Vermont Public Records Act

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

• Written — Email, mail, or agency form
• In person — Inspection at agency offices during business hours
• Verbal — Oral requests permitted

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

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

• Crime investigation
  Records of crime investigation if disclosure would interfere
• Tax returns
  Individual tax returns
• Personnel medical
  Personnel files, medical records, and psychiatric records
• Trade secrets
  Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
• Attorney client
  Attorney-client privileged communications
• Executive privilege
  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

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

Records Retention

1 V.S.A. Sections 315-320; 1 V.S.A. Section 317a

View retention law →

Retention schedule catalog →

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.

Sources & References

• Full text of law →
• Primary source →
• RCFP Open Government Guide — Vermont →
• NFOIC State FOI Resources →