Washington County Court Records

Washington County sits in central Vermont, with Montpelier — the state capital — as its county seat. The county's judicial work runs through the Washington County Superior Court, a trial court that operates across four specialized divisions. Whether you need to check on a pending case, get a copy of a divorce decree, or look into a probate filing, there are several ways to reach the records you need.

Start with the official resources provided by the state judiciary. The Vermont Judiciary website brings together information on court locations, forms, fees, and electronic filing for every county in the state. For broader reference, VermontCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available case information. Records can be searched through the judiciary's online Public Portal, at public access terminals inside courthouses, by submitting a written request to the clerk's office, or by visiting in person during business hours.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?

Washington County Superior Court operates out of two physical locations depending on the type of case. All four divisions share a single email address: WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov.

Civil and Probate Divisions
Address: 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Fax: (802) 828-2146

Criminal and Family Divisions
Address: 255 North Main Street, Suite 1, Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-4205

Hours of Operation (all divisions): Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Courts are closed on state-observed holidays and on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-service training.

There are several methods for looking up a case:

Vermont Judiciary Public Portal — The Public Portal lets anonymous users search case information without creating an account. Search by party name, attorney name, case number, citation number, or attorney bar number. To narrow results to Washington County, select Washington Unit under General Options and choose the appropriate division under Case Search Criteria. Case parties who need elevated access to documents in their own cases must register and submit an access request through the portal.
Public Access Terminals (PAT) — Both courthouse locations have on-site computer terminals available during business hours. Searches by case number or party name are free, though printing from the terminal carries a per-page fee.
Written Requests — Complete the Request for Access to Court Record form (form 600-00033) and submit it by email, mail, or hand delivery to the appropriate courthouse. If you send it by email, the judiciary recommends following up by phone after a few days.
In-Person Visits — Walk into either courthouse during regular hours and ask court staff for assistance.

Copy Fees (per 32 V.S.A. 1751):

Copy Type	Cost
Paper photocopy	$0.25 per page ($1.00 minimum)
Certified copy	$5.00 per document
Exemplified copy	$10.00 plus regular copy fees
Authentication of documents	$5.00
Retrieval from records center	$7.50 per file (postage)
Microfilm search	$3.00 per search

Payments are accepted by check or money order payable to Vermont Superior Court. If you prefer to pay by credit card, note that preference in the body of an emailed request form and payment can be arranged over the phone.

Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

Vermont operates under a strong presumption of public access to government records. The Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. 316) gives any person the right to inspect or copy public records, including those held by the courts. The judiciary has also adopted the Rules for Public Access to Court Records, which set out specific procedures and limitations for case-related documents. Those rules are published under the Supreme Court Administrative Orders and Rules section.

Certain categories of records are exempt from public inspection. Under both the Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. 317) and the court-access rules, the following types of records are restricted:

Mental health records
Juvenile court records
Confidential business information, including trade secrets
Judicial work products such as memoranda, notes, research drafts, and internal communications created by a judge
Evidence introduced in a proceeding that is itself confidential
Risk assessment and needs-screening information obtained from an individual
Audio or video recordings, transcripts, or court reporter notes from confidential proceedings
Documents associated with a search warrant (application, affidavit, inventory, and the warrant itself) until the warrant is returned
All documents filed to initiate a criminal proceeding if no probable cause was found
Potential jurors' questionnaire responses (excluding names and town of residence)
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, passport numbers, and financial account numbers

Under 12 V.S.A. 5, the court does not permit public internet access to criminal, family, or probate case records. That means the Public Portal provides civil case information to anonymous users, but access to criminal, family, and probate docket details online is limited. Those records generally need to be obtained in person, by mail, or through a formal records request.

If your request for access to a court record is denied, you may file a Notice of Appeal of Decision on Access to Court Records with the court. The appeal form is available through the Vermont Judiciary forms library.

Washington County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Washington County — including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses — are handled by the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, located at the Barre courthouse.

