How To Find Court Records in Vermont

CourtCaseFinder transforms the way you access Vermont court records, eliminating the need to visit courthouses or juggle multiple websites. You can search filings from the Chittenden County Superior Court Civil Division, including landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, and complex contract cases like business lease disputes.

By entering party names, email addresses, or cities, our platform instantly generates user-friendly reports with case numbers, summaries, details, and filings, when available. We consolidate case information from various courts in Vermont into a single, easy-to-use dashboard.

In Vermont, court records are official documents and data tied to each case. Such records enable you to monitor court proceedings, manage your case if you represent yourself, conduct legal research, and gain insights into the state's judicial system.

How To Access Vermont Public Court Records

Obtaining court records in Vermont may require significant time, money, and effort, especially if you are using traditional access methods such as browsing multiple court websites and systems or visiting local courthouses. CourtCaseFinder eliminates these burdens for you.

If you want to learn how court records can be accessed through official channels, here is a discussion of the options provided by the Vermont courts:

Online via the VT Public Portal

You can access summaries of cases in the Superior Court's Civil Division and Judicial Bureau through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal without registering or logging in. However, you won't be able to view full case details or document images, including filings, orders, and hearing notices.

To access most records and documents, you must request elevated access, available if you are a lawyer, agency representative, law enforcement official, or a party involved in the case.

Public Access Terminal (PAT)

In Vermont, certain court records, including those for criminal, probate, and family cases, are not accessible online to the public under Title 12, Vermont Statutes Annotated (VSA) Section 5.

Instead, you can view these records in person at most courthouses using a Public Access Terminal (PAT). You can search by case number or party name. Accessing the PAT is free, though fees may apply if you request copies of any records.

Mail or Email Record Request

Requests for copies of court records can also be submitted by mail or email. Complete the Request for Access to Public Records form (600-00033)and send it to the mailing or email address of the court that heard the case.

You can find the court's contact information on the Vermont Judiciary's Court Locations and Court Email Addresses pages.

Paper copies of case records are available at $0.25 per page, while certified copies cost $5. Payments can be made via check, money order, or credit card.

Vermont Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

Under the Vermont Public Records Act (PRA), the public may inspect or obtain copies of court records. In general, accessible information includes party names, case details, charges, dispositions, and attorneys of record.

Yet, unrestricted disclosure could jeopardize privacy, fairness, or the integrity of proceedings. To address this, the Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records (VRPACR) were adopted. The VRPACR is significant because it balances public trust in courts with the need to protect sensitive or confidential information.

Accordingly, public access to certain types of court records can be prohibited or restricted, which include but are not limited to:

• Index of criminal cases expunged after completion of diversion
• Juvenile proceeding records
• Adoption, relinquishment, and parental rights termination records, as outlined in 15A VSA Section 6-102
• Presentence investigation reports
• Judicial Bureau case files where violations were admitted or uncontested before January 2, 2007
• Wills filed in the Probate Division while the testator is living
• Grand jury records, orders, and subpoenas sealed for secrecy
• Structured settlement transfer documents

Who Oversees the Courts in Vermont

In Vermont, the Supreme Court justices oversee the state's court system with the support of the Court Administrator and the Chief Superior Judge.

The Court Administrator provides leadership and guidance to judges and court staff so that cases are handled fairly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Through the various divisions of the Office of the Court Administrator, the administrator fulfills responsibilities for managing the court system, including:

• Overseeing budgets and personnel management
• Maintaining records and supervising court security
• Managing technology and computer services
• Promoting education and training for judges and staff

Meanwhile, the Chief Superior Judge manages the trial courts, assigning judicial officers annually, monitoring decision timelines, investigating complaints, and resolving scheduling conflicts.

In addition, the judge proposes new rules and statutes to the Supreme Court and communicates the needs and concerns of the trial courts to the Legislature through formal testimony.

What Types of Courts Exist in Vermont?

