Where to Find and Access Vermont Arrest Records

The Vermont Department of Corrections sponsors a general information website available at http://www.doc.state.vt.us/. Here you will find programs and education, victim services information, and an overview of rules and regulations in the state of Vermont.

Vermont's Criminal Information Center

The state of Vermont established the Vermont Criminal Information Center in 1970, and this historical repository of information contains criminal records and civil records on everyone who has been tried for a crime in Vermont since 1970. The fingerprint repository is also available to interested parties.

To obtain a criminal record background check from Vermont, visit http://www.dps.state.vt.us/cjs/vcic.htm and click on “How to Obtain a Criminal Record Check in Vermont.” You will navigate a series of questions and be led to the correct forms and fee information for your individual situation.

The Vermont State Police makes investigative reports available to the general public as well (http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/records.htm). Reports and photographs are not available if the incident is under active investigation or prosecution. In other words, the case must be closed before the police release information to the general public. In addition, if the case involves juveniles or the photographs are of dead bodies, that information is not made public.

Information Found in Arrest Records

Records on Vermont arrests can contain any or all of the following information, depending on individual history:

•    Legal names
•    Known aliases
•    Distinguishing body marks
•    Height, weight, and eye color
•    Known addresses
•    Sex offender information
•    Vermont criminal convictions
•    Federal criminal records
•    Misdemeanor and felony arrests
•    Probation information

The Vermont Sex Offender Registry portal is available by clicking http://170.222.137.2:8080/sor/servlet/SOR. At this site, you may search for a possible offender by name or look at all the registered sex offenders for a given city or zip code. This information is available for level 3 sex offenders and certain level 2 sex offenders who are required to register their status and location at all times in Vermont.

Court and Inmate Information

Calendar information for Vermont courts may be obtained from https://secure.vermont.gov/vtcdas/user. This is a registered user site, so information is not easily available to the public. Criminal cases being heard in Vermont as well as civil cases are scheduled on the calendar. There is no charge to view the public calendar, but to receive detailed information on Vermont court cases there is a $12.50 activation fee which will allow you to access case summaries and docket chronologies.

If you know that a Vermont arrest resulted in the person being sent to jail or prison, you may search for inmates using the Vermont Department of Corrections Inmate Locator (http://doc.vermont.gov/offender-locator/). Here you will find the height, weight, location, and charges brought against the individual along with a mug shot.

There are many reasons a person might want to obtain Vermont arrest records. If you are considering hiring a contractor, a criminal background check might save you from being cheated. Potential employees should also be screened to look for fraud or burglary charges on their records. Daycare providers and in-home care providers for the elderly should also be screened.