Family History and Questions Behind a Familiar Name

Government and municipal services

This guide uses a historical county area. Connecticut has no county governments. Choose the municipality responsible for your address; the examples below do not cover every town.

Andover municipal government — Local departments and public-service information for Andover.

Bolton municipal government — Local departments and public-service information for Bolton.

Columbia municipal government — Local departments and public-service information for Columbia.

Coventry municipal government — Local departments and public-service information for Coventry.

Ellington municipal government — Local departments and public-service information for Ellington.

Connecticut cities and towns directory — Find other municipal governments.

Schools and Education

The Connecticut State Department of Education provides official information about public schools, districts, academic standards, accountability, programs, and family resources. Use state and local district resources when researching schools in a specific Connecticut community.

Hospitals and Health Services

The Connecticut Department of Public Health provides statewide public-health guidance, licensing information, health programs, and regulatory resources. For hospital or facility-specific services, confirm current information directly with the provider and applicable state resources.

Public Safety

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection oversees statewide public-safety functions that include the Connecticut State Police and emergency-services programs. Local police departments also handle many city and town law-enforcement matters.

Emergency Services

The Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security coordinates preparedness, emergency response, recovery, hazard planning, and statewide emergency-management programs. Residents should also follow municipal and regional authorities for local alerts and instructions.

State Parks

The Connecticut State Parks system provides official information about state parks, forests, beaches, campgrounds, trails, historic sites, swimming areas, and outdoor recreation. Check each destination for current hours, parking, fees, closures, and seasonal conditions.

Trails

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection manages trails in many state parks and forests, while municipalities and land trusts maintain additional local systems. Start with Connecticut State Parks and verify trail access, weather, closures, hunting seasons, and current conditions before heading out.

Utilities

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority regulates many electric, gas, water, and telecommunications services. Municipal utilities and other providers may operate under different structures, so verify the provider serving the exact address and community.

Libraries

The Connecticut State Library provides statewide research resources, government information, historical collections, and support for libraries. Local public-library websites provide current branch hours, library-card requirements, programs, digital services, and community resources.

Courts

The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides court locations, forms, case lookup, self-help information, rules, and resources for Superior, Appellate, and Supreme Court matters. Verify the correct court and jurisdiction before filing documents or relying on deadlines.

DMV

Connecticut — Renew your vehicle registration

Connecticut — Renew a driver’s license

Connecticut — Get a REAL ID

Connecticut — Express offices

Connecticut — Appointments

Transportation

The Connecticut Department of Transportation manages state highways and provides information on roads, rail, buses, construction, traffic, safety, aviation, bicycling, and other transportation services. Check official CTDOT resources for current travel and project information.

Postal Services

USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.

USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.

USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.

USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.

USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.

Veterans

National services available to local residents

VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.

VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.

VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.

GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.

Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.

Employment

National services available to local residents

USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.

Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.

My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.

Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.

Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.