For frequently asked questions regarding The Town of Orange Police Department Click Here

The Zoning office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If the shed is 150 square feet or less, & under 10 feet in height, you do not need a Zoning permit or a Building permit.  The setbacks are 10 feet from the side & rear property lines; and 75 feet from the street.

If the shed is 150 square feet and under 200 square feet, it requires a Zoning Permit but not a Building permit.  The setbacks are 50 feet to the rear property line, 25 feet to each side property line and 60 feet from the street.

If the shed is  200 square feet to 300 square feet, and 10 to 15 feet in height, you need a Zoning permit and a Building permit.  The setbacks are 50 feet to the rear property line, 25 feet to each side property line, and 60 feet from the street.

Sheds cannot exceed 15 feet in height.

The minimum lot size required is 60,000 square feet.

You need at least one acre to have a horse.

The Highway Department is open Monday through Friday, from 7 AM until 3 PM.

Please call the Highway Department at 203-891-4775 to report a pothole. If you are calling outside our business hours of Monday through Friday, 7 AM - 3 PM please leave a detailed message including street address and location on our answering machine. We will retrieve the information the next business day and dispatch a crew to repair.

Yes. The Highway Department will pick up roadkill from town-maintained roads. Please call 203-891-4775 to report. Please be prepared to give detailed information such as address and type of roadkill. Please note we do not collect birds, squirrels or rabbits. 

For trees growing into the power lines please contact United Illuminating. 

To report a tree trimming or other power line problem, please call UI at 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584).  When you call, please have the following information ready:

• Your contact information
• Address of tree problem
• One of the following pieces of information:
  • Cross Street
  • Landmark
  • Pole Number

Important: It is vital that you DO NOT attempt to trim the tree yourself.  Serious injury or death could result.

If electrical wires are on the ground or dangling, STOP! Call 911 immediately! Assume the wires are live. Keep pets and children at a safe distance. Do NOT drive over wires! Never attempt to move tree limbs entangled in electrical wires. The Orange Police Department will contact UI and dispatch a Highway crew to safeguard the dangerous situation until UI can arrive to make repairs.

Please contact the Highway Department a 203-891-4775 to report a branch or tree into the roadway. 

Call 911 if wires are involved! Stand back and keep children and pets away. Do not drive over wires. Never attempt to clear road of tree branches when wires are entangled due to electrocution risk. 

Call the Highway Department 203-891-4775 to report the situation. Highway will dispatch a crew to cut/trim back. Or, Highway may contact the homeowner to give them an opportunity to trim back. If not done to satisfaction Highway Department reserves the right to open the sight line properly. 

Please note: We do NOT trim back on state-maintained roads. You must call the appropriate State of CT DOT office. Please see CT DOT Contact Numbers link on the Highway Department page for telephone numbers.

With over 110 miles of roads to clear the plow trucks must first open primary roads, then secondary roads and finally tertiary roads (i.e., cul-de-sacs and lesser traveled roads). Plows open roadways with one pass on each side of road, return to open roads wider, and then they push back. Please wait until all plowing is complete before clearing your driveway. If, after all plowing is complete you have a situation that requires more attention, then call our office at 203-891-4775 to ask. We cannot relocate our plows to accommodate individual requests. If you have a life threatening emergency health situation call 911! Police will contact Highway. Arrangements will be made to provide assistance in opening roadways in emergency situations.

The Transfer Station (a.k.a., the dump) is under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department. For questions regarding the Transfer Station please visit the Transfer Station page or call the Public Works Department at 203-891-4712. 

For your information:

Transfer Station, South Orange Center Road

• Operator/Manager: Stephen Jaser
  Tel: (203) 891-2177

Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, 8 am - 2 pm
Select Sundays in November & December for leaves only when posted.
Holiday Closings: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Please visit the Orange Recycling page or call Public Works 203-891-4712. The Highway Department does not handle recycling.

The Finance department is open from 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday

The Assessor's office is open Monday thru Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

    If you are a resident for ten consecutive years or more and 65 years or older and/or totally disabled (with proof), the town offers the Senior Tax Stabilization Program. You qualify if you have an adjusted gross income of $52,000 or less. This application can be obtained from February 1st to May 15 every year. The State of Connecticut also offers tax relief for the elderly and totally disabled common refer to as the Circuit Breaker. The maximum income levels for the 2024 grand list are $55,100 (married) and $45,200 (single). Income includes wages, tips, salaries, interest, dividends (either taxable or exempt), and gross social security payments received during the 2024 calendar year. If you filed or intend to file a 2024 income tax return, we will need a copy. We also need a copy of you and your spouse’s (if applicable) Form SSA 1099, the statement of Social Security payments received during the calendar year 2024.

