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Sealing, expungement, or deferred sentence in Vermont

Can I clear my record in Vermont?

Since July 1, 2025 (Act 60), Vermont mostly seals records rather than expunging them.

Limited automatic clearing

How did your case end?

Pick the one that matches. We'll show the routes Vermont law offers for it, with the wait and the cost.

Pick an answer above to see your routes, waits and costs.

At a glance

By petition, most misdemeanors can be sealed 3 years after the sentence ends, certain burglary, property and drug felonies after 7 years, and first or second DUIs after 10 years; many violent crimes, sex offenses and domestic-violence crimes are excluded, but a crime committed before age 25 can be sealed 2 years after discharge if there is no listed-crime conviction in the past 10 years and the court finds rehabilitation. Charges dismissed before trial, acquittals and cases with no probable cause found at arraignment are sealed by the court automatically within 60 days unless someone objects, and completed deferred sentences and diversion are expunged without a petition. Only convictions for conduct that is no longer a crime are expunged by petition, and filing to seal or expunge is free except for a $90 fee to seal a DUI committed at age 25 or older.1,2,3,4

Checked October 22, 2026 against 33 sources, starting with Vermont law, then by a second reader.

What it's called
Sealing, expungement, or deferred sentence1,2,3
Automatic clearing
Limited13,14,15
DUI or DWI
Sometimes1,3,4
Filing fee
No filing fee1,2,3
Fee waiver
Available1,2,3

Sealing

Petition to seal a conviction

The sealing order takes effect immediately, and you are treated in all respects as if you had never been arrested, convicted or sentenced for the offense. On applications for employment, licenses or civil rights, and as a witness, you can be required to answer only about records that have not been sealed, and State entities that ask must tell you of this right. Anyone in the public who asks is told 'NO CRIMINAL RECORD EXISTS' (13 V.S.A. § 7607(b)). The court bars viewing of the offense in its databases, the case file becomes exempt from public access once every charge on the docket is sealed, and agencies notified of the order must remove the offense from public databases and label their copies 'SEALED' (§ 7607(d)). The record is not destroyed. Criminal justice agencies and the Attorney General can still use it for criminal justice purposes, it is available for firearms background checks (NICS) and to law enforcement agencies hiring officers, people with the record can still use it in litigation about the same incident, researchers can get access, and a sealed DUI still counts as a prior offense for a later DUI (§ 7607(c)). The Judiciary notes it may still appear in a federal background check. Knowingly accessing or disclosing a sealed record without authorization carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 (§ 7611).1,2,3

What it's for: Most misdemeanor convictions, many property and drug felonies, first and second DUI convictions, and any conviction with an unconditional pardon from the Governor.

Who can use it

  • Misdemeanors, except listed crimes and the other excluded offenses below (13 V.S.A. § 7601(4)(A)).
  • These felonies only: burglary (but not burglary of an occupied dwelling, unless you were 25 or younger and had no dangerous or deadly weapon); designated property felonies such as forgery, uttering, false pretenses, identity theft, grand larceny, embezzlement, receiving stolen property, retail theft, theft of services, false claims, unlawful mischief, unlawful trespass and computer crimes; and drug offenses relating to possessing, cultivating, selling, dispensing or transporting regulated drugs, including violations of listed subsections of 18 V.S.A. §§ 4230-4235a (§ 7601(4)(B), (5)).
  • Any offense for which the Governor granted an unconditional pardon (§ 7601(4)(B)(iv)).
  • Misdemeanors: at least 3 years since you completed the terms and conditions of the sentence (§ 7602(c)).
  • Felonies: at least 7 years since you completed the sentence (§ 7602(d)).
  • A misdemeanor DUI: at least 10 years since you completed the sentence, and you do not hold a commercial driver's license or permit (§ 7602(e)).
  • All court-ordered restitution and surcharges, for any crime you were convicted of, must be paid; surcharges the court waived don't count (§ 7602(c)-(e)).
  • If you meet the requirements, the court must seal the record unless the prosecutor shows sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice (§ 7602(c)-(e)). The statute doesn't list a separate crime-free period.

