Chittenden County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chittenden County?

Public records in Chittenden County are governed by Vermont's Public Records Act, codified in 1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320. According to § 317(b), public records are defined as "any written or recorded information, regardless of physical form or characteristics, which is produced or acquired in the course of public agency business."

Vermont's unique municipal structure means that unlike most states, public records in Chittenden County are primarily maintained at the town or city level rather than by county offices. The following types of public records are available to citizens:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate court records are maintained by the Vermont Judiciary. Chittenden County's court records are accessible through the Chittenden Superior Court divisions.
Property Records: Land records including deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers are recorded at the municipal level in Vermont. Each town or city in Chittenden County maintains its own land records system rather than having a centralized county recording office.
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates are maintained by both the town/city clerks and the Vermont Department of Health.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and registrations are typically maintained by individual municipalities and the Vermont Secretary of State's office.
Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by each municipality's assessor's office. The City of Burlington provides property tax information through their online portal.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration and election results are maintained by town/city clerks and the Vermont Secretary of State.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of municipal boards, commissions, and committees are maintained by each town or city clerk's office.
Budget and Financial Documents: Municipal financial records are maintained by each town or city's finance department.
Law Enforcement Records: Police reports and incident logs are maintained by local police departments and the Chittenden County Sheriff's Office, subject to privacy restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning documents are maintained by each municipality's planning department.

The Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office maintains criminal prosecution records, while the Vermont Department of Corrections maintains incarceration records.

Is Chittenden County an Open Records County?

Chittenden County, like all Vermont counties and municipalities, is subject to the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320), which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Act explicitly states in § 315(a) that "officers of government are trustees and servants of the people and it is in the public interest to enable any person to review and criticize their decisions even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment."

The Vermont Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, declaring that "any agency, board, department, commission, committee, branch, instrumentality, or authority of the State or any agency, board, committee, department, branch, instrumentality, commission, or authority of any political subdivision of the State" must make their records available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

Key provisions of the Act include:

Public agencies must respond to records requests promptly, and no later than within 3 business days (§ 318(a)(1))
If more time is needed, agencies may take up to 10 business days with written explanation (§ 318(a)(5))
Agencies must provide an estimate of any costs before proceeding with requests that will incur charges (§ 316(c))

Vermont's open government laws also include the Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. §§ 310-314), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, properly noticed, and that minutes be taken.

While Chittenden County itself has limited governmental functions compared to counties in other states, all municipalities within the county must comply with these state transparency laws. Each municipality may have additional policies governing records access, but none can be more restrictive than the state law.

How to Find Public Records in Chittenden County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Chittenden County should follow these steps to efficiently locate and obtain the information they need:

Identify the correct custodian: Due to Vermont's municipal structure, determine whether the record is maintained by a town/city office, state agency, or court. For example, property records are maintained by individual town/city clerk offices rather than a county recorder.
Contact the appropriate office: Reach out to the specific department that maintains the records you seek:
- For land records: Contact the town/city clerk where the property is located
- For court records: Contact the Chittenden Superior Court
- For vital records: Contact either the town/city clerk or the Vermont Department of Health
Submit a formal request: While verbal requests are permitted for some records, written requests are recommended. Many municipalities offer standardized public records request forms on their websites. Requests should:
- Be as specific as possible about the records sought
- Include date ranges if applicable
- Provide contact information for follow-up questions
Check online resources first: Many records are now available through online portals:
- Burlington's property database provides tax and assessment information
- South Burlington offers grand list and tax information online
- The Vermont Judiciary offers case lookup services for court records
Visit in person: For records not available online, visit the appropriate office during business hours. Many historical records may only be available for in-person inspection.
Be prepared to pay applicable fees: Have payment ready for any copying or certification fees that may apply.
Appeal if necessary: If a request is denied, requestors may appeal to the head of the agency. If still denied, appeals may be made to the Vermont Superior Court under 1 V.S.A. § 319.

For criminal records, contact the Vermont Crime Information Center or the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office. For corrections records, submit requests to the Vermont Department of Corrections.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Chittenden County?

The cost of obtaining public records in Chittenden County varies by record type and municipality, but all fees are governed by the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 316). The law permits agencies to charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of providing copies.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Photocopies: $0.25 to $0.50 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
Land Records: $1.00 per page for copies of recorded documents in most municipalities
Vital Records:
- Birth certificates: $10.00
- Death certificates: $10.00
- Marriage certificates: $10.00
- Civil union certificates: $10.00
Court Records:
- $1.00 per page for copies
- $5.00 for certified copies
- $12.50 for record searches (per 15-minute increment)
Criminal Record Checks: $30.00 per check through the Vermont Crime Information Center

Additional fees may apply for:

Staff time for record searches exceeding 30 minutes (billed at the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the search)
Special computer programming or extraction
Mailing or delivery costs
Specialized formats (large format documents, color copies, electronic media)

Payment methods accepted typically include:

Cash (in-person only)
Checks (made payable to the specific municipality or state agency)
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (at some locations and for online services)

Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 316(d), agencies must provide an estimate of charges prior to fulfilling requests that will incur substantial costs. Some agencies may require prepayment for large requests.

