Lincoln County Court Records

Lincoln County Court Records are documents, forms, exhibits, and other materials courts keep on a case. These are documents which are created or given to a court within its jurisdictions. Court records generally include pleadings, judgments, charges, and case information such as case number, party name, address, file date, etc.

These records enable access to critical information concerning legal cases, such as the persons involved, the case history, rulings, and results. Lincoln County court records enable people to exercise their legal rights, such as appealing court decisions, enforcing court decrees, and performing legal research.

Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes. Under §408-A of the Maine Freedom of Access Act, an individual has the right, unless otherwise specified by law, to view and copy any public record within a reasonable amount of time after submitting the request.

However, under §432 access to documents that might undermine the interests of the government or violate people's right to privacy is exempt under the FOAA. The following records may be inaccessible to the general public under consideration

• Records protected by state or federal law
• Minor settlement proceedings
• Most juvenile case records
• Mental health civil commitment proceedings
• Records that protect an individual's privacy interest
• Records that compromise public security and safety.

Lincoln County Court Records Search

Anyone who wishes to conduct a Lincoln County court records search may do so through the following options

• Lincoln County Clerk of Courts
• Maine Electronic Court System
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• Independent record providers.

Lincoln County Courts

The Lincoln County Superior Court has general authority over civil and criminal cases filed in the county. However, the court often only hears cases that are outside the purview of the lower courts. The Superior Court is the only court that holds jury trials in Lincoln County.

The District Court has limited authority over some civil and criminal cases. It also has several divisions, such as a Family Division, Juvenile Court, Small Claims Court, and Traffic Division. The Probate Court has general authority over wills, estate management, name change petitions, guardianship processes, adoption cases, and other probate cases filed within the county.

Below is the contact information of courts in Lincoln County.

Lincoln County Superior Court
32 High Street
P.O. Box 249
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Phone: (207) 882-7517

Lincoln County District Court - Wiscasset
32 High Street
P.O. Box 249
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Phone: (207) 882-6363

Lincoln County Probate Court
32 High Street
P.O. Box 249
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Phone: (207) 882-7392
Fax: (207) 882-4324

Lincoln County Criminal and Civil Records

The Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of civil and criminal court cases filed within the county. Anyone who wishes to access a criminal or civil court record in Lincoln County may do so by contacting the Clerk of Superior Court Office. Requests may be made in person or via mail by filling and submitting the Record Search Request Form.

A $20 fee is required per name and box checked in the court location of the search parameters, along with $2 per first-page copy and $1 for each additional copy. Individuals who are party to a case record they are searching for are exempt from paying the required fees.

Lincoln County Civil Court records typically include torts, foreclosures, breach of contract, landlord-tenant disputes, liens, and other property matters. On the other hand, criminal court records include documents introduced during the adjudication of misdemeanor and felony trials.

Lincoln County Marriage Records

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) office, and municipal offices such as Lincoln Town Office maintain vital records such as Lincoln County marriage records.

Marriage records less than 50 years old are considered to be private. Therefore, only authorized persons may obtain a Lincoln County marriage certificate. Individuals not listed on the record must prove the relationship or demonstrate a direct and legitimate interest in the requested record. Eligible requesters are required to provide a valid ID along with the required information.

Requests for a Lincoln County marriage certificate may be carried out via mail by completing an application for a vital record or in person at:

Department of Health and Human Services
109 Capitol Street
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333.

The cost includes $15.00 for a single certified copy and $6.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record.

Lincoln County Divorce Records

Interested persons may obtain Lincoln County divorce records from the Maine DHHS Vital Records Division.

Eligible requesters are required to present a valid ID. To fulfill a request, record seekers may provide information such as the names on the divorce record as they appeared at the time of the divorce, the divorce date, the location where the divorce case was filed, and the requestor's contact information.

The fee for one certified copy is $15.00 and $6.00 each for additional certified copies of the same record. The cheque should be made payable to "Treasurer - State of Maine". Requests may be made via mail or in person. For more information, contact:

Vital Records
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Phone: (888) 664-9491

Lincoln County Birth Records

By law, Maine birth records less than 75 years old are considered private. Lincoln County Birth records 75 years or older are considered public records and informational copies can be issued to anyone requesting them.

Individuals must provide proof that they have a legal right to access a Lincoln County birth certificate or obtain copies. The DHHS Vital Records Division manages vital records and issues birth records to record seekers.

Eligible individuals include the subjects named in the record, the subject's spouse or domestic partner, the direct descendants of the subject, the legal custodian, guardian, or the authorized representative of the subject. Requesters are required to present a valid ID along with a fee of $15.00 and $6.00 each for additional copies.

Obtaining a social security number, applying for a passport, enrolling in school, obtaining a driver's license, finding work, or applying for other benefits all require birth certificates or records.

Lincoln County Death Records

In Maine, death records 25 years and above and fetal deaths 50 years and above are considered public records, and informational copies can be issued to anyone requesting them. However, fetal deaths under 50 years of age and death records under 25 years of age are regarded as confidential. Only individuals authorized by law may access such records. Eligible requesters may contact the DHHS Vital Records Division along with a valid ID and the required fees.

One may also request a death record from the Lincoln Town Office. Death certificates help influence public health policy. They are essential for compiling health statistics and for studying population-based mortality.

Lincoln County Probate Court Records

The Lincoln County Probate Court has authority over all subject issues regarding admitting wills to probate, legal name changes of adults and minors, appointment of guardians and conservators, deceased and missing persons, appointment of personal representatives, and adoptions.

The Register of Probate is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the court and the maintenance of records as required by the Maine Revised Statutes. Records in the Lincoln County Probate Court began in 1760. Interested persons may obtain probate records by visiting the Probate Court in person after making an appointment.

Anyone seeking a probate record may also search the Online Database maintained by the Maine Probate Court. To search, choose Lincoln County from the drop-down menu and input the required information. Click on “Do Search”.

Lincoln County Property Records

The Lincoln County Registry of Deeds Office is the primary custodian of property records in the county. Anyone who wishes to access property records information may contact the office during working hours at

Lincoln County Registry of Deeds
32 High Street
Wiscasset, ME 04578.

Alternatively, view Real Estate Transfer Tax Declarations (RETTD) available on the Main Tax Portal. Choose Lincoln County from the drop-down menu, and choose a municipality and property type. Fill in other required information and click on “Search”.

The kinds of property-related data that can be found in Lincoln County include deeds, tax declarations, mortgages, easements, and covenants.

Lincoln County Court Records Online

Interested persons who desire to look up Lincoln County court records may utilize the services of unofficial third-party websites like Mainecourtrecords.us. Third-party websites operate independently of any government organization, making court records available to individuals remotely.

To conduct a typical court record search, one may input the name of the subject as well as the location where the event occurred. Also, remember that even though using these independent websites is quick and simple, the records obtained should be verified because their currency and completeness often vary from what is in official records.