Vermont Statewide Criminal Background Check
Order a Vermont statewide criminal background check built on Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) conviction data.
BCS Background Screening LLC delivers FCRA-compliant results to Vermont employers, landlords and volunteer groups.
Plus, a trained researcher reviews every possible match before it reaches your report.
What a Vermont Statewide Criminal Search Covers
The VCIC maintains Vermont’s central repository of criminal conviction records.
Courts in all 14 Vermont counties report Criminal Division convictions to it.
As a result, one search reaches convictions from every Superior Court unit in the state.
Under 20 V.S.A. § 2056c, the VCIC answers each query by name and date of birth.
Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions
Each entry lists the conviction date, county, offense, conviction level and sentence.
Criminal Motor Vehicle Convictions
Criminal traffic convictions appear when the court arraigned them on or after September 1, 1995.
Alias and Maiden Names
We search every alias you supply, so we cover prior and maiden names too.
Real-Time Clear Results
The VCIC returns “no record” responses and exact matches online, so clear files post fast.
Online Validation Code
Each state report carries a code you can verify with the VCIC at no cost.
Researcher Review
Our researchers check every possible record before we release your report.
What the Vermont Conviction Record Leaves Out
However, the VCIC report does not show everything a court file holds.
- Arrests without a conviction and charges still pending.
- Dismissed, acquitted, sealed or expunged cases.
- Juvenile matters, unless an adult court prosecuted the case.
- Docket numbers, which state law keeps off public conviction records.
- Convictions from other states and federal courts.
For that reason, many employers pair this search with a county criminal court search or a federal criminal search.
Fingerprints and County Court Searches in Vermont
Vermont May Require Fingerprints
Vermont may require fingerprints when possible records are found.
The VCIC matches on name and date of birth alone.
So, a common name can return a possible record that belongs to someone else.
Only charges backed by fingerprints carry a “Y” in the report’s FP column.
In that case, the VCIC may request a fingerprint card to confirm identity.
Vermont agencies may charge up to $35 for a classifiable set of prints under 20 V.S.A. § 2062.
We Strongly Recommend a County Court Search
We strongly recommend performing a county court criminal search when searching Vermont.
A county search pulls the court docket itself.
That docket shows the file date, plea, final disposition and full sentence.
Plus, it confirms details the state report omits, such as the docket number.
Above all, it gives you a verified record before any adverse action decision.
Vermont Statewide Search vs. Other Record Sources
Vermont offers several routes to criminal history, and each one answers a different question.
Use this table to pick the right search for each applicant.
| Search | What It Covers | Identity Match | Typical Timing | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCS Vermont Statewide Search | VCIC convictions from all 14 counties | Name + DOB, researcher reviewed | Real time for clear results | Employment and tenant screening |
| County Court Criminal Search | Full docket, file date, plea and disposition | Name + DOB + court identifiers | Varies by court | Confirming any possible Vermont record |
| Vermont Judiciary Record Search | Criminal cases on court indexes | Name + DOB | Up to 3 business days by email | Personal lookups, not FCRA screening |
| FBI Fingerprint Check | Fingerprint-based arrest records nationwide | Fingerprints | Several days or longer | Roles where a statute requires it |
How to Order a Vermont Criminal Background Check
Ordering takes four simple steps, and our team handles the rest.
Open Your Account
Sign up online in minutes. Then we verify your business and permissible purpose.
Get Written Consent
Give the applicant a stand-alone FCRA disclosure. Next, collect a signed authorization.
Submit the Search
Enter the full name, date of birth and any aliases. We then query the VCIC.
Review Your Results
Clear results post in real time. Meanwhile, possible matches go to our researchers first.
Before you order, review the Vermont background screening laws that apply to your hiring process.
Vermont Statewide Criminal Background Check Sample Report
The sample below shows how a Vermont conviction record appears in your BCS account.
All names, dates and identifiers here are fictitious.
COLE, DEIRDRE
Record of Convictions
End of Record
Search Criteria and Validation
State notice (summarized): Motor vehicle offenses arraigned in a Vermont court before September 1, 1995 may not appear.
The record reflects case disposition data that the listed courts reported. Charges supported by fingerprints show a “Y” in the FP column.
Each response relies on the search criteria the requestor supplied at the date and time of the request.