     A State of Connecticut Circuit Breaker form can be obtained under our applications link. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/opm/igpp-data-grants-mgmt/igpp-forms/m-35h-owners-application.pdf?rev=bf6f364c95b54d929f3894b7e9492f8f&hash=A35C7E990696E7459AA8AECE440D08C4

Any questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office, ask for Shannon 203-891-4723

You must cancel your license plates online or in person at a nearby DMV office.  You will receive a receipt for your plate return.  Please submit that receipt called the Plate Disposition Receipt. Here is an Example of a Receipt  

This form has the termination date & termination reason. 

 Motor Vehicle Adjustments:

~Bring proof to the Assessor's Office

~Acceptable types of proof include the plate disposition receipt, a bill of sale, letter from insurance company showing the vehicle identification number, the date that the vehicle was totally destroyed, and a copy of the police report if the car was stolen and not recovered or a copy of the out-of-state registration depending on the termination reason.

~Use Orange 107 for town tax code on registration to prevent being taxed by the wrong town. 

Use this link to access the CT DMV for questions and forms 

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/site/default.asp

 PLEASE NOTE IF THE PLATE WAS TRANSFERRED FROM ONE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER; NO PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED AS THIS WILL BE UPDATED ON THE NEXT LISTING.

SALE of your Motor Vehicle: 
A copy of the dated bill of sale.
TRADE-IN:
A copy of the dated purchase agreement showing the trade-in or odometer statement.
TOTALED:
A letter from the insurance company identifying the vehicle and date of loss.
 JUNKED:
A receipt from the junkyard identifying the vehicle and date junked.

  Donated: 

A copy of the dated donation letter from the charity receiving the vehicle.
 MOVED – OUT–OF-STATE:
A copy of your dated out-of-state registration.
REPOSESSION: 
A dated letter from the bank or repossession company.
 TRANSFERRED your title *:
A copy of the dated and signed title indicating new owner, address & date of transfer.
*No proration for transfers between family members unless that family member registered the vehicle out-of-state.
STOLEN:
A letter from your insurance company identifying the vehicle and indicating that the vehicle was stolen and not recovered.
 
QUESTIONS – 203-891-4724    FAX 203-891-2185

8:30 - 4:30 Monday-Friday

Yes, through Viewpoint, which can be found on Town of Orange Home Page.

8:30-4:30 Monday thru Friday

Files for all Orange Residents are housed in the building 

Dept. on the second floor of the Town Hall. All information on the property will be in that one file.

Town of Orange offers two companies to pick up house hold trash you can call the following:

Bria Refuse Services 203-484-0281

Country Disposal Services 203-239-1908

They are the only companies permitted to pick up trash in Orange .

To apply for a street opening permit please go to Viewpoint to apply online. No walk-in permits will be accepted in the office.

Please click on the link ViewPoint below.

Transfer Station is Open:

Monday 8am - 4:30pm

Tuesday 8am - 2pm

Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm

Thursday 8am - 2pm

Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Saturday 8am - 4:30pm

Closed on the following Holidays: New Years day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day

Yes, for a fee of $50.00 you can receive an extra recycle bin. Contact the Public Works office to order an extra bin.

Orange Transfer Station is for Orange Residents ONLY!

Your drivers licence and your car registration MUST have your Orange address on them.

If you just moved to town you may go to the Orange Police Dept Located at 314 Lambert Rd, Orange CT

Your car registration has a section on the back to update your address.

Commercial Companies may purchase a Pass for a fee and be charged per load.

Yes, as long as you purchase a Permit sticker for your vehicle and the trash is from Orange. Per town ordinance, Orange is unable to accept trash/brush or leaves from

other towns.

You may call the Highway Department at 203-891-4775 to report a fallen tree on the road. 

November 4, 2025

High Plains Community Center 6:00am - 8:00pm

Early Voting - Election October 20 - November 2, 2025

Town Hall

617 Orange Center Road

Orange, CT 06477

Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12pm

No

Yes, you must register in person.

