Chittenden County, Vermont State Court Records
The Superior Court of Vermont serves as the primary custodian for trial-level court records within Chittenden County, managing distinct records for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. According to the Vermont Supreme Court, these court records encompass all written or recorded information produced or acquired by the judicial branch in the course of handling a case or controversy. The court creates and maintains these files to fulfill the government’s legal responsibilities to protect citizen rights and to enable the public to monitor the performance of public officials.
Chittenden County court records fall under a broader category of public records, frequently intersecting with documents (e.g., arrest, vital, property records) maintained by other government agencies. Nonetheless, local court records remain distinct from the federal case files maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.
Are Chittenden County Court Records Public?
Yes. Vermont law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. This access is primarily governed by the Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records, which mandate that the judiciary make its records available for inspection and copying.
Despite this general transparency, certain case types and specific information remain restricted to protect individual privacy or comply with statutory requirements.
For instance, the law exempts from public inspection adoption records for individuals under 99 years old, records documenting the relinquishment of parental rights, and certain mental health records. Furthermore, although most civil dockets are open, court rules may require redacting sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or the identities of victims, before the public can view them.
What Information is Available in Chittenden County Court Records?
According to the Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records, court records in Chittenden County contain the following categories of documents:
- Case Management System Data: Information used to track cases, such as case numbers, party names, identifiers, attorneys of record, titles of filed documents, and scheduled events.
- Court-Generated Documents: Records created by judicial officers or court personnel, including orders, judgments, and official reports
- General Case Filings: These include letters, books, transcripts, data compilations, audio or video recordings, and any evidence received by the court.
Chittenden County Court Records Search
Individuals can search and access Chittenden County court records through several channels, though the level of detail available varies by case type and method of access.
Online Access
The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal allows anonymous users to view case summaries for the Civil Division and the Judicial Bureau remotely. However, the general public cannot view documents or summaries for criminal, family, or probate cases through this remote portal. They remain restricted to courthouse terminals.
In-Person Access
The public can access electronic records for all case types, including those restricted to in-person viewing, using public access terminals located within the Chittenden County courthouses. Courthouse staff and the clerk’s office can assist individuals in using these terminals or navigating physical files. They can also use the Request for Access to Court Record form, selecting the "Pickup from Courthouse" option as the delivery method.
Mail and Phone Requests
The Vermont Judiciary does accept record requests by mail or email. Persons who may not be able to visit the courthouse may fill out and submit the Request for Access to Court Record form by mail or email.
Fees for Court Records in Chittenden County
The Vermont Superior Court in Chittenden County charges specific fees for accessing and duplicating court records. Individuals pay 25 cents per page for photocopies of court materials, subject to a $1 minimum charge. Obtaining an official certified copy requires a $5 fee, while exemplified copies cost $10 each. The court also charges $5 for document authentication.
Note that the court clerk does not maintain vital records. Town and city clerks, alongside the Department of Health, manage vital records such as birth and marriage certificates. These agencies charge $10 for certified copies, though online orders through the state’s portal cost $12, including a processing fee. Expedited shipping for these records requires an additional flat rate of $14.50. The Department provides noncertified watermarked copies at no charge via email. Finally, agencies may charge for staff time if fulfilling a Public Records Act request exceeds 30 minutes.
Chittenden County Courthouse Locations
The Vermont trial court system in Chittenden County comprises the Superior Courts. The Superior Courts maintain specialized Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate divisions.
The Civil Division adjudicates disputes, including personal injury claims, contract breaches, and small-claim matters. The Criminal Division manages felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as specific civil proceedings, such as DUI license suspensions. Family-related matters, including divorce, child custody, and juvenile cases, fall under the Family Division. Meanwhile, the Probate Division oversees estate settlements, name changes, and adoptions.
Below are the locations of the Chittenden County courthouses.
Vermont Superior Court - Chittenden Civil Division
175 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: (802) 863-3467
Vermont Superior Court - Chittenden Criminal Division
32 Cherry Street, Suite 300
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 651-1950
Vermont Superior Court - Chittenden Family Division
32 Cherry Street, Suite 200
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 651-1709
Vermont Superior Court - Chittenden Probate Division
175 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: (802) 651-1518
Criminal Records Access in Chittenden County
The Vermont Crime Information Center, a division of the Department of Public Safety, manages official state-level criminal history checks. This agency provides conviction reports online, by mail-in request, or in person at its Waterbury office. Local county courts do not provide comprehensive criminal records.
Nonetheless, local Chittenden County criminal case records remain accessible through the judiciary’s electronic case management system or public terminals located in courthouses.
Chittenden County Probate Records
Chittenden County probate records encompass a wide range of legal documents concerning the administration of estates and the protection of individuals. These estate records primarily include wills and probate filings, but the division’s scope also extends to the administration of trusts, adoptions, and name changes. Furthermore, the court manages guardianships and conservatorships, which involve the legal authority to care for minors or incapacitated adults.
The Vermont Judiciary provides online access to more recent probate filings through its Vermont Judiciary Public Portal, making many dockets and orders available remotely. However, older or detailed files often remain in physical formats, requiring an in-person visit to the courthouse for comprehensive review.
While most probate matters are public, certain cases-such as adoptions or mental health proceedings-remain confidential or are restricted by law to protect participants’ privacy.
Chittenden County Family Court Records
The Family Division manages domestic relations cases, including divorce, child custody, visitation, adoption, and child support. Access to the court’s records is available through the judiciary’s online search portals for docket information and court orders.
For more sensitive matters or to view complete case files, individuals should visit the Burlington courthouse. To obtain certified copies of family-related documents, such as final divorce decrees or parentage orders, parties will need to follow specific procedures.
Federal Court Records in Chittenden County
Federal matters for Chittenden County fall under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Vermont. This court adjudicates cases involving federal statutes, constitutional matters, and disagreements between parties from different states.
The public can access federal case and docket information via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), a centralized electronic service provided by the federal judiciary. For those unable to use PACER, records and filing information remain available directly through the Clerk’s Office at the federal courthouse locations.