Bennington County Court Records Search
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Bennington County, located in southwestern Vermont with the town of Bennington as its county seat, operates its court system through the Vermont Superior Court, which is organized into four distinct divisions: Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate. Court records generated across these divisions document the full range of judicial activity in the county — from criminal charges and civil disputes to divorce proceedings and estate administration. These records include dockets, orders, affidavits, transcripts, decrees, and judgments, and they are maintained by the Clerk of Court in accordance with Vermont law.
For anyone researching Vermont court records, a range of access options are available, including in-person visits to the courthouse, public access terminals (PATs) on courthouse premises, and the Vermont Judiciary’s online Public Portal. VermontCourts.us provides a useful starting point for locating court locations, divisions, and publicly available case information across the state. Records requests may also be submitted by mail or email directly to the relevant division’s clerk.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bennington County?
The Vermont Judiciary Odyssey Public Portal is the primary online tool for searching Bennington County court case information. The portal provides customized, role-based access to court records for members of the public. To search a case, users create an account on the portal, then search by case number or party name. Access to certain case types — particularly criminal, family, and probate matters — is restricted from public internet access under Vermont court rules, though in-person viewing at a courthouse PAT is available for more record types.
Step-by-step process for requesting records in person or by mail:
- Download and complete the Request for Access to Court Records form from the Vermont Judiciary website.
- Submit the completed form to the specific division where the case was filed — either in person, by mail, or by email to BenningtonUnit@vtcourts.gov.
- If paying by mail, include a check or money order made out to Vermont Superior Court.
- To pay by credit card over the phone, email the completed form and note in the message body that you prefer to pay by phone; court staff will follow up.
- Allow for processing time, especially for older records stored off-site.
Copy fees for court records, established under 32 V.S.A. § 1751, are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copy of court records (per page) | $0.25, minimum $1.00 |
| Certified copy (official certificate) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00 |
| Authentication of documents | $5.00 |
| Retrieval of off-site records (postage/handling) | $7.50 per file |
| Credit card payments (over-counter/online) | 2.39% surcharge |
| Credit card payments (electronic filing) | 2.89% surcharge |
| eCheck | $1.00 |
All records requests require a self-addressed stamped envelope if submitted by mail. Public access terminals at the Bennington courthouse allow free viewing of public records, though printing is charged at standard copy rates. If a records request is denied, requesters may appeal using the Notice of Appeal of Decision on Access to Court Records form, filed with the court.
Are Court Records Public in Bennington County?
Vermont’s Rules for Public Access to Court Records establish a general right of public inspection and copying for court records held by the Vermont Judiciary. The Vermont Supreme Court mandates that all record custodians respond to access requests and allow inspection of records that are not specifically exempt from disclosure.
Several categories of records are restricted from routine public access in Bennington County:
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Adoption records (those less than 99 years old)
- Mental health records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Confidential legal advice and attorney work product
- Records involving pending litigation where disclosure could compromise proceedings
- Family and probate case records (not accessible via the public internet portal, though in-person access at a PAT may be available)
- Records whose disclosure could endanger an individual or group
When an exemption applies, the court will not release the record but should be able to identify the applicable rule or statute supporting the restriction. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may pursue an appeal through the formal court appeals process.
Bennington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Bennington County — including misdemeanors, felonies, DUIs, and other offenses — are handled by the Bennington Criminal Division of the Vermont Superior Court.
Vermont Superior Court – Bennington Criminal Division
Address: 200 Veterans Memorial Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 447-2727
Email: BenningtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed observed holidays; closed the third Friday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-service training)
Criminal case records include charging documents, motions, plea agreements, orders, and sentencing information. Because criminal records are not publicly accessible through the online portal under Vermont’s court access rules, in-person requests through the clerk’s office or PAT visits are generally required. Submitting the Request for Access to Court Records form to the Criminal Division is the recommended approach.
For criminal history and conviction records — distinct from individual case files — there are two main avenues. The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) administers the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS), which allows online requests for uncertified conviction history reports. The fee for an online background check through VCCRIS is $30.00, payable by credit card or through a Vermont.gov subscriber account, as authorized under 32 V.S.A. § 1751(b)(1)(E). For certified criminal conviction records, requesters must complete a public request form and submit it — along with a government-issued photo ID for in-person requests — to the:
Vermont Crime Information Center – Criminal Records Section
Address: 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
Certified requests are typically processed within seven business days. Third-party applicants must also complete a notary section on the request form.
Arrest records and law enforcement documentation are maintained separately by the Bennington County Sheriff’s Department, which can be reached at:
Bennington County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 811 U.S. Route 7 South, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 442-4900
Fax: (802) 442-7282
Bennington County Civil Court Records
Civil proceedings in Bennington County — covering contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, small claims, and tax appeals — are filed with and managed by the Bennington Civil Division of the Vermont Superior Court.
