How To Find Court Records In Maine

Need court records in Maine? Maine court records are official documents produced during legal proceedings and retained by state and local courts. These records help you track a case's status, history, or resolution. CourtCaseFinder lets you search superior, district, and probate court records from every county and city in one place.

You can run quick name- or case-number searches, filter by court or county, and view organized case summaries, so you don't have to juggle multiple court sites. Details such as filings, dockets, hearing dates, parties, judgments, and orders may be available when applicable.

If you already know the case or party you're looking for, CourtCaseFinder makes it fast and efficient to pull results. If you're new to court records, the platform also helps you learn about court types and record categories to narrow your search and find the information you need.

How To Access Maine Public Court Records

While CourtCaseFinder offers a convenient one-stop platform to search Maine court records efficiently, you may also access records directly via official government channels, searching through online portals, visiting courthouses, or submitting requests by mail.

Online Access

The Maine Judicial Branch now provides electronic access to case information through re:SearchMaine, which has replaced the older Odyssey Public Portal. Registering for a free account allows you to look up publicly available case details in courts where eFiling is active.

Administrative Order JB-20-03 and the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) guide access to electronic court files. Under these rules, certain materials are available only to attorneys and parties, and others are restricted to courthouse access.

Attorneys of record who file through eFileMaine can use the same credentials to view their cases in re:SearchMaine, and they may download their own filings without charge. Parties to a case can also access many of their documents remotely once they register an account and provide the court with an email address.

Members of the public may use re:SearchMaine to search for cases in courts with eFiling, but access is limited to the Registry of Actions and documents designated by the court for remote viewing.

In-Person

If the records you need are not available online or involve older or restricted cases, you can visit a courthouse that offers eFiling and use one of the Public Access Computers (PACs) during regular courthouse hours. PACs are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis whenever the courthouse is open.

You may also go directly to the clerk's office to request paper copies or to get assistance locating a particular case.

By Mail

For paper copies of court records, particularly for cases filed before November 2020 or in courts that have not yet transitioned fully to electronic systems, you can send a completed Records Search Request form to the Judicial Branch Service Center at P.O. Box 266, Lewiston, ME 04240. Your request should include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Maine Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

Under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), most court records in the state are considered public and can be reviewed by anyone. Citizens have the right to view government documents and to see how cases move through the courts.

Information commonly found in Maine court records includes:

• Names of parties involved in the case
• Case numbers and filing dates
• Types of charges, claims, or complaints filed
• Court orders, rulings, and final judgments
• Motions and other filed documents
• The Registry of Actions
• Transcripts, when available

That said, not every record is open to the public. Some files are confidential by law or sealed to protect privacy, security, or legal privilege. Examples of records and information that are not public include:

• Juvenile case files
• Adoption and child protection proceedings
• Certain divorce records (kept confidential for 50 years)
• Sensitive or privileged materials (e.g., medical or financial details, private communications)
• Records restricted by statute or court order

Who Oversees the Courts in Maine?

The Maine courts are administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), which manages all state and county courts under the leadership of the State Court Administrator (SCA), a position appointed by the Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

The SCA oversees the Judicial Branch's budget, facilities, personnel, technology services, security, and daily operations. The office comprises five core divisions: Finance and Administration, Information and Technology, Court Operations, Legal Affairs and Public Relations, and Human Resources.

Under state law, the statutory duties of the State Court Administrator include:

• Continuously evaluating and recommending improvements in court organization, operations, and procedure
• Developing long-term strategic plans for the judicial system
• Monitoring court dockets and suggesting personnel assignments to address delays
• Ensuring uniform administrative systems across courts, including standard methods, forms, and statistical tracking
• Managing the Judicial Branch's fiscal operations, including budgeting, accounting, and resource allocation
• Supervising court facility use, procurement, and security arrangements
• Serving as secretary to the Judicial Conference and coordinating annual reporting to the Chief Justice, Governor, and legislature
• Facilitating communication between the judicial branch and other state agencies

As head of Maine's judicial branch, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court provides overarching administrative supervision and sets systemwide policy, procedural rules, and the court's budget. The Chief Justice also ensures efficient court operations and the timely handling of cases.

What Types of Courts Exist in Maine?

Maine's judicial system is structured to handle a wide variety of cases across different levels. From trial courts that handle day-to-day disputes to appellate review and specialized dockets, each court serves a particular purpose. Below is an overview of the key court types, their jurisdiction, and what cases they typically oversee.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Supreme Judicial Court (Law Court)	Serves as Maine's highest court; hears appeals and provides authoritative interpretations of law.	Appeals from lower courts, constitutional questions, and advisory opinions
Superior Court	Statewide trial court with broad authority; the only court where jury trials are conducted.	Felonies and serious criminal charges, major civil disputes, appeals from administrative agencies
District Court	Courts of limited jurisdiction; no jury trials; includes a Family Division.	Misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, civil cases under $20,000, divorce, custody, and juvenile matters
Probate Court	County-level courts focused on estates and certain family-related issues.	Wills, estates, adoptions, guardianships, name changes, trust administration
Treatment and Recovery Courts (TRC)	Specialized dockets within trial courts are designed to address underlying issues: provide treatment-based alternatives to sentencing.	Substance use cases, mental health matters
Business & Consumer Court (BCD)	A special statewide docket handling complex commercial disputes.	Business litigation, consumer protection cases, class actions, and large-scale contract disputes

What Federal Courts Are In Maine?

