Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County, Maine encompasses the western mountains region of the state, with Farmington serving as the county seat. The county’s court system comprises three distinct courts — the Superior Court, the District Court, and the Probate Court — each holding defined jurisdiction over specific case types. Records generated through these proceedings are preserved by designated court offices and are subject to Maine’s legal framework governing public access. Navigating those offices efficiently is the first step toward locating any court document.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
Maine court records can be searched through several channels depending on the type of case and the age of the filing. These include official clerk’s offices, in-person courthouse terminals, and online tools available through the Maine Judicial Branch. MaineCourts.us is a useful starting point for identifying which court handles a particular matter and for finding court contact information and publicly available case records across the state.
For active electronic cases, the Maine Judicial Branch has introduced re:SearchMaine, an online platform that allows the public to search case information in courts where electronic filing (eFiling) is available. Franklin County Superior Court has eFiling in place, and electronic criminal, juvenile, and civil violation records in Franklin and Oxford Counties became accessible through re:SearchMaine after September 2025. Members of the public can register for a free account on re:SearchMaine to search public cases and view the Registry of Actions for available proceedings. Full document access beyond the Registry of Actions requires an in-person visit to the courthouse.
For older or inactive cases — often called legacy cases — records are not available electronically. Those records must be requested directly from the clerk’s office using the court’s Request for Records Search form (OTH-009).
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Maine’s approach to court record access draws from two overlapping frameworks. Maine’s Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) establishes a broad public right to government records, though court records are specifically governed by a separate set of judicial rules rather than FOAA directly. The Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) and Administrative Order JB-20-03 establish three tiers of access for electronic records:
- Records accessible only by attorneys of record and case parties
- Records accessible by the public remotely through re:SearchMaine
- Records accessible by the public only at a courthouse terminal
Categories of court records that are restricted or nonpublic under Maine law and MRECS include:
- Juvenile case records
- Child protection proceedings
- Protection from abuse cases
- Protection from harassment cases
- Adoption records
- Records sealed or impounded by court order
- Cases involving confidential medical or financial information protected by law
For sealed, impounded, or otherwise nonpublic records, access may only be obtained through a court order. A party seeking access to restricted records must file a motion with the court in accordance with applicable procedural rules. Even when such access is granted, it will not be provided remotely. Paper copies of public electronic court records are available free of charge at courthouses where eFiling is available.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal matters in Franklin County fall under the jurisdiction of the Franklin County Superior Court, while misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil violations are handled by the Farmington District Court.
Franklin County Superior Court
Address: 140 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-3346 | Toll-Free: (800) 222-0160
Clerk: Lisa Nolf
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Farmington District Court
Address: 129 Main Street, Suite 1, Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-2119
Clerk: Lisa Nolf
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Both courts are closed on court holidays, during designated administrative weeks, and for storm or emergency closures — see the Maine Judicial Branch court alerts page for current closure notices.
Searching criminal case records:
- Visit re:SearchMaine to search for public cases in courts where eFiling is active. Register for a free account to view the Registry of Actions and publicly accessible documents.
- For complete document access beyond what is available remotely, visit the clerk’s office at the Superior Court or District Court in Farmington during business hours.
- For legacy (closed/inactive) cases, complete and submit the Request for Records Search form (OTH-009) to the appropriate clerk’s office.
Arrest and jail records are maintained separately by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Franklin County Detention Center publishes jail intake and release information on the county’s official website. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 120 County Way, Suite 1, Farmington, ME 04938, and can be reached at (207) 778-2680.
For questions or technical issues with accessing electronic court records through re:SearchMaine, contact the Maine Judicial Branch at ecourtshelp@courts.maine.gov.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Franklin County are distributed between the Superior Court and the District Court based on claim value and case type. The Superior Court handles larger civil claims and jury trials in civil matters, while the District Court handles smaller civil claims, small claims cases (capped at $6,000 under Maine law), landlord-tenant disputes, and civil violations.
The Superior Court Clerk’s Office is the primary custodian of civil case records at the Superior Court level. Civil case filings typically include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgments. These records are searchable through re:SearchMaine for active electronic cases, with the Registry of Actions viewable by registered members of the public at no charge.
Requesting civil records in person or by mail:
- Identify whether the case was filed in Superior Court or District Court and contact the appropriate clerk.
- Provide the case number, party names, and type of document needed.
