Buildings not listed in the Register go through a multi-stage process to become listed. A building or structure that is at least 50 years old and meets the criteria outlined on page 3 is nominated to the National Register in one of two forms: either as an individual property or as part of a historic district. A historic district is a collection of buildings and archeological sites that are related architecturally and/or historically; thus, many of our Vermont villages, neighborhoods or other complexes qualify as historic districts. Rural areas may qualify as rural historic districts. Some properties within an area that would be eligible for nomination as a historic district may be individually eligible for the National Register, but it is encouraged that the district be nominated.

1. A brief statement on the history of the building, including information on past alterations;
2. A street address or a map showing the exact location of the property;
3. Photographs or slides of the exterior of the building, of important interior details, of the general context of the building, of all related outbuildings, and of the landscape. Slides, although not required, are preferable.
4. If you are considering a federal rehabilitation investment tax credit project for your property, please note this in the letter.

Because of the more complex nature of historic districts, the Division prepares the documentation needed for a preliminary review of a proposed historic district at the request of a town, regional planning commission, local historical society, business or neighborhood association, or other local group. A spokesperson for any of the above organizations may propose a historic district by writing to the Division.

A district can include an entire residential neighborhood, village center, urban commercial district, industrial complex, or rural area. Often historic districts include some new or greatly altered buildings mixed in with the old historic structures. These buildings may be included in a district but are designated "non-contributing" structures. In order to qualify for the National Register as a historic district, an area must consist of primarily intact historic structures and archeological sites with only a minority of non-contributing structures. Each "contributing" resource should enhance the historic character of the district, although each need not be of outstanding architectural quality.

If the Advisory Council determines that an individual property or historic district appears eligible for the Register, the owner or local sponsoring organization employs a qualified architectural historian to prepare the National Register nomination form. The form includes an extensive architectural description of the property or properties, an evaluation of the historic and architectural significance of the building(s), maps, and black and white photographs. The Division maintains a list of qualified architectural historians who have expressed an interest in preparing Register nominations on a free-lance basis. The list is available upon request. The Division works closely with the architectural historian during the nomination process.

When the nomination form is finished, it is submitted to the Division where it is reviewed for completeness and technical accuracy. Federal regulations then require that the Division inform all owners that their property is being considered for nomination to the National Register. Owners are given 30 days in which they can concur in or object to the nomination, if they choose to comment. Any comments are considered in the State Advisory Council's final review of the nomination. After the final approval by the Council, the nomination form is submitted to the National Register branch of the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., for federal review, approval, and official listing in the Register. If a majority of the private property owners object to National Register listing and submitted to the Division notarized letters to that effect, the nomination is reviewed at the federal level for eligibility for the Register but is not officially listed in the Register.