Run a free Vermont probation search without any stress or hassle by using this resource’s guidance.
A probationer is someone who’s been convicted of a criminal offense and agrees to supervision within the community in lieu of jail time. It’s similar to parole, which is an early release program for those currently serving a prison sentence related to more serious crimes.
While the state doesn’t offer free records searches to everyone, fees are nominal, and anyone with a personal interest in the case can obtain this information for free.
How To Run a Vermont Probation Search (Verify Someone’s Status)
Probation search information in Vermont is available to the public, though there may be fees associated. Access information through the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS).1 To use this site, you must register and pay a $30 fee per record.
However, some fee waivers apply for those representing a vulnerable population agency such as a nursing home or school.
For personal state probation search requests, it’s important to note that users pay the fee regardless of whether or not a record exists for the information entered. To get probation information about an individual, searchers must enter the offender’s full legal name and date of birth.
Because Vermont criminal information is public, information may also be available free through third-party access sites.
In-person Records: Information is also available in person at a Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC).2 The same fee structure applies, but in-person applicants can pay by cash, credit card, certified check or money order. Online ordering only allows the option to pay by credit card.
To get in-person records, visit:
Vermont Criminal Information Center
Criminal Records Section
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671
Mail-in Requests: To get a report by mail, use the above address to send in a completed Request for Criminal Conviction Information Form along with a certified check or money order and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.3 The department typically mails reports within 5-7 business days.
If you have questions about the process, call 802-241-5320 or send an email to DPS.RecordChecks@vermont.gov.
You can also check out the VCIC FAQ page to see more about standard processing times, who has access to records and what information is available within them.4 There are also restrictions on how to use the information and on who can view the report after purchase.
Online Records Search: The Vermont Court System also offers online records search options, but for criminal cases, searchers must qualify for elevated access.5, 6 Those who qualify might include attorneys and public agency employees.
Anyone else can access criminal court information via public access terminals at local courthouses, as it’s considered part of the public record. Vermont has five criminal court locations, all with access terminals available to the public.
Victim Notifications: Another option for tracking probation status is through the Vermont Automated Notification Service (VANS). Both victims and the general public can sign up for notifications about status changes for those who have committed a crime.
When an offender gets considered for probation, those signed up for notifications receive an immediate call or email regarding the offender’s status changes. Call 866-976-8267 (VANS) or register online to receive updates.
Probation and parole is overseen by the Vermont Department of Corrections, which can be contacted at the address listed below.
Department of Corrections
280 State Drive, NOB 2 South
Waterbury VT 05671-2000
Phone: (802) 241-2442
When an offender is released, they’ll be under the supervision of a Probation & Parole Office.7 These offices don’t typically provide information about probationers, but are a useful point of contact for concerns about someone who is currently on community release, as we’ll detail in a later section.
A probationer who has violated the terms of their release may appear on a state fugitive or wanted list. Such wanted lists will be discussed in detail later in this resource.
Look Up Probation Information in Vermont
Since probation search information is available to the general public in Vermont, probation offices may provide limited information about a specific offender, however they’re not the primary custodian of such information.
Searchers can get access to information directly from each criminal courthouse. Probation departments are responsible for supervising offenders during their release, and are a useful point of contact for those who have concerns about an individual who has been released from prison. Details of Vermont probation departments are provided in this resource.
Information about the entire court case and more details may be available through public access terminals located in criminal courthouses. Get access to public terminals at one of the following locations:
Court | Address | Phone |
Addison Criminal Division | 7 Mahady Court Middlebury, VT 05753 |
802-388-7741 |
Bennington Criminal Division | 200 Veterans Memorial Drive Bennington, VT 05201 |
802-447-2700 |
Caledonia Criminal Division | 1126 Main Street, Suite 1 Saint Johnsbury, Vermont 05819 |
802.748.6600 |
Chittenden Criminal Division | 32 Cherry Street, Suite 300 Burlington, VT 05401 |
802-651-1950 |
Essex Criminal Division8 | 75 Courthouse Drive Guildhall, VT 05905 |
802-676-3910 |
If an offender has violated the terms of their probation, they may appear on wanted or fugitive lists issued by state authorities, police, or local police departments. These lists will be mentioned in the next section of this resource.
The Vermont Automated Notification Service (VANS) program offers real-time updates about offender status. However some counties may be slower to add information to the Appriss Data Network, which provides the status change information, so contacting the courthouses directly may be a more effective way of getting the latest information.