Monday - Friday

8:30am - 4:30pm

You can request an inspection  by calling our office at 203-891-4711, or email the Fire Marshal at tsmith@orange-ct.gov.  Leave a message and someone will return your request on the next business day.

You will be required to secure a permit from the Fire Marshal's Office when:

1.  You are planning on any new commercial construction or renovations to an existing commercial building;

2.  If you would like have a campfire;

3.  If you operate a facility that requires a State of Connecticut permit such as a liquor license or a daycare facility;

4.  If you're not sure, call the office and we will clarify.

All permits issued by the Fire Marshal's Office is done using the Town's ViewPoint permit system.  This can be reached at https://orangect.viewpointcloud.com/

November 7, 2017

First is your Real Estate Lender escrowing your taxes? if so the bills will go to them for payment if they have notified us that they are taking the responsibility. Second did you pay off your mortgage recently? If so you must stop by the Tax Office and sign a form taking over responsibility for paying the Real Estate tax (and receive the tax bills) and so we can remove your lender from the escrow responsibility list for your real estate. Did you just sell or buy the property in question? Then the new owner is responsible for the outstanding taxes. Make sure that tax liability is clarified with your closing attorneys, the Town does not get involved with this.

Please review Policy 50-3b for eligibility and process questions. Wire transfers require preapproval by the Tax Collector to use. Email notification and payment file structure to be used when using wire transfers are there. You must also receive account information for the transfer. Only approved transferers will be given this information.

The number one reason for not getting your Motor Vehicle tax bill is that your registration with the DMV had expired when the bills were generated. Re-register your vehicle with the DMV and you should get a supplemental or regular tax bill when they are generated 2 times a year (July and January). DMV registration issues can include: Plate changes, emissions test failures or non-compliance, changes of address, wrong domicile classification (What Town your vehicle is registered in) Orange is Town 107, Death of one of the owners and subsequent owner redesignation, and #1 failure to register your vehicle on time. Check online at the CT Department of Motor Vehicle website to verify your information before coming to the Tax Office. DMV errors must be cleared first since our data source is the CT DMV database.

Yes, starting on 12/4/2023 we will be taking credit/debit cards at the tax windows, Internet Voice Response (203) 902-0387 and On-line,       

https://orange-ctmybill.com.  On 12/4/2023 we will take most American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover Card branded credit and debit cards. ACH e-checks will also be accepted on-line.

 Yes, Tax information on real estate, Personal Property and Registered Motor Vehicles in a taxpayer name only.  You can not look up leased vehicles at this time.  Please call the Tax Collectors Office for information.  https://orange-ctmybill.com 

General Services: 8:30am -12:00pm; 1:00pm -4:30pm

Window Payment Services: 8:30am -12:00pm; 1pm-4:00pm 

(staffing permitting, 2 staff members required)

Special Tax Season Hours July and January 8:30am -4:00 pm

NON- Window Payments by check only: 8:30 - 4:30 

(use Mail slot in the office) No third party Checks!

Yes, the Convenience Fees are as follows effective 12/4/2023:

                             Credit Card   2.5%

                             Debit Card   1.5%

                             E-Check      $1.50

The Town does not receive the Convenience Fees as these pay the vendor for providing the service.                                       

Tax Collector or Tax Collector, Town of Orange.

You will need to contact the Assessors Office.  (203-891-4724)

No, Same day release is not offered as a current service. Cash payments are electronically processed overnight and the release should occur the next day. All other forms of payment may have up to an 10-day period before clearing DMV Holds.

We do not currently report delinquent taxes to the major credit bureaus. However, the Town does employ 3rd party vendors for collection purposes including the American National Recovery Group, State Marshalls and Town Constables.

Starting 12/4/2023, we will be accepting most credit and debit cards that are American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover branded cards. This includes Diner's Club, Carte Blanche and other affinity cards branded by the above credit providers on the card.

Tax Bills are generated in mid-June after the mill rate has been set. First Installments are due 1 JULY. The mill rate which is needed to generate the tax bill requires an approved town budget. This usually occurs in mid-May after a referendum is voted on. We do not issue a second bill if the taxpayer splits their Real Estate and /or Personal Property bill. The taxpayer is responsible for remembering the Jan 1st 2^nd installment payment. Motor Vehicles are fully due on 1 July. Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills are generated in mid-December are due the 1^st of January. The state statutes allow for a payment grace period of 31 days after the due date. 