Washington County Superior Court Criminal Division
Address: 255 North Main Street, Suite 1, Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-4205
Email: WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To get copies of specific criminal case documents — complaints, motions, orders, judgment records — submit the Request for Access to Court Record form to the Criminal Division by email, mail, or in person. Standard copy fees apply. The public access terminals at the Barre courthouse also allow on-site viewing of criminal docket information.

Statewide Criminal Conviction Records

The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) is Vermont's central repository for criminal history records. Conviction reports can be obtained through several channels:

Online: The Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS) provides immediate results for a $30.00 fee per report. This fee is nonrefundable regardless of whether a record is found. Reports obtained through VCCRIS are unnotarized.
In person: Visit the VCIC at 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID. Same-day processing is available for requests submitted before 3:30 p.m. Accepted payment methods include cash, money order, bank check, or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover).
By mail: Send a completed Public Request for Criminal Conviction Information form, a $30.00 cashier's check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the VCIC at the Waterbury address listed above.

Employer and education-related background checks follow separate procedures, with fees of $12.00 for employee checks and $10.00 for volunteer fingerprint-based checks.

Local Law Enforcement Records

Arrest reports and incident records are maintained by the law enforcement agency that handled the case. In Washington County, two primary agencies produce these records:

Washington County Sheriff's Department — 10 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602; Phone: (802) 223-3001; Fax: (802) 828-3611. The sheriff's office publishes press releases on its official website.
Montpelier Police Department — Publishes monthly arrest reports online. Contact the department through its main page for additional records requests.

Washington County Civil Court Records

The Civil Division of Washington County Superior Court is based in Montpelier and covers a broad range of disputes — breach of contract, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, foreclosure, eviction, land disputes, and small claims actions up to $10,000. The division also hears appeals from the Probate Division.

Washington County Superior Court Civil Division
Address: 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Email: WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Presiding Judge: Honorable Daniel Richardson
Court Operations Manager: Donna Waters
Clerk of Court: Margaret Villeneuve

Searching Civil Records

The Public Portal is the most practical tool for researching civil case information remotely. Anonymous users can search civil division records without registering. Select Washington Unit from the location filter and All Case Types or Civil under the case type filter, then search by party name, business name, attorney name, or case number.

Requesting Copies

To get certified or uncertified copies, complete the Request for Access to Court Record form and submit it to the Civil Division. You can email it to WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov, mail it to 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, or deliver it by hand. Copies cost $0.25 per page with a $1.00 minimum; certified copies are $5.00 per document. If the file has been moved off-site, a $7.50 retrieval fee applies.

Civil Filing Fees (per 32 V.S.A. 1431):

Filing Type	Fee
Civil action filing	$295.00
Cross-claim or third-party claim	$120.00
Counterclaim	$90.00
Postjudgment motion	$90.00
Small claims ($1,000 or less)	$65.00
Small claims ($1,001–$10,000)	$90.00
Small claims appeal to Civil Division	$120.00
Tax appeal	$295.00
Jury trial request	$10.00

If you cannot afford the filing fees, you may apply using the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs.

Washington County Family Court Records

The Family Division handles divorce, annulment, legal separation, dissolution of civil union, parentage, child custody (parental rights and responsibilities), parent-child contact, child support, and domestic violence matters. The division operates from the Barre courthouse.

Washington County Superior Court Family Division
Address: 255 North Main Street, Suite 1, Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-4205
Email: WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Presiding Judge: Honorable Daniel Richardson
Superior Judge: Honorable Kirsten Schoonover
Magistrates: Brian Valentine and Alicia Humbert

Accessing Family Division Records

Because 12 V.S.A. 5 restricts public internet access to family case records, the Public Portal offers limited information for family cases to anonymous users. The most reliable way to obtain family court documents is through a formal records request. Complete the Request for Access to Court Record form and submit it to the Family Division by email, mail, or in person. Standard copy fees apply — $0.25 per page and $5.00 for certified copies.

If you visit in person, the public access terminal at the Barre courthouse lets you view family case information during regular business hours.