Fee waivers may be available if disclosure is in the public interest and the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.

Does Chittenden County Have Free Public Records?

Chittenden County residents and other members of the public can access certain records at no cost. Under Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 316(a)), agencies must allow any person "to inspect or copy any public record or document." While copying typically incurs fees, inspection is generally free.

Free public records services available include:

In-person inspection: All public records may be inspected free of charge during normal business hours at the office where they are maintained. This includes land records, meeting minutes, budgets, and other public documents.
Online resources: Several municipalities in Chittenden County provide free online access to certain records:
- The City of Burlington's property database offers free access to property assessment data, tax information, and GIS mapping
- South Burlington's Information & Data portal provides free access to grand list information and property records
- The Vermont Judiciary offers basic case information through their public portal
Meeting minutes and agendas: Most municipalities post these documents on their websites at no charge
Budget documents and financial reports: Annual reports and budget documents are typically available for free download from municipal websites
Voter checklists: Basic voter information can be inspected at town/city clerk offices without charge
Unclaimed property records: The Vermont State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division maintains a free searchable database
Public notices and regulations: Proposed rules, regulations, and public notices are freely available

For electronic records that already exist, agencies may not charge for providing the record in electronic form if doing so requires minimal staff time and no special programming.

It's important to note that while inspection is free, any requests for copies, certifications, or extensive searches will typically incur the standard fees outlined in the fee schedule section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Chittenden County?

Under Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 316(a)), "any person" may request public records. This broad eligibility extends to:

Vermont residents
Non-residents of Vermont
Business entities
Media organizations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Non-U.S. citizens

The law does not require requestors to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Demonstrate a "need to know"
Have a direct interest in the records
Be of legal age (minors may request records)

For most general public records, requestors remain anonymous if they wish. However, certain record types do have specific eligibility restrictions:

Criminal history records: Complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record. Limited information is available to the general public through the Vermont Crime Information Center.
Vital records: Birth and death certificates have access restrictions based on relationship. Under 18 V.S.A. § 5016, certified copies of birth and death certificates are available only to family members, legal representatives, and those with a "direct and tangible interest."
Adoption records: Access is restricted to parties to the adoption and requires court approval.
Juvenile court records: These are confidential under Vermont law with limited exceptions.
Health records: Records maintained by the Vermont Department of Health or Department for Children and Families may have specific eligibility requirements due to privacy laws.

When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests by mail, notarized authorization may be required when requesting another person's records where relationship verification is necessary.

What Records Are Confidential in Chittenden County?

While Vermont's Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness, 1 V.S.A. § 317(c) specifies numerous exemptions to public disclosure. Records that are confidential in Chittenden County and throughout Vermont include:

Personal documents: Records which by law are designated confidential or by their nature cannot be disclosed without violating personal privacy (§ 317(c)(1))
Medical records: Information of a personal nature, including medical and health records (§ 317(c)(7))
Law enforcement records: Records dealing with the detection and investigation of crime where disclosure could harm an investigation, identify confidential sources, reveal investigative techniques, or endanger individuals (§ 317(c)(5))
Juvenile records: Court proceedings involving minors are confidential under 33 V.S.A. § 5117
Child welfare records: Reports and investigations maintained by the Department for Children and Families regarding child abuse and neglect (§ 317(c)(32))
Adoption records: Sealed by court order and accessible only through specific legal procedures
Personnel records: Information in personnel files that constitutes a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (§ 317(c)(7))
Tax return information: Individual tax records and information (§ 317(c)(6))
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets (§ 317(c)(9))
Academic records: Student records protected under federal FERPA regulations (§ 317(c)(11))
Attorney-client communications: Communications protected by attorney-client privilege (§ 317(c)(4))
Security information: Records concerning security measures and emergency response plans (§ 317(c)(32))
Library records: Information revealing what specific materials patrons have borrowed (§ 317(c)(19))
Social Security numbers: Personal identifiers are generally redacted from public records
Victim information: Information that could endanger victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking (§ 317(c)(5)(D))

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by § 317(e).

The Vermont Department of Corrections maintains confidential records related to inmates, though certain information about current inmates is public. Similarly, the Vermont Probate Court maintains confidential guardianship and mental health proceedings records.

Chittenden County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

It is important to note that Vermont does not maintain county-level recording offices for land records. Instead, each town and city maintains its own land records. Below is contact information for key record-keeping offices in Chittenden County:

Chittenden Superior Court
175 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-3467
Vermont Judiciary
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Burlington City Clerk's Office
149 Church Street, Room 311
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 865-7000
Burlington City Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

South Burlington City Clerk's Office
180 Market Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4105
South Burlington City Clerk
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office
32 Cherry Street, Suite 305
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-2865
Chittenden County State's Attorney
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Vermont Department of Health - Burlington District Office
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-7200
Vermont Department of Health
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM

Vermont State Archives and Records Administration
1078 US Route 2, Middlesex
Montpelier, VT 05633-7701
(802) 828-3700
Vermont State Archives
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

For other municipalities in Chittenden County, contact the respective town clerk's office. Each maintains separate hours and contact information.