Oxford County Court Records

The Maine Judicial Branch defines court records as any item a court maintains regarding a case, such as a document, form, or exhibit. They contain all criminal, family, probate, or civil case information. Some of this information may be confidential, while others may be public. Access to court records empowers the public to observe judicial proceedings and builds confidence in the legal system's integrity. That way, the public gets to see justice being served, and the legitimacy of legal institutions is enhanced.

Are Court Records Public in Oxford County?

Yes. Court records are generally open to the public, as stated by the Maine Freedom of Access Act ("FOAA") and Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS). However, these laws consider the harm public access may cause individuals and entities involved in court proceedings. Therefore, they make some court records and case types confidential. Non-public court records are only available to a selected few, such as the case parties and their attorneys. The following court records are non-public in Oxford County:

• Trade secrets
• Juror information
• Adoption records
• Presentence reports
• Juvenile case records
• Sterilization proceedings
• Name changes for minors
• Child protection matters
• Reports of sexual assault kits
• Disability accommodation requests
• HIV/AIDS testing proceedings
• Minor settlement proceedings
• Court records in grand jury proceedings
• Mental health civil commitment proceedings
• Guardianships and Emancipation of minors
• Medical malpractice screening panel proceedings
• Proceedings for extreme weapon protection orders
• Petitions for court-authorized abortions for minors
• Assisted reproduction matters, including noncompliance with gestational carrier agreements

Oxford County Court Records Search

Most Oxford County court records are available electronically on the re:SearchMaine platform. However, requesters can also submit a request by mail or in person at the courthouse. Several third-party vendors also issue Oxford County court records to their customers.

Oxford County Courts

The Oxford County court system comprises the Superior Court, the District Court, and the Probate Court. These courts are located at:

Oxford County Courthouse
26 Western Avenue
P.O. Box 179
South Paris, ME 04281
Phone: (207) 743-6671 (Probate Court), (207) 743-8942 (Superior Court)

Oxford County District Court (Rumford)
145 Congress Street
Rumford, ME 04276
Phone: (207) 364-7171

Oxford County District Court(South Paris)
26 Western Avenue
South Paris, ME 04281
Phone: (207) 743-8942

Oxford County Criminal Records

The Maine State Police State Bureau of Identification (SBI) is responsible for issuing Oxford County criminal records to members of the public. The SBI has a Criminal History Record portal where individuals can access the criminal records of convicted adults and juvenile adjudications. This service costs $21 for Maine InforME subscribers and $31 for out-of-state InforME subscribers and non-subscribers. Customers who want their records notarized will pay an additional fee of $10.00. The SBI accepts payment by credit card, check, or money order. Most search results will be returned through email within two hours. Requesters can also send their fingerprints directly to the SBI to request criminal records and Oxford county arrest records. The desired records will be returned to the applicant through U.S. mail.

Get Oxford County Civil Court Records

The Oxford County Superior Court is a trial court with general jurisdiction over all civil cases. Electronic copies of civil court records can be viewed for free on the re:SearchMaine platform and printed out for free at the courthouse. Record seekers can get paper civil records by mail and in person at the Clerk's Office of the Superior Court for $20 per name. Mail applicants should fill out a Records Search Request form and send it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Judicial Branch Service Center
P.O. Box 266
Lewiston, ME 04240

Oxford County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Oxford County marriage records can be obtained at the municipal clerk's office in the town where the intentions were filed. A single copy of this record costs $15, and each additional copy of the same record costs $6 at the time of request. Most Town Clerks provide marriage certificates by mail and in person. For example, The Dixfield Town Clerk has a Vitals Requests Form that requesters can mail to the office to make a request. Others can appear at the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a valid I.D. to request copies of marriage certificates.

The Maine Department of Human Services' Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) also issues Oxford County marriage certificates for fees similar to those of the Town Clerks. Applicants can mail a written request or an application form to the office and check for the appropriate fees. The written request should include the couple's names, marriage date, city/town where the marriage occurs, and a daytime telephone number. Individuals who want to order marriage records online or by phone can do so through the approved third-party vendor for an extra processing fee.

Oxford County Divorce Records

Oxford County customers can obtain certified copies of divorce records from the Clerk of Court. They can view these records for free at the re:SearchMaine database or visit the courthouse in person from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. New database users must first register for an account to conduct searches. Paper copies of divorce records available online can be requested for free at the courthouse, but records unavailable online can be obtained for a fee.

Individuals can also obtain copies of divorce records from January 1, 1892, to the present from the Maine Department of Human Services Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). They can mail a written request, an application form, and a check to the Division. The first certified copy of a divorce record costs $15, additional copies cost $6 each, and non-certified copies cost $10 each. The written request should state the name of the divorce parties, the divorce date, a daytime telephone number, and the name of the city/town where the divorce occurred. The mail should be sent to:

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Vital Records
220 Capitol Street
11 State House Station,
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Phone: (207) 287-3771
Fax: (207) 287-1093

Oxford County Birth and Death Records

Maine law deemed birth records less than 75 years old and death records less than 25 years old as confidential. Those authorized to access these records are the record holder (for Oxford County birth records), immediate family members (spouse, parents, and descendants), legal guardian, authorized representatives, and genealogists. Nonconfidential birth and death records are available to anyone upon request.

Most Oxford County vital records are available at the local level. Therefore, individuals seeking to obtain copies of birth or death certificates should contact the municipal clerk's office in the town where the event occurred. For example, the Oxford Town Clerk accepts requests for vital records through the mail and on a walk-in basis for a fee of $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy. Walk-in requesters can pay their fees by check, cash, or credit card. Mail requesters can submit a Birth or Death Certificate Request with the appropriate fees to the Clerk's Office. All applicants must appear with or send a photo I.D. with their requests.

Eligible individuals can also find birth and death records at the Maine Department of Human Services Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). The cost of these records is similar to the rates the Town Clerk charges. However, non-certified copies of the record cost $10. The DVRS does not accept online and phone orders but partners with a third-party vendor to provide this service. This incurs additional fees alongside the standard copy fees. Record seekers can send their requests directly to the DVRS by mail. They can submit a written request or a completed Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record Form with a valid photo I.D., the appropriate fees in the form of a check, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the office. The written request should contain the following information:

• Name on the Oxford County birth certificate or the name of the deceased
• Date of birth or death and the name of the city/town where the birth or death occurred
• For birth certificates, include the names of the parents (use the mother's maiden name)
• The relationship the requester has with the subject of records
• Provide a daytime telephone number

Oxford County Probate Court Records

The Oxford County Probate Court's most common cases are name changes, adoptions, estates and trusts, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Not all of these cases are included in Oxford County public records. Therefore, they are not readily available to the public. Generally, individuals can get public probate court records in person at the courthouse during business hours. The record staff will ask the requester to provide information to help the search. After the desired record is found, the fees must be paid before the record is released.

Oxford County Property Records

The major place to find property records in Oxford County is at the Register of Deeds Office. Requesters can view property information without charges using the Office's Online Portal. They can log in as a guest and conduct a search by name, date range, town, document group, book, document description, instrument number, or page. Alternatively, customers can visit the office during business hours to submit a request.

Individuals can also view or copy property records at the Assessor or Treasurer's office in the town where the property is located. Requests can be made in person during office hours. However, most custodians publish property information on their websites for free.

Oxford County Court Records Online

Individuals who experience difficulty finding court records on official websites may use third-party sites like mainecourtrecords.us for similar services. These third-party portals appear more beneficial because they only require a name or case number for the search and provide information across multiple jurisdictions. Some sites may allow access to court records for free at the initial stages of the search, but detailed reports are only made available when a fee is paid.