Frequently Asked Questions - COVID-19 and Court Business

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  |  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. Are the Probate Courts open? What Probate services are available, and can documents be filed?
 6. Where can I find remote proceedings information?

Jury Duty Information

 7. Do I need to appear for jury duty?

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?

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)?

Child Support

23. What is the status of child support payments if I lost my job?
24. Will my stimulus payment be reduced if I owe child support?
25. How can I contact Support Enforcement Services (SES) about an important child support issue?

Criminal and Motor Vehicle

26. What types of criminal matters are currently being acted on by the courts?
27. How do I find information about a pending criminal or motor vehicle case?
28. How do I find out when my next court date is?
29. How do I apply for a public defender?
30. Where can I find information on traffic tickets and reopening motor vehicle matters?
31. Where can I get information on my driver's license status and/or DMV information?
32. How do I request a criminal history record?

Adult Probation

33. Are Adult Probation offices open during the COVID-19 public health emergency? How can I contact an Adult Probation office?

34. Can diversionary program educational requirements be completed remotely?

 Suspended Court Rules

35. Where can I find the previously 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. 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.

6. Where can I find remote proceedings information?
Please visit the Remote Proceedings Information web page for guides, quick cards, videos, and information on how to join a scheduled meeting.

Jury Duty Information

7. Do I need to appear for jury duty?
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

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.

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?
Please see this web page on the Procedure for the Filing of Temporary Restraining Orders.

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 "[t]he 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.

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

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

Please see this Pathways Process web web page, which explains the new process for family cases, including custody, visitation, dissolution of marriage, and legal separation cases.

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, are conducted in-person and online. You can view this Parenting Programs Brochure that has instructions, program explanation, program costs, and a list of approved parenting education programs.

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)?
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.

Child Support

23. 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.

24. 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.    

25. 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.

Criminal and and Motor Vehicle

26. What types of criminal matters are currently being acted on by the courts?
Currently all matters are being heard in Connecticut state courts. Jury trials resumed on June 1, 2021.

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

30. 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. For additional information, contact the Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB).

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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.

34. 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

35. Where can I find the previously 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 previously suspended rules were available as an Appendix (page 687) to the 2023 Connecticut Practice Book. Effective May 11, 2023, the changes to the Practice Book rules contained in the appendix no longer remain in effect. See this notice concerning the expiration of the Practice Book appendix.

 

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