Windham County Court Records Search
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Windham County sits in the southeastern corner of Vermont, bordered by New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The county seat is Newfane, and the county’s court system is unified under the Vermont Superior Court structure, which divides its work across four distinct divisions: Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate. Each division maintains its own records and, in Windham County’s case, operates from one of two courthouse locations — Newfane for civil matters and Brattleboro for everything else.
Court records in Windham County encompass the full range of legal documentation generated during proceedings, from initial filings and docket sheets through hearing transcripts, judgments, and sentencing orders. Anyone researching a legal matter involving Windham County courts has multiple pathways available, including in-person visits, written requests, and online tools. Vermont court case information can also be located through VermontCourts.us, which provides a starting point for navigating publicly available records across the state’s court system alongside the official resources maintained by the Vermont Judiciary.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Windham County?
The primary method for searching Windham County court records depends on whether you need basic case information or copies of actual case documents.
Online: Vermont Judiciary Public Portal
The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal is the official web-based platform for accessing case records, hearing calendars, and related court data. Anonymous members of the public can view limited case and hearing information without registering. Attorneys, case parties, and other individuals who need deeper access to specific case files must register and submit a request for elevated access through the portal’s menu system. The portal is accessible only to users physically located in the United States or Canada due to cybersecurity restrictions.
In-Person: Public Access Terminals
Most Windham County courthouse locations have public access terminals (PATs) that allow visitors to search by case number or party name at no charge. Printing from a PAT incurs a standard copying fee. Contact the courthouse in advance to confirm terminal availability.
By Mail or Email: Record Request Form
To obtain copies of case records, complete the Request for Access to Court Records form and submit it to the division that handled the case. Requests may be emailed, mailed, or delivered in person. If submitting by email, follow up with a phone call within a few days to confirm receipt, as high email volume can delay processing. Payment for copies may be made by check or money order payable to Vermont Superior Court, or by credit card over the phone by indicating that preference in the email body when sending the request form.
Windham County Court Locations
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Division | 7 Court Street, P.O. Box 207, Newfane, VT 05345 | (802) 365-7979 | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.* |
| Criminal Division | 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor, Brattleboro, VT 05301 | (802) 257-2800 | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.* |
| Family Division | 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor, Brattleboro, VT 05301 | (802) 257-2800 | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.* |
| Probate Division | 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor, Brattleboro, VT 05301 | (802) 257-2800 | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.* |
*All divisions are closed on observed holidays and on the first Friday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-service training. All divisions share the email address WindhamUnit@vtcourts.gov.
Are Court Records Public in Windham County?
Vermont law generally presumes that court records are open to the public. Access is grounded in 1 V.S.A. § 316, Vermont’s Public Records Law, which requires government agencies — including the courts — to make non-exempt records available upon request. The Vermont Rules for Public Access to Court Records (V.R.P.A.C.R.) provide the specific framework governing what the Judiciary must release, how requests are processed, and what can be withheld.
Records that are generally public include civil case filings, judgments, civil dockets, probate petitions, and most administrative records of the court.
Records that are restricted or confidential include:
- Juvenile delinquency and child in need of care or supervision (CHINS) records
- Adoption proceedings and related documents
- Certain family court matters involving minor children
- Sealed or expunged records
- Medical and mental health records submitted as exhibits
- Any case records designated confidential under applicable Vermont statute or court order
Under the V.R.P.A.C.R., the court also does not permit public internet access to criminal, family, or probate case records. Those records can be reviewed in person at the courthouse using a public access terminal or by submitting a formal records request to the appropriate division.
If your request for access is denied, you may appeal the decision by filing a Notice of Appeal of Decision on Access to Court Records with the court.
Standard copy fees set by the Vermont Legislature under 32 V.S.A. § 1751 are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copy (photocopy) | $0.25 per page ($1.00 minimum) |
| Certified copy | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copies | $10.00 |
| Authentication of documents | $5.00 |
| Older records retrieved from storage | $7.50 postage/retrieval per file |
| Criminal history (name and DOB search) | $30.00 |
| Staff time (after first 30 minutes) | $0.33 per minute |
Credit card payments incur a 2.39% service fee for over-the-counter and online transactions, and 2.89% for electronic filings. eCheck payments carry a flat $1.00 fee. Government agencies and honorably discharged veterans (or their dependents) are exempt from most court fees under 32 V.S.A. §§ 1751(a) and (b).
Windham County Criminal Court Records
The Vermont Superior Court – Windham Criminal Division, located at 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor in Brattleboro, handles all misdemeanor and felony cases arising in Windham County. The presiding judge is the Honorable John Treadwell, and the supervising judge is the Honorable Michael Kainen. The Clerk of Court is Anne Damone.
Requesting a Single Case File
To obtain records from a specific criminal case, submit a completed Request for Access to Court Records form to the Windham Criminal Division by email (WindhamUnit@vtcourts.gov), mail, or in person. You will need the case number or docket number if available, though the court can also search by name. The standard copy fees described above apply.
Statewide Criminal Record Searches
A statewide criminal record search differs from a request for a single case file — it returns information about all criminal cases connected to a specific person across Vermont’s court system. The Vermont Judiciary conducts this search for a fee of $30.00 per name searched. To request one:
- Complete the Request for Criminal Record Search form (Form 200-00331), available from the Vermont Judiciary criminal records page.
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject.
- Include an email address for return of results.
- Submit by mail or in person with a check or money order payable to Vermont Superior Court.
