Question 1

Can you get a criminal record expunged in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Vermont offers "sealing" and "expungement." Sealing is available for "qualifying crimes": most misdemeanors and certain listed felonies. Records of charges that did not end in a conviction are also sealed. Expungement is available when the conduct behind a conviction is no longer a crime. In both cases the person is treated as if they had never been arrested, convicted or sentenced. The difference is in record handling: expunged case files are destroyed, while sealed files are kept but closed to the public. Chapter 230 of Title 13 was rewritten effective July 1, 2025.

Question 2

Can you clear an arrest or dismissed charge in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Unless either side objects in the interests of justice, the court must seal the record of a citation or arrest within 60 days after the case ends if: probable cause was not found at arraignment, the charge was dismissed before trial (with or without prejudice), or the person was acquitted. The court can also seal at any time if the prosecutor and defendant agree. If a party objects, the court holds a hearing. A person may also petition at any time, and the court grants the petition if sealing serves the interests of justice or the parties agree.

Question 3

Can a misdemeanor be expunged in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

All misdemeanors qualify for sealing except listed exclusions. Exclusions include "listed crimes" (such as serious violent offenses), violations of abuse-prevention or stalking orders, crimes against vulnerable adults or children, voyeurism, animal cruelty, hate-motivated crimes, sex-offender registry offenses, and offenses committed in a motor vehicle by a commercial driver's license holder. The court must grant a petition once three years have passed since the sentence was completed, if all court-ordered restitution and surcharges are paid (or surcharges waived), unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice. A person who was 18 to 21 at the time of a qualifying crime may petition 30 days after completing the sentence.

Question 4

Can a felony be expunged in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Only listed felonies qualify for sealing. These are: burglary (but not burglary of an occupied dwelling, unless the person was 25 or younger and unarmed); designated property felonies such as forgery, grand larceny, embezzlement, retail theft, identity theft, unlawful mischief and computer crimes; regulated-drug offenses; and any offense for which the Governor granted an unconditional pardon. The court must grant the petition seven years after the sentence was completed, if restitution and surcharges are paid, unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice.

Question 5

Does Vermont have automatic record clearing (clean slate)?

Accepted Answer

Partly. When a case ends without conviction (no probable cause, dismissal or acquittal), the court must seal the record within 60 days unless a party objects in the interests of justice. No petition is needed. Sealing of convictions requires a petition, though the court must grant it without a hearing if the prosecutor agrees.

Question 6

Can a DUI be expunged in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for a "qualifying DUI misdemeanor." The court must grant a petition to seal once ten years have passed since the sentence was completed, if restitution and surcharges are paid and the person does not hold a commercial driver's license or permit, unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice. A sealed DUI can still be used to enhance the penalty for a later DUI. Petitions to seal a DUI under 23 V.S.A. § 1201(a) cost $90, and a fee waiver is available.

Question 7

How do you file for expungement in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Get a petition to seal or expunge from the courthouse or the Vermont Judiciary website and file it with the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. The office that prosecuted the case (the State's Attorney or Attorney General) is the respondent. If the respondent agrees, the court grants the petition without a hearing. The court cannot act while a new criminal charge is pending. If a petition is denied, the person must generally wait two years before filing again unless the court allows a shorter period. Pay any restitution and surcharges before filing.

Question 8

How much does expungement cost in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

There is no fee to file a petition to seal or expunge, except a $90 filing fee to seal a conviction for DUI under 23 V.S.A. § 1201(a). A person who cannot pay that fee can file an Application to Waive Filing Fees.

Question 9

What happens after a record is expunged or sealed in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

After sealing or expungement, the person is treated in all respects as if they had never been arrested, convicted or sentenced for the offense. On job, license and similar applications, and as a witness, a person may be asked only about arrests and convictions that have not been sealed or expunged. Government agencies that ask must tell people of this right. Inquiries about an expunged record get the answer "NO CRIMINAL RECORD EXISTS." Sealed records can still be used in limited ways: by criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes, to enhance a later DUI penalty, for discovery, for law-enforcement hiring, and by the FBI's NICS system for firearm background checks. Unauthorized disclosure is a civil violation with a penalty of up to $1,000. Expunged case files are destroyed. Sealed files are kept but closed to the public.

Question 10

How do you get a pardon in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Any offense for which the Governor has granted an unconditional pardon counts as a "qualifying crime" that can be sealed. A felony with an unconditional pardon is eligible for sealing seven years after the sentence was completed.

Question 11

Can old marijuana convictions be cleared in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

A person convicted of an offense whose underlying conduct is no longer a crime can petition for expungement. The court must grant the petition if the person has completed the sentence or supervision and paid any restitution and surcharges. This route can apply to cannabis conduct that is no longer a crime under Vermont law. Regulated-drug offenses, including cannabis offenses, also qualify for sealing as qualifying felonies.

Question 12

How do I check my own criminal record in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC), part of the Department of Public Safety, provides your own Vermont criminal record. In person at VCIC (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. weekdays; walk-ins after 3:30 p.m. may wait until the next business day) bring two acceptable forms of ID; the fee is $30 per copy (exact change for cash; no personal checks). By mail, send the Request for Personal Criminal Record Check and a signed Notary form with a raised notary seal, a self-addressed stamped business envelope, and a $30 cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Public Safety to Criminal Records Section, Vermont Crime Information Center, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300. If you don't need a notarized check, use the online Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS). VCIC: 802-244-8727.

