Orleans County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Orleans County in 2026

OrleansRecords.org provides publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Orleans County, Vermont. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital statistics, or law enforcement records may access these materials through official county and state channels. The categories of records that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and land transfer records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access: The Vermont Judiciary provides an online portal for certain court records. Members of the public may submit requests for access to court records through the Vermont Judiciary website. Property records and land transfer documents are maintained by the Orleans County Clerk's Office and may be accessible through the Vermont Land Records portal at landrecords.vermont.gov. Vital records are available through the Vermont Department of Health vital records ordering system.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Orleans County Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The office is located at 247 Main Street, Newport, VT 05855. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and be prepared to describe the records sought with reasonable specificity.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Orleans County Clerk's Office at 247 Main Street, Newport, VT 05855. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Vermont Public Records Act § 316, agencies are required to respond to written requests within three business days.

Phone/Email: The Orleans County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (802) 334-2711. Email inquiries may be directed to the office through contact information listed on the official Orleans County website.

What Are Public Records in Orleans County?

Public records in Orleans County are defined by Vermont state law as any written or recorded information produced or acquired in the course of official government business. Under 1 V.S.A. § 317, public records include all documents, papers, maps, photographs, and electronic files created or received by a public agency in connection with the transaction of public business.

The following record types are maintained by Orleans County and associated state agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Vermont Superior Court – Orleans Unit
Probate and family court records	Vermont Superior Court – Orleans Unit
Property deeds and land transfers	Orleans County Clerk's Office
Mortgages and liens	Orleans County Clerk's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Vermont Department of Health / Town Clerks
Tax assessment records	Town Assessors / Vermont Department of Taxes
Business licenses and permits	Vermont Secretary of State
Voting and election records	Vermont Secretary of State / Town Clerks
Meeting minutes and agendas	Orleans County and municipal offices
Law enforcement records	Vermont State Police / local departments
Land use and zoning records	Municipal planning offices

Court records, including civil, criminal, probate, and family matters, are maintained by the Vermont Superior Court – Orleans Unit. The Vermont State Police public information page provides guidance on accessing law enforcement records at the state level. Vital records for events occurring in Vermont may be ordered through the Vermont Department of Health or the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration.

Is Orleans County an Open Records County?

Orleans County operates in full compliance with Vermont's statewide open records framework. Vermont's Public Records Act, codified at 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq., establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies, including county and municipal offices. The statute reflects a strong presumption in favor of public access, placing the burden of justifying any denial on the government agency.

As stated in Vermont's Public Records Act, "every person has the right to inspect and copy any public record of a public agency." This principle applies to all Orleans County offices, including the County Clerk, the Superior Court, and municipal departments operating within the county.

The Vermont Attorney General's Office provides guidance to agencies and the public on the application of the Public Records Act. Agencies that deny access to records are required to provide a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Appeals of denied requests may be pursued through the Vermont Superior Court or, in the case of Vermont State Police records, directly to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, as noted on the Vermont State Police public information page.

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

The fee structure for public records in Orleans County is governed by Vermont state law and the policies of the individual offices maintaining the records. Current standard fees are as follows:

Inspection of records: No charge for in-person inspection of non-exempt public records
Paper copies: $0.05 per page for standard black-and-white copies (per Vermont statute)
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; vital record certified copies are subject to fees set by the Vermont Department of Health
Electronic copies: Agencies may charge the actual cost of providing records in electronic format
Search fees: Agencies may charge for staff time spent searching for records when the search exceeds a reasonable threshold, as permitted under Vermont law
Driving record copies: The Vermont DMV charges a fee for driving record requests submitted via Form VG-116

Accepted payment methods at the Orleans County Clerk's Office include cash, check, and money order made payable to the Orleans County Clerk. Individual offices may have varying payment policies. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency.

Does Orleans County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of non-exempt public records is available to any member of the public under Vermont law. Requestors are not required to pay a fee to view records in person at the maintaining office. The following resources provide free access to certain records:

In-person inspection at the Orleans County Clerk's Office: Members of the public may inspect land records, deeds, and related documents at no charge during regular business hours
Vermont Judiciary online portal: Certain court case information is accessible at no cost through the Vermont Judiciary's online resources
Vermont Land Records portal: Property transfer records and related documents may be searched online at no charge through the state land records system
Vermont Department of Corrections: The Vermont Department of Corrections provides publicly accessible information about incarcerated individuals and correctional facilities through its official website
Vermont State Police: Basic public information, including certain incident data, is accessible through the Vermont State Police public information portal

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Orleans County?

Any person may request public records in Orleans County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Vermont's Public Records Act does not require requestors to be Vermont residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the press alike.

Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect general public records; however, certain restricted records (such as vital records) require proof of eligibility or relationship
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests
Non-residents: Non-residents of Vermont retain full rights to request and receive public records under state law
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as their own driving history, must submit the appropriate form and fee; the Vermont DMV processes driving record requests using Form VG-116
Vital records: Access to birth, death, and marriage certificates is restricted to eligible parties as defined by Vermont law; members of the public may order vital records through the Vermont Department of Health

Restrictions on access apply to certain categories of records regardless of who is making the request, as described in the following section.

What Records Are Confidential in Orleans County?

Certain records maintained by Orleans County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under Vermont law. 1 V.S.A. § 317(c) enumerates the categories of records that agencies may withhold from public inspection. The following records are currently exempt or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or child welfare proceedings are confidential
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Vermont health privacy law are exempt from disclosure
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Vermont law
Child protective services records: Records maintained by the Department for Children and Families regarding child welfare cases are confidential
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for information related to public duties
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected
Security and infrastructure plans: Documents detailing security vulnerabilities or critical infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

When an agency denies a records request, it is required to identify the specific statutory exemption that applies. The Vermont Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the balancing of public access interests against privacy and security concerns.

Orleans County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary office responsible for land records, deeds, and related documents in Orleans County is the Orleans County Clerk's Office. Court records are maintained by the Vermont Superior Court – Orleans Unit, located at the Orleans County Courthouse.

Orleans County Clerk's Office
247 Main Street
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-2711
Orleans County Clerk's Office

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

Vermont Superior Court – Orleans Unit
247 Main Street
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-3305
Vermont Judiciary – Court Records Access

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Note: The Orleans County Courthouse has at times been subject to temporary closures; members of the public are advised to confirm current access arrangements before visiting.

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

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603
(802) 828-2000
Vermont DMV – Driving Records

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