Perform a Free Vermont Warrant Search: Find Wanted Individuals

Free Vermont Warrant Search
Find out if you or someone else has a warrant out for their arrest in Vermont, free of charge.

Run a free Vermont warrant search to find out if you or someone in your circle of loved ones has a written order released for them.

Warrants are issued by the court and come in various types. They allow law enforcement agencies to arrest the individual for whom the warrant is issued and present them before the court.

Warrant searches can help citizens discover if there is a warrant issued for them and take timely and appropriate action, as well as check someone’s criminal background or if they’re currently wanted by law enforcement.

This resource offers clear, concise instructions on how to search warrants in the state of Vermont.

Are Warrants Available for Vermont Citizens To View?

Warrants are available for citizens to view in the state of Vermont. The Vermont Public Records Act allows citizens to search and view court, marriage, and divorce records and warrants.1 Warrants have been made accessible by the state of Vermont for the purpose of public safety and to help citizens flag wanted individuals during background checks.

However, since there are warrants issued for different reasons, there may be certain limitations in accessing certain kinds of warrants, as explained in 13 V.S.A. § 8102.2

The nature and sensitivity of the case, the individuals involved in it, and its current standing may impact the availability of the warrant. Furthermore, some specific personal information may be restricted before warrant disclosure for the purposes of privacy and safety.

Warrant records may not be available in the case of ongoing investigations, and warrants concerning juveniles are not fully public either.

Searching for Warrants in Vermont: What You Should Know

There are certain essentials that must be known before residents start searching for warrants in Vermont.

Primarily, interested parties must know the first and last name of the individual they are searching warrants for and the state they are currently residing in. It is also important that citizens know the date of birth of the person to look up their outstanding or active warrants.

Warrants can be searched at the state level, as well as county and city levels in the state of Vermont. Warrant searches at the state level may not give as accurate results as searches at the county or municipality level.

Warrants can be found through different state agencies in Vermont. Police departments, the courts (that originally issued the warrants), as well as online tools, can help searchers obtain warrants issued for them or someone they know. However, it is important to note that some agencies may ask the requestor for the purpose of the search and a predetermined non-refundable fee.

It is also advised that in the case a citizen suspects or believes that there might be an outstanding or active warrant sanctioned for them, they should not visit the agencies that provide warrants in person as the agencies can arrest them. In such a case, it is best to obtain the warrant information online or through a phone call to the agency offices.

How To Run a Vermont Warrant Search on Yourself or Someone Else

There are different ways to run warrant searches in Vermont through various agencies.

One of the best ways to conduct a Vermont warrant lookup is through the State Criminal Information Center (VCIC).3

This information center is a state-managed database that provides certified as well as non-certified records, such as criminal records, as well as warrants issued for wanted individuals by the court.

For non-certified warrants, citizens can visit the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service page, a source created by the state’s Department of Public Safety. This is an online tool that gives quick and accurate results for warrant searches in a matter of seconds.

Once a searcher lands on the page, they can click the “Start” button to begin the search. This will take them to the “Agreement & Requestor Information Page,” where the tool will ask to check certain undertakings as well as requestor information such as full name and email address (where the records will be sent).4

A screenshot showing the requester information that requires filling out such as the requester's first name, last name, business name, and email address from the Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center website.
Source: Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center4

When the required information has been filled in the designated text boxes, the individual can select “Continue” to be taken to the “Information Page.” This is where the requestor will be asked to input information about the individual for whom they are conducting the warrant search (or their own if they are conducting the search for themselves).

The tool will ask for the person’s first name, last name, and date of birth, which will have to be filled in the designated text boxes.

It is important to note that the department will charge a fee of $30 per search, which is non-refundable even in the case the search results in “No Records Found.” However, the service is free for educational institutions (conducting background checks), vulnerable population agencies, and Vermont Government Subscribers.

Note: It is suggested that the citizen ensures they enter the correct information and double-check it to avoid false or no results.

Once the information page has been filled, the searcher can select “Continue” to be taken to the “Payment Page,” where they can select from different payment methods, including credit card. The warrant records obtained from the search can be saved or printed as well.

Citizens can also request warrant searches by visiting the office of the Vermont Crime Information Center in person at the following address:

Vermont Crime Information Center
45 State Drive
Waterbury Vermont 05671

Phone: 802-244-8727
Fax: 802-241-5552

Note that the office of Vermont Crime Information Center is open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday to Friday and is closed during weekends and public holidays. This can help members of the public get warrants in less than 10 minutes.

