Judicial Branch Records

Court records can offer a rich, detailed view of the lives of ordinary Vermonters. These records show the experiences of a diverse cross section of society—farmers and businessmen, paupers and property owners, men and women—throughout their personal and professional lives. The State Archives holds civil, criminal, chancery, and probate court records from many of Vermont’s courts, primarily from before 1945.

See the Online Guide for judicial records in the Vermont State Archives. 

Researchers should note that the evolution of Vermont’s judiciary over the last two centuries presents a challenge to locating court records. Different courts heard different types of cases over time. In addition, while many court records have been transferred to the State Archives, many more court records remain in courthouses around the state. Researchers interested in researching court records are encouraged to contact the State Archives to discuss where they would most likely find the information that they are looking for.