Vermont Criminal Records at a Glance
Vermont criminal records are maintained by the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) under the Department of Public Safety. VCIC processes criminal background checks and maintains the state criminal history repository. Court records are accessible through the Vermont Judiciary online system.
1Vermont Statewide Criminal Search Resources
- VCIC, Record Checksvcic.vermont.govName and DOB check: $30 per conviction report. Immediate result online.
- VCIC, My Own Recordsvcic.vermont.govObtain your own record by personal appearance at VCIC, 8AM-4PM. Walk-in available.
- VCIC, Record Check FAQvcic.vermont.govVCIC is the only official source for criminal history in Vermont. Identity-based records.
- Vermont Crime Information Center Homevcic.vermont.govVCIC portal. Criminal history information and sex offender registry.
- Vermont Sex Offender Registryvcic.vermont.govVCIC sex offender registry established for public notification.
- vinelink.vineapps.com vinelink.vineapps.comSearch offenders in Vermont custody and register for victim notification.
2Vermont County Sheriff Reports & Criminal Records
The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) is the sole official source for criminal history information in Vermont. VCIC records are identity-based, meaning information is linked when a positive identification is made. No other agency in Vermont maintains an equivalent criminal history repository.
- Bennington County Sheriffs Departmentwww.benningtonsheriff.orgContact the sheriff for Bennington county crime reports.
- Chittenden County Sheriffs Departmentwww.chittendencountysheriff.comObtain fingerprinting and firearms information from the Chittenden county sheriff.
- Franklin County Sheriffs Officewww.franklincountysheriff.netFind information regarding Franklin county investigations.
- Orange County Sheriffs Departmentwww.vtsheriffs.comAccess the Orange county sex offender database.
- Rutland County Sheriffs Departmentwww.rutlandsheriff.netRequest information on criminal activity in Rutland County.
- Windham County Sheriffs Departmentwindhamcountyvt.govLaw enforcement services and safety information for Windham county.
3Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Vermont's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Vermont state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
Vermont Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.