What doesn't qualify

  • Listed crimes (13 V.S.A. § 5301(7)), including stalking, domestic assault, sexual assault, lewd or lascivious conduct, manslaughter, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, reckless endangerment, violation of an abuse prevention order, burglary of an occupied dwelling, abuse or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, human trafficking, and DUI or negligent operation causing death or serious bodily injury (§ 7601(4)(A)(i)).
  • Misdemeanors involving sexual exploitation of children, violating abuse prevention, stalking or protective orders, vulnerable-adult abuse, voyeurism, animal cruelty, sex offender registry violations, hate-motivated crimes, cruelty to a child, cruelty by a person having custody of another, mistreatment of a person with impaired cognitive function, female genital mutilation, sexual exploitation of a minor or violating an extreme risk protection order, and any offense that requires sex offender registration (§ 7601(4)(A)(ii)-(xiv), (xvi)).
  • Felonies not on the list above, such as a third or later DUI (§ 7601(4)(B); 23 V.S.A. § 1210(d)).
  • Offenses committed in a motor vehicle by a holder of a commercial driver's license or permit (§§ 7601(4)(A)(xv), 7602(a)(5)).
  • The court won't act while you have a criminal charge pending, and after a denial you must generally wait 2 years to file again (§§ 7604, 7605).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Qualifying misdemeanor3 years after completing the sentenceRestitution and surcharges paid (13 V.S.A. § 7602(c)).
Qualifying felony7 years after completing the sentenceRestitution and surcharges paid (§ 7602(d)).
Misdemeanor DUI (first or second offense)10 years after completing the sentenceNot available to commercial license or permit holders (§ 7602(e)). If committed before age 25, the young-adult route may be faster.
Qualifying conviction where the prosecutor agrees (stipulation)Not stated in the statuteThe court must grant a stipulated petition without a hearing (§ 7602(a)(4)), but the statute does not say whether a stipulation can be filed before the waiting period ends. VTLawHelp says it can, but parts of that guide predate the July 2025 changes; ask the prosecutor's office.

How to apply

  1. Get your records: docket sheets from the court in each county where you had a case (form 200-00331, fee per county) or a Vermont conviction report from the Vermont Crime Information Center ($30 online).
  2. Check which convictions qualify and whether enough time has passed. Make sure restitution, fines and surcharges are paid, or plan to ask the court to waive surcharges you can't afford.
  3. Contact the prosecutor's office (State's Attorney or Attorney General) and ask whether it will stipulate. If it agrees, use the Stipulation to Seal Criminal History Record + Order (200-00132); the court must grant a stipulated petition without a hearing (13 V.S.A. § 7602(a)(4)).
  4. If the prosecutor won't agree, file the Petition to Seal Criminal History (200-00130). Use one petition for offenses from the same incident, and separate petitions for different incidents or counties (Vermont Judiciary).
  5. The prosecutor notifies any victim, who may give a statement (§ 7608). If the prosecutor opposes, the court schedules a hearing, which may be in person or remote.
  6. If the petition is granted, the court sends the order to you, the prosecutor, the Vermont Crime Information Center, the arresting agency and any Vermont State entity you listed (§ 7607(a)). List every State entity you know has a record.
Where to file
The Criminal Division of the Superior Court in the county where you were convicted.
Cost
No filing fee to seal or expunge a record, except a $90 fee to seal a DUI conviction (23 V.S.A. § 1201(a)) committed when you were 25 or older (32 V.S.A. § 1431(e); Vermont Judiciary). Restitution and court surcharges must be paid before sealing, but the court can waive surcharges in the sealing proceeding if you show you cannot pay (13 V.S.A. § 7282(b)).
If you can't pay
You can ask to file without paying. To ask the court to waive the $90 DUI sealing fee, file the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (form 600-00229) (Vermont Judiciary; 32 V.S.A. § 1431(h)). To waive unpaid surcharges, ask in your petition and show you can't afford them (13 V.S.A. § 7282(b)).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Expungement

Petition to expunge a conviction for conduct that is no longer a crime

Expungement annuls the record of the arrest, conviction and sentence, and you are treated in all respects as if they never happened. You can be required to answer only about records that have not been expunged, and anyone who asks is told 'NO CRIMINAL RECORD EXISTS.' The court removes the offense from its databases and destroys the case file once every charge on the docket is expunged, keeping only a confidential special index (13 V.S.A. § 7606). The Judiciary notes it may still appear in a federal background check.1,7,8

What it's for: Convictions for conduct that is no longer prohibited by law or is no longer a criminal offense, such as some past cannabis possession convictions. Since July 1, 2025, this is the only kind of conviction Vermont expunges by petition.