A fee of $30 will be charged in this case as well. If a person believes or suspects that there might be an active or outstanding warrant issued for them, it would be better to call the department at the aforementioned phone number for information about warrants to avoid arrests.

Warrant searches can also be requested from the department through mail. The citizen will have to fill out a criminal information request form and mail it to the office of the Vermont Crime Information Center at the aforementioned address, along with a money order of $30 in the name of the Department of Public Safety.5

A screenshot showing the requester information that requires filling out such as the requester's first name, last name, business name, and email address from the Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center website.
Source: Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center5

Another way of accessing warrants in the state is through the Vermont Judiciary. The Vermont Judiciary is a unified court system of the state that also manages complete court records, and since warrants are issued by the state’s courts and are considered public records, the department can help in warrant searches.

The Vermont Judiciary has given a complete guide on how to use the Public Portal for the purpose of searching warrants.

A screenshot of a search public portal with the search criteria of entering a record number or last, first, middle name, and suffix format from the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal website.
Source: Vermont Judiciary Public Portal6

There is also a public portal user guide to help citizens in case they face difficulty in navigating and using the public portal.7

In case citizens have queries about the Public Portal, they can contact the Vermont Judiciary Helpdesk at [email protected].

Please note that the subject of the email should be “Public Portal.” As a third option, the sheriff departments of counties in Vermont can also be contacted to conduct warrant searches at the county level. The Community Supervision Population Report also has information about wanted individuals.8

A screenshot showing the community supervision population report that includes visual graphs of the race, gender, Hispanic, Latinx, and Spanish information from the Vermont Department of Corrections website.
Source: Vermont Department of Corrections8

Obtain Warrant Information in Vermont at the County Level

Warrant searches at the county level have a narrower window and thus provide more accurate results. However, the researcher must know the county where the individual they are searching warrants for resides. The sheriff’s department of each Vermont county can be contacted for the purpose of a county-level warrant search.

Chittenden County: The Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department provides warrant records by in-person visits or through phone calls. Their contact details can be found below:

Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office
70 Ethan Allen Dr
South Burlington, Vermont 05403

Phone: 802-863-4341
Fax: 802-865-5749

The sheriff’s office of Chittenden County is open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and can be visited or called for warrant searches during that time (there are no fees or forms involved).

Washington County: The county sheriff’s office can also be visited in person or reached by phone for warrant searches in Washington County using the following contact information:

Washington County Sheriff’s Office
10 Elm St P.O. Box 678
Montpelier, Vermont 05601-0678

Phone: 802-223-3001
Fax: 802-828-3611

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and can be visited in person or called for warrant searches.

Rutland County: To look up warrants in Rutland County, Vermont, the sheriff’s office can be reached through call or by in-person visit using the following credentials:

Rutland County Sheriff’s Office
88 Grove Street
Rutland, Vermont

Phone: 802-775-8002
Fax: 802-775-1794

Details of the individual whose warrants the researcher is searching for can be given while contacting the aforementioned offices for warrant searches.

Look Up Warrants Through Municipal Agencies in Vermont

A warrant search can also be conducted at the city level through municipal agencies.

Burlington City: Burlington City is the largest city in the state of Vermont by population. The Burlington City Police Department can give information regarding active and ongoing warrants to help citizens in warrant searches.9

The police department of the city has also issued a press release with a complete list of warrants.10 For in-person or phone call warrant search requests, the office can be contacted at the following location:

Burlington City Police Department
Antonio B. Pomerleau Building
One North Avn.
Burlington, Vermont 05401

Phone: 802-658-2704

Essex City: The Essex City Police Department can facilitate citizens looking for active or outstanding warrants issued for them or someone they know.11 The requestor can visit the office in person or contact it by call with details of the individual for a warrant search using the following details:

Essex City Police Department
145 Maple Street
Essex Junction, Vermont 05452

Phone: 802-878-8331

Note that the Essex City Police office is open 24/7.

South Burlington City: Citizens can search warrants in the city by contacting the South Burlington Police Department. They can retrieve warrant information from the department by visiting its office in person or calling it using the following contact details:

South Burlington Police Department
180 Market St.
South Burlington, Vermont 05403

Phone: 802-846-4107

Note that there are no fees or forms involved, and citizens will only have to give primary information (such as complete name, date of birth, and address) about the individual whose warrants they want to search.

