Washington County Court Records

In Washington County, Maine, court records provide information about various cases in the court's jurisdiction, such as criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate cases. Records may also include Washington County arrest records containing information about county arrests, charges and detention. The public can access the county's legal history and precedents through case documents like court dockets, rulings, motions, judgments, and case filings.

Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

Yes, Washington County court records are publicly accessible according to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA). This law gives the public access to all court records, provided that they do not contain sensitive or personal information. Records may be criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, or other court case documents. Requesters can access these records by submitting requests via mail, in person, or through official and third-party websites.

Washington County Court Records Search

The Oregon Judicial Department maintains Washington County court records through the court clerks. Requesters can search various court records through this office by submitting records requests via mail or in person. These requests provide access to all public court records, which cover criminal, civil, probate, juvenile, family law, and other cases. Requesters can also use online access through websites such as the re:SearchMaine platform. Search requests require payment of $20 per name and per court search.

Washington County Courts

Washington County courts consist of one Superior Court, two District Courts, and one Probate Court. Here’s a list of Washington County courts and their addresses:

Washington County Superior Court
85 Court Street, P.O. Box 526
Machias, Maine 04654
Phone: (207) 255-3326

Washington County District Court
Calais
382 South Street
Suite B, Calais, Maine 04619
Phone: (207) 454-2055

Machias
85 Court Street, P.O. Box 526
Machias, Maine 04654
(207) 255-3044

Washington County Probate Court
85 Court Street,
P.O. Box 297
Machias, Maine 04654
Phone: (207) 255-6591

Washington County Criminal and Civil Records

Washington County civil and criminal records are maintained by the state police, the Sheriff’s office, and the Maine Judicial Branch (for court records). These agencies collectively handle documents with details of Washington County arrest records and court matters involving criminal misdemeanors, felonies, and interpersonal disputes.

They are public records obtainable using walk-in or mail-in requests. The public can submit written requests with a valid ID and payment of the required charge for searching or making copies. Online resources such as the re:SearchMaine website allow the public to access and obtain criminal and civil records from county courts.

Washington County Marriage Records

Marriage Records are maintained by the Town or City Clerk where the couple filed their intentions to marry and obtained their marriage license. Requesters can access marriage records by contacting the clerk in the exact town by mail or by phone. Walk-in requests can also be submitted in the clerk’s office with a description of the records of interest. These records are also available through the Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.

Marriage records that are less than 75 years old are not publicly accessible. These records can be obtained by the married couple, their direct offspring, or anyone with verifiable legal reasons. Online access to these marriage records is available through the Order Records website.

Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County Divorce Records are documents used to facilitate the dissolution of a marriage. They are publicly accessible records maintained by the Maine CDC Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics. Requesters can use mail-in or walk-in requests to access and obtain divorce records from this office. The main custodian of divorce records is the Clerk of the District Court, where the decree was granted. Thus, requesters can send or submit their requests to the relevant District Court. Online access to Washington County divorce records is available through the SearchMaine website.

Washington Birth Records

Washington County Birth Records are publicly accessible through the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics. Requesters can obtain birth records via mail-in requests to 11, State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011, or physical requests. Access to these records is restricted by Maine laws to the individual's names on the certificate, their legal guardians or parents, and legal representatives.

Birth records less than 75 years old are not publicly accessible and will require proof of legitimate interest or relationship. Requesters can also use the Order Now platform to access birth records online. These records are useful for proof of identity, inheritance claims, and genealogical research. This office can be contacted at:

Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
220 Capitol Street
11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone: (207) 287-1919
Toll Free: (888) 664-9491

Washington Death Records

Washington County Death Records are maintained by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The public can access these records in person at the Maine CDC’s Office between 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Requests can also be sent via mail using the Application for a Certified Copy of a Death Record form. Online access to Washington County Death Records is available through the Order Now website.

Maine law restricts access to death certificates to protect the deceased and their family’s privacy. Death certificates issued within the last 75 years are restricted to the deceased’s spouse, domestic partner, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Requesters can use death records as proof of death for estate settlement, insurance claims, and remarriage. The District Office of the Maine Department of Health Services is located at:

Machias District Office
38 Prescott Drive
Suite 3, Machias, Maine 04654
(207) 255-2000 - General Information
Toll Free: (900) 432-7846
Fax: (207) 255-2022

Washington County Probate Court Records

Washington County Probate Records refer to case documents from the Registry of Probate, where cases of guardianship, conservatorship, adoptions, trusts, name changes, and more are handled. These records are publicly accessible through mail-in and physical records requests. The public can submit records requests at the Registry of Probate between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on weekdays. Mail-in requests can be sent to P.O. Box 297, Machias, Maine 04654. These requests must contain a description of the probate case in the court archives. The public can also use the Registry of Probate website to access Probate Court records online. This website provides access to probate case records from 2007 to date. The probate registry is physically accessible at:

Washington County Registry of Probate
85 Court Street, P.O. Box 297
Machias, Maine 04654
Phone: (207) 255-6591

Washington County Property Records

Washington County Property Records are publicly accessible documents that contain details of real property ownership and description. This county’s property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds’ Office, which handles real property documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, foreclosures, land surveys, and more.

Requesters can physically access this office for records purposes between 8:00 am to 3:45 pm from Monday to Friday. These records can also be obtained through mail-in requests to P.O. Box 297, Machias, Maine 04654. The Register of Deeds website provides a land records search link for online access to property records. Here is the address and contact information for the Register of Deeds:

Washington County Register of Deeds
85 Court Street, P.O. Box 297
Machias, Maine 04654
Phone: (207) 255-6512
Fax: (207) 255-3838

Washington County Court Records Online

Washington County Court records are available online through official court websites. Records may also be accessible through third-party platforms such as Mainecourtrecords.us. Third-party websites generally provide 24-hour access to online case records; requesters can download case files to their devices. However, these sites operate independently of any government agency, so accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, restricted and sealed case records are generally inaccessible using third-party websites.