Are Vermont Records Public?

Yes, Vermont records are available to the public. Vermont residents have the right to access, view, and search public records in compliance with the Vermont Public Records Law. Section 317 of the Vermont Statutes defines a public record as a document that contains information acquired during a public agency’s course of business. These documents include court records, criminal records, property records, etc. However, the statute also stipulates that not all public records are available for viewing. For example, documents exempt from public inspection or with a designated viewer are not public records.

Who Can Access Vermont Public Records?

According to section 316 of the Vermont Statutes, anyone can request a public document. However, this does not apply to documents exempt from public viewing or that, if viewed, would cause the custodian to violate any statutory or common law privilege. This includes medical, adoption, trade secrets, and disciplinary records. To access these documents, one must be a party named in this document or a government agency member allowed to view these records such as police officers. If an individual is trying to access confidential records, they must have proof of identity when requesting them.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in Vermont?

Anybody can access public records, and no purpose declaration is needed. The use of public records is unrestricted by the Vermont Public Records Law. The public agency denying access to a record must communicate denial within two days after receiving the request.

What Records are Public in Vermont?

Different kinds of records managed by public agencies fall under public records in Vermont. Records that are available to everyone include:

• Court documents
• Non-confidential criminal records
• Arrest logs
• Records of prisoners
• Specific details about sexual offenders
• Bankruptcy records

Records keepers may charge for copying and mailing documents. Nonetheless, some documents can be found using a free public data search.

Vermont Public Court Records

Public court records are documents that courts produce during judicial proceedings. They are paperwork that helps keep litigation transparent and the courts accountable. Motions, transcripts, judgments, and writs are all examples of court records. Interested parties will find the following information in these records. The Judicial Bureau in Vermont and Vermont Superior Courts are responsible for maintaining state court records. Interested parties looking to access court records can find information such as party names, case type, disputed matter, etc.

However, not all court records are generally accessible as they are exempt from public viewing. Statutes, administrative court rules, and Supreme Court precedents help establish the different exemptions. Adoption documents, investigation records, juvenile delinquency proceedings, mental health data, confidential legal advice, and records of ongoing litigation are a few examples of secret court records. Only the parties to the case, their solicitors, and those with court orders granting access to such materials may view these private court documents.

Vermont Public Criminal Records

Vermont criminal records, also called rap sheets, are the official records that hold individuals' criminal histories under Vermont's authority. These records' contents are compiled from multiple sources and arranged in online record depositories, where the public may view them as criminal background reports. These records primarily include a person’s misdemeanor and felony offenses and any further arrests, indictments, and convictions stemming from their alleged involvement in criminal conduct within Vermont.

To obtain criminal records in Vermont, you can submit requests by mail, phone, or in person. Remember that you may need to pay the authorized body responsible for maintaining the criminal records to acquire the desired document. Those interested may be able to obtain a free public criminal record check, yet the data may be lacking.

The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) helps access state criminal records.

Vermont Crime Information Center
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
Phone: (802) 244-8727
Fax: (802) 241-5552

Note: The Vermont Criminal History Privacy Act states in Section 5 that if someone has not been found guilty of a crime, they are not permitted to view that person's public criminal history. To view another person's criminal record, one must often contact their local police department or court and ask to speak with the presiding officer personally.

Vermont Public Arrest Records

Almost anyone can access arrest records in Vermont. Interested parties can use the Public Records Ordering tool to look for individuals law enforcement has arrested by providing the name of the record subject. However, not all kinds of arrest records are available for public viewing. For instance, the public cannot access arrest records relating to domestic or sexual abuse.