Mail requests go to:
Vermont Judiciary Information Center
Costello Courthouse
32 Cherry Street, Ground Floor
Burlington, VT 05401
Results are returned by email within approximately three business days of receipt. Results do not include out-of-state records or any confidential cases. Records predating 1990 must be requested directly from the criminal division of the county where the case was held. Searches can also be conducted independently using the courthouse’s public access terminal.
Vermont’s Crime Information Center (VCIC) also provides criminal conviction reports on a name-and-date-of-birth basis for a $30.00 fee, returning results immediately online.
Windham County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Windham County are handled by the Vermont Superior Court – Windham Civil Division, located at 7 Court Street in Newfane. The presiding judge is the Honorable John Treadwell, and the clerk of court is Anne Damone. The Civil Division handles a broad range of disputes including contract matters, property disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant cases, and appeals from small claims proceedings.
Filing Fees (Civil Division)
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil filing | $295.00 |
| Cross-claim or third-party claim | $120.00 |
| Counterclaim | $90.00 |
| Post-judgment motion | $90.00 |
| Petition for Minor Settlements | $90.00 |
| Tax appeal | $295.00 |
| 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 post-judgment motion | $65.00 |
| Appeal to Civil Division (from Small Claims) | $120.00 |
| Request for jury trial | $10.00 |
These fees are set under 32 V.S.A. § 1431 and are subject to legislative change. Parties who cannot afford filing fees may apply for a fee waiver using the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs, sometimes called an in forma pauperis application.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil Division case summaries are among the records that may be accessed through the Vermont Judiciary’s Public Portal for users located in the U.S. or Canada. In-person research using the courthouse’s public access terminal is also available at no charge (printing fees apply). For certified copies of specific documents, submit the Request for Access to Court Records form to the Civil Division at 7 Court Street, Newfane, VT 05345.
Windham County Family Court Records
The Vermont Superior Court – Windham Family Division, located at 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor in Brattleboro, handles divorce and legal separation, child custody and parental rights, child support, domestic violence proceedings, parentage determinations, and certain adoption matters. The presiding judge is the Honorable John Treadwell, and the superior judge for family matters is the Honorable Jennifer Barrett.
Divorce Records
The Family Division is the custodian of divorce case files in Windham County. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available through this division by submitting the Request for Access to Court Records form to the Windham Family Division. For individuals who need only a document confirming that a divorce occurred — without the details of the decree — a Certificate of Divorce can be ordered online through the Vermont Department of Health’s vital records system. The Vermont Department of Health also maintains divorce records from 2014 forward.
Key Family Division Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (no stipulation) | $295.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (with stipulation, resident) | $90.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution (with stipulation, non-resident) | $180.00 |
| Parentage/support (no stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Parentage/support (with stipulation) | $35.00 |
| Motion to modify parental rights/contact/maintenance (no stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Motion to modify child support (no stipulation) | $45.00 |
| Motion to enforce child support order | No fee |
| Registration of out-of-state custody order | $90.00–$160.00 |
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and certified copies of marriage certificates are handled by the Vermont Department of Health, not the Superior Court. To request a certified copy, complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Vermont Marriage or Divorce or Civil Union Dissolution Certificate and submit it with a valid photo ID and payment of $10.00 per certified copy (payable by check or money order to the Vermont Department of Health). Requests may be submitted by mail to Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402, or in person at 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401 (Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Birth and Death Records
Windham County birth certificates can be obtained from the Town Clerk of the municipality where the birth was registered, or at the state level from the Vermont Department of Health. To request from the state, complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth or Death Certificate. Certified copies cost $10.00 each. Death records follow the same procedure and the same fee. Mail requests go to Vital Records Office, P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402. Both birth and death record requests require a valid photo ID and are restricted to the record subject and immediate family members. Town Clerk contact information for Windham County municipalities is available through the Vermont Secretary of State’s Town Clerk directory.
Restricted Family Records
Adoption proceedings, records involving minor children in abuse or neglect proceedings, and certain domestic violence matters carry confidentiality protections under Vermont statute and the V.R.P.A.C.R. Internet access to family court records is not permitted; these records may only be reviewed in person using a courthouse public access terminal or by formal written request.
Windham County Probate Court Records
The Vermont Superior Court – Windham Probate Division, also located at 30 Putney Road, 2nd Floor in Brattleboro (Phone: (802) 257-2800), handles estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships for adults and minors, adoptions within its jurisdiction, and petitions for name changes.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records are not accessible via the Public Portal’s internet interface under Vermont’s public access rules, but they can be reviewed in person at the courthouse using a public access terminal. Index entries of wills filed with the Probate Division are generally available for public inspection. Some historical Vermont probate records are also available through the Vermont Secretary of State’s probate records research page, which references subscription-based genealogical resources such as Ancestry.com for older materials.
To obtain copies of probate documents, submit the Request for Access to Court Records form to the Windham Probate Division. The standard copy fees apply ($0.25 per page, $1.00 minimum; $5.00 for certified copies).
Probate Division Filing Fees
Fees for probate matters are set under 32 V.S.A. § 1434 and scale with estate value:
| Estate 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 |
| Over $10,000,000 | $3,250.00 |
Additional probate-related fees include guardianship filings ($150.00 for both adult and minor guardianships), name change petitions ($150.00), filing a will for safekeeping ($30.00), the affidavit procedure for small estates ($50.00), and petitions for license to sell real or personal property ($100.00 each). Annual accounts filed more than one year after the estate is opened carry an $85.00 fee.
All probate documents must be submitted directly to the Windham Probate Division. Parties unfamiliar with probate procedures are encouraged to consult the Vermont Judiciary’s self-help resources or contact the court clerk’s office during regular business hours.