Federal courts function separately from Maine's state court system. While state courts handle disputes under state laws, federal courts decide cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and multi-state or national issues.

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Court , District of Maine	Serves as Maine's primary federal trial court, responsible for civil and criminal cases under federal law.	Bangor: Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building & Courthouse, 202 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: (207) 945-0575 Portland: Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse, 156 Federal St., Portland, ME 04101 Phone: (207) 780-3356
U.S. Bankruptcy Court , District of Maine	Handles all bankruptcy filings and proceedings under federal bankruptcy law.	Bangor: 202 Harlow St., 3rd Floor, Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: (207) 945-0348 Portland: 537 Congress St., 2nd Floor, Portland, ME 04101 Phone: (207) 780-3482

Any appeal from Maine's federal trial or bankruptcy courts is reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, located in Boston, Massachusetts. This appellate court examines whether legal errors occurred in the trial process, but it does not retry cases or hear new evidence.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Maine Courts?

Maine courts process a significant number of cases every year, covering everything from traffic infractions to family matters and complex civil disputes. While the exact figures vary from year to year, statewide data consistently shows that the bulk of filings come through the trial courts, with additional cases reaching the appellate level.

Based on the latest court caseload data, the following table summarizes the approximate number of cases filed annually in Maine:

Case Type	Approximate Annual Volume
Traffic Infractions (Violations Bureau)	~54,200
Unified Criminal Docket Cases	~38,800
District Court Civil Cases	~11,700
Superior Court Civil Cases	~2,600
Family Division Cases	~17,300
Other Matters (Mental Health, Harassment, Civil Violations)	~7,500

The Maine Judicial Branch's website provides caseload data and annual reports covering activity in the Supreme Judicial Court, Superior Court, and District Court. Unless otherwise specified, the figures are presented by fiscal year, which spans July 1 through June 30.

The published data can be found on the Reports & Data page of the website.

How Do I File a Case in Maine Courts?

Starting a case in Maine can seem overwhelming, but the process becomes much easier if you follow the right steps. Here's a straightforward guide on how to get your case filed, whether you choose to do it in person or online.

Determine the Appropriate Court and Obtain Forms

All cases begin with paperwork. Most forms are available for free on the Maine Judicial Branch website through its Court Forms page. In some situations, such as when you need a summons that would require a court seal, you'll need to purchase it for a small fee (about $5) from the clerk's office.

Complete the Required Forms

Complete the forms carefully and make sure all information is accurate. Some documents need to be notarized, which you can usually do at the courthouse or with a notary public. Family cases typically have their own specialized forms with detailed instructions.

Serve the Other Party

Once you've prepared your paperwork, the law requires that the other party, known as the defendant, receive official notice. The service of court papers gives the defendant a fair opportunity to respond. In Maine, service can be completed in several ways:

• You may hand-deliver or mail the papers to the defendant and request that they accept service.
• You can mail the documents using certified mail with restricted delivery so they are received directly by the defendant.
• Another option is to pay the county sheriff to personally deliver the documents to the defendant.

Once served, the defendant typically has 21 days to file a written response before the case can move forward.

File the Case and Pay the Fees

Once your documents are completed and signed, you'll need to file them with the clerk's office either in person, by mail, or electronically. A filing fee is required, and the amount depends on the type of case, for instance, most family cases cost about $120 to file.

If paying creates a hardship, you can request a waiver by submitting the Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (Form CV-067).

Maine also offers electronic filing through eFileMaine. This allows you to upload documents, pay fees online, and access eligible case information. Attorneys are required to eFile in courts where the system is active, and self-represented individuals must also eFile if they submit more than six non-emergency filings per year in civil or family cases.

If you do not have an attorney, you may be able to use the Guide & File system to prepare and submit certain cases online. This tool walks you through the required forms step by step and is currently available statewide for traffic violation cases.

For small claims, Guide & File can only be used in specific courts, including the District Courts in Bangor, Lewiston, Rumford, Farmington, and South Paris.

How Is the Maine Court System Unique?

Maine's judiciary is notable for its use of specialty treatment courts, which combine judicial supervision with rehabilitation and community support. The courts under this category include the following:

• Adult Drug Treatment Courts
• Family Recovery Courts
• Co-Occurring Disorders Courts
• Veterans Treatment Courts

These focus on addressing underlying issues like substance use and mental health rather than relying solely on traditional penalties. They offer individuals a structured path toward recovery while still holding them accountable through the court system.

Another distinctive feature is the authority of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, also known as the Law Court, to issue advisory opinions.

At the request of the governor or legislature, the court can provide legal interpretations even when no active case is before it. This power, uncommon among state supreme courts, underscores Maine's proactive approach to clarifying and guiding state law.

Maine Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Androscoggin
• Aroostook
• Cumberland
• Franklin
• Hancock
• Kennebec
• Knox
• Lincoln
• Oxford
• Penobscot
• Piscataquis
• Sagadahoc
• Somerset
• Waldo
• Washington
• York

Where to Find Additional Information About Maine Courts?

• Find a Court
• Schedules & Closings
• Court Rules
• Administrative Orders
• SJC Opinions
• Legal Help & Guides

FAQs