Caledonia County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Caledonia County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents related to Caledonia County, Vermont may access a range of publicly available information through official state and county channels. CaledoniaRecords.us aggregates publicly available data to assist users in locating records that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, law enforcement reports, and other government-maintained files. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law exemptions.

Records in Caledonia County may be searched through official court resources, town and county clerk offices, public access terminals at government facilities, and online tools maintained by Vermont state agencies.

Online Access:

The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal provides online access to court documents and case information for Caledonia County and other Vermont jurisdictions.
The Caledonia County financial records database maintained by the Vermont State Treasurer's Office offers access to county-level financial and public records data.
Vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates, may be ordered through the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service.
No statewide registration is required to search most public court records online, though some document downloads may require account creation.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Caledonia County Courthouse to inspect records in person. The courthouse serves as the primary location for court filings, civil and criminal case records, and probate documents. Town clerks in each of Caledonia County's municipalities maintain property records, land records, and local vital records at their respective offices.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow the agency to locate it. Under § 316 of Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 316), agencies are required to respond to written requests within three business days of receipt, either by providing the record, denying the request with a written explanation, or notifying the requester that additional time is needed.

Phone/Email:

Caledonia County Courthouse: (802) 748-6600
Vermont State Police public information requests may be submitted through the VSP public information portal.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation accepts public records requests at AOT.PublicRecordsManager@vermont.gov.

What Are Public Records in Caledonia County?

Public records in Caledonia County are defined under Vermont law as any written or recorded information produced or acquired by a public agency in the course of official business. Under 1 V.S.A. § 317, public records include all documents, papers, maps, photographs, and electronic files created or received by a government body, subject to enumerated exemptions. The following categories of records are maintained by various county and state agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Caledonia Criminal Division of the Vermont Judiciary
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfer records maintained by individual town clerks within Caledonia County
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates, available through the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service
Business records — licenses, permits, and business registrations maintained by the Vermont Secretary of State
Tax records — property tax assessments maintained by town listers and the Vermont Department of Taxes
Voting and election records — maintained by town clerks and the Vermont Secretary of State
Meeting minutes and agendas — county and municipal board records maintained by respective clerks
Budget and financial documents — available through the Caledonia County financial clearinghouse
Law enforcement records — incident reports and arrest logs, where permitted, through the Vermont State Police
Land use and zoning records — maintained by individual town zoning administrators
Building and fire safety records — maintained by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety
Corrections records — available through the Vermont Department of Corrections
Child and family services records — subject to significant restrictions, maintained by the Vermont Department for Children and Families

Is Caledonia County an Open Records County?

Caledonia County operates under Vermont's statewide public records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under 1 V.S.A. § 315, Vermont's Public Records Act, all state and local government agencies — including those serving Caledonia County — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.

As stated in Vermont's Public Records Act, "it is the policy of this state that public records shall be open to the public for inspection and examination at all reasonable times." This presumption of openness applies to all county-level offices, municipal agencies, and state agencies operating within Caledonia County.

The Caledonia County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Defender General both participate in Vermont's Public Records Request Database, through which members of the public may submit formal records requests to these offices. Vermont does not maintain a separate county-level sunshine ordinance; the state statute governs all public agencies uniformly. Agencies are required to designate a public records officer responsible for processing requests and ensuring compliance with the Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Caledonia County?

The cost of obtaining public records in Caledonia County is governed by Vermont state law and the fee schedules established by individual agencies. The following fee structure applies under current law:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (black and white)	$0.05 per page (state agencies)
Certified copies of vital records	$10.00 per certificate
Court record copies	Varies by document type
Electronic records	No charge if already in electronic format
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection fees: Vermont law does not permit agencies to charge for the inspection of public records. Members of the public may examine records at no cost.
Copy fees: State agencies may charge up to $0.05 per page for standard paper copies. Town clerks and court offices may apply their own established fee schedules.
Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records are available through the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service for $10.00 per certificate.
Electronic format fees: Agencies are not permitted to charge for records already maintained in electronic format when provided electronically.
Search fees: Vermont law does not authorize agencies to charge separate search fees for routine requests.
Payment methods: Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant agency.
Fee waivers: Agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Caledonia County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at government offices throughout Caledonia County. Vermont law expressly prohibits agencies from charging members of the public for the act of inspecting records on-site. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records at a government office carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies may involve applicable fees.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

The Vermont Judiciary Public Portal provides free online access to court case information and documents for Caledonia County proceedings.
The Caledonia County financial records database through the Vermont Treasurer's Office is accessible at no charge.
Court records may be inspected at no cost at public access terminals located within Vermont courthouse facilities.
The Vermont Department of Corrections provides free online access to certain inmate and supervision records through its public portal.
Vermont State Police incident reports and public safety records may be reviewed at no charge through the VSP public information process, though copies may carry applicable fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Caledonia County?

Any person may request public records in Caledonia County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Vermont's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. The following conditions apply under current law:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be Vermont residents or Caledonia County residents.
Identification: Agencies may not require requesters to provide identification as a condition of accessing public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requester.
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request for most categories of public records.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as Vermont residents under the Public Records Act.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as personnel files or records maintained by the Vermont Department for Children and Families, subject to applicable verification procedures.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records — including juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files — are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest, as described in the exemptions section below.

As the Vermont State Police notes regarding the Public Records Act, "the Public Records Act places the onus on the government agency" to justify any denial of access, reinforcing that the default position under Vermont law is disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Caledonia County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Vermont law. 1 V.S.A. § 317(c) enumerates the specific exemptions that agencies may invoke to withhold records from public access. The following records are currently exempt from disclosure:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or child welfare proceedings
Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public documents
Medical records — protected under both Vermont law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained by the Vermont Department for Children and Families and subject to strict confidentiality requirements
Personnel records — employee records are exempt except for information relating to compensation and job title
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under assurances of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — records whose disclosure could compromise public safety

When an agency denies a records request, it must provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption. Requesters who believe a denial is improper may appeal to the agency head and, thereafter, to the Vermont Superior Court.

Caledonia County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

In Vermont, property and land records are maintained at the town level rather than by a county recorder. Each of Caledonia County's 24 municipalities maintains its own town clerk's office responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records. Court records for Caledonia County are maintained by the Vermont Judiciary.

Caledonia County Superior Court – Civil and Criminal Division
1126 Main Street, Suite 1
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-6600
Caledonia Criminal Division – Vermont Judiciary

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Caledonia County State's Attorney's Office
1126 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-6600
Caledonia County State's Attorney

Vermont Department of Health – Vital Records
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402
(800) 439-5008
Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service

Vermont Department of Corrections – Public Records
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671
(802) 241-2442
Vermont Department of Corrections

Vermont Department for Children and Families
280 State Drive, HC 1 North
Waterbury, VT 05671-1080
(800) 649-5285
Vermont Department for Children and Families

Vermont Agency of Transportation – Public Records
One National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05633
AOT.PublicRecordsManager@vermont.gov
Vermont Agency of Transportation

Records requests directed to the Office of the Defender General may be submitted through Vermont's Public Records Request Database, accessible through the ODG's official contact page. Court record access requests may be submitted using the procedures outlined on the Vermont Judiciary records requests page.