Vermont Background Check: See Criminal Records Instantly (Gun, Laws)

In Vermont, background check processes are straightforward and easy to accomplish, simplifying how to get a Vermont background check.

This open carry state allows anyone to see criminal records virtually instantly, thanks to public records request laws and updated online platforms that maintain the state’s criminal database for immediate access.

Users simply need to know where to look.

And although the manual method will require some time and effort, using a 7-day free trial background screening can cut through the wait times and how much a background check costs.

But, regardless of the method used, obtaining public records and criminal history reports in Vermont can provide all the information that might show up on a level 1 background screening, common for employment, so that anyone can get a copy of their criminal record before a potential employer does.

Use this guide to access public information about yourself, or anyone in the state of Vermont.

Free Background Check: Vermont Info and Public Records

There are different ways to conduct a free background check in the state of Vermont, learn how to verify recent arrests, and access bankruptcy and divorce records…or any other public records needed.

In this state, criminal records are public — the Vermont Freedom of Information Act¹³ provides any individual who wishes to know a person’s criminal history the ability to access these records through the police department or sheriff’s office.

Since criminal records are available to the general public, anyone can find information on themselves or others for free. The only information accessible is protected by the Vermont Criminal History Privacy Act.¹⁴

The main criminal records include the person involved in the incident, addresses of the individual, fingerprinting information, criminal offenses, conviction information, and identifiers.

In addition to obtaining criminal records and public records in the state of Vermont, it is also possible to use third-party services to utilize federal databases and nationwide resources.

How To Obtain Criminal Records in Vermont

Those who wish to find criminal information regarding a person in Vermont can make a request to the local law enforcement agency or conduct a background check on the person in Vermont.

Individuals can do so by either calling the phone number of the law enforcement agency, visiting their local agent in person or sending a letter via the mail.

The Vermont Crime Information Center¹⁵ can provide criminal records to those who live in Vermont.

How To Obtain Public Records in Vermont

In addition, those who wish to find information about an individual who may have committed a crime in Vermont can use public records. In Vermont, arrest records are public. Individuals who wish to find a person who was arrested can use the Public records ordering tool to see the arrest records in the state.

However, certain cases — such as judicial proceedings, mental health information, and parole records — will not be available to the public. ¹

Step 1: Visit the Police Reports and Public Records Ordering website¹⁶

Step 2: Insert the Vermont State Police Case Number

*Step 3: Use the state police barracks to find the local state police case number

Step 4: Input the date of the incident, name of parties involved, and type of incident

Step 5: Input your personal information (Requestor Information)

Step 6: Choose the Documents Requested (Police Report, Photo CD, DUI Incident Video, Non-DUI Incident Video, or Audio Recording)

Find Vermont Public Records Through County Clerks (Vermont Repository)

One common way to find Vermont public records is to use county clerks. There are different types of records that can be found by using the local county clerks, such as the following:

• Marriage — Individuals can use the court clerks to find a marriage certificate online (do a marriage background check), in-person at the Town or City Clerk, or via mail. Users can use the Vital Records Request Service, complete the Mail Application for Marriage Record, or contact the city clerk where the marriage occurred. ²
• Voter registration — Voter registration is one of the most common property records that can be accessed by a county clerk, including other information like liens, land records, titles, deeds, real estate information, property tax records, and probate records.
• Business licenses
• Search for verification of Professional license
• Tax lien and property information — County clerks, known as the Town clerk or County Recorder of Deeds, will have all property records in the state.
• Rental property info, and address data

County Court System

Understanding how to search the county court system can be helpful when it comes to finding public records. One of the biggest counties in the state of Vermont is Windsor, with the Windsor Criminal Division the county office in charge of convictions within the area. To search local county court records, searchers can do the following:

Step 1: Email the Court to ask for records

Step 2: Narrow down the search to the correct court (Windsor Civil Division, Windsor Criminal Division, Windsor Family Division, or Windsor Probate Division) ³

Step 3: Fill out a Request for Access to Court Records ⁴

Step 4: Submit the form to the court where the record is filed

Find Vermont Court Records (Search Vermont Warrants) and DHS Criminal Records

Searchers can use the Vermont court records and Department of Human Services (DHS) criminal records to find information about the person in question. Learning how to use the county court system and the state court system is helpful in finding information quickly and easily.