Vermont's court system has two main levels: the Supreme Court, which serves as the sole appellate authority, and the Superior Court, the statewide trial court with 14 county units. The Superior Court includes the Civil, Criminal, Civil, Family, Environmental, and Probate Divisions, plus the Judicial Bureau, which has statewide jurisdiction.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Vermont Supreme Court	Statewide appellate court reviewing decisions from lower courts and certain state or municipal agencies.	Appeals from the Superior Courts and administrative agencies; attorney/judge discipline; procedural rule recommendations
Superior Courts	Trial-level courts in 14 counties; divided into Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, and Environmental Divisions, and the Vermont Judicial Bureau; hear cases within county or subject-matter jurisdiction.	Varies by division (see below).
Criminal Division	Handles criminal matters in each county; judges review and approve search and arrest warrants.	Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI cases, juvenile crime, mental health offenses, traffic/fish & game violations; specialty courts for adult/juvenile drug, mental health
Civil Division	Hears civil disputes and small claims within each county.	Breach of contract, eviction, foreclosure, personal injury, land disputes, medical malpractice, wrongful death, probate appeals, small claims capped at 10,000 ($5,000 for consumer/medical debt)
Family Division	Handles family law matters within each county, including child custody, support, domestic relations, and protective orders.	Traffic/parking tickets, animal/fire code violations, local ordinances, minor state law offenses
Environmental Division	Covers environmental appeals and enforcement statewide; hearings are mainly remote unless in-person is required.	Appeals from municipal panels, Act 250, Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Land Use Review Board (LURB); municipal and state environmental enforcement actions
Probate Division	Manages estates, trusts, guardianships, and personal records in each county.	Adoptions, birth/death/marriage record corrections, emancipation, guardianship, authorization for nonresident clergy to perform marriages, probate of estates/trusts/wills
Vermont Judicial Bureau	Oversees civil violations statewide under statute and municipal ordinances.	Motor vehicles, municipal ordinances, fishing/hunting/trapping, alcohol/tobacco, waste disposal, environmental violations, lead hazards, animal cruelty, non-criminal marijuana violation

What Federal Courts Are In Vermont?

Federal courts handle cases related to the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and disputes involving states. In contrast, Vermont state courts address most criminal, family, and civil cases under state law. While federal courts focus on national legal issues, state courts manage a broader range of local matters.

The table below provides an overview of the federal courts operating in Vermont:

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont	Adjudicates criminal cases such as healthcare and tax fraud, cybercrime, and environmental violations; Resolves civil disputes, including contracts, civil rights, patents, constitutional matters, and federal agency cases affecting Vermont residents and institutions.	Burlington: U.S. District Court Room 200, 11 Elmwood Ave., Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: 802- 951-6301 Rutland: U.S. District Court 151 West St., Room 204, Rutland, VT 05701 Phone: 802 773-0245
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Vermont	Specialized federal court for Vermont bankruptcies; Provides structured relief for individuals, family-owned farms, small businesses, and local nonprofits facing insolvency.	Same U.S. District Court office locations in Burlington and Rutland Phone (Toll-Free): 844-644-7459

Decisions from Vermont's federal courts can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which is based in New York and has jurisdiction over Vermont, New York, and Connecticut.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Vermont Courts?

The Vermont Superior Courts handle roughly 175,000 cases annually, with the Judicial Bureau, Criminal Division, and Family Division taking the largest share of filings.

Judicial Bureau cases primarily involve civil violations, often appealed to the Criminal Division. In the Family Division, most cases filed are about marital separations.

