About Caledonia County
Caledonia County is located in the northeastern corner of Vermont, often referred to as the Northeast Kingdom. Caledonia County was established in 1792 and named after Caledonia, the Latin name for Scotland, reflecting the Scottish heritage of many early settlers. Caledonia County Seat is St. Johnsbury, a historic town that is the commercial and governmental hub of Caledonia County. Caledonia County includes approximately 658 square miles and has a population of around 30,000 residents.
Caledonia County is characterized by rolling hills, dense forests, and agricultural valleys, with the Connecticut River forming much of its eastern boundary with New Hampshire. Major landmarks include the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, one of the finest natural history museums in New England, and Burke Mountain, a popular ski resort.
Caledonia County contains fifteen incorporated towns including Barnet, Burke, Danville, Hardwick, Lyndon, Peacham, and Walden. Caledonia County Clerk's office. Johnsbury, VT 05819, maintains vital records, land records, and court documents.
Caledonia County operates under Vermont's unique town-centered government structure, where most services are delivered at the municipal level rather than through centralized county administration. Caledonia County's economy historically relied on granite quarrying, dairy farming, and timber, though tourism and small manufacturing have grown in importance. What makes Caledonia County unique is its preservation of rural Vermont character, strong agricultural heritage, and the distinction of being part of the Northeast Kingdom, a culturally distinct region known for its independent spirit and natural beauty.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Caledonia County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Caledonia County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office is tasked with patrolling rural regions, executing warrants, and providing security for Caledonia County courthouse. The sheriff's office also is key to managing Caledonia County's criminal records and processing arrests. Notable programs include community policing initiatives meant to building strong relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Police Departments
Caledonia County is served by multiple law enforcement agencies, including Caledonia County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the St. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the sheriff's office covering unincorporated regions and providing support to smaller towns. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and share resources to enhance public safety across Caledonia County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Caledonia County is primarily provided by Caledonia County Sheriff's Department, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. For inmate information, the Vermont Department of Corrections maintains the statewide Offender Locator at doc.vermont.gov, as county-level jail facilities in Vermont are managed through the state corrections system.
- Johnsbury at 1068 US Route 5 South (phone 802-748-3111) provides primary law enforcement coverage for most towns in Caledonia County.
- To request arrest records, citizens should submit written requests to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, or contact the Vermont Crime Information Center.
- Booking photos and mugshots are generally available through the arresting agency, though Vermont does not maintain a centralized online mugshot database.
- Johnsbury Police Department accepts public records requests through their administrative office during regular business hours.
- Processing times typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Caledonia County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request criminal records through the Vermont Criminal Information Center, which offers full background checks for employment, housing, and other purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Caledonia County are maintained by Caledonia County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These records provide detailed information about the circumstances of an arrest, including the charges filed and the arresting officer's report. Residents and attorneys can request access to these records through the sheriff's office, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Vermont Public Records Act. The records typically include personal information about the arrestee, the nature of the offense, and the date of the arrest.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Northeast Regional Correctional Facility, located in St. Johnsbury, is the primary detention center for Caledonia County. The facility handles the booking process for people arrested within Caledonia County, where they are photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival. Inmate lookup services are available through the Vermont Department of Corrections, allowing family members and legal representatives to locate individuals. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require prior scheduling.
- The bond and bail process in Vermont allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, which can be arranged through the facility or a bail bondsman.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Caledonia County are taken and retained by the arresting agency, which is usually Caledonia County Sheriff's Office or a local police department. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the respective law enforcement agency's request process. While Vermont does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals may petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, although these are not officially sanctioned by Caledonia County.
Courts & Case Records
Caledonia County is served by the Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Unit, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. This unified trial court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate matters under Vermont's consolidated court structure. Caledonia County Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, major civil disputes exceeding $5,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, and probate proceedings.
- In-person requests at the courthouse cost $5.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page.
- Certified copies are available for $5.00 plus the per-page fee.
- Traffic violations and small claims under $5,000 can also be filed at this location.
The Vermont Judiciary maintains an online case search portal at www.vermontjudiciary.org where users can search civil and criminal case records by party name or case number. Access to court records in Vermont is governed by Rule 2.1 of the Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records, which establishes that most court documents are presumptively open to the public unless specifically sealed by court order. Online access through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal is free for basic case information searches, though certified copies require payment.
The Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays. Family court records involving juveniles and certain sensitive matters have restricted access under 33 V.S. Chapter 52.
Probate matters are heard in the same facility under the Probate Division. Case files older than ten years may be archived and require advance notice for retrieval.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Caledonia County are maintained by the Town Clerks in each of Caledonia County's fifteen municipalities, as Vermont follows a town-based recording system rather than a centralized county recorder. The largest volume of recordings occurs in St. Johnsbury, where the Town Clerk's office is located at 51 Depot Square, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Available records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens (mechanic's, tax, judgment), easements, rights of way, subdivision plats, and survey maps.
- Most Vermont towns now participate in the Vermont Land Records Online system at landrecords.vermont.gov, which provides digital access to recorded documents from participating municipalities.
- Access requires registration and payment of a $25 annual subscription fee, though some basic searches may be performed without charge.
- Individual document images cost $3.00 to view and download.
- Certified copies must be requested directly from the town clerk where the document was recorded, at a cost of $10.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page.
- Johnsbury provides property tax information and GIS mapping through its municipal office.
