Fillable Maine State Courts - Request For Record Search printable pdf download

Record Search Request Instructions and Information

Submitting a Request: The Record Search

copies (with the Court seal) require an additional

Request form must be used when submitting a

fee of $5 per document. It is recommended that you

request. Requests submitted on other forms will be

include a credit or debit card number with your

returned to the requestor. Requests must be

request to cover the copy fee and to have them

submitted by mail or other carrier, or in person at

returned

you

with

the

results.

the Judicial Branch Service Center. Requests

Alternatively, you can request that a quote for the

cannot be submitted via email or fax.

copy fees be mailed to you, and this will be

provided as soon as possible. You would then need

Payment: Payment is due when the request is

to submit the quote with your payment via mail.

submitted and can be by check, money order or

credit card. Cash is accepted if the request is hand

A docket record is the most commonly requested

delivered.

document. A docket record contains the names of

the parties, the type of case, the charges (if a

Record Search Fee: The fee is $20 per name, per

criminal or civil violation matter), date of filing,

box checked in the Court Location(s) section of the

attorney information, judgment information, etc.

Search Parameters. For example: one name to be

Other copies such as the complaint, judgment and

searched with two boxes checked in the Court

commitment and final judgment may also be

Location(s) section requires a $40 fee; two names

available. Copies of court documents are available

with one box checked in the Court Location(s)

in accordance with the Record Retention Schedule,

section requires a $40 fee. Two names with three

Administrative Order JB-05-21. A copy of this order

boxes checked requires a $120 fee. The research

can be found on the Judicial Branch website at

fee is not affected whether the request is for

under

Rules

criminal records, civil records or both criminal and

Administrative Orders.

civil records.

Please contact the Judicial Branch Service Center

Exemptions from the Search Fee: The following

at 207-753-2901 if you have questions regarding

are exempt from paying the search fee:

copies.

Individuals performing a search for cases in

•

Processing Time: Clerks and/or Clerical Staff at

which they were a party.

the Service Center will endeavor to provide the

In-State and Out of State Agencies that

•

information requested using the following timetable:

perform a general governmental function,

such as State District Attorney offices,

1-5

names

within

working

days

Department of Health and Human Services,

6-10 names within 30 working days

Courts,

and

Executive

Department

11-15 names within 45 working days

Agencies.

16-20 names within 60 working days

21+ names to be determined by the Clerk

Please refer to Administrative Order JB-05-26,

and/or Senior Service Center Associate

Section III, for further information. A copy of this

order can be found on the Judicial Branch website

Note: Requests to search for records prior to 2000

under

Rules

require additional processing time.

Administrative Orders.

Required Information: Searches on individuals

Reported Information for Found Records: Only

must include the individual’s first and last name.

non-confidential information will be reported. If non-

The date of birth is required for criminal case

confidential records are found for the name(s)

searches. Searches on businesses must include

submitted, the docket number and status of the

the company name. Searches are performed using

case (whether pending or closed) will be reported.

the exact spelling of the first and last name(s) or

If you require additional details regarding the

business name, and date of birth if required, as

case(s) you will need to either purchase a copy of

provided by the requestor. Alias’ are considered a

the docket record or other case documents, or go

separate name and require a separate search fee.

to the court where the case is held to view the file.

Case files and copies are available in accordance

Note regarding searches for civil cases: The

with the Record Retention Schedule, Administrative

database used for civil case searches does not

Order JB-05-21. A copy of this order can be found

collect a unique identifier (e.g., DOB, SSN, etc.);

the

Judicial

Branch

website

therefore, the Judicial Branch is unable to certify

under

Rules

the civil case search results. In some instances, it is

Administrative Orders.

possible that the case information being reported is

not for the person you are investigating, but for a

Copies and fees: The fee for copies is $2 for the

person with the same name.

first page and $1 for each additional page. Attested

Rev. 10/15

Maine State Courts - Request For Record Search

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