If you paid by ACH, we recommend you call your bank to stop payment of the check.  If the staff member who has clearance to the Sturgis Account is available and has the time to try and reverse the echeck, it can sometimes be intercepted same day. Otherwise, you need to provide us with an email giving us your online confirmation number (emailed to you by the vendor or obtained by a screen print), contact information, the account you actually paid and the amount of the payment, so we can identify the right transaction. The email should also explain what happened. We cannot refund an echeck until 8 business days after it has actually entered the electronic payment stream. This means the charge will hit your checking account. The system requires this time to make sure payments have cleared before refunds can be considered. If you paid by Credit Card, you should call your credit card company and have them put a hold on the charge from Sturgis #0011112795 Catalis. Debit cards require you follow the procedures given to you when the Debit Card was setup as this usually means the money has already been removed from your account. When you email us with the information above, we can be looking for the transaction as you have affected another taxpayer's account as well. NOTE THIS OFFICE WILL TRY AND HELP YOU BUT YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PAYING PARTY FIRST. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT WE CAN STOP PAYMENTS FROM HITTING YOUR ACCOUNT. ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ARE INVOLVED AT ALL LEVELS OF THESE TRANSACTIONS. FIXING THESE MISTAKES TAKES TIME! WE NEED THE EMAIL FOR AN AUDIT TRAIL. 

These are the most likely reasons for not getting your Town MV bills.

a. Is your vehicle currently registered with a valid set of registration dates? Check with DMV. Unregistered vehicles are not allowed on CT streets. Renewals are only good for at most three years before they must be re-registered and state fees paid. Late payments will usually result in a Supplemental Bill being generated by the Assessor's Office.

b. Have you notified DMV of any change to your address? Per 14-17a of the CT General Statutes you have 48 hours to notify the DMV of your change of address.

Monday through Friday 8:30 to 3:30.

Yes, you can either come in person or mail a letter requesting a certified copy. The fee is $20.00

Applications are available; highlight attached.

Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

The Orange Senior Center is located in the High Plains Community Center at 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange CT

Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Home Health services require a physician's order and are performed under the direct supervision of the ordering physician.  If you are interested in receiving homecare services, you should contact your doctor to find out if your medical needs warrant home health care treatment.  If your physician finds that you or your loved one would benefit from homecare services, a referral will be made by your physician to The OVNA.  Once a physicians order has been received, an OVNA representative will make contact with the patient to schedule the start of services. 

Office Hours: 

Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Emergency On Call Nurse is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week 

(203) 891-2169

The Orange VNA will no longer be accepting expired or unwanted medications.  

We apologize for any inconvenience.  A prescription drug drop-off box has been set up in the main lobby of the Orange police Department headquarters located at 314 Lambert Road.

The box has been provided by the Bethany Orange Woodbridge Drug/Alcohol Action Committee and it is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Any over-the-counter or prescription drugs can be brought to the department and dropped into the box.

Markers to block out personal info on any labels can be obtained from the service counters in the lobby.

For additional details, please contact the Orange Police Department.  

Yes, as long as you purchase a Permit sticker for your vehicle and the trash MUST come from Orange.

Fees are: $40.00 for Orange businesses (up to 4 vehicles)

              $50.00 for out of town business (up to 4 vehicles)

Per town ordinance ,Orange is unable to accept trash, brush or leaves from

another town. This policy is strictly enforced.

You may use a friends vehicle if your items do not fit in your vehicle. You MUST also be in the vehicle accompanying the driver to the transfer station. 

You must go to the Town Hall and obtain a "Borrowed Vehicle" permit. Make sure you have a copy of the vehicle registration.

Transfer Station has a right to refuse dumping.

If you have a hired contractor your contractor MUST purchase a commercial permit to use our facility. Commercial Vehicles WILL BE CHARGED A permit fee. 

A map of Orange with highlighted area showing pick up day.

Residential recycling pick-up is weekly, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. See map for which streets are on which day. Pick up may be early in the day so put your bin out the night before if desired. Face the bin towards the street as you see your neighbors have it.
Holidays: When a holiday falls on your pickup day, your pickup will be on the next day, and the rest of the week will be a day later. If needed, Friday pick up will be on Saturday. Monday holidays will not impact the pick up schedules for the week.
Snow: If there is a large snowstorm where roads are impacted so the recycling trucks can’t get through, the recycling schedule will get bumped by a day, as described for holidays above.
Scheduling changes will be posted on Facebook as possible.

