Somerset County Court Records

Somerset County court records refer to official documents generated during the adjudication of legal matters within the county. Court records typically contain information about the parties to the dispute and their attorneys, filings, legal arguments, case trials, and court judgments. These Maine court records sometimes serve as precedents for current and future cases in the county.

Are Court Records Public in Somerset County?

Court records are public in Somerset County. The Maine Freedom of Access Law generally allows public access to official documents maintained by the court. However, certain court records are considered confidential and may only be accessed by the parties to the case and their attorneys. Examples of confidential court records in Somerset County include the following:

• Juvenile case records
• Adoption records
• Records of mental health civil commitment proceedings
• Records relating to guardianships of minors
• Records of minor settlement proceedings

Somerset County Court Records Search

Individuals may access Somerset County court records by making a request to the record custodian. Typically, this may involve completing the relevant request form and paying the applicable fees. Requesters also have the option of viewing court records through government-provided websites and reliable third-party databases.

Somerset County Courts

Somerset County is home to a Superior Court, District Court, and Probate Court. The Superior Court is the highest criminal court, with general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters arising in the county. The District Court handles minor civil and criminal cases, family cases, and traffic matters. On the other hand, the Probate Court specializes in cases relating to the administration of deceased persons’ estates. Below is a list of the contact information of all Somerset County courts:

Somerset County Superior Court
Physical: 41 Court St
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-5161

Somerset County District Court - Skowhegan
47 Court St
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-9518

Somerset County Probate Court
41 Court St
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-3322
Fax: (207) 858-4235

Somerset County Criminal Records

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for collecting information about crime-related matters within the county. Interested persons may request their Somerset arrest records from the Sheriff’s Office by sending a written request to:

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Records Department
131 East Madison Road
Madison, Maine 04950

However, comprehensive records about individuals’ past arrests, criminal charges, and dispositions are maintained by the Maine State Police. These records may be accessed online through the Maine Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request Service, which allows users to search for and order criminal records after paying the required fees.

Get Somerset County Civil Court Records

Somerset County civil court records are documents relating to civil cases heard by the Superior and District Courts. Each court has a clerk who maintains these records. Requesters may either visit the clerk’s office at the relevant courthouse or mail a completed Request for Record Search along with the applicable fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Judicial Branch Service Center
P.O. Box 266
Lewiston, ME 04243

Somerset County Marriage Records

Somerset County marriage records are maintained at the state level by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MeCDC). Per Maine laws, marriage records less than 50 years old are considered confidential and may only be accessed by the record subjects, parents, descendants, legal guardians and representatives, and authorized genealogists. Eligible record seekers may request marriage records by mailing a completed Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record along with a copy of a valid ID, required fees, and proof of relationship to:

Vital Records
11 State House Station, 220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011

Requesters may also order marriage records online and by phone through a MeCDC-approved vendor.

Somerset County Divorce Records

Somerset County divorce records are official documents indicating the dissolution of marriages within the county. Divorce records may be obtained from the Superior Court by mailing a completed Request for Record Search to the Judicial Branch Service Center. To obtain divorce records maintained at the state level, submit a completed Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record to the MeCDC via mail.

Somerset Birth and Death Records

The MeCDC is responsible for maintaining records of births and deaths in Somerset County. Birth records are considered confidential until after 75 years, while death records are confidential for 25 years. Only the record subject (for birth records), parents, descendants, legal guardians and representatives, and authorized genealogists may obtain copies of confidential birth and death records.

Eligible persons may order Somerset County birth and death records online or by phone through a MeCDC-approved vendor. Alternatively, they can mail a completed Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record along with a copy of a valid ID, required fees, and proof of relationship to the MeCDC.

Somerset County Probate Court Records

Somerset County Probate Court handles matters relating to estate administration, guardianships, adoptions, and name changes. Official documents generated in these cases constitute Somerset County probate court records. Interested persons may access probate records at the Maine State Archives or by contacting the Probate Court at:

Somerset County Probate Court
41 Court St
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-3322
Fax: (207) 858-4235

Somerset County Property Records

The Somerset County Registry of Deeds maintains property records, including instruments documenting land rights and property transactions. These records may be accessed through the Registry’s website. Interested persons may also submit property record requests to the Registry at:

Superior Courthouse
41 Court Street
1st Floor
Skowhegan, Maine 04976
Phone: (207) 474-3421

Somerset County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Mainecourtrecords.us allow users to search public records online from the comfort of their homes and offices. Through these websites, users may access copies of official documents without having to visit public offices or go through complex processes. However, details obtained from third-party websites may not be as reliable and current as those obtained from official sources.