Hospital, psychiatric and medical records shall not be filed with the clerk unless such records are submitted in a sealed envelope clearly identified with the case caption, the subject’s name and the name of the attorney or self-represented party pursuant to Section 7-19 subpoenaing the same. Such records shall be opened only pursuant to court order.
Section 7-18.Hospital, Psychiatric and Medical Records
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceHospital, psychiatric, and medical records can only be filed with the clerk in a sealed, clearly labeled envelope, and only a court order can open them.
Full Text of Section 7-18
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Secs. 397B, 1011E.) (Amended June 23, 2017, to take effect Jan. 1, 2018.)
Plain-English Summary
Hospital, psychiatric, and medical records may not be filed with the clerk unless they are submitted in a sealed envelope. The envelope must be clearly identified with the case caption, the subject’s name, and the name of the attorney or self-represented party who subpoenaed the records under Section 7-19. Once filed, the records can be opened only by court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can medical records be filed loose with the court clerk?
No, they must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly identified with the case caption, the subject’s name, and the name of the attorney or self-represented party who subpoenaed them.
Who can open a sealed medical records envelope filed with the court?
The records can be opened only pursuant to a court order.
Does this rule cover psychiatric records too?
Yes, the section covers hospital, psychiatric, and medical records alike.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 7-18). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: sealed medical records filing CTpsychiatric records court filehospital records subpoena envelopeopening sealed medical records