Who can use it

  • You were convicted of an offense whose underlying conduct is no longer prohibited by law or designated as a criminal offense (13 V.S.A. § 7602(a)(1)).
  • You have completed the sentence or supervision (§ 7602(b)(1)).
  • Restitution and surcharges are paid, unless the court waived the surcharges (§ 7602(b)(2)).
  • If you meet these conditions, the court must grant the petition (§ 7602(b)).

What doesn't qualify

  • Convictions for conduct that is still a crime; those may only be sealed (Vermont Judiciary).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Conviction for conduct that is no longer a crimeNone once the sentence is completedRestitution and surcharges must be paid (§ 7602(b)).

How to apply

  1. Get the docket sheet and, for a drug possession case, the police affidavit or charging papers showing the amount (VTLawHelp).
  2. Ask the prosecutor to stipulate using the Stipulation to Expunge Criminal History Record + Order (200-00132A), or file the Petition to Expunge Criminal History (200-00129).
  3. File in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court in the county of the conviction. If the parties stipulate, the court grants it without a hearing (§ 7602(a)(4)).
Where to file
The Criminal Division of the Superior Court in the county where you were convicted.
Cost
No filing fee to expunge a record (Vermont Judiciary; 32 V.S.A. § 1431(e)).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Sealing

Sealing for crimes committed before age 25

Under 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g), the proceedings are considered never to have occurred, index references are deleted, and the court, the person and law enforcement reply that no record exists. The files are segregated and kept, not destroyed (§ 5119(e), (j)). Records sealed under 13 V.S.A. § 7609 have the same effect as other sealed records (§ 7607(a)-(b)).1,2,12

What it's for: Convictions for crimes committed before age 25 (any crime, under 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g)), and qualifying crimes committed at ages 18-21 (13 V.S.A. § 7609).

Who can use it

  • Under 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g): you pleaded guilty to or were convicted of a Vermont crime you committed before turning 25, at least 2 years have passed since your final discharge, you have no conviction for a listed crime (13 V.S.A. § 5301(7)) in the 10 years before the application and none pending, and the court is satisfied you have been rehabilitated. The law does not exclude any type of offense.
  • Under 13 V.S.A. § 7609: you were 18-21 when you committed a qualifying crime (see the conviction sealing route), at least 30 days have passed since you completed the sentence, and the prosecutor has not shown sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice.
  • For both: restitution and surcharges must be paid, unless the court waived the surcharges (33 V.S.A. § 5119(m); 13 V.S.A. § 7609(a)(1)(A)).

What doesn't qualify

  • Under § 5119(g): anyone with a listed-crime conviction in the 10 years before applying, or a listed-crime charge pending.
  • Under § 7609: a record that includes both qualifying and nonqualifying offenses (§ 7609(b)(1)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Any crime committed before age 25 (33 V.S.A. § 5119(g))2 years after final discharge from the sentenceNo listed-crime conviction in the prior 10 years; the court must find you rehabilitated.
Qualifying crime committed at ages 18-21 (13 V.S.A. § 7609)30 days after completing the sentence

How to apply

  1. Use the Petition to Seal Criminal History (200-00130) and explain why you have been rehabilitated (VTLawHelp suggests doing this in question 5 of the petition).
  2. File in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court where you were convicted. The court must help people who apply under § 5119 (33 V.S.A. § 5119(k)).
  3. Under § 5119(g), the court gives notice to the parties and holds a hearing before deciding. Under § 7609, the prosecutor can agree or oppose.
Where to file
The Criminal Division of the Superior Court in the county where you were convicted.
Cost
No filing fee, including to seal a DUI committed before age 25 under 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g) (32 V.S.A. § 1431(e); Vermont Judiciary).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Official forms

Sealing

Sealing of charges that did not end in conviction

The sealing order takes effect immediately, and you are treated in all respects as if you had never been arrested, convicted or sentenced for the offense. On applications for employment, licenses or civil rights, and as a witness, you can be required to answer only about records that have not been sealed, and State entities that ask must tell you of this right. Anyone in the public who asks is told 'NO CRIMINAL RECORD EXISTS' (13 V.S.A. § 7607(b)). The court bars viewing of the offense in its databases, the case file becomes exempt from public access once every charge on the docket is sealed, and agencies notified of the order must remove the offense from public databases and label their copies 'SEALED' (§ 7607(d)). The record is not destroyed. Criminal justice agencies and the Attorney General can still use it for criminal justice purposes, it is available for firearms background checks (NICS) and to law enforcement agencies hiring officers, people with the record can still use it in litigation about the same incident, and researchers can get access (§ 7607(c)). The Judiciary notes it may still appear in a federal background check. Knowingly accessing or disclosing a sealed record without authorization carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 (§ 7611).1,13,14

What it's for: Arrests and citations where no probable cause was found at arraignment, charges dismissed before trial (with or without prejudice), and acquittals, plus older non-conviction records by petition.

