Public Records Requests for the Secretary of State’s Office

“It is the policy of this subchapter to provide for free and open examination of records consistent with Chapter I, Article 6 of the Vermont Constitution. Officers of government are trustees and servants of the people and it is in the public interest to enable any person to review and criticize their decisions even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment. All people, however, have a right to privacy in their personal and economic pursuits, which ought to be protected unless specific information is needed to review the action of a governmental officer.” 1 V.S.A. § 315(a).

Under Vermont’s Public Records Act, the Secretary of State will provide the public with access to its records unless those records are protected from disclosure by the specific exemptions in the Act.

Before you make your request, please be advised that many of our records are readily searchable and available online:

Please also note that the Secretary of State’s office can only provide access to records held by the Secretary of State.

For records held by another Vermont State agency or department, you should contact that agency or department directly. You can find links to each agency’s website here and view the list of State Records Officers here.
For records held by a municipality, including local land records, you should contact the relevant municipal office. You can view our guide to Vermont’s town and county clerks here.

Records Officer:
Jenny R. Prosser, General Counsel & Director of Municipal Assistance
jenny.prosser@vermont.gov