- Legacy civil case records require submission of form OTH-009 to the clerk’s office.
- Paper copies of public electronic records are available free of charge at the courthouse.
For small claims matters at the District Court level, the Maine Judicial Branch has published a Small Claims Guide explaining the process for claims of $6,000 or less, including how to prepare and file a case without an attorney.
Property records for Franklin County — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats dating back to 1838 — are held by the Franklin County Registry of Deeds, located at 140 Main Street, Suite 3, Farmington, ME 04938. Searches can be conducted in person using the Registry’s index by party name, or documents can be viewed and downloaded online through the Registry’s searchable database.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Franklin County — including divorce, child custody, child support, parental rights termination, protection from abuse, and protection from harassment — are filed in the District or Superior Court depending on the nature of the proceeding. Divorce and dissolution of marriage cases are generally handled at the District Court level; contested matters with substantial assets or other complexities may proceed in Superior Court.
Family case records are governed by the same access framework as other civil records, with important exceptions. Protection from abuse and protection from harassment cases, as well as child protection proceedings, are classified as restricted under MRECS. Parties in those specific case types who require remote access through re:SearchMaine must submit form OTH-014 — notarized — by email to ecourtshelp@courts.maine.gov with the subject line “re:SearchMaine Access Request - Protection Order Case”.
Vital records related to family proceedings — including certified copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates — are obtained from Maine’s Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) within the Department of Health and Human Services, rather than through the courts. Maine has maintained vital records since January 1, 1892. Records predating 1892 must be sought from the municipality where the event occurred or from the Maine State Archives.
Standard vital records fees:
| Record Type | First Certified Copy | Each Additional Copy (Same Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 | $6.00 |
| Marriage certificate | $15.00 | $6.00 |
| Divorce certificate | $15.00 | $6.00 |
| Death certificate | $15.00 | $6.00 |
Access to birth records is restricted to the person named on the certificate, their parents, authorized legal guardians or agents, grandparents, and children or siblings over the age of 18. Death records are restricted to the deceased’s spouse, immediate relatives, and legal representatives. Requesters must present valid identification and, for restricted records, demonstrate a reasonable interest in the document.
To request a certified vital record by mail:
- Submit a certified copy request through the DRVS online portal or prepare a written application with the required identifying information.
- Include a check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of Maine” for the applicable fee.
- Mail to: Vital Records, 11 State House Station, 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
- Phone inquiries: (207) 287-1919 or toll-free (888) 664-9491
- Email: vitalrecords.dhhs@maine.gov
Marriage and divorce records are also accessible through the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk’s Office, which forwards copies to the DRVS. For divorce records predating the DRVS archive, the Circuit Court retains the original filed documents.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
The Franklin County Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and name changes. The Probate Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over certain adoption-related matters and serves as a passport acceptance facility for the Farmington area.
Franklin County Probate Court
Address: 140 Main Street, Suite 6, Farmington, Maine 04938
Phone: (207) 778-5888
Fax: (207) 778-5899
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Judge of Probate: Margot Joly
Register of Probate: Heidi P. Jordan
Important: Wednesdays are designated court days at the Probate Court, and counter services may be limited or unavailable during normal business hours on those days. Calling ahead before a Wednesday visit is advisable.
Filing fees for probate proceedings in Franklin County are set by Maine Title 18-C, Section 1-602 and scale with estate value:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $10,000 and under | $40 |
| $10,001–$20,000 | $60 |
| $20,001–$30,000 | $75 |
| $30,001–$40,000 | $95 |
| $40,001–$50,000 | $125 |
| $50,001–$75,000 | $190 |
| $75,001–$100,000 | $250 |
| Filing a will for no probate | $15 |
| Filing a will to be probated (no appointment) | $20 |
| Petition for guardian | $90 |
| Petition for conservator | $90 |
| Joined petition for guardian and conservator | $115 |
| Petition for elective share | $120 |
| Other formal proceedings | $50 |
| Copies of court records | $1.00 per page |
| Certificate of appointment (under seal) | $10 single / $20 double |
Processing fees for probate services may be paid by check payable to “Probate Court” or by cash. Probate court forms are available through maineprobate.net, and case searches for probate filings can be conducted through the Maine Probate search tool. In-person records requests at the Probate Court require sufficient identifying information about the case — typically the name of the decedent, ward, or petitioner, along with the approximate year of filing.