Who can use it

  • The court did not find probable cause at arraignment (13 V.S.A. § 7603(a)(1)(A)).
  • The charge was dismissed before trial, with or without prejudice (§ 7603(a)(1)(B)).
  • You were acquitted (§ 7603(a)(1)(C)).
  • Any other citation or arrest can be sealed at any time by petition if the court finds sealing serves the interests of justice, or if the parties stipulate (§ 7603(g)).

What doesn't qualify

  • Automatic sealing does not happen if either party objects in the interests of justice; the court then holds a hearing (§ 7603(a)-(b)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
No probable cause, dismissal before trial, or acquittalNone; the court seals it within 60 days after the final dispositionUnless either party objects (§ 7603(a)(1)). VTLawHelp suggests checking your record about 75 days after the whole case ends.
Older non-conviction records, or other outcomesNone; petition at any time§ 7603(g).

Happens automatically. The court must issue the sealing order on its own within 60 days after the final disposition unless either party objects (13 V.S.A. § 7603(a)). Court-ordered sealing of non-conviction records without a petition began when Act 178 of 2018 took effect on July 1, 2018; the current 60-day rule is the version as amended through Act 60 of 2025. VTLawHelp says charges dismissed before July 1, 2018 need a petition.

How to apply

  1. For a recent case, nothing to file. Check your record about 75 days after the whole case ends, and ask the court if the charge still appears (VTLawHelp).
  2. For older records, or if a party objected, file the Petition to Seal Criminal History (200-00130) with the court, or a stipulation with the prosecutor. One petition can cover all such charges from one county (VTLawHelp).
Where to file
The Criminal Division of the Superior Court that handled the case.
Cost
No filing fee (Vermont Judiciary).
Court hearing
Sometimes
How long it takes
Within 60 days after the final disposition, unless a party objects (§ 7603(a)).

Official forms

Expungement

Expungement after a deferred sentence or court diversion

After a deferred sentence, the court strikes the guilty finding and orders all records of the arrest, charge, adjudication of guilt, proceedings and probation expunged; agencies then reply that no record exists (13 V.S.A. § 7041(e)); for deferred sentences for sex offenses that require registration, the Vermont Crime Information Center keeps a confidential special index (§ 7041(h)). After post-charge diversion, the court expunges court files, law enforcement records, fingerprints and photographs, except the diversion program's own central file (3 V.S.A. § 164(f)(5)). After pre-charge diversion completed on or after July 1, 2025, public records held by the diversion program, police and prosecutor are deleted and the matter is treated as never having occurred, though nonpublic law enforcement databases may keep it for criminal justice purposes (§ 164(f)(1)-(4)).15,16

What it's for: Cases that ended with a completed deferred sentence, or with successful completion of the adult court diversion program before or after charges were filed.

Who can use it

  • Deferred sentence: you fulfilled the terms of probation and the deferred sentence agreement and were discharged, and restitution is paid in full (13 V.S.A. § 7041(e)).
  • Post-charge diversion: 2 years have passed since you successfully completed the program, you have no new felony or misdemeanor conviction in that time and none pending, and you owe no restitution in the case (3 V.S.A. § 164(f)(5)).
  • Pre-charge diversion: you completed it on or after July 1, 2025, including paying restitution (§ 164(f)(1), (4)).

What doesn't qualify

  • A deferred sentence record is not expunged if the court finds good cause not to, or until restitution is paid (§ 7041(e)).
  • Diversion records are not expunged if you have a new conviction or pending charge within the 2 years, or owe restitution (§ 164(f)(5)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Completed deferred sentenceNone; at discharge from probationRestitution must be paid in full (§ 7041(e)).
Completed post-charge court diversion2 years after successful completionWithin 30 days after the two-year anniversary, the court gives notice that it intends to expunge, and the State's Attorney may ask for a hearing (§ 164(f)(5)).
Completed pre-charge diversion (on or after July 1, 2025)About 2 years after completion is reportedThe Attorney General gives notice to delete records within 30 days after the two-year anniversary (§ 164(f)(1)).