Family Division Filing Fees:

Filing Type	Fee
Divorce, annulment, or dissolution (without stipulation)	$295.00
Divorce, annulment, or dissolution (with stipulation, one or both residents)	$90.00
Divorce, annulment, or dissolution (with stipulation, neither party resident)	$180.00
Parentage or desertion/support (without stipulation)	$120.00
Parentage or desertion/support (with stipulation)	$35.00
Motion to modify custody, contact, or maintenance (without stipulation)	$120.00
Motion to modify custody, contact, or maintenance (with stipulation)	$35.00
Motion to enforce custody, contact, property, or maintenance (without stipulation)	$90.00
Motion to modify child support (without stipulation)	$45.00
Motion to enforce child support	No fee
Registration of out-of-state custody determination (alone)	$90.00
Registration with motion to enforce	$130.00
Registration with motion to modify	$160.00
Certified mail service (restricted delivery)	$18.50
First-class mail service with acknowledgment	$3.00

If a divorce case becomes contested after a reduced stipulation fee was already paid, the difference between the full fee and the reduced fee must be paid before the court issues a final order.

Marriage Records

Certified and noncertified copies of Washington County marriage certificates are available from the town or city clerk in the municipality where the marriage took place. Alternatively, the Vermont Department of Health provides copies through three channels:

Online via the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service — $12.00 per certified copy (includes a $2.00 processing fee); noncertified copies can be requested by email at no charge.
By mail — $10.00 per certified copy. Use the appropriate application form depending on the date of the marriage: for marriages from 2024 to present, use the marriage/divorce/dissolution application; for marriages from 2023 and earlier, use the VSARA form.
In person at a local town or city clerk's office during business hours.

Birth and Death Records

Washington County birth and death certificates are available from local town or city clerks or from the Vermont Department of Health. Certified copies cost $10.00 each ($12.00 if ordered online). Noncertified copies are free. Only family members, legal guardians, certain court-appointed parties, or legal representatives may request certified birth or death certificates, and a valid photo ID is required. Mail requests should include the completed Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth or Death Certificate, a copy of your ID, and a $10.00 check or money order sent to:

Vermont Department of Health
Vital Records
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8370

Washington County Probate Court Records

The Probate Division of Washington County Superior Court handles decedent estates, wills, trusts, guardianships of adults and minors, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and civil commitments. The division shares office space with the Civil Division in Montpelier.

Washington County Superior Court Probate Division
Address: 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Email: WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov
Superior Judge: Honorable Jeffrey Kilgore
Probate Register: Jennifer Grochowik

Because 12 V.S.A. 5 restricts internet access to probate case records for the general public, online searches through the Public Portal yield limited results for probate filings. The most effective way to research or obtain probate documents is through a direct request to the court.

Requesting Probate Records

Complete the Request for Access to Court Record form.
Include the case name, case number, or decedent name along with any other identifying details.
Submit the form by email (WashingtonUnit@vtcourts.gov), by mail to the Montpelier address, or by visiting the courthouse in person.
Enclose payment for copies: $0.25 per page for paper copies and $5.00 for each certified copy. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting by mail.

Probate Filing Fees (per 32 V.S.A. 1434):

Filing Type	Fee
Estate valued at $10,000 or less	$50.00
Estate $10,001–$50,000	$110.00
Estate $50,001–$150,000	$265.00
Estate $150,001–$500,000	$500.00
Estate $500,001–$1,000,000	$1,000.00
Estate $1,000,001–$5,000,000	$1,750.00
Estate $5,000,001–$10,000,000	$2,500.00
Estate over $10,000,000	$3,250.00
Small estate affidavit (Rule 80.3(h))	$50.00
Guardianship (adult or minor)	$150.00
Adoption	$150.00
Name change	$150.00
Will for safekeeping	$30.00
Annual account on estate (filed >1 year after opening)	$85.00
Annual account on trust	$85.00
Motion to reopen case (non-estate)	$90.00
Correction of vital records	$40.00

Historical probate records from Washington County — including estate files from the early twentieth century — are also available through the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. The Secretary of State's office maintains indexes to these records in its Reference Room.