Please check the COVID-19 Updates web page for additional information not included in these FAQs.
General Info |
Jury Duty |
Court Filing & Pending Cases |
Foreclosures & Evictions |
Restraining Orders |
Divorce & Child Custody |
Child Support |
Gestational Agreements |
Criminal & Motor Vehicle
| Adult Probation
|
Suspended Court Rules |
General Court Information
1. Where can I find the most up-to-date COVID-19 court information?
2. Which courthouses are currently open, what are the hours, and where can I find the contact information?
3. Are masks required to enter a courthouse?
4. How can I access Judicial Branch Resources from home?
5. What types of court matters are being handled remotely?
6. Are the Probate Courts open? What Probate services are available, and can documents be filed?
Jury Duty Information
7. Do I need to appear for jury duty during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
Court Filing and Pending Cases
8. I have a pending case or trial. Do I need to go to court?
9. Are civil short calendars being held?
10. Are civil pre-trials, trial management conferences, and status conferences being held?
11. Where can I find information about filing documents with the Superior Court?
12. Where can I find online court forms?
13. How can I get court documents notarized?
Foreclosures and Evictions
14. Where can I find information concerning foreclosures and evictions?
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?
Divorce and Custody
16. If we have an agreement, may we have our family court case resolved without having to come to court?
17. I have a trial or a specially assigned hearing for a pending case. Do I need to go to court?
18. My family case has a "case evaluation hearing," a "resolution plan date," or a “case date” hearing. What does that mean?
19. Are family pre-trials and status conferences being held?
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?
21. Can I take a parenting class online? Do I have to pay for it out of my pocket?
22. How can I request approval of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) during this crisis?
23. What is the status of my custody agreement during this crisis?
Child Support
24. What is the status of child support payments if I lost my job?
25. Will my stimulus payment be reduced if I owe child support?
26. How can I contact Support Enforcement Services (SES) about an important child support issue?
Gestational Agreements
27. How can I request approval of a gestational agreement without a court hearing?
Criminal and Motor Vehicle
28. What types of criminal matters are currently being acted on by the courts?
29. How do I find information about a pending criminal or motor vehicle case?
30. How do I find out when my next court date is?
31. How do I apply for a public defender?
32. Where can I find information on traffic tickets and reopening motor vehicle matters?
33. Where can I get information on my driver's license status and/or DMV information?
34. How do I request a criminal history record?
Adult Probation
35. Are Adult Probation offices open during the COVID-19 public health emergency? How can I contact an Adult Probation office?
36. Can diversionary program educational requirements be completed remotely?
Suspended Court Rules
37. Where can I find the currently suspended Practice Book rules?
General Court Information
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 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.
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 sIf 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 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: N
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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