Crime Numbers
The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) aggregates crime statistics for all counties through law enforcement agencies in the State of Vermont. For 2018, Franklin County had a record of 18 violent crimes and 47 property crimes, with no records of arson, and murder. Of the reported violent crimes, there were 8 rapes, 8 aggravated assaults, and 2 robberies. Property offenses included 18 burglaries, 27 larcenies, and 2 motor vehicle thefts.
Compared to crime statistics in 2013, Franklin County recorded an 80% increase in violent crimes and a 14.63% increase in property crimes. Violent crime reports show rape rose by 166.67%, aggravated assault by 33.33%, robbery by 100%, with murder and nonnegligent manslaughter staying the same, at 0. Property crimes such as larceny rose by 17.39% and burglaries by 12.5%. The least recorded offenses were 2 cases of motor vehicle thefts, and arson, of which no cases were recorded. The five-year trend shows that while there was an increase in violent and property crimes committed in the county but motor vehicle theft and arson pretty much stayed the same.
Criminal Records
The VCIC provides both criminal history checks and criminal conviction reports for Franklin county. However, only persons named on criminal records can request criminal history checks. Any individual, corporation, or governmental body can request a criminal conviction report by providing a name and date of birth.
There are three ways to obtain criminal records in the county. Requests can:
- Visit the VCIC office
- Use the online Vermont Conviction Record website
- Send a message via mail to the address below:
Vermont Criminal Information Center - Waterbury Office
Criminal Record Check Section
45 State Drive
Waterbury VT 05671-1300
(802) 241-5320
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The online method is available only to people who want to request non-certified copies of either their own or someone else’s criminal conviction records. Use the mail or walk-in methods to obtain a certified criminal conviction record.
To order a certified criminal history report or criminal conviction report, visit the VCIC’s Waterbury Office. Fill out a Request for Personal Criminal Record Check and visit the office during normal business hours with a government-issued photo ID. An applicant who sends in a written request must enclose a copy of a valid ID along with a signed notary form.
People who want their comprehensive criminal history record are required to provide two of the following types of valid IDs:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Non-Driver ID License
- Valid Passport/Government ID
Or, one valid form of identification from the above list and one from the list below:
- Student ID
- Credit Card or Check Cashing Card, clearly showing a signature
- Any other valid document or card that contains the requester’s name and signature and can be verified
The VCIC charges $30 for each request. Acceptable methods of payment include cash, check, money order, or credit card (VISA, Discover, or Mastercard). There is a 10-minute processing time for these records. Therefore, those requesting them in person can wait to obtain these records.
Mail-in requests take 5-7 days to process and cost $30 per request. The procedure for sending in the request form is the same as for walk-in applicants. However, accepted payment methods include only money order and cashier’s check. Applicants must submit their requests with self-addressed stamped envelopes. Cash, personal checks, or business checks are not allowed. Send the request to the VCIC office.
Online requests for non-certified criminal conviction reports cost $30 to obtain. All payments are made via credit card. There is no processing time for this request method.
The VCIC does not provide fingerprint record checks. However, there are fifteen available identification centers across Vermont where applicants can submit their fingerprints. Please note that this service is provided by the FBI and costs $25.
The Vermont State Police (VSP) provides arrest processing photos and mugshots on request. To request these documents, send an email and include the name and age of the offender, arrest date, and the incarceration facility of the arrest. This applies only to photos that were taken by the Vermont State Police.
In addition, any citizen of Franklin County can request public arrest records and police reports online, with the exception of motor vehicle crashes. Those records instead may be located at the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Call (802) 828-2050 for inquiries.
To request these records from the VSP by mail, send a request to this address:
Vermont State Police
Attn: Record Request
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
The requester must provide the date and type of incident, name of the offender(s), and the VSP case number. It costs $20 each for a police report and photo CD, and $45 each for video and audio recordings. All fees are payable by credit card when using the online service. For mail-in requests, make out a check with the applicable fees to the Vermont Department of Public Safety. Note that while the public generally has access to police reports, as given by Vermont statutes, there are still certain exceptions.
The VCIC maintains a statewide registry of sex offenders. This information is available to the public on the Vermont Sex Offender Public Website. However, not all sex offenders have their details on this website and not everyone has access to the information provided, unless that person/party can express a legitimate reason. Other qualified persons who can use this portal include law enforcement agencies, employers, state/federal governmental agencies, and sex offenders who want to verify the details on their record
St. Albans Barracks is responsible for law enforcement in Franklin County. The only correctional facility in St. Albans is the Northwest State Correctional Facility. It is located in Swanton, Vermont at 3649 Lower Newton Road St. Albans, VT 05488. The contact phone number is (802) 524-6771.
The Agency of Human Services Department of Corrections (DOC) frequently updates its inmate locator for Franklin County. This is done to assist persons who want to find inmates and know their inmate identification numbers.
To send funds to an inmate’s account, use a deposit coupon. This coupon is available at the correctional facility and on the DOC’s website.
Court records
Franklin County has four out of the five Divisions of its Supreme Court present in its county seat, St. Albans. These Court Divisions include the Civil Division, Criminal Division, Family Division, and Probate Division. To find a court record, visit the local Court Clerk’s office where the case was filed with a completed Request for Access to Court Records. If the request was denied, it is also possible to submit an appeal request for access. The fees vary by type of copy requested.
Find below th addresses, phone numbers, and business hours of the Court Divisions of Franklin County:
Franklin Civil Division
17 Church Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-7993
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Franklin Criminal Division
36 Lake Street,
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-7997
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Franklin Family Division
36 Lake Street,
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-7997
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Franklin Probate Division
17 Church Street,
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-4112
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Alternatively, interested parties can use the Vermont Courts website to request court records from Civil Division cases. It is also possible to check court schedules using this resource. Search for complete records using the case’s docket number and the plaintiff’s name. However, not all civil cases from Franklin County are included in this database.
There is an activation fee of $12.50 for new users. Subsequent requests cost 50 cents while the fee is $2.50 for a comprehensive docket search. All fees are payable by debit (MasterCard or Visa) or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover).
Vital Records
The Vermont Department of Health Vital Records maintains a statewide database of vital records from 2014 to date. The office also maintains the Vital Records Request Service, an online platform where interested parties may request vital records. The Vermont State Archives & Records Administration maintains divorce records, civil unions, and marriage records prior to 2013, and all birth and death records.
To order divorce or marriage records through the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records, submit a request by mail, in person, or through the online service. Ordering online attracts a $12 fee and takes 5 - 7 working days to process. Requesters may also opt to expedite their requests for an additional $14.50 fee. Use a credit card for payment (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover)
To send a mail request, submit a completed Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Marriage or Divorce or Civil Union Dissolution Certificate to this address:
Health Surveillance Division
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
(802) 863-7300
Alternatively, visit the office in person with a completed and signed application form, anytime between 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays at
108 Cherry St.
Burlington, VT 05401
Certified copies cost $10 each to obtain. All fees are payable by money order or check made out to the Vermont Health Department.
To order birth records, make a request at the nearest County Clerk ’s office or submit a request at the Health Department via mail, online service, or by visiting the office in person. The office maintains birth records from January 1, 1909 to date. Each request costs $10.
Interested parties can order death records in the local County Clerk’s office or through the Health Department, which maintains death records on and after January 1, 1909. Make a request online, in person, or by mail. Each request for certified copies attracts a $10 fee.