Put the following items into your recycling bin. It is NOT NECESSARY to sort or tie any items

Items can be squashed if space is needed. But DO NOT jam into your bin.

• Paper - newspapers, plain paper, books/catalogs, news paper inserts, etc.
• Cardboard - food boxes, shipping, gift boxes
• Glass - bottles, jars
• Plastics - containers, bottles, items marked with triangle 1-7
• Metals - aluminum cans, foil, aerosol cans 

DO NOT put in your bin:

• Plastic bags & films - they go in plastics recycling bins at the transfer station and many local stores
• Garden hoses & wire - they can go in the hopper at the transfer station

Need to know about a specific item? Refer to www.recycleCT.com to see what can be recycled. 

you can type in an item and the site will tell you if it is recyclable. 

1. Non recyclables in the bin
2. Bin not accessible by truck, bin too close to a vehicle, mailbox, stone wall, snow bank or telephone pole
3. Bin is jammed with cardboard. Please make sure cardboard is loosely put in your bin
4. Do not leave items outside the bin, driver does not get out of the truck. Items too big for your bin can be brought to the transfer station and disposed of in appropriate designated areas.

To receive an additional resident recycling bin, please contact Public Works office at 203-891-4712. The cost is $50.00 per bin.

• Hazardous household waste –- Regional Water Authority (April-October), bring form if possible 
• Packaging “peanuts” – UPS Store
• Batteries (rechargeable) – Batteries + Bulbs, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s
• Lightbulbs – Batteries + Bulbs, Home Depot, Lowe’s
• Cables, cords & wires – Best Buy
• Ink cartridges, MP3s, and cell phones - Target
• Plastic bags – Kohl’s, Target, Lowe’s, Shop Rite, Best Buy
• Glass, plastic and aluminum cans & bottles – Target
• Mattresses – info here
• Cans and bottles - local grocery stores (redeemable for cash)

1. Plastic bags & wraps – grocery & retail bags; dry cleaning bags; soft plastic packaging for paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, diapers, beverages, clothing, newspapers, produce, food storage, household items, etc.; plastic used for shipping filler.
2. Paint – Cans of house paint and primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings (e.g., shellac and varnish). Here’s what’s accepted and how to recycle. Note – empty cans go in your recycling bin.
3. Electronics (e-waste)– cell phones, desktop & laptop computers, monitors, tablets, routers, TVs, wires & cables. See list on Facebook. These items are strictly prohibited from the transfer station hopper.
4. Cardboard – flattened, simply toss in designated dumpster
5. Paper – newspapers, plain paper, books/catalogs, cartons, etc.
6. Glass – bottles, jars
7. Tires – rims removed
8. Metals – tanks and appliances, tire rims and cans
9. Building materials
10. Brush and leaves
11. Donations – Goodwill bin
12. Oil - designated area 

If you are not sure where these designated areas are, Please feel free to ask an attendant for help.

Effective January 1, 2011 all electronic items, known as e-waste, will not be allowed in the hopper at the Orange Transfer Station according to a new state statute.

A sign is displayed to direct you to a trailer for disposal.

• All electronic wiring, including cables that connect to your device
• Cell phones
• Computers
• CRTs
• Hard drives
• iPads
• iPhones
• Laptops
• LCDs
• MP3s
• TVs
• Other electronic devices not mentioned

Some of these items may contain mercury, which is toxic

State Regulations

It is against state regulations to mix recyclables with disposal waste.

• All recyclables are to be separated and either put in the blue bins at curbside or taken to the transfer station and deposited in bins marked for recyclables, as posted at the station.
• If this is not done, the town may be cited with penalties.
• For what is considered recyclable, refer to the CRRA Recycling Information effective July 1, 2011 (PDF)

All organization, school, and commercial site recyclables are not allowed at curbside. Arrangements for their proper disposal must be handled by private haulers.

Bottle Bill

Effective October 1, 2009, the Bottle Bill was expanded to include non-carbonated water up to 3 liters in size with a 5-cent redemption value. Redeem at the local store that sold the container.

