Conn. Practice Book § 7-10 (2026)

Sec. 7-10. Retention and Destruction of Files and Records; Withdrawals, Dismiss- als, Satisfactions of Judgment The files in all civil, family and juvenile actions, including summary process and small claims, which, before a final judgment has been rendered on the issues, have been terminated by the filing of a withdrawal or by a judgment of dismissal or nonsuit when the issues have not been resolved on the merits or upon motion by any party or the court, or in which judgment for money damages only has been rendered and a full satisfaction of such judgment has been filed, may be destroyed upon the expiration of one year after such termina- tion or the rendition of such judgment. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 403B.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.) Sec. 7-11. —Judgments on the Merits— Stripping and Retention (a) With the exception of actions which affect the title to land and actions which have been dis- posed of pursuant to Section 7-10, the files in civil, family and juvenile actions in which judgment has been rendered may be stripped and destroyed pursuant to the schedule set forth in subsection (d), except that requests relating to discovery, responses and objections thereto may be stripped after the expiration of the appeal period. (b) When a file is to be stripped, all papers in the file shall be destroyed except: (1) The complaint, including any amendment thereto, substituted complaint or amended com- plaint; (2) All orders of notice, appearances and offi- cers’ returns; (3) All military or other affidavits; (4) Any cross complaint, third-party complaint, or amendment thereto; (5) All responsive pleadings; (6) Any memorandum of decision; (7) The judgment file or notation of the entry of judgment, and all modifications of judgment; (8) All executions issued and returned. (c) Upon the expiration of the stripping date, or at any time if facilities are not available for local 187 retention, the file in any action set forth in subsec- tion (d) may be transferred to the records center or other proper designated storage area, where it shall be retained for the balance of the retention period. Files in actions concerning dissolution of marriage or civil union, legal separation, or annul- ment may, upon agreement with officials of the state library, be transferred to the state library at the expiration of their retention period. (d) The following is a schedule which sets forth when a file may be stripped and the length of time the file shall be retained. The time periods indicated herein shall run from the date judgment is rendered, except receivership actions or actions for injunctive relief, which shall run from the date of the termination of the receivership or injunction. Type of Case Stripping Retention Date Date (1) Administrative appeals 3 years (2) Contracts (where money dam- 1 year 20 years ages are not awarded) (3) Eminent domain (except as 10 years provided in Section 7-12) (4) Family -Dissolution of marriage or civil 5 years 75 years union, legal separation, annul- ment and change of name -Delinquency Until subject is 25 years of age -Family with service needs Until subject is 25 years of age -Termination of parental rights Permanent -Neglect and uncared for 75 years -Emancipation of minor 5 years -Orders in relief from physical 5 years abuse (General Statutes § 46b-15) -Other 75 years (5) Family support magistrate 75 years matters -Uniform Reciprocal Enforce- 75 years ment of Support -Uniform Interstate Family Sup- 75 years port Act (6) Landlord/Tenant -Summary process 3 years -Housing code enforcement 5 years (General Statutes § 47a-14h) -Contracts/Leases (where 1 year 20 years money damages are not awarded) -Money damages (except 1 year 26 years where a satisfaction of judg- ment has been filed) (7) Miscellaneous -Bar discipline 50 years -Civil Protection Order (Gen- 5 years eral Statutes § 46b-16a) -Money damages (except 1 year 26 years where a satisfaction of judg- ment has been filed)

© Copyrighted by the Secretary of the State of the State of Connecticut SUPERIOR COURT—GENERAL PROVISIONS