Superior Court Division	Case Type	Approx. Annual Filings
Criminal Division	Felony	~5,000
	Misdemeanor	~16,000
	Civil Suspension	~1,000
	Miscellaneous Criminal	~10
	Miscellaneous Civil	~400
	Uniform Fire Prevention Ticket	~30
	Fish and Game	~100
	Judicial Bureau Appeal	~68,000
Civil Division	Contract	~100
	Collection	~1,000
	Foreclosure	~500
	Landlord/Tenant	~1,000
	Prisoner	~500
	Small Claims	~2,000
	Real Property	~50
	Stalking	~1,000
	Declaratory Relief	~70
	Employment	~20
	Claims Against Government	~20
	Appeal	~180
	Tort	~300
	Misc. Civil	~200
Family Division	Juvenile	~1,000
	Dissolution without Children	~1,000
	Dissolution with Children	~800
	Separation	~25,000
	Mental Health	~1,000
	Protection Order	~3,000
	Parentage	~700
	UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)	~90
	Registration of Foreign Order	~30
	Misc. Family	~50
Environmental Division	Civil Citation	~10
	ANR & LURB Enforcement	~20
	Act 250 and ANR De Novo Appeals	~20
	Municipal Enforcement	~20
	Municipal De Novo Appeal	~50
	Misc. Environmental	10
	On the Record Appeal	10
Probate Division	Estate	~2,000
	Adoption	~300
	Guardianship Adult	~400
	Guardianship Minor	~300
	Trust	~40
	Misc. Probate	~30
Judicial Bureau	Vermont Civil Violation	~41,000
	Municipal Complaint	~900
	Fish and Wildlife	~200

You can view detailed case breakdowns and analyze trends in the Vermont Superior Court and Supreme Court, including clearance rates, age of active pending caseloads, and time to disposition, on the Vermont Judiciary's Court Statistics and Reports page.

How Do I File a Case in Vermont Courts?

If you are starting a case in Vermont, you must complete specific court and legal requirements. Below are the essential steps you need to follow:

1. Select the Right Court

You must file your case in the appropriate Superior Court Division in Vermont. Civil disputes and small claims go to the Civil Division, while family matters such as custody, divorce, or protection orders are handled by the Family Division.

Criminal and traffic offenses belong in the Criminal Division, and probate issues, including wills, estates, or guardianships, are filed in the Probate Division.

2. Complete the Required Paperwork

Download fillable PDF forms from the Vermont Judiciary's Court Forms page or pick up paper copies at the courthouse. If stalking threatens your minor children, complete the Complaint for Order Against Stalking on Behalf of a Minor (Form 100-00247SM).

Clearly explain your claims or allegations and provide enough details so the defendant and the judge understand the basis of the complaint.

3. File Your Case and Pay the Filing Fee

Submit your complaint or petition, along with all required forms and supporting documents, to the appropriate Superior Court Division. Filing options include delivering them in person at the courthouse, sending them by mail, submitting by email, or filing electronically through the Odyssey File & Serve (OFS) system.

Most Vermont court filings require a fee. For instance, starting a small claims case costs $65 for claims of $1,000 or less, and $90 for claims above $1,000. For detailed instructions, requirements, and the full fee schedule, visit the Vermont Judiciary's Filing Procedures page.

4. Serve the Other Party with Copies

All papers filed with the court must also be delivered to the other party. Service may be completed in different ways.

Hand the copies of documents directly and obtain a signed Acceptance of Service (Form 400-00844). Then, send them by regular first-class or certified mail or arrange for a sheriff or constable to deliver them.

How Is the Vermont Court System Unique?

Vermont is one of only two U.S. states, alongside Hawaii, with a statewide environmental court. Established in 1990, the Environmental Division of the Superior Court focuses on environmental, natural resource, and land use disputes, unlike most states, where such cases are processed in general trial courts or administrative agencies.

Judges and mediators are required to have expertise in environmental science, bringing specialized knowledge to complex cases. Over time, the division has fostered innovation and flexibility in its procedures.

Most hearings are conducted remotely via video conferencing to reduce travel burdens, while in-person sessions occur only at the discretion of the judge or when evidence presentation is necessary. Moreover, courtroom hearings take place in the area where the case originated, which improves local accessibility.

Vermont Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Addison
• Bennington
• Caledonia
• Chittenden
• Essex
• Franklin
• Grand Isle
• Lamoille
• Orange
• Orleans
• Rutland
• Washington
• Windham
• Windsor

Where to Find Additional Information About Vermont Courts?

• Courts in Vermont
• The Court System in Vermont
• The Supreme Court of Vermont
• United States District Court for the District of Vermont
• Judicial Assignments in Vermont

FAQs