Vermont
Vermont Public Records Act
1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320
Transparency Score: 87/100
Response Timeline
10 business days for initial response (§318(b)(5)). An additional 10 business day extension is available for complex or voluminous requests. Total maximum: 20 business days.
No residency requirement. Any person may request records.
How to Submit a Request
Accepted Methods
No specific format required. Written requests recommended. Request should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Required Elements
- Description of records sought
- Contact information for response
Optional Elements
- Preferred format (paper vs electronic)
- Preferred delivery method
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | USD0.05 |
Approximately $0.05 per page for copying. Staff time charged at $0.33-$0.57 per minute after the first 30 minutes. Prepayment may be required for time-intensive requests. In-person inspection is free.
Fee Waivers
- In-person inspection is always free
- First 30 minutes of staff time is free
- Agencies may waive fees at discretion
First 30 minutes of staff time is free. In-person inspection is free. No explicit public interest waiver provision; agencies may waive fees at their discretion.
Exemptions
-
Records of crime investigation if disclosure would interfere
-
Individual tax returns
-
Personnel files, medical records, and psychiatric records
-
Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
-
Attorney-client privileged communications
-
Executive privilege communications
Vermont exemptions are interpreted narrowly. The burden is on the government to justify withholding. Exemptions must serve a specific public interest that outweighs the general public interest in disclosure.
Appeal Process
1
File petition directly in superior court (§319(a)). No administrative appeal required before court action.
Direct court action in superior court - no administrative appeal required. This is unusual among states; most require an administrative step first. Court reviews de novo and may award attorney fees.
Request Templates
NFOIC Vermont Sample Request →
National Freedom of Information Coalition
RCFP Open Government Guide - Vermont →
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
MuckRock Vermont Guide →
MuckRock
Records Retention
1 V.S.A. Sections 315-320; 1 V.S.A. Section 317a
VSARA administers the Statewide Records and Information Management Program. General Record Schedules provide consistency across Vermont public agencies, while agency-specific schedules address unique record types.