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Getting Public Records

1 V.S.A. § 318 — a record produced promptly, which means within three business days, or a written denial

Any person may inspect or copy any public record of a public agency. The law is to be liberally construed for open examination, and the burden is on the agency to justify withholding.

  • 1 V.S.A. § 315
  • 1 V.S.A. § 316
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  • The custodian produces the record promptly, meaning not more than three business days from the request.
  • A record in use or storage gets a written certification and a date within one calendar week.
  • A record considered exempt gets a written certification naming the statutory basis, the reasons and who decided.
  • Missing the time limit counts as a denial, which can be taken to the Superior Court, where the agency bears the burden.
Sources for this section (4)
  1. 1 V.S.A. § 315 — Statement of policy; short title
  2. 1 V.S.A. § 316 — Access to public records and documents
  3. 1 V.S.A. § 318 — Procedure
  4. 1 V.S.A. § 319 — Enforcement

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney.

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