-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001204452-04-000001.txt : 20040226
<SEC-HEADER>0001204452-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040226
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040112185849
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001204452-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040106
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040108
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040226

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAYES DOUGLAS M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204452

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14962
		FILM NUMBER:		04521496

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GAMETECH INTERNATIONAL INC
		STREET 2:		900 SANDHILL ROAD
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89521

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001091883
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS [3490]
		IRS NUMBER:				043477276
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CIRCOR INC
		STREET 2:		35 CORPORATE DR., SUITE 290
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01803-4230
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7812701200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CIRCOR INC
		STREET 2:		35 CORPORATE DR., SUITE 290
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01803-4230
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-06</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001091883</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>cir</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204452</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAYES DOUGLAS M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CIRCOR, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>35 CORPORATE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BURLINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01803</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option--Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.8</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options vest one-third per year over a 3-year period commencing with 1/06/2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The options are convertible into shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The grant of restricted stock units reported herein entitles the reporting person to receive shares of the issuer's common stock on a one-for-one basis upon the later of (i) vesting of the grant or a portion thereof and (ii) such longer deferral period as the reporting person may have elected in advance.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The restricted stock units reported herein vest in equal installments of one-third over a three-year period commencing with 1/06/2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">As noted in footnotes 3 and 4, the restricted stock units vest over a three-year period and, subject to any longer deferral period selected by the reporting person, automatically convert into shares of common stock at no conversion cost to the reporting person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alan J. Glass, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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