Washington County Public Records /Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Washington County in 2026

WashingtonVTRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Washington County, Vermont. Members of the public may find case filing dates, party names, court orders, and final decrees through official court and state resources. Available record categories may include dissolution petitions, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and certified divorce certificates issued by the Vermont Department of Health.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The primary custodian of divorce case files in Washington County is the Vermont Superior Court, Family Division, located in Montpelier. The Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) also maintain divorce-related vital records at the state level.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Vermont Judiciary provides an online case search portal through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal, which allows members of the public to search family division cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.

2. State Vital Records

Vermont registers divorces as vital events. The Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service allows individuals to request certified copies of divorce certificates online. The Vermont Department of Health issues certified and noncertified copies of vital records for divorces that took place in the state.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Washington County Family Division:

Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit — Family Division
65 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Vermont Judiciary

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

Vermont Department of Health — Vital Records Section
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: (802) 863-7275
Vermont Department of Health

Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit, 65 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Purpose of request (if required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, subject to court workload.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit: (802) 828-2091
Court staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
Court staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or sealed information

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Vermont may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service may assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous Vermont addresses
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Divorce proceedings in Vermont are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple county units of the Vermont Superior Court. Under 15 V.S.A. § 592, one spouse must have been a Vermont resident for at least six months prior to filing.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces: Records may not appear in the online portal immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks for processing.
Older divorces: Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Staff assistance is available for locating archived case files.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not be located include:

Incorrect county of search
Name variations or spelling differences
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
Sealed or confidential case

Members of the public experiencing difficulty locating a record may contact the Washington Unit Clerk at (802) 828-2091, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Vermont vital records system for a divorce certificate.

What Are Washington County Divorce Records?

Washington County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit — Family Division. These records constitute part of the public court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Court as the primary custodian. The Vermont Department of Health separately maintains divorce certificates as part of the state's vital records system, which, as noted by the Department, "includes eight types of vital events: births, deaths, marriages, civil unions, divorces, dissolutions, fetal deaths and more."

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the following documents:

Petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, spousal support terms, child custody and support arrangements (if applicable), and any court-ordered name changes. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court.

Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, parenting plan worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and estate planning
Immigration and Social Security proceedings
Genealogical and family history research

Legal Framework:

Vermont divorce proceedings are governed by 15 V.S.A. § 551 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage in the state. Vermont's public records framework, set forth under 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq., establishes the presumption of public access to government records, including court filings.

Are Washington County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Washington County are public court records subject to Vermont's public records law. Members of the public may access basic case information, court orders, and final decrees without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within a divorce file are restricted or may be sealed by court order to protect sensitive personal and financial data.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties and attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)

Children's Information:

Addresses where minor children reside
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted by court rule)
Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Vermont law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records:

Requester	Access Level
General public	Public documents and docket entries
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Licensed attorneys	Case files; sealed documents upon proper showing
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access as provided by law

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or violation of any protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Washington County?

The Vermont Superior Court and the Vermont Department of Health each maintain separate fee schedules for divorce-related records. Current fees are established by Vermont court administrative rules and state statute.

Vermont Superior Court — Copy and Certification Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Photocopies (paper documents)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$10.00 per document
Exemplified (triple-certified) copy	$20.00 per document
Electronic document access (portal)	Free for basic case information

Vermont Department of Health — Vital Records Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Certified copy of divorce certificate	$10.00 per copy
Additional copies ordered at same time	$4.00 each
Noncertified copy	$10.00 per copy

Fees for certified vital records ordered through the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service may include an additional processing fee depending on the delivery method selected.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Vermont Superior Court: Cash, check, or money order payable to "Vermont Superior Court"
Vermont Department of Health (mail requests): Check or money order payable to "Vermont Department of Health"
Online orders through VSARA: Credit or debit card

Fee Waivers:

Members of the public who are parties to a case and who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees pursuant to Vermont court rules. No statutory fee waiver provision currently applies to vital records copy fees.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Viewing case docket entries through the Vermont Judiciary Public Portal
Inspecting documents in person at the courthouse (no copy fee for inspection only)
Confirming case existence and status by phone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Washington County

A complete Washington County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit — Family Division, from the initial petition through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings.

