www.WashingtonCT.org The Town of Washington, Connecticut Town Clerk

Office: Main level of Bryan Memorial Town Hall Hours: 9:00 AM - Noon, 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM Telephone: 860-868-2786 Fax: 860-868-3103 Note that several departments share this fax line, so be sure to address your document clearly! Email: townclerk@washingtonct.org U.S. Mail Address: Town Clerk Town of Washington P.O. Box 383 Washington Depot, CT 06794 Street Address: Town Clerk Town of Washington 2 Bryan Plaza Washington Depot, CT 06794 Elected Officials: (4-year term) • Sheila M. Anson, Town Clerk, Registrar of Vital Statistics Staff: • Denise E. S. Arturi, Assistant Town Clerk, Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics • Pamela S. Osborne, Assistant Town Clerk, Assistant Registrar of Vital Statistics

Mission Statement:

To faithfully record, file, maintain and preserve the public records of the Town of Washington in accordance with the code of professional ethics resulting in public confidence and respect for the government.

About the Office of the Town Clerk:

The office of Town Clerk is one of the oldest in government and is in charge of the Town's record management system. In Washington, Connecticut, the Town Clerk is elected for a term of four years and is responsible to faithfully record that which, by law, is required and preserve that which must be entrusted to the Town Clerk's office in accordance with sound practices.

Services performed in the Town Clerk's office include receiving and recording land documents; administering a preservation program for town records; recording veteran discharges (tax relief); registering voters and providing election materials; receiving and filing commission memberships, meetings, minutes, notices and schedules; registering, renewing and issuing dog licenses; registering, renewing and issuing sportsmen's licenses and distributing permits, applications, stamps and guides for sportsmen; publishing legal notices; researching and responding to an array of numerous public concerns; collecting, depositing and accounting Town Clerk fees; directing and educating the general public to the appropriate department. The Town Clerk's office is also the tourism center and welcome wagon rolled into one.

The Town Clerk handles voter registration. You may also register to vote by mail -- see the Connecticut Mail-In Voter Registration Form ( 2 pages)

The Town Clerk administers Absentee Ballots.

The Town Clerk issues the following permits and licenses (see Permits and Licenses for all others):

• Birth Records
• Death Records
• Dog Licenses
• Fishing & Hunting Licenses
• Land Records
• Liquor Permits
• Marriage Licenses

Vital Statistics

In Washington, Connecticut, the Town Clerk is also the Registrar of Vital Statistics. Those responsibilities include recording and maintaining vital statistics as prescribed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Vital records consist of birth, marriage and death records. Although there are indexes dating back to the late 1700's, the certificates on file begin in 1885.

Who has access to Birth Records?

In accordance with Connecticut General Statute 7-51, examination of birth records and an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General, the following details accessibility to vital records in Connecticut:

1. Birth Records more than 100 years old:
   • Any Person

2. Birth Records less than 100 years old:
   • Person who is the subject of the birth certificate
   • Parent or Guardian or Grandparent, if a minor
   • Spouse or Children
   • Chief Elected Official of Municipality or agent
   • Local Health Director
   • Attorneys
   • Title examiners
   • Members of Incorporated Genealogical Societies or Societies Authorized to Conduct Business in Connecticut
   • Persons Authorized by Court Order
   • State or Federal Agency Authorized by State Commissioner of Public Health

Who has access to Marriage/Death Records?

• Any person, documents subject to the Freedom of Information Act
• Social Security Numbers must be removed as applicable, in accordance with Public Act 97-7

For a certified copy of a vital statistic the cost is $5.00 and may be attained in person or by written request (photo identification is required for birth records less than 100 years old). Send us the name and date of the event, along with your check for the proper amount.

Genealogical research is done in the Clerk's office. The staff will do genealogical research as time allows.