Androscoggin County, Maine Court Records
Androscoggin County court records are documents, forms, exhibits, and other items maintained by the county's courts in connection with a case. These records cover various case types, including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family or domestic relations matters, probate cases, and traffic infraction cases. Court records for a case are maintained by the clerk of the court where the case was filed or heard and typically include case files, docket entries, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, and sentencing details.
Androscoggin County court records are distinct from other records, such as arrest and vital records. However, court records are sometimes connected to these records. For example, court records document the legal proceedings triggered by an arrest and also contain the official decrees that update a person's vital records (such as a divorce).
Are Androscoggin County Court Records Public?
Yes. Androscoggin County court records are public under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which grants the people of the state a broad right of access to any written, printed, or graphic record in the possession or custody of a state agency or public official. To this end, Androscoggin County court records are generally open to the public for inspection and/or copying. However, certain case types are confidential by law, and the court records in those cases are not available to the public. These cases include:
- Adoption proceedings
- Most juvenile cases
- Mental health civil commitment proceedings
- Guardianship of minors
- Child protection matters
- Emancipations of minors
- Minor settlement proceedings
- HIV/AIDS testing proceedings
- Proceedings for extreme weapon protection orders
In addition, records sealed by court order are confidential and not subject to public disclosure.
What Information is Available in Androscoggin County Court Records?
The exact content of an Androscoggin County court record varies by case type; however, the following are generally available:
- Case information (e.g., case or docket number, case type, filing date, hearing dates, case status)
- Case party information (e.g., names of plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, or respondents)
- Filings and pleadings (complaints, petitions, answers, motions, affidavits, notices, summons)
- Court orders and decrees
- Judgments and final decisions
- Charging documents (in criminal cases)
- Filed Exhibits
- Warrants (if issued)
Androscoggin County Court Records Search
To search for or obtain Androscoggin County court records, interested persons should use any of the methods discussed below.
Online Access
Online access is provided through the Maine eCourts-Public Portal. The portal allows users to remotely search for and access information about cases in courts that have implemented eFiling. To perform a case search (through the "Smart Search"), enter the traffic ticket number (for traffic violation case records), the court case docket number, or the name of one of the parties, then submit. The portal is free. However, access to court case information through the portal is governed by the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS), which restrict certain information, data, documents, and cases from public access.
Additionally, individuals can use re:SearchMaine, a new platform for accessing electronic court records in courts where eFiling is available, such as in Androscoggin County. The platform allows users to search for and view the Registry of Actions (ROA), a list of court events, and records the court makes accessible remotely. There is no fee to register or to search for case records on re:SearchMaine. However, access to court records depends on the case type, as not all case records can be accessed remotely. Examples of remotely accessible cases include criminal cases, civil violations, traffic tickets (citations), personal injury torts, contracts, non-personal injury torts, and money judgments.
In-Person Access
To access other publicly available electronic court documents not available through the Maine eCourts portal or re:SearchMaine, individuals should visit the clerk's office of the Androscoggin County court where the case was heard or is pending. Individuals can also visit the clerk's office to request paper copies of court records. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pertinent information, such as the party's name, case type, and/or docket number, should be provided when making a request.
Mail and Phone Requests
Paper copies of court records may also be requested by mail from the clerk's office of the court where the case was heard or is pending, or from the Judicial Branch Service Center. To do this, submit a completed Record Search Request form by mail to:
Judicial Branch Service Center
P.O. Box 266
Lewiston, ME 04240
For FedEx or UPS: 250 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240. For questions regarding copies, contact the center at 207-753-2901.
Or to:
Clerk of Lewiston District Court
P.O. Box 1345,
Lewiston, ME 04243-1345
The request should include the party's name, case type, and/or docket number, along with applicable fees, payable by certified check or money order. Note that the time it takes to process requests submitted by mail may vary. For requests or questions regarding copies, contact the clerk's office at (207) 330-7500 (superior court), (207) 795-4800 (district court), or 207-753-2500 Ext. 1983 (probate court & registry).
Fees for Court Records in Androscoggin County
According to Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26) and the Maine Courts' Record Search Request form, the fees for court records in Androscoggin County are as follows:
- Record search fee: $20.00 per name
- Copy fees (including computer-generated copies): $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
- Attested copies (with court seal): $5.00 per document
- Exemplified copies: $5.00 per document
These fees cover the cost of printing copies or the custodian's time spent searching for documents. Individuals conducting a search for cases in which they were a party are exempt from the search fee. Additionally, individuals can obtain copies of documents in their own files at no cost. Access to electronic court records through the Maine eCourts Portal or re:SearchMaine is free for both parties to the case and the general public.
Androscoggin County Courthouse Locations
Androscoggin County has three (3) courts operating out of two (2) courthouse locations. The courts and their contact information are listed below.
Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street,
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (207) 330-7500
71 Lisbon Street,
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 795-4800
2 Turner Street
Unit 5 (1st Floor)
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (207) 753-2500 Ext. 1983
Fax: (207) 782-1135
Criminal Records Access in Androscoggin County
The Maine State Police's State Bureau of Identification (SBI) is responsible for providing access to official statewide criminal history records. These records include arrest, conviction, and adjudication information for adult and juvenile offenses committed within the State of Maine. To access an individual's criminal history record, requests should be made to the SBI.
However, criminal case records, which are court documents and information regarding criminal matters filed or heard in the Androscoggin County Superior or District Court, are accessible through the Maine eCourts-Public Portal and re:SearchMaine, or in person at the court clerk's office.
Androscoggin County Probate Records
Androscoggin County probate records are the official documents maintained by theAndroscoggin County Probate Court and Registry for matters filed or handled in the court, including estates of deceased and missing persons, wills, trusts, guardianships of incapacitated adults and minor children, adoptions, and conservatorships of adults and minors. These records are generally accessible as public records under the Maine FOAA. However, some, such as adoption and guardianship records for minors, are confidential by law.
Public Androscoggin County probate records, including more recent filings, may not be available online through theMaine eCourts-Public Portal orre:SearchMaine. Therefore, individuals should visit the Androscoggin County Probate Court and Registry in person to search for public probate records and/or obtain copies.
Androscoggin County Family Court Records
Androscoggin County family court records encompass case records of divorce, custody, child support, and other matters handled in the District Court (Family Division). These records contain documents, such as divorce judgments, child support or custody orders, protection from abuse orders, and mediation reports.
Access to Androscoggin County family court records is available through the Maine eCourts-Public Portal or re:SearchMaine. To obtain paper copies of family court records, including certified copies, visit or call the Lewiston District Court (clerk's office). Information such as the case party name, case type, and/or docket number will be required to process requests.
Federal Court Records in Androscoggin County
Federal court records are the official documents generated for cases handled in a federal court, such as bankruptcy proceedings, mail or wire fraud, bank robbery, drug trafficking, and immigration law violations. Most federal court records are public and available online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER allows individuals to search, view, and download federal case documents (such as dockets, motions, and judgments) for $0.10 per page, with a $3.00 per-document cap. Access to federal court case records is also available through the clerk's office of the federal court where the case was heard or is pending.
