Town clerks shall keep the records of their respective towns and truly enter therein, either by transcribing or by photographic, micrographic, electronic imaging or any other process approved by the Public Records Administrator, all votes of the town and give true copies of the same and of all deeds and other instruments by them recorded; and all attested copies of deeds, with a certificate of the town clerk or assistant town clerk that they have been recorded, shall be conclusive evidence of that fact. No copy of record certified by the town clerk or assistant town clerk of any town shall be deemed valid in law unless the seal of such town is affixed thereto; and the town clerk of each town or his legally qualified assistant shall affix the seal of such town to all certified copies of record, and no fee shall be allowed for affixing the same.
(1949 Rev., S. 549; 1967, P.A. 655, S. 1; P.A. 97-89, S. 6.)
History: 1967 act substituted “records” for “books”; P.A. 97-89 substituted “micrographic, electronic imaging or any other process approved by the Public Records Administrator” for “process”.
See Sec. 11-8i et seq. re historic documents preservation grant program for municipalities.
When certified copy of deed admissible. 2 R. 286; 3 D. 267; 15 C. 174; 75 C. 68; 78 C. 106. To introduce a copy a grantee must be unable to produce the original deed. 3 D. 267. Heir-at-law of grantee likewise. 16 C. 254. A certified copy is, when admissible, prima facie evidence of contents and execution. 3 D. 267; 15 C. 174; 18 C. 318. Town clerk may amend his own records. 20 C. 589. Town clerk's record is conclusive and is not to be collaterally attacked. Id., 598. Certificate of town clerk is not equivalent to official copy of record. 21 C. 109. His record stating that meeting was warned is prima facie evidence thereof. 25 C. 555; see 121 U.S. 121. Clerk's recital of legal warning is not an estoppel on town or in favor of one acting under it. 51 C. 29. Record of meeting best evidence of propositions submitted. 78 C. 110. Certified copies of deeds admissible. 126 C. 369.
Cited. 17 CA 405; 30 CA 493.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Section 7-17. - Oath of town clerks.
Section 7-18. - Neglect of duty.
Section 7-19. - Assistant town clerks. Notice to Secretary of the State of appointment, vacancy.
Section 7-20. - Acting town clerk.
Section 7-21. - Town clerk pro tempore.
Section 7-22. - Removal of town clerks.
Section 7-22a. - Certification program for town clerks.
Section 7-23. - Records and copies.
Section 7-25a. - Electronic indexing system.
Section 7-26. - Errors to be corrected.
Section 7-26a. - Indemnification of clerk with respect to claims arising out of land record errors.
Section 7-27. - Municipal records to be kept in fire-resistive vaults or safes.
Section 7-27a. - Destruction of original land records or instruments.
Section 7-27b. - Removal of Social Security number from document prior to recording on land records.
Section 7-28. - Indexing of mechanic's lien.
Section 7-29. - Release or assignment of mortgage or lien. Recording of assignment of mortgage.
Section 7-30. - Attachment of real estate.
Section 7-31. - Maps of surveys and plots, filing requirements, copies.
Section 7-32. - Index of surveys and maps.
Section 7-33. - Lists of transfers of taxable property.
Section 7-34b. - Accounting of fees required. Salary in lieu of fees.
Section 7-35. - Preservation by town clerks of statutes, special acts and Register and Manual.
Section 7-35a. - Off-site storage of original documents. Requirements.