Find Bristol Death Records and Obituaries

Bristol obituary records are public documents you can obtain through official channels. The Bristol Town & City Clerk maintains Bristol death records for the city of 62,195 residents. You can access Bristol obituary records in person at 111 North Main Street. You can also request Bristol death certificates by mail or online. These Bristol vital records help with legal matters and family history research. The city works within Connecticut state laws to provide access to Bristol obituary records.

Where to Find Bristol Obituary Records

The Bristol Town & City Clerk is the main office for Bristol obituary records and Bristol death certificates. The office sits at 111 North Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010. This is where you get certified copies of Bristol death records. The staff handles requests from the public. They follow all Connecticut laws for Bristol vital records. You can call them at (860) 584-6200. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes early on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

You can also get Bristol obituary records from the Connecticut State Vital Records Office. The state office has all Bristol death certificates from July 1, 1897 to now. This includes deaths that took place in Bristol. The state office is at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. You can visit in person. You can also order by mail. The state office serves all of Hartford County. They have the same Bristol vital records as the local clerk.

The Connecticut State Library has older Bristol obituary records too. They have the Hale Collection. It covers 1750 to 1865. They also have the Barbour Collection. These help with family history. You can search these for free. The library is in Hartford. Visit libguides.ctstatelibrary.org for more info.

Note: Always check where the death took place. This helps you find the right office. It speeds up your search for Bristol obituary records.

Bristol Obituary Record Types Available

Bristol offers several types of Bristol obituary records and Bristol death certificates. Each type has a use. The most common is the certified copy. It has a raised seal. You need this for legal work. Banks need it. Insurance firms need it. Courts need it. This is the official Bristol death record.

A Bristol death certificate shows key facts. It lists the full name. It shows the date of death. It shows where the death took place. It lists the cause of death. It shows the age of the person. It may list the address. Some copies show Social Security numbers. Only close family can get those. You must show proof. You must show who you are.

Uncertified copies cost less. They are plain paper. They work for research. They do not work for legal use. Genealogists use these. They study family trees. Bristol obituary records help them trace roots. Members of history groups can see more. They can view ledgers. They can view old files. Social Security numbers are hidden. This protects privacy.

Newspaper obituaries are not official. But they have useful facts. They list family members. They tell life stories. Bristol libraries keep old papers. You can search these. The Bristol Public Library may have records. Check with them. Visit bristolct.gov for city info.

Bristol Death Certificate Fees

The cost for Bristol obituary records is set by law. Fees are the same across Connecticut. The Bristol Town & City Clerk charges the state rate. You can pay in several ways. Call ahead to check.

Certified copies of Bristol death certificates cost $20 each. Each copy is $20. There is no bulk rate. Rush service costs extra. Online orders add fees. The state charges $2.50 for card payments. These are the standard rates for Bristol vital records.

Veterans get one free copy. This is for the spouse. It is for the child. It is for the parent. You must show proof. You must show veteran status. Funeral homes can get one free copy too. This is at the time of death only.

How to Get Bristol Obituary Records

You have options for getting Bristol obituary records. Each way has pros. Pick what works for you.

In-person visits are fastest. Go to the Bristol Town & City Clerk. The office is at 111 North Main Street. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday hours are 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Same-day service is common. Bring your ID. Bring payment. You can also visit the state office in Hartford.

Mail requests take longer. Send your form to the Bristol clerk. Include a copy of your ID. Include payment. Use a money order. Make it to "City of Bristol." Or send to the state office. Mail takes 10 to 15 days. Plan ahead for Bristol death certificates.

Online orders use VitalChek. This is the state vendor. Visit vitalchek.com. You can pay by card. You can get fast shipping. Extra fees apply. But you can order any time. You can order from home. This is easy for many people.

To order Bristol obituary records, you need:

• Full name of the person
• Date of death
• Your photo ID
• Payment method

Bristol Genealogy Research Help

Bristol is rich in history. The city dates to colonial times. Family researchers find much here. Bristol obituary records go back far. Some records predate 1897. The state started keeping records then. But towns kept their own earlier.

The Connecticut State Library helps with old Bristol death records. Their staff can search for you. Residents pay $5. Non-residents pay $15. Each search gets 30 minutes. You can also visit. Do your own work. The library has tools. They have indexes. They have films. These cover Bristol obituary records.

Join a genealogy group. Members see more records. They see Bristol vital records not yet public. The state has a list of groups. Fees vary. The benefit is real. You get expert help. You get more access. Visit cga.ct.gov for rules on group access.

Good research takes time. Start with what you know. Work back. Use Bristol obituary records. Use census data. Use church records. Build your tree step by step.

Bristol Obituary Records Near You

Bristol sits in Hartford County. Nearby towns also keep records. You may need to check them. Deaths near town lines may be filed elsewhere. Here are nearby offices:

• Plymouth Town Clerk
• Plainville Town Clerk
• Southington Town Clerk
• Farmington Town Clerk
• Burlington Town Clerk

Each town has its own clerk. Each keeps its own Bristol obituary records for their area. Check the right town. This saves time. You can find Hartford County resources at our Hartford County page.