The requestor agrees to use the record only for purposes the law intends. Likewise, the requestor may share it only with the applicant and designated staff with a documented need to know.
Each unauthorized disclosure is a separate civil violation, with a penalty of up to $5,000. Knowingly accessing or disclosing a sealed cycle without authorization carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000.
Authorized: Director, Vermont Crime Information Center, Waterbury, Vermont. Pages 1–2 of 2.
In plain terms: the court record confirms the VCIC entry and adds the docket, file date and plea.
Fictitious subject. Any resemblance to a real person is coincidental. Sample shown for illustration only.
Vermont Laws That Shape Your Criminal Search
Vermont adds its own rules on top of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Here are the rules that touch this search most often.
Ban-the-Box: 21 V.S.A. § 495j
Employers may not ask about criminal history on the initial application.
Instead, you may ask during an interview or once the applicant is deemed otherwise qualified.
No Cost-Shifting: 20 V.S.A. § 2056c
You cannot make an applicant obtain, submit or pay for their own Vermont conviction record.
Therefore, order the record through your consumer reporting agency instead.
Sealed and Expunged Records: 13 V.S.A. Chapter 230
Sealed and expunged cases stay off public conviction records.
Also, knowingly accessing a sealed record without authorization brings a civil penalty.
FCRA Adverse Action: 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(b)(3)
Send a pre-adverse action notice with the report and the Summary of Rights.
After that, wait a reasonable period before you make a final decision.
For the full picture, read our guide to Vermont background check laws for employers.
Why Vermont Employers Choose BCS Background Screening LLC
FCRA-Compliant Workflow
Disclosure, consent and adverse action tools come built into every account.
Researcher-Verified Matches
A trained researcher reviews every possible Vermont record before release.
Transparent Pricing
You pay $20 per name plus the $31 state fee, billed per name searched.
Real-Time Delivery
Clear results post in real time, so you can move good applicants forward sooner.
Secure User Accounts
We offer optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF) in all user accounts.
Trusted Credentials
We belong to the Professional Background Screening Association and hold a BBB A+ rating.
Vermont Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
What does a Vermont statewide criminal background check include?
It includes Vermont criminal convictions that courts reported to the VCIC.
Each entry shows the conviction date, county, offense, conviction level and sentence.
However, it excludes arrests without conviction, pending charges, and sealed or expunged cases.
How much does a Vermont statewide criminal background check cost?
BCS Background Screening LLC charges $20 per name plus a $31 state fee.
So, the total comes to $51 per name searched.
The state charges its fee whether or not a record is found.
Does Vermont require fingerprints for a criminal background check?
A name-based conviction check does not need fingerprints to start.
Still, Vermont may require fingerprints when possible records are found.
That step confirms the record truly belongs to your applicant.
Why should I add a county court search in Vermont?
We strongly recommend performing a county court criminal search when searching Vermont.
The state report omits docket numbers, file dates and pleas.
In contrast, a county search pulls the court docket and confirms the final disposition.
How far back does a Vermont conviction record go?
The VCIC reports the Vermont convictions held in its central repository.
Meanwhile, criminal motor vehicle convictions appear from September 1, 1995 onward.
Under the FCRA, a consumer reporting agency may report convictions regardless of age.
Can I ask about criminal history on a Vermont job application?
No, 21 V.S.A. § 495j bars that question on the initial application.
Instead, you may ask during an interview or once the applicant is otherwise qualified.
A few roles are exempt when another law requires a record check.
Can an applicant bring or pay for their own Vermont record?
No, 20 V.S.A. § 2056c bars employers from shifting that task or cost to applicants.
Consequently, most Vermont employers order the record through a consumer reporting agency.
That route also keeps your FCRA consent and adverse action steps in one place.
How long does a Vermont statewide criminal search take?
Clear results and exact matches return in real time from the VCIC.
Possible matches take longer, because a researcher reviews each one first.
Likewise, a fingerprint request or county court follow-up adds time.
Start Your Vermont Statewide Criminal Background Check Today
Open a business account and run your first Vermont search in minutes.
Then add county court searches whenever a possible record appears.
Our quality review team works 24/7/365
This page offers general information, not legal advice. BCS Background Screening LLC is a consumer reporting agency, not a law firm. Please consult counsel about your hiring policies.