How to Find Owners of Properties
in Vermont

Property ownership in Vermont is regulated by Title 27 of the state code. For example, Chapter 5 of Title 27 focuses on the conveyance of real estate. It declares that land or an estate can be conveyed with a deed that's executed by the owner or their attorney.

In the "Recording" subchapter, the law indicates that the county clerk must maintain an index of land transfers and property deeds for public use. The only types of real estate transactions that aren't covered by this law are transfers of a property under an order of court. Any county clerk who doesn't abide by this requirement will be fined $50 for every six months of neglect.

Vermont allows many different forms of property ownership, such as sole ownership, tenancy in common, joint tenancy, and life estate. Properties can be held in trusts and LLCs. If you need to access ownership records for properties in Vermont, you have many resources at your disposal that can help you obtain this information. Keep in mind, however, that it's not always easy to determine who owns a property when it's held by a trust or corporation.

You can use several methods to find property owners in Vermont, which include everything from visiting the clerk's office to using third-party online resources. Follow the steps below to access the information you seek.

Registry of Deeds

In Vermont, a registry of deeds is an office or database that holds all property ownership documents that have been recorded. Every city or town in Vermont has a registry of deeds that you can visit to request these documents. To search the records, you'll need to have the parcel ID or the property address.

Many of the clerks or assessors in Vermont offer online databases that include deed records and other property-related documents. Unlike most states, however, these databases are provided by city governments instead of county ones. Here are the databases for some of the top cities in Vermont.

• Burlington
• South Burlington
• Colchester
• Rutland
• Bennington
• Brattleboro
• Essex

Land Records Website

Vermont and records are created when an initial property transaction takes place, which can involve a lien, ownership transfer, mortgage, or sale. Every county has a land records database, which you can usually find at the clerk's office or online. When searching Vermont land records, you'll likely need to input the parcel number or property address.

City or Town Assessor's Office

Each city and town in Vermont has an assessor who estimates property values and calculates taxes. When you visit the assessor's office in your area, you can request the following records:

• Sales records
• Exemption information
• Tax assessment records
• Ownership documentation
• Property maps
• Building details
• Assessed and market values

You can find more information about the assessor's offices in the top 10 Vermont counties by navigating to the links below.

• Burlington
• South Burlington
• Colchester
• Rutland
• Bennington
• Brattleboro
• Essex
• Essex Junction
• Milton
• Hartford

Tax Records

Property tax records are held at your local assessor's office. These records are available to the public and contain everything from assessed values to tax payment history. You can request property tax records by calling or visiting the assessor's office. They are often available online as well. You can access online tax records through the assessor's website.

Title Company/Agency

A title company is a firm that can help you perform title searches. These firms have access to databases that contain Vermont property records, which means that a title search can provide you with extensive ownership history and information about any deeds, liens, or other defects that must be dealt with.

If you're interested in title search services, you'll need to pay anywhere from $60-$200. Consider other methods of identifying a property owner as well. For example, you can ask the neighbors if they know who owns the property in question. You can also search real estate sites for this information. Hire a local real estate lawyer or agent who's familiar with the area to gain more insight.

Property ownership can involve anything from a married couple buying a home to a business entity investing in a building. Multiple people can have claims to the same property depending on the type of ownership structure that's used. By learning about the different types of property ownership, you can identify the one that fits your situation.

The choice you make determines important factors like your taxes and your access to financing. There are numerous types of property ownership in Vermont, the most common of which include sole ownership, life estate, and joint tenancy.

Before you purchase a home, consider the many types of ownership available to you. Each ownership title has its own implications and advantages that you should understand. They are detailed below:

The most common type of ownership in Vermont involves a single individual owning real estate. However, property can also be held by the following:

• Partnership
• Trust
• C or S corporation
• Limited liability company

To locate the owner of a corporation or trust, you may need assistance from a title company or real estate attorney. If you choose to do this research yourself, finding the right information may take multiple steps.

For example, you might be tasked with cross-referencing tax records, deeds, and other public records. You can also request the necessary information at your local chamber of commerce. Third-party business databases may be helpful as well. Consider business research tools like LexisNexis or Westlaw.

Finding the Owner of a Trust in Vermont

In Vermont, the names of trust owners aren't recorded, which can make it challenging to find them. You may be able to locate the manager of a trust with help from a probate or real estate attorney.

Finding the Owner of an LLC in Vermont

If you need to find the owner of an LLC in Vermont, the Secretary of State maintains a website that allows you to search for any business-related entity. As long as you know the name of the LLC or the business ID, you should be able to find documentation that lists the name of the owner.

Finding the Owner of a Corporation in Vermont

To find the owner of a corporation in Vermont, you can use the Vermont Secretary of State's website. They have a Corporations Division that allows the public to search for records of various corporations.

Once you navigate to this site, you can find information about a company by entering the business name, ID, or filing number. You can also perform an advanced search, which allows you to enter the company's registration type as well as the city the building is located in.

A deed is a type of legal document that details who owns a property. This document should include the following pieces of information:

• Purchase price
• Buyer and seller
• Legal description of the property

The three most common types of deeds in Vermont are a warranty deed, quitclaim deed, and trustee's deed.

When you're getting ready to transfer or sell a home, you must understand the administrative and legal steps that take place during the conveyance of a property title. The first step of this process involves identifying the property transfer type that you intend to use.

Most homeowners use a traditional sale to transfer their property to a buyer and earn money from it. However, real estate can also be transferred into a trust or placed in a will. You can even give a home as a gift to a friend or family member without any monetary exchange.

Before a deed is created, make sure you perform a title search. This search should highlight any disputes, liens, or encumbrances that are present on the title. For example, delinquent property taxes often appear as a lien on a piece of real estate. Buy some title insurance to protect yourself against any unexpected issues.

Once the title search is finished, the deed can be drafted. This document includes the names of the current owner and the new owner. After the deed is drafted, it must be signed by both parties. The signing of the deed needs to be witnessed by a notary public.

Before the deed is recorded, you must pay transfer taxes. In Vermont, the property transfer tax is 0.5% for the first $200,000 of the property value. The balance of value above $200,000 will be taxed at 1.47%.

The deed will then be recorded at the registry of deeds. After recording the deed, the new owner will receive the property's title. Property recording fees are currently $15 per page.

Make sure you notify your HOA and mortgage lender about the transfer. It's also a good idea to update your property records by contacting the tax assessor's office. All future tax bills must be sent to the new owner. Consider hiring a real estate attorney to guide you through the property transfer in Vermont.