Vital Records
Vital records for Caledonia County residents are maintained at both the municipal and state levels under Vermont's dual filing system. Birth certificates are filed with the town clerk where the birth occurred and with the Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office, Burlington, VT 05402. To obtain a certified birth certificate, eligible applicants (the registrant, parent, legal guardian, or legal representative) must submit a completed application form with valid photo identification and payment of $10.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests.
- Death certificates follow the same dual filing system and are available from the town clerk where death occurred or from the state vital records office with the same fee structure.
- The marriage license fee is $45.00 in most towns.
- The Vermont Department of Health offers online ordering of vital records through VitalChek at www.healthvermont.gov/vitalrecords with expedited processing available for additional fees.
Marriage licenses must be obtained from the town clerk in the Vermont county where the marriage will take place; there is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days. Divorce records (family court proceedings) are maintained by the Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Unit, not by town clerks. Applicants must provide proof of identity and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as required by 18 V.S.
§ 5013. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access. Genealogical researchers can access older records with fewer restrictions through town clerk offices and the Vermont State Archives.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Caledonia County are maintained at multiple government levels. For business entity registration including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trade names, the primary authority is the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division, located at 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633. The Secretary of State maintains a free searchable online database at sos.vermont.gov/corporations where users can search for registered business entities, view formation documents, annual reports, and registered agent information.
- Business name searches and certificate of good standing requests can be processed online.
- Johnsbury Town Clerk at 51 Depot Square processes local business certificates and DBAs (doing business as) for sole proprietorships operating under assumed names.
- The Chamber provides business directory services, networking opportunities, and economic development support for Caledonia County.
Town clerks in Caledonia County municipalities maintain local business registration records and issue certain local permits. The St. Professional licenses including those for contractors, electricians, plumbers, real estate agents, and healthcare providers are issued by respective state licensing boards under the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, accessible at sos.vermont.gov/opr.
Sales tax permits and business tax accounts are managed by the Vermont Department of Taxes. Building permits, zoning permits, and certificates of occupancy are issued at the municipal level; in St. Johnsbury, these are handled by the Zoning Administrator and Planning Office at Town Hall.
The Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, serving Caledonia County, is located at 51 Depot Square, Suite 3, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, and can be reached at or through their website at nekchamber.com.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Caledonia County are administered by individual town clerks in each of the fifteen municipalities, following Vermont's town-based election system. The St. Johnsbury Town Clerk is the primary election official for Caledonia County's largest county and can be reached at 51 Depot Square, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 Voter registration in Vermont is available online through the Secretary of State's website at olvr.vermont.gov, by mail, or in person at any town clerk's office.
- Vermont allows same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on Election Day at their polling place.
- For those preferring to register in advance, the deadline is the day before Election Day (though same-day registration remains available).
- Vermont offers universal mail-in voting; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse.
- Requests can be made through the online portal at mvp.vermont.gov, by contacting your town clerk directly, or by submitting a written application.
- Citizens may request precinct-level results, voter turnout statistics, and copies of ballots cast (with voter identification removed) under public records law, subject to reasonable fees.
Voters can find their polling place by contacting their town clerk or using the My Voter Page tool at mvp.vermont.gov, which also displays sample ballots and voter registration status. Public election records in Caledonia County include the checklist of registered voters (available for inspection at town clerk offices), campaign finance reports filed with the Vermont Secretary of State, candidate filing documents, and official election results by precinct. In the November 2024 general election, Caledonia County voter turnout was approximately 68-72%, consistent with Vermont's traditionally high participation rates in presidential election years.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives (Vermont's at-large seat), U.S. Senate (if applicable based on term cycles), Vermont Governor, state legislature, and various county and local offices.
Absentee ballots are mailed beginning 45 days before an election. Vermont's election records are governed by 17 V.S. Chapter 51, which establishes transparency requirements while protecting voter privacy.
Economy & Demographics
Caledonia County's economy reflects the rural character and natural resources of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Caledonia County has a population of approximately 30,000 with a median household income estimated at $52,000, below the Vermont state average. Major employers include Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, the largest healthcare provider in Caledonia County employing over 500 people, and Fairbanks Morse Defense in St. Johnsbury, a historic manufacturer of diesel engines and power generation equipment.
The agricultural sector remains significant with dairy farming as the traditional backbone, though diversification into organic farming, maple syrup production, and artisanal food products has grown. Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro has gained national recognition for artisanal cheese production. Tourism represents a growing economic sector, driven by Burke Mountain Resort (part of the Q Burke development), Kingdom Trails mountain biking network in East Burke (one of the premier trail systems in the northeastern United States), and seasonal recreation.
The forestry and wood products industry continues to provide employment, though at reduced levels from historical peaks. Unemployment in Caledonia County has typically tracked 0.5-1.0 percentage points above state averages, ranging from 2-3% in recent years during economic expansion. Caledonia County has worked to attract remote workers and telecommuters through improved broadband infrastructure investments.
The Northeast Kingdom Prosper initiative has focused on entrepreneurship and small business development. Challenges include an aging population, limited commercial tax base in many towns, and economic isolation from major metropolitan markets. Bagel Depot, Catamount Arts, and Kingdom Trails Association represent successful locally-grown enterprises.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Online (Subscription) | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Request Required | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Free Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Tools | Overall Score: 7/10, Caledonia County provides good digital access through Vermont's statewide systems, though some records require town-level requests and land records have subscription fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Caledonia County
Explore public records for 23 cities and communities in Caledonia County, Vermont.