What relief the state offers	Vermont offers "sealing" and "expungement." Sealing is available for "qualifying crimes": most misdemeanors and certain listed felonies. Records of charges that did not end in a conviction are also sealed. Expungement is available when the conduct behind a conviction is no longer a crime. In both cases the person is treated as if they had never been arrested, convicted or sentenced. The difference is in record handling: expunged case files are destroyed, while sealed files are kept but closed to the public. Chapter 230 of Title 13 was rewritten effective July 1, 2025. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7601-7607
Arrests and dismissed charges	Unless either side objects in the interests of justice, the court must seal the record of a citation or arrest within 60 days after the case ends if: probable cause was not found at arraignment, the charge was dismissed before trial (with or without prejudice), or the person was acquitted. The court can also seal at any time if the prosecutor and defendant agree. If a party objects, the court holds a hearing. A person may also petition at any time, and the court grants the petition if sealing serves the interests of justice or the parties agree. Source: 13 V.S.A. § 7603
Misdemeanor convictions	All misdemeanors qualify for sealing except listed exclusions. Exclusions include "listed crimes" (such as serious violent offenses), violations of abuse-prevention or stalking orders, crimes against vulnerable adults or children, voyeurism, animal cruelty, hate-motivated crimes, sex-offender registry offenses, and offenses committed in a motor vehicle by a commercial driver's license holder. The court must grant a petition once three years have passed since the sentence was completed, if all court-ordered restitution and surcharges are paid (or surcharges waived), unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice. A person who was 18 to 21 at the time of a qualifying crime may petition 30 days after completing the sentence. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7601(4)(A), 7602(c), 7609
Felony convictions	Only listed felonies qualify for sealing. These are: burglary (but not burglary of an occupied dwelling, unless the person was 25 or younger and unarmed); designated property felonies such as forgery, grand larceny, embezzlement, retail theft, identity theft, unlawful mischief and computer crimes; regulated-drug offenses; and any offense for which the Governor granted an unconditional pardon. The court must grant the petition seven years after the sentence was completed, if restitution and surcharges are paid, unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7601(4)(B), (5), 7602(d)
DUI / DWI convictions	Yes, for a "qualifying DUI misdemeanor." The court must grant a petition to seal once ten years have passed since the sentence was completed, if restitution and surcharges are paid and the person does not hold a commercial driver's license or permit, unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice. A sealed DUI can still be used to enhance the penalty for a later DUI. Petitions to seal a DUI under 23 V.S.A. § 1201(a) cost $90, and a fee waiver is available. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7602(e), 7607(c)(4); Vermont Judiciary form 200-00130A
Past marijuana convictions	A person convicted of an offense whose underlying conduct is no longer a crime can petition for expungement. The court must grant the petition if the person has completed the sentence or supervision and paid any restitution and surcharges. This route can apply to cannabis conduct that is no longer a crime under Vermont law. Regulated-drug offenses, including cannabis offenses, also qualify for sealing as qualifying felonies. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7602(a)(1), (b), 7601(4)(B)(iii)

How to apply	Get a petition to seal or expunge from the courthouse or the Vermont Judiciary website and file it with the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. The office that prosecuted the case (the State's Attorney or Attorney General) is the respondent. If the respondent agrees, the court grants the petition without a hearing. The court cannot act while a new criminal charge is pending. If a petition is denied, the person must generally wait two years before filing again unless the court allows a shorter period. Pay any restitution and surcharges before filing. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7602(a), 7604, 7605; Vermont Judiciary form 200-00130A (07/2025)
Filing fee	There is no fee to file a petition to seal or expunge, except a $90 filing fee to seal a conviction for DUI under 23 V.S.A. § 1201(a). A person who cannot pay that fee can file an Application to Waive Filing Fees. Source: Vermont Judiciary, Filing a Petition to Seal or Expunge a Criminal Record (form 200-00130A, 07/2025)
Automatic (clean slate) relief	Partly. When a case ends without conviction (no probable cause, dismissal or acquittal), the court must seal the record within 60 days unless a party objects in the interests of justice. No petition is needed. Sealing of convictions requires a petition, though the court must grant it without a hearing if the prosecutor agrees. A 2024 Chief Superior Judge report to the Legislature studied petitionless sealing of convictions. Source: 13 V.S.A. §§ 7602(a)(4), 7603(a)
Getting a copy of your criminal record	The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC), part of the Department of Public Safety, provides your own Vermont criminal record. In person at VCIC (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. weekdays; walk-ins after 3:30 p.m. may wait until the next business day) bring two acceptable forms of ID; the fee is $30 per copy (exact change for cash; no personal checks). By mail, send the Request for Personal Criminal Record Check and a signed Notary form with a raised notary seal, a self-addressed stamped business envelope, and a $30 cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Public Safety to Criminal Records Section, Vermont Crime Information Center, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1300. If you don't need a notarized check, use the online Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS). VCIC: 802-244-8727. Source: Vermont Crime Information Center, My Own Records

Vermont Expungement Laws: How to Clear or Seal a Criminal Record

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