Windsor County Court Records Search
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Windsor County spans a large swath of eastern Vermont, with court operations split between two locations: the historic courthouse on The Green in Woodstock and the district courthouse on Railroad Row in White River Junction. The Vermont Superior Court serves Windsor County through four divisions — Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate — each responsible for maintaining the case filings, docket entries, judgments, orders, and other documents generated in its proceedings. Together, these divisions produce the body of records that researchers, attorneys, parties, and the public may need to access for legal, personal, or professional purposes.
Vermont provides several avenues for locating court records at both the state and county level. The Vermont Judiciary website, reachable through VermontCourts.us, publishes court locations, fee schedules, forms, and links to electronic record-access tools. At the local level, the Windsor Unit clerk offices accept in-person, mail, and email requests for case records. Most courthouses also maintain a Public Access Terminal where visitors can search case information by party name or case number at no charge. The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal offers another way to look up case data remotely.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Windsor County?
Because Windsor County’s Superior Court operates in four divisions housed at two physical locations, the first step is identifying which division handled the matter. Civil and probate cases are filed in Woodstock, while criminal and family matters are processed in White River Junction. All four divisions share the email address WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov.
Step-by-step approach:
- Determine the case type. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, and evictions are civil matters. Felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations are criminal. Divorce, custody, support, and juvenile proceedings fall under the Family Division. Wills, estates, guardianships, adoptions, and name changes go through the Probate Division.
- Search online. The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal allows case searches by number or party name for publicly accessible records. No account is required for basic public access.
- Use a Public Access Terminal. Most courthouses have on-site terminals where visitors can search and view public records for free; printing incurs a per-page fee. Contact the courthouse in advance to confirm terminal availability.
- Submit a records request. Complete the Request for Access to Court Records form and deliver it in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate division. Email requesters should follow up by phone after a few days, as some courts receive heavy volumes of correspondence.
- Pay applicable fees. Checks or money orders should be made out to Vermont Superior Court. Credit card payments can be arranged over the phone when submitting a request by email — note in the email body that you wish to pay by phone, and the court will contact you when ready.
Windsor County Superior Court Locations:
| Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Division | 12 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091 | (802) 457-2121 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Criminal Division | 82 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001 | (802) 295-8865 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Family Division | 82 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001 | (802) 295-8865 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Probate Division | 12 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091 | (802) 457-2121 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
All divisions are closed on observed state holidays and close the second Friday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-service training. Email for all divisions: WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov.
Copy and certification fees (per 32 V.S.A. § 1751):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies | $0.25 per page ($1.00 minimum) |
| Certified copy (official certificate) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00 plus regular copy fees |
| Authentication of documents | $5.00 |
| Criminal history name search | $30.00 |
| Retrieval from Records Center | $7.50 per file (postage, payable in advance) |
| Microfilm search | $3.00 per search |
A self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany any mail request for records. No fees are charged to government agencies or to honorably discharged veterans and their dependents pursuing claims for federal benefits (32 V.S.A. § 1751).
Are Court Records Public in Windsor County?
Vermont’s Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 316) establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including court files. The Vermont Supreme Court has also adopted Rules for Public Access to Court Records governing what is available to the public and what is restricted. Under these provisions, most case documents, docket entries, judgments, and orders are open for inspection and copying.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption records
- Sealed court records
- Grand jury proceedings records
- Mental health proceedings records
- Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Records whose release would violate personal privacy
- Trade secrets or proprietary business information included in filings
- Certain family court records involving child custody evaluations and domestic violence
Access to restricted records is limited to the parties to the case, their attorneys, and individuals who can demonstrate a legitimate interest. A person denied access to a court record may file a Notice of Appeal of Decision on Access to Court Records form with the court. Parties who need to file confidential information should follow the procedures outlined in the court’s rules on redaction and sealing. Requests from individuals seeking access to protected records require a formal motion explaining why access should be granted.
If you are unable to afford filing fees, the Vermont Judiciary offers an Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (in forma pauperis application) that can be filed with any division.
Windsor County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Windsor County — felonies, misdemeanors, and violations — are adjudicated by the Criminal Division of the Vermont Superior Court, located in White River Junction. The Clerk of Court for the Windsor Criminal Division maintains all criminal case files, docket sheets, charging documents, plea records, sentencing orders, and related filings.
Vermont Superior Court — Windsor Criminal Division
Address: 82 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 295-8865
Email: WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Criminal docket information can be searched through the Public Portal or at an in-courthouse Public Access Terminal. To obtain copies of specific documents from a criminal case file, submit the Request for Access to Court Records form to the Criminal Division.
For a court-based criminal history check on an individual, Windsor County residents can complete the Criminal Record Check Request and Reply Form and submit it to the Criminal Division. The court charges $30.00 per name search, $0.25 per page for photocopies, and $5.00 for certification. Mail submissions must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Additional information about the criminal record check process is available on the Vermont Judiciary’s Criminal Records Checks page.
For statewide criminal background checks, the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) serves as the state repository. The VCIC offers two types of checks:
- Conviction reports (available to anyone): Submit online through the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS) for $30.00 per search, payable by credit card. Results are immediate.
- Certified criminal history records (for the subject of the record): Submit a completed Personal Criminal Record Request Form by mail or in person to the VCIC. Walk-in requests are processed in approximately 10 minutes and require two forms of identification.
Vermont Crime Information Center
Address: 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
Phone: (802) 244-8727
Fax: (802) 241-5552
Mail-in requests to the VCIC are processed within five to seven business days. Payment by mail must be made by money order or cashier’s check. Notarized copies of conviction reports are only available through the VCIC’s main office or by mail — the online VCCRIS portal does not produce notarized documents.