Vermont Superior Court – Bennington Civil Division
Address: 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 447-2700
Email: BenningtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed observed holidays; closed the first Friday of each month, 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for in-service training)
Presiding Judge: Honorable John Valente | Clerk of Court: Amanda Stites
Civil case records are accessible through in-person requests, mail submissions, or email. The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal also provides access to civil case summaries. Filing fees for civil actions are established under 32 V.S.A. § 1431:
| Civil Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard civil filing | $295.00 |
| Cross-claim or third-party claim | $120.00 |
| Counterclaim (subsequent pleading) | $90.00 |
| Post-judgment motion (civil) | $90.00 |
| Small claims ($1,000 or less) | $65.00 |
| Small claims ($1,001 – $10,000) | $90.00 |
| Small claims counterclaim ($500 or less) | $25.00 |
| Small claims counterclaim ($501 – $10,000) | $35.00 |
| Small claims appeal to Civil Division | $120.00 |
| Small claims jury trial request | $10.00 |
| Small claims post-judgment motion | $65.00 |
| Tax appeal | $295.00 |
Individuals who cannot afford filing fees may submit an Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (also known as an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) to the court.
Bennington County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, parental rights, child support, domestic violence, adoption, and parentage proceedings — are adjudicated by the Bennington Family Division of the Vermont Superior Court.
Vermont Superior Court – Bennington Family Division
Address: 200 Veterans Memorial Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 447-2727
Email: BenningtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed observed holidays; closed the third Friday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-service training)
Presiding Judge: Honorable John Valente | Magistrates: Honorable Joseph Lorman & Jessica Seman
Family Division filing fees under 32 V.S.A. § 1431 include:
| Family Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (without stipulation) | $295.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (with stipulation, one/both residents) | $90.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (with stipulation, neither resident) | $180.00 |
| Parentage or desertion and support (without stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Parentage or desertion and support (with stipulation) | $35.00 |
| Motion to modify parental rights/responsibilities/contact (without stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Motion to enforce parental rights/contact (without stipulation) | $90.00 |
| Motion to modify child support (without stipulation) | $45.00 |
| Motion to enforce child support | No fee |
| Magistrate appeal | $120.00 |
Family court records are not accessible via the public internet portal. Divorce records held by the Family Division can be requested using the court records request form. For a simpler certificate of divorce — one that confirms the divorce without case details — the Vermont Vital Records online ordering service allows individuals to order a Certificate of Divorce for divorces granted from 2014 to the present. The fee through the Vermont Department of Health is $10.00 per certificate ($12.00 if ordered through the online service). Divorces from 1909 to 2014 can be requested from the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA), Office of the Secretary of State, 1078 U.S. Route 2, Middlesex, Montpelier, VT 05633-7701, Phone: (802) 828-3700
Marriage licenses in Vermont are issued at the town level. Certified marriage certificates for records from 2014 to the present can be ordered through the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records for $10.00 per certificate, or through the VSARA online ordering service for $12.00. Earlier records are available from VSARA by mail request. Birth and death certificates are similarly available through the Vermont Department of Health for $10.00 per certified copy (plus a $2.00 processing fee if ordered online) or through VSARA for $12.00. Alternatively, these records may be requested directly from the Town Clerk in the town where the birth or death occurred.
Bennington County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bennington County — including estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, name changes, and corrections to vital records — are handled by the Bennington Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court.
Vermont Superior Court – Bennington Probate Division
Address: 207 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Phone: (802) 447-2700
Email: BenningtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed observed holidays; closed the first Friday of each month, 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for in-service training)
Probate Register: Suzanne Bushee
Probate filing fees are set under 32 V.S.A. § 1434 and scale with estate value:
| Estate or Trust Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $10,000 or less | $50.00 |
| $10,001 – $50,000 | $110.00 |
| $50,001 – $150,000 | $265.00 |
| $150,001 – $500,000 | $500.00 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $1,000.00 |
| $1,000,001 – $5,000,000 | $1,750.00 |
| $5,000,001 – $10,000,000 | $2,500.00 |
| Greater than $10,000,000 | $3,250.00 |
Additional probate fees include $150.00 for guardianship of an adult or minor, $30.00 to file a will for safekeeping, $50.00 for the small estate affidavit procedure, $85.00 for annual accounts filed more than one year after estate opening, $150.00 for adoption proceedings, and $150.00 for a petition for change of name. Adoption decree issuance, including two certified copies, carries no fee.
Probate records are accessible in person through the Probate Division clerk or by submitting the standard court records request form. Older Vermont probate records are also cataloged through the Vermont Secretary of State’s VSARA research resources, and some records are accessible through the subscription service Ancestry.com. Adoption records less than 99 years old remain confidential; those over 99 years are open to the public.