Vital Statistics
The Town Clerk’s Office is the repository for all vital records – births, marriages, deaths, adoptions, burial certificates, cremation permits, etc. If the “event” occurred outside of Salem, the original is filed in the town where it occurred and a certified copy is filed in the town of residence (Salem). If the “event” occurred in Salem, the original certificate remains here and certified copies are sent to the town of residence of the party or parties involved.
Connecticut General Statute Sec. 7-51a(a), which governs access to death records, states, in pertinent part:
“Any person eighteen years of age or older may purchase certified copies of marriage and death records, and certified copies of records of births or fetal deaths which are at least one hundred years old, in the custody of any registrar of vital statistics. The Department may issue uncertified copies of death certificates for deaths occurring less than one hundred years ago, and uncertified copies of birth, marriage, death and fetal death certificates for births, marriages, deaths and fetal deaths that occurred at least one hundred years ago, to researchers approved by the Department pursuant to section 19a-25, and to state and federal agencies approved by the Department. During all normal business hours, members of genealogical societies incorporated or authorized by the Secretary of the State to do business or conduct affairs in the state shall (1) have full access to all vital records in the custody of any registrar of vital statistics, including certificates, ledgers, record books, card files, indexes and database printouts...
A Request for a Birth Record is strictly regulated. It must be handwritten or typed and must be accompanied by a photo ID of the person making the request. Birth records may be viewed by certain family members, title searchers and attorneys and the head of the municipality but copies may only be obtained by certain members of the family or a lawful representative and registered Genealogical Societies. A full size certified copy will be $20.00 and a wallet size may be obtained for $15.00 (does not contain all information but is good for students to carry)
A birth certificate of an adopted person may be issued; however, the original birth record remains sealed unless ordered opened by the Court.
A certified copy of a death certificate, marriage certificate or birth may be issued if the event occurred in Salem or if the decedent or applicant was a resident of the Town of Salem. The fee for a certified copy is $20.00. We can only issue certified copies.
Marriage licenses are issued in Salem for marriages taking place in Salem, effective October 1, 2009. Blood tests are no longer required. There is no waiting period between application and issuance. The fee for the license is $50.00 with $34.00 of the fee going to the State of Connecticut.
Upon issuance of the license, the applicants are advised to give the license to the person officiating the ceremony. The license will ultimately be returned to the Town Clerk by the Officiant in the town where the marriage takes place and it becomes a permanent record. A certified copy may be obtained for a fee of $20.00 from the town where the ceremony takes place or the town of residence.
Marriage Statutes: Sec. 46b-28 Validity of marriages celebrated in a foreign country. All marriages in which one or both parties are citizens of this state (CT), celebrated in a foreign country, shall be valid, provided: (1) Each party would have legal capacity to contract such marriage in this state and the marriage is celebrated in conformity with the law of that country; or (2) the marriage is celebrated, in the presence of the ambassador or minister to that country from the United States or in the presence of a consular officer of the United States accredited to such country, at a place within his consular jurisdiction, by any ordained or licensed clergyman engaged in the work of the ministry in any state of the United States or in any foreign country.)
Sec. 46b-28a Recognition of marriages and other relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction. A marriage, or a relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a marriage, between two persons entered into in another state or jurisdiction and recognized as valid by such other state or jurisdiction shall be recognized as a valid marriage in this state, provide such marriage or relationship is not expressly prohibited by statute in this state.
(If same-sex couples wish to marry the same partners they had in a civil union, it is allowed without dissolution. If the civil union took place with a different individual, a marriage would not be valid. (Contact an attorney).
Sec. 46b-28b Recognition by another state or jurisdiction of marriages entered into in this state. A marriage license between two persons entered into in this state and recognized as valid in this state may be recognized as a marriage, or a relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a marriage, in another state or jurisdiction if one or both persons travel to or reside in such other state or jurisdiction.