Sagadahoc County Court Records

Sagadahoc County court records are legal documents that include forms, exhibits, and other items the court maintains concerning a case. Court records also extend to court transcripts, recordings, and minutes of a court case proceeding. As per §451 of the Maine legislature, an important type of Sadahoc County court records are Sadahoc County criminal records, arrest records, and any document that serves as evidence in a criminal or civil case.

Are Court Records Public in Sagadahoc County?

Sagadahoc County court records are public, as per Maine general court rules. This means that everyone who needs to access these records has a legal right to do so. However, some records and case types are confidential by law and may be available only to parties involved in the case and their attorneys. Maine's freedom of access law further supports access to Sagadahoc County court records unless these records have been made confidential by state laws. Some examples of confidential court records in Sagadahoc include:

• proceedings for a medical malpractice screening panel;
• civil commitment records for mental health;
• Certain juvenile court records
• Court-authorized abortion records
• Child protection records
• Guardianship and certain types of probate court records
• Records concerning the Emancipation of minor
• Records of persons in witness protection
• Personal information of individuals in a grand jury

Sagadahoc County Court Records Search

Persons have the following options to perform a Sagadahoc County court records search:

• Visiting the clerk of the superior court
• Using the Maine e-courts portal
• Using online Sagadahoc County court dockets
• By using third-party websites

Sagadahoc County Courts

The Sagadahoc County Court System consists of one probate court and two major courts. The two main courts in Sagadahoc County are the Superior Court, which hears nearly all civil and criminal cases, and the District Court, which also hears civil proceedings, family law cases, and lesser criminal charges. Below are the locations of these 3 courthouses.

The Sagadahoc County Probate court
752 High Street, 3rd Floor
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 443-8218
Email: probate@sagadahoccountyme.gov

West Bath District Court
Address
101 New Meadows Road,
West Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 442-0200

Sagadahoc County Superior Court
Address
752 High Street,
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 442-0200

Sagadahoc County Criminal and Civil Records

Most Sagadahoc County criminal and civil court records are public records that can be made available to interested persons upon request. Individuals can find these records within the county court where the case was handled. If a case has been tried and the court has made a decision, Sagadahoc criminal records can also be requested from the district or superior court. Individuals should check the retention schedule for the particular type of criminal or civil court records to ensure that they are still available at the courthouse.

The first step in the request process will always involve completing a records request form and submitting it to the county court where the civil or criminal case took place. This form can be completed in person at the clerk of the superior court office or sent through the mail. For in-person requests, applicants must bring a valid ID to prove their identity. Similarly, mail-in requests must contain a notarized copy of the requestor's ID card. Requestors must also provide a person's name on the court record they are looking for to initiate a search. A records search costs $20 per name, regardless of whether it's a criminal or civil court record. Copies of the first page of the records cost $2, and subsequent copies cost $1.

While searching for Sagadahoc County court records, requestors need to indicate the type of records that they want. The most requested type is a docket record, which contains the name of the parties involved, the type of case, the judgment on the case date of filing, and other important details. It is also possible to request specific records like complaints and judgments.

Case records can also be searched remotely using the terminals at the superior county courthouse or the Maine e-courts system. These portals give access to both criminal and civil court records. The case number or the person's name on the record can be used to search on either portal.

Sagadahoc County Marriage Records

Sagadahoc County marriage records can be obtained by interested persons from the county clerk's office or the main public health division. Individuals can request Marriage licenses and certificates from the county court clerk's office. The Sagadahoc county court clerk maintains a database of every marriage that occurs within the county. Marriage records are collected by the clerk's office and sent to the Maine Division of Public Health, where they can be requested statewide.

By law, Sagadahoc marriage records that are less than fifty years old are not open to the public. Only the individuals listed in the document, their descendants, or a legal guardian can request them. Persons requesting marriage records must provide valid IDs to prove their identity.

Sagadahoc County Divorce Records

Civil records related to divorces in Sagadahoc County are kept in the county courthouse where the divorce petition was submitted. Sagadahoc County divorce records that are accessible at the district or superior court include divorce decrees, divorce letters, and divorce certificates. The only divorce records in Sagadahoc County that are accessible to the public are divorce confirmation letters. Other divorce documents are private, and only the spouse and their legal representative have access to them. People who would like to obtain these records can go to the county courthouse and fill out the necessary records request form there. Divorce record requests can also be mailed to the county clerk's office.

Sagadahoc County Birth Records

Sagadahoc County birth records are also vital records maintained at the county clerk's office and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is the duty of the county clerks to record every birth that occurs within Sagadahoc County and maintain these records. Additionally, the country clerk forwards copies of these documents to the DHHS for storage. Persons within the county can request birth records by visiting the county clerk's office to make a formal request. Birth records in Maine that are less than 75 years old are legally considered confidential and are only accessible by parents, grandparents, registered researchers, and the subject of the records.

Sagadahoc County Death Records

This is information on accessing death records in Sagadahoc County. Please note any limitations on the accessibility of these records per ABC law.

Explain the importance and potential uses of these records.

Sagadahoc County Probate Court Records

Sagadahoc County probate records can be found at the county probate court. The Sagadahoc County Probate Court processes and holds records for adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, and estate administration. The court provides information on wills and testaments.

Probate court records are confidential and sensitive records that can only be accessed by the parties in the probate case. Individuals can visit the registers office at the probate court in person during operation hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) to request probate records. Requestors must provide the name of the individual on the record to staff at the office, which will be used to search for the requested record. Written requests can also be sent by E-mail to probate@sagadahoccountyme.gov.

Sagadahoc County Property Records

The Sagadahoc County Register of Deeds office maintains Sagadahoc County property records. The register of deeds serves as the main custodian of property tax records, property valuation documents, ownership history, and other types of real estate documents. Individuals can request Sagadahoc County property records in person, by mail, or by email. The fees associated with requests for property records depend on the types and quantity of property requested. The Sagadahoc County Register of Deeds can be contacted at:

Registry of Deeds
752 High Street
Bath ME 04530
Phone: (207) 443-8214
Email: deeds@sagadahoccountyme.gov

Sagadahoc County Court Records Online

Another way that citizens can access Sagadahoc County court records online is by using third-party online resources. Third-party sites are privately owned companies offering access to Sagadahoc County court records and other Sagadahoc County public records. Third-party online resources like mainecourtrecords.us offer a convenient way to access public Sagadahoc County court records. There has been a yearly rise in the use of third-party websites because they are easy to use and can be accessed remotely from anywhere in the world. It is good practice to use third-party websites with good reviews that are shown to provide accurate data.