What is a background check?
A background check is an investigation into an individual’s criminal record, employment history, driving record, education, finances, or other aspects of their personal history.
Background checks are often performed by an organization or company in order to screen a subject before a significant financial or legal agreement. However, individuals regularly perform background checks on themselves to make sure that the public information on them matches their personal records.
For more general information on background checks, consult our Background Checks FAQS page.
How do I run a criminal background check in Vermont?
The general public can run a criminal background check on any person online using the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS) provided by the VCIC.
Here’s some key information about the service:
- The cost is $30 per request, which can be paid using a major credit or debit card.
- A search is non-refundable even if a “record not found” message is returned.
- Required search fields include Last Name, First Name, and Date of Birth.
- Results will yield any Vermont conviction records for an individual that are present in the database. However, juvenile offenses, victim information and sealed records will not be returned.
- Educational institutions and vulnerable populations agencies may use the service free-of-charge.
Click here to perform a criminal background check using VCCRIS.
What can I do if my Vermont criminal history record has incomplete or inaccurate information?
If your Vermont arrest record or another criminal history document returned as a result of a criminal background check has incorrect or incomplete information, use the VCIC Report a Record Error service to report the mistake. Only errors on your own criminal record may be reported.
If you have any questions, call the Vermont Crime Information Center at 802-244-8727.
How do I search for Vermont court records online?
Vermont Courts Online offers access to Vermont Civil, Criminal and Family Division court case calendar information, as well as in-depth Civil Division case information. However, the database is limited and does not contain Criminal or Family Division case records.
In order to use the service, you must register an account. There is a $12.50 activation fee.
If the court record you are looking for isn’t available through Vermont Courts Online, you can complete and submit a Request for Access to Court Record form to the court clerk of the court in possession of the record.
Click here for the contact information of every Vermont court.
Where can I find Vermont driving records online?
Vermont driving records cannot be requested online. In order to request a copy of a driving record, you can visit the Montpelier DMV office and make a request in person, or send a request through the mail.
How to request a Vermont driving record through the mail
- Complete a Record Request Form. Every section of the form must be completed in order to validate the request.
- Prepare a check or money order for the appropriate amount (fees are listed on the form) payable to “Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles”
- Mail the completed form and payment to:
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05603-0001
How do I obtain Vermont vital records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses?
Vital records are records of important life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that are kept by government agencies and accessible upon request.
Vital records are not public records that can be viewed by anyone, but the subject(s) of the record and authorized family members can view them in-person or order copies through a number of means. Additionally, one or more vital records may be required to complete a background check.
Vermont vital records can be ordered online through the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Ordering Service. Each copy of a record costs $12 which can be paid with a major debit or credit card.
Available vital records include:
- birth certificates
- death certificates
- marriage records
- divorce and dissolution records
- civil union records
Click here to place an order through the Vital Records Ordering Service.
The site also provides a searchable index of Vermont birth and death records.
For more information, contact Vermont Vital Records at [email protected] or 802-863-7275.
How do I search for a person’s sex offender status in Vermont?
Those convicted of sex-related crimes or certain crimes against children in Vermont are required by law to register as sex offenders. Additionally, offenders in the registry are required to notify law enforcement as soon as possible in the case of a physical address change or email address change, or they will be labeled “non-compliant”.
The Vermont Crime Information Center makes the Vermont Sex Offender Registry available online to the general public in the interest of public safety. Users may search by name, city, or area. However, certain low-risk offenders may not be viewable in the online database.
Click here to perform a search of the Vermont Sex Offender Registry. It’s important to stay informed about potential threats in your neighborhood in order to take the necessary precautions.
How do I perform a credit history background check in Vermont?
Performing a credit check in Vermont follows the same process as in other states. A federal law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants every American one free annual credit report each from the three main U.S. credit bureaus:
In order to obtain your free credit report from one of these three bureaus, you must provide the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