Individuals can use the Vermont repository¹⁷ to find a person who was arrested in the state. The process works by using the date of birth provided by the searcher to see if there are any matches in the Criminal Convictions Records in Vermont. In addition, the search will take into account the first name and last name inputted by the searcher.

The criminal conviction record will display any crime within the Vermont District Court, showing the type of conviction, jurisdictional county, conviction offense, and sentencing information.

State Court System (Vermont Crime Information Center VCCRIS)

The Vermont Department of Public Safety offers a Vermont Crime Information Center¹⁸  that houses criminal conviction records. The Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service, known as the CCRIS, is a division of the Department of Public Safety that contains criminal conviction records through a Vermont District Court.

Searchers can use the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal to find information regarding court records, sentencing data, and hearing calendars. Those who are curious about a person’s background information can use this portal without requiring a breach of anonymity or providing registration details. ⁵

Step 1: Visit the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal

Step 2: Complete and submit the E-Services form¹⁹

Step 3: Input your name, date, mailing address, case number, ‘role’ in the case, and signature

Step 4: Register for the Public Portal

Step 5: Request ‘Elevated Access’ – log into the portal and select ‘Request Access’

Step 6: Complete the form

Step 7: Obtain the criminal conviction record and verify the record through the Online Validation Service²⁰

Free Criminal Background Check: Vermont State Police Records Request VCIC (VT Background Check Form)

Vermont has a specific VT background check form that is used when making criminal requests at the local level and the state police level. The process is outlined below.

Local Records Request

In Vermont, all records are kept at the local level through the court clerk in the specific town. Individuals who wish to conduct a free criminal background check for a local county in Vermont need to contact the town clerk or fill out a vital record request. For example, the process is as follows in Chittenden County.

Step 1: Visit the Chittenden County Court website ⁶

Step 2: Call the phone number (802-863-3467) and ask for Chittenden County Civil Division

Step 3:  Email the court

Step 4: Visit the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office at 70 Ethan Allen Drive, Burlington, VT

Step 5: Send court records requests using the Court Record Request Form to Vermont Superior Court, 175 Main Street, Burlington, VT ⁷

Vermont State Police Records Request

Searchers can use the Department of Public Safety, Vermont State Police²¹ to complete record requests on an individual. Record requests must be submitted in writing or online. The Vermont State Police must follow the state laws regarding exemptions of records and obtaining information in the Public Records Request System database.

Step 1: Gather information required for the request (VSP case number, date of the incident, parties involved, type of incident, valid email address, payment card)

Step 2: Request the information online through the Vermont Police Reports Public Record Service²² or through the Mail

*Step 3: For mail inquiries, download the Record Request Form²³ and fill in the necessary information

(Image: Department of Public Safety Vermont State Police²³)

Step 4: Pay the required fee of $20

Vermont Inmate Lookup and Sex Offender Registry Screening: Free

Vermont inmate and sex offender registries are free use when performing a background check, and can be used as part of a free volunteer background screening in Vermont.

Local law enforcement agencies in Vermont and the statewide Vermont Crime Information Center are authorized to release information to the public regarding sex offender status if they are concerned about their own safety or the safety of another person (i.e., potentially hiring someone for a job, working with children, etc.)⁸

The only information a person needs to use for the sex offender registry screening is the name of the subject. Certain stipulations apply to using the sex offender registry when it comes to the searchers:

• Any employer can request information when it is necessary for public health and safety
• Local and federal law enforcement agencies may require information for law enforcement purposes
• A sex offender can look for a record pertaining to him or her in the registry

In addition, a searcher who is looking to find an individual’s status regarding incarceration or inmate lookup can use the Department of Corrections website.²⁹ Individuals can use the offender locator to find more information about a person who has a record or who has been incarcerated.