Retrieve Federal Warrant Information for Vermont & All Other States

In case citizens want to retrieve federal warrant information for Vermont and other states of the US, they can check the FBI Fugitives List, the US Marshals Fugitives List, and the DEA Fugitives List for details of wanted individuals.12

A screenshot showing the official list maintained on the Federal Bureau of Investigation website photo previews of the official FBI ten most wanted fugitives' historical pictures.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation12

The US Marshals Warrant Information System (WIN) can also be utilized for searching warrants at the federal level.13

A criminal offense attorney can also help residents obtain federal warrant information by assisting them in filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the US Marshall Services.

A Freedom of Information Act request can help searchers obtain more detailed information about federally wanted individuals from the US Marshall Services. However, some sensitive information can still be retained by the department for secrecy and safety reasons.

Furthermore, Public Access to Court Public Records (PACER) can also help researchers retrieve state warrants by searching the person’s name, entering ‘Case Number,’ and selecting the ‘Docket Sheet,’ ‘Docket Report,’ or ‘History/Documents’ query. For each page of the warrant, the department charges a fee of $0.10.14

Common Types of Warrants in Vermont & When They’re Issued

Different kinds of warrants for different offenses are issued in Vermont. Here are some outlined below with a brief description:

  • Bench Warrants – are issued by the court for people who fail to appear before it in the given time frame.
  • Probation & Parole Violation Warrants – are granted when a person on parole or probation goes against the terms of their release. These warrants can even allow the police or other law enforcement agencies to revoke the person’s parole or probation.
  • Traffic Warrants – are issued when someone misses court related to a traffic offense.
  • Arrest Warrants – allow the arrest of individuals suspected to have committed a crime.
  • Capias Pro Fine – are ordered for personnel who are unable to pay court-ordered or related fines or who are unable to fulfill financial obligations made obligatory by the court.
  • Child Support Warrants – are released for non-custodial parents who fail to pay child support for a certain period and can permit police to arrest and present them before the court.
  • Fugitive Warrants – are approved for individuals who have escaped from custody, ran from authorities, or avoided arrest.
  • Capias Warrants – are issued for people who are unable to satisfy the judgment of the court.
  • Search Warrants – allow the police or other agencies to search a specific place to find evidence of a crime.

Resolving Warrants & Reporting Wanted Persons in Vermont

In case a citizen finds out that there is an active or outstanding warrant issued for them in Vermont, the best option is to contact and consult an attorney for comprehensive legal advice on what could be the best response.

The wanted individual can also choose to pay fines via the relevant state department, present themselves before the court, or turn themselves in voluntarily.

To report a wanted person in Vermont, an anonymous tip can be given by texting VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES) or online using the Anonymous Tip Line. The citizen can also dial 911 and report on the wanted individual.

With the aid of the resources discussed throughout this article, individuals can conduct a Vermont warrant search to learn if they or someone they know has a warrant out for them.


References

1Vermont General Assembly. (n.d). The Vermont Statutes Online – Title 1: General Provisions. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/01/005/00316>

2Vermont General Assembly. (n.d). The Vermont Statutes Online – Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/232/08102#:~:text=(1)%20A%20law%20enforcement%20officer,about%20which%20information%20was%20disclosed.&text=(B)%20there%20is%20probable%20cause,the%20commission%20of%20a%20crime.>

3Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (n.d). Criminal History Information. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://vcic.vermont.gov/ch-information>

4Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (n.d). Criminal Convictions Records. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://secure.vermont.gov/DPS/criminalrecords/agreement.php>

5Department of Public Safety, Vermont Crime Information Center. (2018). Public Request Form. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://vcic.vermont.gov/sites/vcic/files/files/record-check/PublicRequestForm_2018.pdf>

6Vermont Judiciary Public Portal. (n.d). Smart Search. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://portal.vtcourts.gov/Portal/Home/Dashboard/29>

7Vermont Judiciary. (n.d). Public Portal User Guide. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/Vermont%20Public%20Portal%20User%20Guide%20.pdf>

8Vermont Department of Corrections. (2023, March 31). Community Supervision Population Report. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://doc.vermont.gov/sites/correct/files/documents/CommunitySupervisionPopulationReport_03-31-2023.pdf>

9Burlington Police Department. (n.d). Police Department. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/Police>

10The City of Burlington. (2023, September 22). Arrest & Search Warrant. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/Press/arrest-search-warrant>

11Essex Vermont. (n.d). Essex Police Department. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.essexvt.org/288/Police>

12Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d). Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten>

13US Marshals Service. (n.d). Warrant Information System. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://www.usmarshals.gov/freedom-of-information-act/reading-room/warrant-information-system>

14Public Access to Court Electronic Records. (n.d). PACER Pricing: How fees work. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from <https://pacer.uscourts.gov/pacer-pricing-how-fees-work>