The Windsor County Sheriff’s Department handles law enforcement duties within the county. For arrest-related inquiries or incident reports, contact:
Windsor County Sheriff’s Department
Address: 62 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: (802) 457-5211
Windsor County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Vermont Superior Court in Woodstock handles breach of contract suits, personal injury claims, property disputes, foreclosures, evictions, medical malpractice actions, wrongful death cases, and small claims matters filed in Windsor County. The Clerk of Court maintains all civil case filings, motions, orders, and judgments.
Vermont Superior Court — Windsor Civil Division
Address: 12 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: (802) 457-2121
Email: WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov
Civil case records can be searched through the Public Portal by case number or party name. Copies of case documents are available by submitting the Request for Access to Court Records form in person, by mail, or by email. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page with a $1.00 minimum, certified copies are $5.00, and exemplified copies are $10.00 plus regular copy fees. Older cases stored off-site at the Records Center require a $7.50 advance postage fee per file for retrieval.
Filing fees for civil actions in Windsor County are set by statute (32 V.S.A. § 1431):
| Action | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (standard filing) | $295.00 |
| Cross-claim or third-party claim | $120.00 |
| Counterclaim | $90.00 |
| Post-judgment motion | $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 |
| Tax appeal | $295.00 |
Credit card payments incur a 2.39% processing fee for over-the-counter or online transactions and 2.89% for electronic filings. eCheck payments cost $1.00.
Property records in Windsor County are maintained at the town level by individual town clerks. The Windsor Town Clerk’s Office (29 Union Street, Windsor, VT 05089; Phone: (802) 674-5610) maintains local deeds, mortgages, and land records, many of which are searchable through the town’s land records portal. Other Windsor County towns, including Hartford and Woodstock, maintain their own recording offices for property documents within their jurisdictions.
Windsor County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, parent-child contact, child support, domestic violence, parentage, and juvenile matters in Windsor County are heard by the Family Division of the Vermont Superior Court, located in White River Junction.
Vermont Superior Court — Windsor Family Division
Address: 82 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 295-8865
Email: WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov
Family Division filing fees (per 32 V.S.A. § 1431) reflect whether the parties have reached a stipulated agreement:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution/legal separation (no stipulation) | $295.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution/legal separation (with stipulation, one or both residents) | $90.00 |
| Divorce/annulment/dissolution/legal separation (with stipulation, neither party resident) | $180.00 |
| Parentage or desertion and support (no stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Parentage or desertion and support (with stipulation) | $35.00 |
| Motion to modify parental rights/contact/maintenance (no stipulation) | $120.00 |
| Motion to modify parental rights/contact/maintenance (with stipulation) | $35.00 |
| Motion to enforce final order (no stipulation) | $90.00 |
| Motion to enforce final order (with stipulation) | $35.00 |
| Motion to modify child support (no stipulation) | $45.00 |
| Motion to enforce child support order | No fee |
| Magistrate appeal | $120.00 |
Family court case information can be searched through the Public Portal, though access to certain records — including juvenile proceedings, custody evaluations, and domestic violence case details — may be restricted. Copies of accessible family court records are available by submitting the standard Request for Access to Court Records form.
For marriage records, the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Office is the central custodian. Certified copies cost $10.00 and are available only to the married parties and their immediate family. Uncertified copies are free. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail using the Application for Copy of a Vermont Marriage Certificate to:
Vital Records Office
Address: 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8370
Phone: (800) 439-5008
Email: VitalRecords@vermont.gov
Divorce certificates are also available from the Vital Records Office using the same application form. Marriage and civil union certificates can additionally be obtained from individual town clerk offices within Windsor County where the ceremony took place.
Birth and death records are maintained by the Vital Records Office. Eligible requesters — including the person named on the record (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, and court-appointed estate administrators — may obtain certified copies at $10.00 each. Requests are accepted in person, by mail using the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth or Death Certificate, or online through the Vital Records Request Service.
Windsor County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Vermont Superior Court at 12 The Green in Woodstock handles estate administration, will probate, trust matters, guardianships of minors and adults, adoptions, relinquishments, name changes, and related proceedings for Windsor County. The Probate Register is Kari Freyenhagen.
Vermont Superior Court — Windsor Probate Division
Address: 12 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091
Phone: (802) 457-2121
Email: WindsorUnit@vtcourts.gov
To request probate records, submit the Request for Access to Court Records form by email, mail, or in person. Probate records that are public include estate inventories, accountings, wills admitted to probate, guardianship petitions and orders, and name change decrees. Adoption records are confidential and not available to the general public.
Probate filing fees are established under 32 V.S.A. § 1434 and are based on estate or trust 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 |
| Greater than $10,000,000 | $3,250.00 |
Other selected probate fees include guardianship of an adult or minor ($150.00 each), adoption and relinquishment as part of adoption ($150.00), petition for change of name ($150.00), filing of a will for safekeeping ($30.00), small estate affidavit procedure ($50.00), annual account on a decedent’s estate ($85.00), annual account on a trust ($85.00), and conveyance of title to real estate ($100.00). Each appointment of a fiduciary includes two certificates; additional certifications cost $5.00 each.
Probate case data can be searched through the Public Portal. For records not available online — particularly older files or those stored at the state Records Center — contact the Probate Division directly. The $7.50 retrieval fee applies to archived files. The full fee schedule maintained by the Vermont Judiciary details all current charges across every division and case type.