Vermont Pre-Employment Background Check

Certain jobs require specific background checks to be performed before a person can be considered a qualified candidate.

Background Check Vermont Teachers and Education Background Check Vermont

To become an educator in Vermont, individuals must pass a specific background check to ensure they are qualified to teach others and they are safe in certain institutions. There is a specific criminal record check process for educators set forth by the Vermont Statute³⁰ requiring all educators to complete a fingerprint check and criminal record check.

Step 1: The applicant must complete the Authorization to Release Criminal Record Check Information³¹ to the Vermont Agency of Education

Step 2: Applicants will submit the form to the Supervisory Union

Step 3: The Supervisory Union sends results to the Educational Agency

Healthcare Background Check Vermont: Background Check System

For those who want to work in a healthcare setting, such as working in a hospital, therapy clinic, or with those who have disabilities, an in-depth level 2 healthcare background check is required. According to the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living,³² a specific background check policy is in place.

There are specific regulations in place on the Division of Licensing and Protection website³³ regarding the regulations for certain locations (i.e., Home Health Agency Designation and Operation, Home for the Terminally Ill, Assisted Living Residence Licensing, etc.).

Vermont Child Care Background Check

Individuals who wish to work with children in a childcare setting must undergo a specific child care record check.

Step 1: Fill out the Child Care Program Record Check Authorization Form³⁴

(Image: Vermont Department for Children and Families³⁴)

Step 2: Circle the position held (i.e., AS Program Administrator, Partner Staff, Substitute, etc.)

Step 3: Mail the Application Form to the Child Department Division, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671

Vermont DOT Record

The last type of specific background check that is helpful for employers to use is a Vermont DOT record check regarding a person’s driving record, points, or driving-related crimes.

Step 1: Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles website³⁵

Step 2: Download the Record Request Form

Step 3: Pay the appropriate fee and make an appointment at the local DMV office

• 3-year operating record $14
• Complete operating record $20

Step 4: Organizations must submit an Agreement as to the Driver Privacy Protection Form

Vermont Firearms Background Check

Vermont does not have a law requiring firearms dealers to conduct background checks before selling a firearm to an individual.

Therefore, Vermont firearms dealers need to contact the FBI to comply with federal law regarding background checks before transferring ownership.⁹

Vermont Background Check Laws

Vermont has specific background check laws regarding how an individual can find records and what an employer can use to determine a person’s eligibility. Vermont signed the Ban the Box legislation in 2016, stating that employers cannot inquire about a job applicant’s past criminal history during the initial portion of an employment application. ¹⁰

In addition, the Vermont Freedom of Information Act¹³ and Vermont Criminal History Privacy Act¹⁴ affect what is found on a background check in Vermont.

Furthermore, employers in Vermont or those whiting Vermont residents must comply with the FCRA law and state employment laws. 11 According to the fair employment practices, employers must abide by the Title 21 labor statutes³⁶ to comply with fair hiring practices.

How Long Does a Background Check Take in Vermont?

When wondering how long does a background check take in Vermont, the average time a background check takes in Vermont is between 5 to 7 business days. If the forms are missing information or contain incorrect information, the application can take longer. Notarizing a background record check³⁷ is done during the same appointment.

How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Vermont?

Vermont has limits and restrictions as to the time range covered by background checks, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (a federal law). Vermont follows the Ban the Box ordinance that states employees can only use criminal records after an applicant meets the initial employment qualifications. ¹²

Furthermore, background checks in Vermont only go back seven years from the day the background check is initiated.

For individuals who wish to conduct a Vermont background check on themselves or another person, it is helpful to know where to look and how to use local, state, and nationwide resources.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Background Check