Happens automatically. No petition is required. For a deferred sentence, the court orders expungement on discharge. For post-charge diversion, the court gives notice of its intent to expunge 2 years after completion, and the State's Attorney may ask for a hearing. Post-charge diversion records sealed before July 1, 2018 can be expunged unless the prosecutor objects (§ 164(f)(6)).

How to apply

  1. Nothing to file in most cases. If your deferred sentence or diversion record still appears, contact the court that handled the case.
  2. If restitution is still owed, pay it or ask the court about it; expungement waits until restitution is paid.
Where to file
The Criminal Division of the Superior Court that handled the case; the Attorney General's office for pre-charge diversion records.
Cost
No filing for automatic expungement. Diversion programs may charge a participant fee of up to $300 based on ability to pay (3 V.S.A. § 164).
Court hearing
Sometimes
How long it takes
Deferred sentence: at discharge. Post-charge diversion: about 2 years after completion. Pre-charge diversion: about 2 years after completion is reported.

Certificate of relief

Order of limited relief or certificate of restoration of rights

These court orders do not seal or erase the record. They lift mandatory legal penalties tied to a conviction (collateral consequences): an order of limited relief lifts specific penalties related to employment, education, housing, public benefits or occupational licensing, and a certificate of restoration of rights lifts all mandatory penalties except those excluded. A decision-maker may still consider the underlying conduct, and an employer, landlord or school can use the order or certificate as evidence of due care if later sued for negligence (13 V.S.A. §§ 8010, 8011, 8014).5,8,17

What it's for: Any conviction, for relief from mandatory penalties that come with it, other than the excluded ones below.

Who can use it

  • Order of limited relief: at any time, if you show it would materially help you get or keep a job, education, housing, benefits or a license, that you have a substantial need for it to live a law-abiding life, and that it would not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety (§ 8010).
  • Certificate of restoration of rights: at least 5 years after your most recent conviction anywhere, or after release from incarceration, whichever is later, if you are working, in training, education or a rehabilitative program, or otherwise have lawful support; are complying with any sentence; have no pending charge; and pose no unreasonable risk (§ 8011).

What doesn't qualify

  • Sex offender registration requirements, driver's license sanctions under Title 23, and ineligibility for law enforcement or corrections jobs can't be lifted (§ 8012(a)).
  • Penalties tied to a listed-crime conviction or a drug trafficking conviction can't be lifted (§ 8012(b)).

How long you have to wait

RecordWaiting period
Order of limited reliefNoneCan be requested at or before sentencing or any time after (§ 8010(a)).
Certificate of restoration of rights5 years after the most recent conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later§ 8011(a).

How to apply

  1. File a petition with the sentencing court (before sentencing) or the Superior Court (after sentencing), and give notice to the prosecutor's office (§§ 8010(a), 8011(a)).
  2. The court reviews your record, any victim or prosecutor filing and other evidence; you must prove the requirements by a preponderance of the evidence. If the petition is denied, the court can bar a new petition for up to 5 years (§ 8013).
Where to file
The sentencing court or the Superior Court.
Cost
We did not confirm a fee. A petition filed after sentencing is treated as a postjudgment motion (§ 8010(a)), and the court fee law sets $90 for postjudgment motions in the Criminal Division (32 V.S.A. § 1431(e)); ask the clerk.
If you can't pay
You can ask to file without paying. The court can waive filing fees for people who can't afford them (32 V.S.A. § 1431(h)).
Court hearing
Sometimes

Automatic clearing

Vermont has no Clean Slate law for convictions; sealing a conviction requires a petition or a stipulation with the prosecutor, and we found no 2026 law changing chapter 230. Several kinds of records are cleared without a petition: the court must seal charges ending in no probable cause, dismissal before trial or acquittal within 60 days unless a party objects (13 V.S.A. § 7603(a); court-ordered sealing without a petition began July 1, 2018 under Act 178 of 2018); completed deferred sentences are expunged on discharge (13 V.S.A. § 7041(e)); post-charge diversion is expunged on the court's notice 2 years after completion, and pre-charge diversion records are deleted for completions on or after July 1, 2025 (3 V.S.A. § 164(f)); and Act 167 of 2020 ordered the courts to expunge all records of 18 V.S.A. § 4230(a)(1) marijuana violations that occurred before January 1, 2021, with the process to be completed by January 1, 2022. Act 60 also added automatic expungement of municipal violation records 2 years after the judgment is satisfied, if there is no new municipal violation in that time (for violations on or after July 1, 2025; violations of planning and zoning rules under 24 V.S.A. chapter 117 are excluded) (24 V.S.A. § 2296b), and certain motor vehicle violations, such as driving without a license, registration or insurance, that occur on or after July 1, 2021 are expunged 2 years after the judgment is satisfied (23 V.S.A. § 2303, as amended by Act 60).8,10,11,13,14,15,16,18,19,20,21

