State Marshal Commission – Hartford, CT

Commission Overview

The State Marshal Commission is an executive branch commission within the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), located in the renovated State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue. The Commission provides administrative oversight for State Marshals, who are independent contractors and sworn peace officers authorized to serve civil process and execute court orders in Connecticut. While the Commission does not serve papers itself, it is the regulatory body responsible for maintaining the professional standards of the marshal service.

Oversight and Licensing

The core function of the Commission is to ensure the integrity of the state marshal system. Its responsibilities include:

• Appointing Marshals: Filling vacancies in the marshal roster for each county to ensure adequate service coverage across the state.
• Training Standards: Establishing and updating the professional training requirements that all marshals must complete.
• Policy Setting: Creating administrative policies and procedures that govern the conduct and operations of marshals.

Public Services

For the general public and legal community, the Commission serves as a resource for accountability and information:

• Official Roster: Maintaining a searchable, up-to-date list of all active State Marshals, organized by county, to help citizens find an officer to serve legal documents (such as divorce papers, subpoenas, or eviction notices).
• Complaint Resolution: Investigating formal complaints filed by the public regarding the conduct of a State Marshal. The Commission has the authority to suspend or revoke a marshal’s appointment for misconduct.

Location and Access

The Commission’s offices are housed within the historic State Office Building, a secure government facility. Visitors must pass through security screening, including metal detectors, upon entry. The location is in the Capitol District, directly accessible via CTtransit bus routes along Capitol Avenue and nearby Washington Street.