How do I access court records?

Vermont Superior Court (county level - each of Vermont's 14 counties has a Superior Court; each has multiple divisions) / Vermont Supreme Court (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Identify what type of record you need: Civil Division (civil lawsuits over $10,000, appeals), Criminal Division (felonies, serious misdemeanors), Family Division (divorce, domestic, juvenile, child support), Probate Division (estates, guardianship, adoption), or Small Claims (under $10,000 through Civil Division)
Search online:
VERMONT JUDICIARY (vermontjudiciary.org): Vermont's court website; provides case search and court information
VERMONT ODYSSEY PUBLIC ACCESS: odysseypa.vermontjudiciary.org - Vermont uses Tyler Technologies' Odyssey case management system; public access portal allows searching civil, criminal, and family court cases statewide; free basic access; search by party name or case number
For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the case was filed (each county has one Superior Court clerk serving all divisions)
In-person access: visit the county courthouse; bring photo ID and case details

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Case number or full legal name of parties

Fee

Vermont Odyssey online basic search: free; certified copies: contact specific Superior Court Clerk for current schedule

Processing Time

Online: immediate for case information; same day or by mail for certified copies

Online Option

Yes - odysseypa.vermontjudiciary.org (Vermont Odyssey case search); vermontjudiciary.org

Where to Go

Vermont Superior Court Clerk in the county where the case was filed; Superior Court Probate Division for estate/probate matters

County-specific variations apply

Vermont's 14 counties: Addison (Middlebury), Bennington (Bennington), Caledonia (St. Johnsbury), Chittenden (Burlington - largest; most cases), Essex (Guildhall), Franklin (St. Albans), Grand Isle (North Hero), Lamoille (Hyde Park), Orange (Chelsea), Orleans (Newport), Rutland (Rutland), Washington (Montpelier), Windham (Brattleboro), Windsor (Woodstock/White River Junction). Chittenden County (Burlington) has by far the most active court system.

Vermont Notes

Important state-specific details

Vermont Odyssey Public Access: good statewide court case search.
Marriage records: Town Clerk (where license issued) and/or Vermont State Archives; marriage certificates NOT at county courts.
Divorce records: Family Division of Superior Court in county where divorce was filed.
Criminal history background checks: Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) - vcic.vermont.gov | (802) 244-8727; fee-based.
Vermont Sex Offender Registry - vsp.vermont.gov/criminal-justice/sex-offender-registry - searchable online; managed by Vermont State Police.
Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules.
Vermont Public Records Act: public records presumed open; agencies must respond within 5 business days of final determination (typically 3 days for acknowledgment and 5 business days for access or reason for delay).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Vermont Judiciary - vermontjudiciary.org | (802) 828-3281; Vermont Odyssey: odysseypa.vermontjudiciary.org; VCIC (criminal records) - vcic.vermont.gov | (802) 244-8727