DUI and DWI records in Vermont

A first or second DUI (maximum 2 years, so a misdemeanor) can be sealed 10 years after the sentence is completed, if restitution and surcharges are paid, you do not hold a commercial driver's license or permit, and the prosecutor does not show sealing would be contrary to the interests of justice (13 V.S.A. § 7602(e); 23 V.S.A. § 1210(b)-(c); 13 V.S.A. § 1). Filing costs $90 if the DUI was committed when you were 25 or older; the fee can be waived for inability to pay (32 V.S.A. § 1431(e), (h); Vermont Judiciary). A DUI committed before age 25 can instead be sealed under 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g) 2 years after final discharge, with no filing fee, if you have no listed-crime conviction in the prior 10 years and the court finds you rehabilitated. A third or later DUI is a felony (up to 5 years) that is not on the list of sealable felonies, and DUI causing death or serious bodily injury is a listed crime, so neither can be sealed under chapter 230 (23 V.S.A. § 1210(d), (f)-(g); 13 V.S.A. § 5301(7)(W)). Commercial license or permit holders can't seal offenses committed in a motor vehicle (§ 7602(a)(5)). A sealed DUI still counts as a prior offense if you are charged with DUI again (§ 7607(c)(4)).1,2,3,4,5,7,12

Arrests and dismissed charges

When the court finds no probable cause at arraignment, a charge is dismissed before trial (with or without prejudice), or a person is acquitted, the court must seal the record within 60 days after the final disposition unless either party objects in the interests of justice; an objection leads to a hearing (13 V.S.A. § 7603(a)-(b)). Any citation or arrest can also be sealed by petition at any time if sealing serves the interests of justice or the parties agree (§ 7603(g)); Court-ordered sealing without a petition began July 1, 2018 (Act 178 of 2018), and VTLawHelp says charges dismissed before that date need a petition. Completed deferred sentences and court diversion are expunged without a petition (13 V.S.A. § 7041(e); 3 V.S.A. § 164(f)). There is no filing fee.7,8,13,14,15,16

Marijuana records

Act 167 of 2020, Sec. 31, required the courts to expunge criminal history records of violations of 18 V.S.A. § 4230(a)(1) (the lowest-level marijuana possession and cultivation offense at the time) that occurred before January 1, 2021, with the process completed by January 1, 2022. Orders were to be mailed to the person's last known address, and since January 1, 2021 a person with such a record need not acknowledge it and may deny it even without an order. VTLawHelp says to contact the county criminal court if you did not get an order. Other marijuana convictions for conduct that is no longer a crime can be expunged by petition once the sentence is complete (13 V.S.A. § 7602(a)(1), (b)), and remaining marijuana offenses under 18 V.S.A. § 4230(a) and (b) are qualifying felonies or misdemeanors for sealing (§ 7601(4)(B)(iii)). Act 176 of 2026 (signed June 18, 2026) raised the amount adults 21 and older may legally possess from one ounce to two ounces of cannabis and from five to 10 grams of hashish, and amended the possession penalties in 18 V.S.A. § 4230, effective July 1, 2026 (18 V.S.A. § 4230a). We did not determine whether this makes any past conviction eligible for expungement as conduct that is no longer a crime.1,8,18,22,23,24

