Vermont Public Records
In accordance with the Vermont Public Records Law, this website provides every person living in Vermont with the right to obtain, observe, and search for public records. The act specifies that all records and government information are presumed public and available to citizens.
The purpose of this website is to ensure that members of the general public have access to government records and to provide them with tools to access them easily and efficiently. The website also ensures that these residents are not required to provide personal information unless the record in question is considered confidential by law or by court order.
The records presented on this site contain information on criminal records, court records, and vital records and include over 5 million transparent public records.
Are Vermont Records Public?
Most Vermont public records generated or maintained by government offices and officers are open to the public. The Vermont Public Records Act provides that any person may inspect or copy any public record maintained by a local or state agency. Public records may be stored electronically, physically, in writing, as photographs, or as audio recordings. Interested persons can make Public Records Act requests for these records, and the custodian of the record is required by law to provide the record. However, some exempted records cannot be viewed or copied by members of the public. Examples of exempted records include confidential records, records that deny a party's right to a fair trial, and records that may interfere with justice if disclosed.
What is Considered Public Information in Vermont?
Public records which are accessible to any person in the State of Vermont include:
- Records of court proceedings
- Criminal records which are not confidential
- Arrest records
- Records of inmates
- Certain sex offender information
- Bankruptcy records
Record custodians may charge fees for making copies and sending the record. However, conducting a free public data search for some records is possible. For example, free public records in Vermont can be retrieved from some law enforcement agencies like the Department of Corrections and the Sex Offender Registry.
How Do I Find Public Records in Vermont?
Any person can find a public record in Vermont by contacting the custodian of the record. Vermont state law requires government agencies to make a record promptly available following a request. Requests should be made in writing and should appropriately describe the record that is sought. A request may be denied if the description of the record is not clear enough. To prevent this, requesters are encouraged to provide enough unique information about the record such as the name of the record’s subject or a unique number associated with the record. Some offices, such as the Vermont Superior Court, provide a sample record request form.
Access to public information largely depends on the record the requester seeks. For instance, the Vermont Department of Health maintains Vermont vital records. Any person who seeks to inspect or copy vital records such as Vermont divorce records, Vermont birth records, and Vermont death records can do so by contacting the Department of Health. The Vermont Crime Information Center maintains Vermont criminal records and the sex offender registry. Generally, the Department of Public Service provides public records and can be contacted 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
Public records search in Vermont can be done online, in person, or by mail. The request should generally contain:
- The requester’s contact information
- A description of the record sufficient to identify it
- The record the requester wants to view or copy
Some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These websites are not limited by geographic location and come with expansive search tools. Record seekers can use these sites to start a search for a specific record or multiple records. To use a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:
- The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
- The location or assumed location of the document or person involved
Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party websites may vary.
How to Use Third-Party Sites to Find Public Records in Vermont
City Records
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Public Records
Public records can also be accessed from third-party websites. These third-party public records aggregate websites offer search services that are non-geographically limited, making the search result expansive and typically straightforward. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record as long as the subject is not a juvenile
- The last known or location of the record subject
Third-party public records search websites are not government-sponsored services. Therefore, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
How Do I Look Up Public Records in Vermont for Free?
Looking up a public record in Vermont for free depends on the specific record, what the requester desires, how the request is made, and the custodian of the records. A person who only desires to inspect a public record physically at the location it is stored may not need to pay any charges. For example, public access to free Vermont court records is granted if the requester only wants to inspect the records. However, not all records are readily available for inspection. Some have to be extracted or compiled. Records that may be inspected physically include sex offender information, arrest records, and incident reports. Agencies that provide physical inspection of records have a terminal or lobby to allow interested persons to inspect the records during business hours. Also, electronic copies of records may be obtained at no cost. This is the case for some records obtained online. Inmate records and sex offender information are provided online to any person and can be viewed without paying any fees. Additionally, a record seeker can conduct a free public record search in Vermont on county websites. For instance, a record seeker can access land records for free in most County Clerks' Offices in Vermont.
Vermont public records began being created in 1777 for all 14 counties in the state. These records are also increasingly available online through third-party and governmental websites, thanks to the standardization of the digitization of public records. This process has increased over the past 30 years. This helps to ensure Vermont abides by the commitment of the United States of America to remain a fair and just society for all.