Vermont Public Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy records are legal documents that contain information about an individual or entity’s file for bankruptcy. These documents usually include details such as the debtor’s name, address, and type of bankruptcy they filed for. Since they are federal records, bankruptcy records are maintained by the United States Bankruptcy Court District of Vermont. Interested parties can find bankruptcy records using the Public Access to Electronic Records website. Alternatively, they can visit the Clerk’s office to see the records. Interested parties can find the Clerk's Office at the following locations:

US Bankruptcy Court
District of Vermont
11 Elmwood Ave, Rm 200
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 657-6400

US Bankruptcy Court
District of Vermont
151 West Street
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 657-6400

Vermont Public Birth Records

Birth records are documents that contain the details of an individual’s birth. In these documents, one can find information such as their place of birth, given name, the hospital they were born in, and the year they were born. The Vermont Department of Health’s Vital Records Office maintains state birth records. Anyone looking to get these records must provide the name of the birth, the current age, the place of birth, and the mother’s maiden name. The requesting party is required to submit a completed birth application form in person or by mail to the office located at:

Vital Records Office

P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
(800) 464-4343

Vermont Public Death Records

Death records are pieces of paperwork that document the death of a person. They include information such as the following:

• Date of Death
• Place of Death (city, state, hospital name)
• Cause of Death (listed according to medical coding systems)
• Manner of Death.

Death records in the state are kept up to date by the Vital Records Office of the Department of Health in Vermont. Basic information, such as the name of the deceased and the time of their death, must be provided before a person can request access to death records. The interested party must also fill out a death application form, which must be delivered in person or by mail to the office at the following address:

Vital Records Office

P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
(800) 464-4343

Vermont Public Marriage Records

Once two people get married under the law, the details of their union are recorded and safely kept. This document forms what is known as a marriage record, and it contains information such as the names of the spouses, the date of the marriage, and where the marriage took place. The Vermont Department of Health keeps marriage records from 2012 and after. Those looking for marriage records before 2012 can go to the county’s Clerk’s Office where the marriage occurred. To obtain marriage records in Vermont, requesters must provide the parties’s names, the date, and the location of the marriage to the Department of Health. They can also request records by sending a filled marriage record application form to:

Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
(800) 464-4343

Vermont Public Divorce Records

Although divorce records contain many sensitive kinds of information, such as custody details, individuals can find the following information available for public viewing:

• Names of parties involved
• Marriage details
• Date the divorce was finalized

The Vermont Department of Health has records of divorces finalized since 2014; the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration has records of divorces registered before this date. Divorce records are also available to applicants via mail or in person. Requesters who wish to make in-person requests must go to the relevant office with the proper documentation, which includes the names of all individuals involved and the date and location of the marriage. Interested parties may mail the divorce application form, filled out, to:

Vital Records Office

P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
(800) 464-4343

Vermont Public Inmate Records

Inmate records in Vermont are official records about those serving prison sentences within the state and the correctional facilities under its jurisdiction. Along with information about the offender's criminal history, including their convictions and punishments, these records also frequently include details about their full name and alias, date of birth, nationality or ethnicity, gender, and other biological characteristics.

Vermont residents can find inmate records through the Department of Corrections database. The system allows interested parties to find incarcerated individuals by their names. Interested parties can find the inmate’s name, age, and criminal charges information in the system. Parties can also contact the facility where the prisoner is being held to retrieve any information unavailable in the online database. They can also visit the Vermont Department of Corrections at:

Department of Corrections Central Office

280 State Drive, NOB 2 South
Waterbury VT 05671-2000
Phone: (802) 241-2442

Vermont Public Sex Offender Information

Information about those found guilty of sexual offenses is accessible to the public through Vermont's sex offender register. Law enforcement agencies compile the registry from different jurisdictions. The Vermont Department of Public Safety also keeps the state's central Sex Offender Registry, which includes details on all registered sex offenders in the state and the local listings. These listings include the addresses, biographical information, and criminal histories of sex offenders found guilty. To locate sex offenders across the country, requesters can search the National Sex Offender Registry.

Vermont Public Property Records

Property transactions are recorded for various reasons in Vermont, including certifying ownership, tracking legal claims, and facilitating taxation. Property records usually contain the owner's name, property type, specifics, and whether the property has any lien. In Vermont, property records are maintained locally, not by a single state agency. They are maintained by the town clerk of the locale where the property is situated. Interested parties must visit the town clerk’s office to obtain property records.

What is Exempted Under the Vermont Public Records Act?

