Fees

• Marriage Licenses:  $50 Licensing Fee
• Certified Copies for any vital record:  $20 Fee per copy

In Bethany, the Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerks are also the Registrar and Assistant Registrars of Vital Statistics. The principal statutory provisions relating to these duties are found in Sections 7-36 through 7-76 and 19a-42 of the Connecticut General Statutes.  Only a Registrar of Vital Statistics or the Commissioner of Public Health may issue certified copies of birth, marriage, death or fetal death certificates.  Notarized copies of vital records have no legal status (CGS 7-62a).

The Town Clerk accepts requests for certfied copies of Birth, Marriage and Death certificates that occurred in town or Bethany residents at the time of the event.  The Clerk also issues marriage licenses for ceremonies performed in town, burial permits and cremation permits.

Bethany now offers an online vital records ordering system.  The office processes orders within 2 business days, excluding weekends and holidays, once all information is available.

ONLINE VITAL RECORDS REQUEST

PLEASE NOTE: You will be charged a non-refundable $4.00 convenience fee, PLUS credit card fee, after the online order is placed, regardless of whether Bethany has the record on file. If you are uncertain if the vital event took place in Bethany or if the individuals involved were residing in town at the time, we strongly recommend confirming with us that we have the desired certificate before ordering.  You can call the office directly at 203-393-2100 ext. 1104.

REQUESTING A BIRTH, DEATH, OR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

Birth Certificates

A copy of your birth certificate is on file in the town in which you were born, and in the town in which your mother lived at the time of your birth. For all Births occurring after 2003, you may access from any Town within the State of Connecticut.  Access to birth records is restricted to the individual and a few relatives as defined by statute.

Death Certificates

Certified copies of death certificates can be obtained for individuals that passed away in or were residents of Bethany, Connecticut from 1889 until present. For anyone who died on or after July 1, 1997, certified copies that show the social security number of the deceased will be issued to the immediate family members only! Certified copies of death certificates without social security numbers will be issued to anyone else.

One Time Fee Waiver for A Copy of a Veteran’s Death Certificate: Please contact the Town Clerk's office at 203-393-2100 ex. 1104 if you need a coupon code for the one-time veteran's fee waiver.  CT law (C.G.S. §7-74 (c)) allows the spouse, child or parent of a deceased veteran to obtain one (1) free copy of the deceased’s death certificate, provided the requester presents a copy of their valid Government-issued photo I.D. and proof of their relationship to the deceased. Examples of proof of relationship include a marriage certificate for a spouse, one’s own birth certificate, if a child of the deceased, or the deceased’s birth certificate, if a parent of the deceased

Marriage Certificates

Certified copies of your marriage license can be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office where the marriage occurred or your town of residence at the time of marriage.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage Licenses must be obtained prior to the wedding from the Town Clerk in the town where the marriage will be performed.  The two individuals must appear in person to complete the worksheet and sign the license.  You will be asked to provide the Officiator name and contact information.  The fee for the license is $50.00, cash or check.  If you would like to receive a certified copy of the license after it is returned to the Town Clerk by the Officiator, the cost is $20.00 for each copy.  Below is more information about the marriage license process as well as the marriage worksheet.

Forms & Applications