Safe & Free Disposal of Household Chemicals can be done at Hazwaste Central at RWA in New Haven Click here for infomation

Please fill out below form and bring with you to help the process and make your visit quicker

• User Questionnaire (PDF)

As of October 1, 2009 a Marriage License in the State of Connecticut can only be obtained from the town of occurrence. The marriage MUST be performed in the town indicated on the license.

It is required you call and make an appointment with the Registrar of Vital Records to apply for a marriage license.  

Marriage license appointments are only taken on Wednesdays between 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  

To obtain a Marriage License, both parties must appear in person at the same time to process your License.
If you are unable to be in our office during processing hours, you must contact us to see if other arrangements can be made.

As of October 1, 2003, NO blood test is necessary.  

• You will need a valid Photo ID (either Driver’s License, or Passport is acceptable). 
• In cases of divorce prior to this union, NO divorce papers are necessary. 
• Complete the Marriage Worksheet from our website to expedite the process. Include the date of your marriage along with the name, address, title and telephone number of the person performing the ceremony.

The license is valid for 65 days from the date of application and can be used immediately after obtaining it.

The fee for obtaining a Marriage License in the State of Connecticut is $50.00. Payment method is cash or check (payable to Town of Orange)

Additionally, at the time you obtain your license in Orange, CT we offer you the opportunity to pay for a certified copy of the license which will automatically be sent to you once we have received the original back from the officiator. The current fee for a certified copy of a vital record is $20.

Sec. 46b-22. (Formerly Sec. 46-3). Who may join persons in marriage. Penalty for unauthorized performance. (a) Persons authorized to solemnize marriages in this state include (1) all judges and retired judges, either elected or appointed, including federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions, (2) family support magistrates, family support referees, state referees and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut, and (3) all ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state. All marriages solemnized according to the forms and usages of any religious denomination in this state, including marriages witnessed by a duly constituted Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is, are valid. All marriages attempted to be celebrated by any other person are void.

(b) No public official legally authorized to issue marriage licenses may join persons in marriage under authority of a license issued by himself, or his assistant or deputy; nor may any such assistant or deputy join persons in marriage under authority of a license issued by such public official.

(c) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 7306; 1951, S. 3001d; 1967, P.A. 129, S. 1; P.A. 78-230, S. 4, 54; P.A. 79-37, S. 1, 2; P.A. 87-316, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 27, 58; P.A. 06-196, S. 276; P.A. 07-79, S. 5; P.A. 15-74, S. 1; 15-85, S. 4.)

History: 1967 act specified validity of marriages witnessed by Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is; P.A. 78-230 divided section into Subsecs., deleted reference to county and reordered and rephrased provisions in Subsec. (a) and substituted “may” for “shall” in Subsec. (b); P.A. 79-37 authorized retired judges and state referees to perform marriages; Sec. 46-3 transferred to Sec. 46b-22 in 1979; P.A. 87-316 applied provisions to family support magistrates; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-79 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. designators (1) to (3), revise provisions re persons authorized to solemnize marriages within the state and make technical changes; P.A. 15-74 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by deleting requirement that members of the clergy continue in the work of the ministry; P.A. 15-85 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding “family support referees”, effective June 24, 2015.

Annotations to former section 46-3:

Minister who solemnizes marriage must be “settled in the work of the ministry”. 2 R. 382. Ordained deacon performing usual duties of minister held to be authorized. 4 C. 134. A clergyman in performing marriage ceremony is a public officer and his acts in that capacity prima facie evidence of his character. Id., 219. Proof of celebration of marriage raises a presumption of its validity. 85 C. 186; 93 C. 47. In absence of proof of authority of justice of peace, marriage void; our law does not recognize common law marriages. 129 C. 432. Marriage, deficient for want of due solemnization, voidable. 163 C. 588.

The person who performs the Marriage ceremony must complete the certificate after performing the ceremony.  It is their responsibility to return it to the Registrar of the Town where the ceremony occurred.

The town maintains the original license and sends certified copies to the State of Connecticut, and any town(s) of residence within Connecticut that are listed on the certificate for the parties involved.  Once that occurs, you may purchase certified copies from either the town of occurrence or the town(s) of residence listed on the certificate.

As of October 1, 2009 a Marriage License in the State of Connecticut can only be obtained from the town of occurrence. The marriage MUST be performed in the town indicated on the license.

It is required you call and make an appointment with the Registrar of Vital Records to apply for a marriage license.  

Marriage license appointments are only taken on Wednesdays between 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.