How To Find Probation Violations & Reach Out to Someone’s Supervision Officer in Vermont
Vermont has 12 field offices that handle probation monitoring and violations along with parole monitoring.7 Searchers can use the same tools to run a state probation search or to look for parole information.
If someone has violated their probation, members of the public can contact the local office to make a report or find out more information about what might be a probation violation. Most offices take reports, but won’t connect the public to a specific probation officer, so the field office is the first step when reaching out about a probationer.
The following is a list of office locations for Vermont’s most populated regions. For those in more rural areas, take a look at the comprehensive list offered by the Department of Corrections.
Office | Address | Phone number |
Burlington Probation & Parole Office | 50 Cherry St. Burlington, Vermont 05401 |
802.863.7350 |
Rutland County Probation & Parole Office | P.O. Box 175 92 State St. Rutland, Vermont 05702 |
802.786.5808 |
Barre Probation & Parole Office | 255 N Main St., Suite 6 Barre, Vermont 05641 |
802.479.4242 |
Springfield Probation & Parole Office | 100 Mineral Street, Suite 102 Springfield, VT 05156 |
802-289-0329 |
Saint Albans Probation & Parole Office | 27 Federal Street, Suite 101 Saint Albans, Vermont 05478 |
802.524.6523 |
There are many reasons why someone might need to contact a probation and parole office, including reporting violations. Other considerations might be safety concerns for the probationer or to protect themselves if they were a victim of crime. Residents can also report possible probation violations through the new anonymous tip line at 844-848-8477 or by texting VTIPS to 274637.9
To find out if someone has already violated their probation, using the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS) to run a criminal history check is an option for those with a Vermont.gov subscription.1
How To Conduct a Vermont Parolee Search
For automatic updates, the VAN system is the preferred option, but when running a one-time search, online access is available through the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service system.1
To run a search, users need to know the person’s birth date and full name they are researching. Since the site assesses a fee regardless of the number of returned results, it’s important to have accurate information to avoid paying fees for unintentional results. Even a person who has no criminal record would cost the same $30 fee for running the search.
The Vermont Parole Board also offers access to information about hearings for those not yet released.11 They can be contacted at:
Parole Board Office
166 Horseshoe Drive,
Weeks Building,
Waterbury, VT 05671-1002
Phone: (802)241-0970
The board lists scheduled meetings on the agency’s website, including information about where to go for the meeting and who has a hearing that day. Those enrolled in the VANS system receive prior notification about hearings while other interested parties may simply check the schedule.
When looking for information related to a parolee or running a Vermont probation search, the state makes it accessible; this access is available online and in-person, though researchers pay a per-record fee of $30 per search unless they’re an involved party.
References
1Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (n.d.). Welcome to the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS). Criminal Convictions Records. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://secure.vermont.gov/DPS/criminalrecords/>
2Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (n.d.). Record Checks. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://vcic.vermont.gov/ch-information/record-checks>
3Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (2018). Public Request For Criminal Conviction Information. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://vcic.vermont.gov/sites/vcic/files/files/record-check/OtherRequestForm_2018.pdf>
4Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://vcic.vermont.gov/ch-information/record-checks/faq>
5Vermont Judiciary. (n.d.). Public Portal. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/about-vermont-judiciary/public-portal>
6Vermont Judiciary. (n.d.). Smart Search. Vermont Judiciary Public Portal. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://portal.vtcourts.gov/Portal/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0>
7Vermont Department of Corrections, Agency of Human Services. (n.d.). Probation and Parole Offices. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://doc.vermont.gov/probation-and-parole-offices>
8Vermont Judiciary. (n.d.). Essex Criminal Division. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/court-locations/essex-criminal-division>
9Department of Public Safety, Vermont State Police. (n.d.). See Something, Say Something. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://vsp.vermont.gov/s4#:~:text=To%20report%20suspicious%20activities%2C%20a,utilized%20for%20internet%20based%20reporting>
10Vermont Department of Corrections, Agency of Human Services. (n.d.). Criminal Conviction Record Request Service. Criminal Convictions Records. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://secure.vermont.gov/DPS/criminalrecords/request.php>
11Vermont Boards & Commissions. (2024). Vermont Parole Board. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from <https://humanservices.vermont.gov/about-us/boards-commissions/vermont-parole-board>