Hope this helps with research in Connecticut: Access to Birth Records: Connecticut General Statutes 7-51 and 7-51a, allows access to birth records to the following categories of individuals: * Birth records more than 100 years old: Are open to any person *Birth records less than 100 years old are open to: Person whose birth is recorded (If peron is 18 or older) Parents Grandparent or Guardian, if a minor Spouse Children (If over 18) Local Health Director Chief Elected official of Municipality or agent Attorneys Title Examiners Persons authorized by court order State or Federal Agency employee authorized by DPH Commissioner Members of incorporated genealogical societies authorized to conduct business in the State of Connecticut Any person continues to have full access to death and marriage records. ********************************* Okay, this is me again. It may be the law but I have found that from town to town the cooperation varies greatly. It may pay to join a recognized Genealogy Society yourself if you will be looking for more than one record. The following is an address for one that is authorized for the State of Connecticut and from what I gather readily accepted by town clerks. Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. P.O. Box 435 Glastonbury, CT 06033-0435 It is about $36.00 to join for one year which runs May 1 to April 30 of following year. It is not prorated so at this time you would get less than 5 months for the cost of the annual fee. Still less money than hiring a researcher. (Just for the record, I am not associated with this Society nor am I a member) If you still cannot convince the town clerk that marriage records should be full access you may want to send a copy of the Statute along with a request to him/her with a nice but firm note saying that what you are asking for is within the State laws. To get a copy of the Statutes check the State's web site and follow links to the Vital Records section. Hopes this helps with your Connecticut research. Laura Allen