Basic Case Information:

Case caption (case number, court name, parties' names, judge assigned, attorneys of record)
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for divorce, children's information, property claims, and relief requested
Response or answer, including any counterpetition
Financial affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities

Discovery Documents:

Financial disclosure statements, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements
Interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production of documents and responses

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory (real property, vehicles, accounts, retirement funds, business interests, personal property)
Debt inventory (mortgages, loans, credit card obligations)
Appraisals and expert valuations

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheet, income information, and support order
Custody evaluations and home studies (may be restricted)
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted)

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income analysis and standard-of-living documentation

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if applicable (note: mediation communications are confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Final Judgment of Dissolution, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing, name restoration, and judge's signature and seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if retirement accounts are divided

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody or support and resulting orders
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Washington County

Proof of divorce in Washington County may be obtained in the form of a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution from the Vermont Superior Court or a certified divorce certificate from the Vermont Department of Health. Each document serves as legally recognized proof that a marriage was dissolved.

Step 1 — Determine the Appropriate Document:

A certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution is the most comprehensive proof and is issued by the Clerk of Court.
A certified divorce certificate is a summary vital record issued by the Vermont Department of Health and is sufficient for most administrative purposes such as remarriage, name changes, and Social Security proceedings.

Step 2 — Request from the Vermont Superior Court:

Members of the public may request a certified copy of the final decree in person, by mail, or through an attorney:

Vermont Superior Court, Washington Unit
65 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: (802) 828-2091
Vermont Judiciary

Provide the case number, names of both parties, and the approximate date of divorce. The current fee is $10.00 per certified copy.

Step 3 — Request from the Vermont Department of Health:

Certified divorce certificates may be ordered online through the Vermont Vital Records Ordering Service, by mail, or in person. As an issuing agent for the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration can also provide certified copies of vital records, including divorce certificates.

Vermont Department of Health — Vital Records Section
108 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone: (802) 863-7275
Order Vital Records — Vermont Department of Health

Step 4 — Provide Required Information:

Full names of both spouses at the time of divorce
Date and county of divorce
Requester's name, address, and relationship to the record
Payment of applicable fees

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Washington County?

Divorce proceedings in Washington County are presumptively public under Vermont law; however, specific documents or entire case files may be made confidential under certain circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:

Domestic violence cases: Courts may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and evidence of abuse to protect the safety of victims pursuant to Vermont's domestic violence statutes.
Children's information: Under Vermont court rules, information identifying the residential addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records of minor children is subject to restricted access.
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state and federal law, including HIPAA, and are not part of the publicly accessible court file.
Sealed by court order: Either party may file a motion requesting that specific documents or the entire case file be sealed. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
Mediation communications: Vermont law renders mediation communications confidential and inadmissible; these communications do not become part of the public record.
Confidential settlements: Terms of settlement that are not incorporated into a court order may remain private between the parties.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court decides such requests on a case-by-case basis, with notice provided to the parties.

How Long Does Washington County Keep Divorce Records?

The Vermont Superior Court retains divorce case files in accordance with the Vermont Judiciary's records retention schedule, which is established under Vermont administrative rules.

Retention Periods:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final orders dissolving a marriage are considered records of permanent legal significance and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case, after which files may be transferred to archival storage or microfilmed.
Uncontested divorce files: Retained for a minimum of 10 years; retention may vary based on whether minor children were involved.
Cases involving minor children: Retained until the youngest child reaches the age of majority plus an additional period as specified by court retention rules.
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file for the applicable retention period.

Vital Records Retention:

The Vermont Department of Health retains divorce certificates as part of the permanent vital records system. As stated by the Vermont Secretary of State's office, members of the public may explore birth and death records provided by the Department of Health, with the note that official records are those issued directly by the state. Divorce certificates registered with the state are maintained indefinitely.

Accessing Older Records:

Paper case files predating electronic filing may be stored in off-site archives. Members of the public seeking records older than approximately 10–15 years should contact the Washington Unit Clerk directly at (802) 828-2091 to confirm availability and arrange retrieval.