Groton Court Docket Records
Groton court docket records are managed by the Connecticut Judicial Branch through the New London Judicial District. If you need to look up a case filed in Groton, the state runs several free search tools that cover civil, criminal, and family court dockets. Most filings from Groton go to the courthouse in New London, just a few miles south. The Southeastern Connecticut Probate Court also serves Groton for estate and trust matters. This page covers how to search for Groton court docket entries, where to go in person, and what each court handles.
Groton Quick Facts
Groton Court Docket Search Online
The state provides free online tools for searching Groton court docket records. The Civil/Family Case Look-up is the main tool for civil lawsuits, family cases, small claims, and housing filings. You type in a name or docket number, and the system pulls up all matching cases from every court in the state. You can then filter to just the New London Judicial District to narrow your search to Groton area cases. Each result shows the docket number, case type, parties, and current status. Under C.G.S. 1-200, court docket records are public. You do not need to be a party in the case to look it up.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch runs the civil case inquiry tool shown below, which covers all Superior Court docket records across the state.
This tool is the fastest way to find a Groton court docket from home. Results update as the court processes new filings and hearings.
New London Judicial District Court
Groton falls within the New London Judicial District. The courthouse sits at 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320. Call (860) 443-5363 to reach the clerk. This court handles all major civil cases, family matters, and serious criminal cases for Groton and the surrounding towns. Each case that gets filed here receives a docket number right away. That docket tracks the case from start to finish. Every motion, hearing, and order shows on it.
| Court | New London Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320 |
| Phone | (860) 443-5363 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Civil lawsuits, divorce filings, custody disputes, and felony charges all go through the New London JD courthouse. Groton residents can visit the clerk in person to pull up case files. Bring a photo ID and the case name or docket number. The staff will find the file and let you review it or get copies. Under C.G.S. 51-36a, the Judicial Branch sets the rules for how courts store and share docket records. Copies cost $1.00 per page for plain copies, and certified copies run $2.00 per document plus the per-page fee.
Note: The New London JD courthouse also serves several other towns in the area, so docket volume can be high during busy periods.
Groton Criminal Docket Records
Criminal cases from Groton go through two courts. The New London JD handles felonies. G.A. 10 at 112 Broad Street in New London handles arraignments, misdemeanors, and motor vehicle cases. You can call G.A. 10 at (860) 443-8343. Both courts create docket entries for each criminal case. The docket shows charges, court dates, plea, and the final result. You can search Groton criminal docket records online through the Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up tool. This shows conviction records for up to 10 years after sentencing. Pending cases stay in the system until the court resolves them.
The Groton Police Department keeps its own records of arrests and incidents. Call (860) 441-6710 for police records. A police report and a court docket entry are two different things. The court docket starts when the case gets filed. The police report starts when officers respond to a call or make an arrest. If someone was arrested in Groton and charged, the court docket will show in the New London JD or G.A. 10 system depending on the charge level.
Under C.G.S. 54-142g, some criminal records can be erased after a dismissal, acquittal, or pardon. If a case was erased, it will not appear in the online search tool. The court treats erased cases as if they never happened.
Groton Probate Court Dockets
Probate cases for Groton go through the Southeastern Connecticut Probate Court, also called District 24. This office sits at 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340. Call (860) 441-6655. The probate court handles estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. Each case gets its own docket. You can search probate docket records online through the Connecticut Probate Court Case Lookup tool. That system covers cases filed from 2011 forward. Older probate docket records need to be requested from the court directly.
The Connecticut Probate Courts website provides forms, fee schedules, and contact details for every probate district in the state.
Probate records are generally public. Some files that involve minors or protected adults may have restricted access. The probate clerk in Groton can tell you if a specific file has any limits on who can view it.
Groton Court Docket Filing Process
Filing a new case starts at the clerk's office. You need the right forms for your case type. The Connecticut Judicial Branch forms page has every form sorted by case type. Civil, family, small claims, and housing forms are all there. Fill out the forms, make copies, and bring them to the courthouse at 70 Huntington Street. The clerk stamps your papers and gives you a docket number. That number stays with your case through each step.
Filing fees vary by case type. A civil lawsuit costs more than a small claims case. The E-Services portal lets attorneys file some documents online. Self-represented parties may also use certain e-filing options for some case types.
Note: Not all case types support electronic filing yet, so check the E-Services portal before planning to file online.
Getting Copies of Groton Docket Records
You can get copies of Groton court docket records in a few ways. Walk into the clerk's office at the New London JD during business hours and ask for the case by name or docket number. Staff will pull the file. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per document plus the page fee.
For closed cases sent to storage, contact the Superior Court Records Center in Enfield. Email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov with the case name and docket number. Staff there will find the file and let you know how to get copies. Disposed Groton docket records move to the records center after the local court retention period ends. Court transcripts are a separate request. They cost $3.00 per page for regular service. Audio recordings of hearings from November 2018 onward cost $25 per day per docket number.
Groton Town Clerk and Local Resources
The Groton Town Clerk's office handles land records, vital records, and other town documents. Call (860) 441-6640. The Town Manager's office is at (860) 441-6600. These offices do not manage court docket records. Court dockets go through the Judicial Branch, not the town government. But the Town Clerk can help with things like property liens that may relate to a court case.
- Groton Town Manager: (860) 441-6600
- Groton Town Clerk: (860) 441-6640
- Groton Police Department: (860) 441-6710
- Southeastern CT Probate Court: (860) 441-6655
- New London JD Clerk: (860) 443-5363
If you need help with a court case and cannot afford a lawyer, Connecticut has legal aid resources that serve the Groton area. Statewide Legal Services can help with some civil matters at no cost to people who qualify.
New London County Court Resources
Groton is in New London County. All Groton court docket records are part of the larger New London County court system. For more on courts across the county, visit the New London County court docket page. That page covers the full Judicial District and the GA courts that serve the area.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Groton also file court docket records through New London County courts. Check these pages for details on their local courts.