What employers can see afterward

Vermont's ban-the-box law covers all employers with at least one person working for them in Vermont, public or private: an employer may not ask for criminal history on its initial application form, but may ask in an interview or once you are found otherwise qualified. Employers may ask on the application only when a federal or State law disqualifies people with certain convictions, and only about those offenses. If an employer asks, you must get a chance to explain, including rehabilitation; violations carry a civil penalty of up to $100 each (21 V.S.A. §§ 495d, 495j). After sealing or expungement, on applications for employment, licenses or civil rights you can be required to answer only about records that have not been sealed or expunged, and State entities that ask must tell you so (13 V.S.A. §§ 7606(b)(2), 7607(b)(2)). Law enforcement agencies can still see sealed records of people applying to be officers (§ 7607(c)(9)). An order of limited relief or certificate of restoration of rights can be offered as evidence of an employer's due care in hiring (13 V.S.A. § 8014). The Vermont Crime Information Center sells conviction reports to anyone online for $30.1,9,17,25,26

Free help in Vermont

Before you file

  • You can ask a background screening company for the information it has on you, and the CFPB keeps a list of consumer reporting companies, including employment screening companies, with their contact details.29,30,31
  • The FCRA's seven-year limit does not apply to criminal convictions, so under federal law a conviction can show up on a background report no matter how old it is.32,33

This page explains Vermont's rules in general terms from the law and official court sources. It isn't legal advice, and laws change. A legal aid office or the court's self-help center can tell you whether your own record qualifies.

Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.

Cite this page

Second Chance Index, "Can I clear my record in Vermont?" https://secondchanceindex.com/record-clearing/vermont, checked October 22, 2026.

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Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.

  1. 13 V.S.A. §§ 7601, 7602, 7604-7608
  2. 13 V.S.A. § 5301. Definitions (subdivision (7): listed crimes)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  3. 23 V.S.A. § 1210. Penalties (DUI)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  4. 13 V.S.A. § 1. Felonies and misdemeanors definedVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  5. 32 V.S.A. § 1431. Fees in Supreme and Superior Courts (subsection (e): $90 fee for sealing a DUI)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  6. 13 V.S.A. § 7282. Surcharge (subsection (b): waiver in expungement or sealing proceedings)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  7. Expunging and Sealing Criminal RecordsVermont Judiciary
  8. Seal or Expunge Your Vermont Criminal Record (updated March 15, 2026)VTLawHelp.org (Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont)
  9. Record ChecksVermont Crime Information Center (Department of Public Safety)
  10. Act No. 60 (S.12) of 2025, An act relating to sealing criminal history records, as enacted (effective July 1, 2025)Vermont General Assembly
  11. Act No. 60 (S.12) Act Summary, Office of Legislative CounselVermont General Assembly
  12. 33 V.S.A. § 5119(g); 13 V.S.A. § 7609
  13. 13 V.S.A. § 7603
  14. Act No. 178 (S.173) of 2018, An act relating to sealing criminal history records when there is no conviction (effective July 1, 2018)Vermont General Assembly
  15. 13 V.S.A. § 7041(e); 3 V.S.A. § 164(f)
  16. 3 V.S.A. § 164. Adult court diversion program (subsection (f): records deletion and expungement)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  17. 13 V.S.A. §§ 8010-8014
  18. Act No. 167 (S.234) of 2020, An act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures, Sec. 31 (expungement of marijuana criminal history records)Vermont General Assembly
  19. Acts Affecting Vermont Statutes, Regular Session 2025-2026Vermont General Assembly
  20. 24 V.S.A. § 2296b. Expungement of municipal violation recordsVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  21. 23 V.S.A. § 2303. Expungement of violation recordsVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  22. 18 V.S.A. § 4230. Cannabis (amended by 2025, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), effective July 1, 2026)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  23. 18 V.S.A. § 4230a. Cannabis possession by a person 21 years of age or older (amended by 2025, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), effective July 1, 2026)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  24. Act No. 176 (S.278) of 2026, An act relating to cannabis, as enacted (signed June 18, 2026; Secs. 3-4 effective July 1, 2026)Vermont General Assembly
  25. 21 V.S.A. § 495j. Criminal history records; employment applicationsVermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  26. 21 V.S.A. § 495d. Definitions (employer)Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online, unofficial copy)
  27. Bill Status S.12 (Act 60): signed by the Governor June 12, 2025Vermont General Assembly
  28. Pardon RequestOffice of the Governor of Vermont
  29. List of consumer reporting companiesConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
  30. What Employment Background Screening Companies Need to Know About the Fair Credit Reporting ActFederal Trade Commission
  31. Employer Background Checks and Your RightsFederal Trade Commission
  32. 15 U.S. Code § 1681c - Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reportsLegal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code text)
  33. Advisory Opinion to Nadell (12-10-98)Federal Trade Commission (staff advisory opinion)