remotely by judges and processed remotely by clerks. Arguable motions on Indical calendars marked "ready" are being scheduled for a remote hearing on the record. Do not come to court on the date of the short calendar.

Beginning with the September 8, 2020 calendar, Short Calendar 03 (Special Proceedings/PJR) resumed, and all motions on that calendar that are marked “take papers” will be ruled on by the Court on the papers. Motions marked “ready” will be scheduled for a remote hearing at a later date. Do not come to court on the date of the short calendar.

10. Are civil pre-trials, trial management conferences, and status conferences being held?
Civil pretrials, status conferences, trial management conferences, and judicial mediations are being conducted with judges and parties participating remotely, either by video link or telephone.

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 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 open Superior Court courthouses, where litigants may leave their documents. The box is for filing non-urgent matters.”

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Where can I find information about the legal protections, court orders, and procedures concerning foreclosures and evictions during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
You can view Executive Order No. 9T issued on December 23, 2020, for information about the extension of the residential eviction moratorium to February 9, 2021. Additionally, this Law About Landlord/Tenant web page has links to further information, including information about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium.

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

Housing mediators, who are trained employees of the court, will soon begin meeting with parties in commercial eviction cases via remote technology to try to work out agreements on these cases. The mediators will also begin to meet with parties in residential eviction cases after the moratorium expires on October 1, to resolve those matters. Housing stipulated agreement forms have been revised to eliminate the need for signatures, allowing mediators to draft agreements reached during remote mediations and forward them electronically to parties for review and for the court to review.

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. 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

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.

On or about June 24, judges will begin to hold virtual (video) family court hearings, including final agreements and uncontested dissolutions of marriage (divorces). Please see this June 17, 2020 court notice for more information about virtual family court hearings.

17. I have a trial or a specially assigned 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, June, and July 2020, will be continued to dates to be determined at a later date. You can view the full-text of this June 17, 2020 court notice for exceptions.

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.

18. My family case has a "resolution plan date" or a "case date" hearing. What does that mean?
As of January, 2021, Connecticut has a new process [Resolution Plan Date] 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 here: https://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/ResolutionPlanDate.pdf.

A Case Date is a hearing 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 here: https://jud.ct.gov/HomePDFs/facasedate.pdf.

19. 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.) Family relations counselors are also providing status conferences remotely.

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. A party can file an emergency motion if the child is in imminent or present physical danger or psychological harm.

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

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?
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

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?
Please see this May 13, 2020 court notice titled Criminal Matters Continue Expanding its Capability to Handle Cases. For additional information, see this July 28, 2020 court notice.

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 safely apply for a public defender?
Please see this Division of Public Defender Services web page titled Safely Apply for a Public Defender or call 860-756-7840 to request a safe application by phone.

32. 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.

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 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 June 17, 2020 court notice (last page).

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?
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.

Additionally, to determine whether or not certain rules are still suspended, check the Judicial Branch’s COVID-19 Updates web page for notices and orders. For example, see this Notice of Resumption of Defaults and Nonsuits in Civil and Family Matters and this September 24, 2020 order: Removal of the Suspension of Requirements and Deadlines in Section 3-2 and Section 17-30 Concerning Defaults.

To find the current Connecticut Practice Book, including current and proposed revisions, see the court rules web page.

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