Although the Vermont Public Records Act grants access to documents held by government agencies, it exempts certain kinds of information. Sections 317(2)(c) of the Vermont Statutes lists over 40 exemptions to the public records rule, some of which include:

1. Records that are deemed confidential by law
2. Records that can only be disclosed to specific persons by law.
3. Tax returns
4. Trade secrets
5. Records of the Office of Internal Investigations of the Department of Public Safety
6. Records that could cause civil unrest if disclosed to the public

To challenge an exemption, a person can send an appeal to the Vermont Public Records Division.

How Do I Find Public Records in Vermont?

In Vermont, public records can be located by contacting the record's custodian. According to state law in Vermont, government organizations must provide a record soon after a request has been made. Interested parties must submit a written request that accurately identifies the record so the request can be fulfilled. They can do this by including sufficient distinguishable information about the record, such as the subject name or a unique number linked to the document.

Public information access is primarily determined by the record that the requester is looking for. Vermont vital records, for example, are kept up to date by the Vermont Department of Health. Anyone can contact the Department of Health to view or obtain a copy of Vermont's vital records, including divorce, birth, and death certificates. The sex offender registry and Vermont criminal records are kept up to date by the Vermont Crime Information Centre. Public documents are generally available via the Department of Public Service, which interested parties can reach at:

Vermont Department of Public Service
Carol Flint
Freedom of Information Act/Public Records Officer
112 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2601
Email: carol.flint@vermont.gov

In Vermont, you can conduct an online, in-person, or mail-order public records search. Generally speaking, the request should include:

• Details about the requester's contact
• A description of the document that is adequate to recognize it
• The document the person requesting access to or a copy of

Third-party websites may also provide access to some public records. These websites offer a wide range of search capabilities and are not restricted by location. These websites allow users to begin a search for one or more specific records. To utilize a search engine on a government or third-party website, interested parties typically need to supply the following:

• The individual's name listed in the record, unless they are a minor
• The place, or presumed place, where the relevant document or individual is located

Third-party websites do not use government sources, nor are they supported by them. As a result, records may only sometimes be available on third-party websites.

Can I Find Free Public Records in Vermont Using Third-Party Sites?

Third-party websites may also provide access to public records. These non-governmental platforms include user-friendly features that enable broad searches. Those looking for records might use these tools to look for a single or several records. Users must, however, supply sufficient details to aid in the search, such as:

• The name of the subject on the record.
• The requestor's address file number or case number, if available.
• The location of the relevant document or person.
• The registrant's current or last known address.

Governmental organizations do not sponsor third-party websites. Results and record availability may differ as a result.

How Much Do Public Records Cost in Vermont?

The cost of obtaining Vermont public records typically varies depending on the type of record and other factors, some of which include:

• Staff time:
  • Standard staff - $0.45 per minute after the first 30 minutes
  • Senior staff/IT specialists - $0.57 per minute
  • Physical record duplication - $0.33 per minute after the first 30 minutes
• Copying:
  • Black and white photocopies:
    • Single-sided - $0.05 per page
    • Double-sided - $0.09 per page (up to 8.5" x 14")
  • Color photocopies: $1.00 per single-sided page (any size)
  • Computer printouts: $0.02 per page (up to 8.5" x 14")
• Media:
  • Diskettes: $0.28 each
  • CDs: $0.86 (write-once) or $2.31 (re-writable)
  • Audio tapes: $0.81 each
  • Videotapes: $1.69 each
  • DVDs: $2.00 (write-once) or $4.00 (re-writable)

However, these fees for copies of public records established by statute may override the fees established by this schedule.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

An individual’s request to access public records can be denied for various reasons. For instance, the records may fall under those that are exempted from public access. These exemptions exist to protect the privacy of individuals and, in more severe cases, prevent civil unrest. A person may also be denied access if the requested records are irrelevant to a legitimate public purpose. The Vermont Public Records Act allows access for public interest, not personal gain or harassing an agency. Additionally, if the request causes an undue burden on the recording agency, they may deny it.

Fortunately, there are steps a person can take to appeal a denial. Individuals can file an appeal with the Deputy Treasurer if they think their request for public records was unfairly turned down. They must send their appeal to the Office of the State Treasurer. Send the request by mail to the Office of the State Treasurer at 109 State Street, 4th Floor, Montpelier, VT 05609-6200 if email is not an option. For convenience, the appeal can also be sent to treasurers.office@vermont.gov.