Hancock County Court Records Search

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    Hancock County is situated along the coast of Downeast Maine, with Ellsworth serving as the county seat. Court proceedings in the county are administered through three separate tribunals: the Hancock County Superior Court, the Ellsworth District Court, and the Hancock County Probate Court. Each of these courts generates and preserves distinct categories of records spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, and estate proceedings. The clerk’s office at the Ellsworth courthouse functions as the central point of contact for accessing most case files, while the Registry of Probate independently manages estate and guardianship documentation.

    Maine residents and members of the public can locate Hancock County court records through several channels. The Maine Judicial Branch operates re:SearchMaine, a free electronic portal that allows registered users to look up case information, view docket entries, and access certain documents filed in courts statewide. Additional search assistance and background on Maine’s court system is available through MaineCourts.us. Those who prefer direct contact can visit the clerk’s office at the Ellsworth courthouse during business hours, use public-access terminals on site, or submit written record requests by mail. The Maine Judicial Branch’s eCourts hub also provides guidance on electronic filing, case tracking, and the rules governing remote access to digital court files.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Hancock County?

    Hancock County court cases can be searched using online tools, in-person visits, or mail-based requests. The method you choose will depend on the type of record, whether the case is active or closed, and whether you need certified copies or simply want to review docket information.

    Online Search via re:SearchMaine

    The primary electronic resource is re:SearchMaine, which replaced the former Odyssey Public Portal. To use it:

    1. Create a free account using a valid email address.
    2. Search by party name, case number, or citation number.
    3. View the Registry of Actions (ROA), which lists all docket entries, hearing dates, and filed documents for a given case.
    4. Publicly accessible documents can be viewed remotely; other filings may require an in-person visit to the courthouse.

    Not all records are available electronically. Legacy cases that are closed or inactive generally cannot be retrieved through re:SearchMaine, with the exception of certain traffic matters. For older records, you must submit Form OTH-009 (Request for Records Search) to the clerk’s office.

    In-Person Access

    Both the Superior Court and the District Court share a location at:

    Hancock County Courthouse
    50 State Street, Suite 2
    Ellsworth, ME 04605
    Phone: (207) 667-7141
    TTY: 711 Maine Relay / (800) 437-1220
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

    Walk-in visitors may use public-access terminals to search electronic case records and request paper copies from the clerk. The courthouse is closed on court holidays, during administrative weeks, and in the event of storm or emergency closures. No firearms, knives, food, drink, cameras, or recording devices are permitted inside. Additional visitor guidelines and ADA accommodation information are posted by the Maine Judicial Branch.

    Mail Requests

    Written requests for records can be sent to the clerk at the address above. Include the full case number or as much identifying information as possible (party names, approximate filing date, case type). Paper copies are generally provided free of charge at the courthouse, though mailing and certification fees may apply. Contact the clerk’s office by phone to confirm any costs before submitting a request.

    Are Court Records Public in Hancock County?

    Maine follows a strong presumption of public access to court records. The Maine Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. §§ 400–414) establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including courts, are open for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

    Electronic access is further regulated by the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) and Administrative Order JB-20-03. Under these rules, digital court records fall into three tiers:

    • Attorney/party-only records — accessible remotely only to attorneys of record and named parties through their eFileMaine credentials.
    • Remotely viewable public records — available to any registered re:SearchMaine user, including docket sheets, certain motions, and orders in qualifying case types.
    • Courthouse-only public records — viewable at a courthouse public terminal but not available for remote download.

    Records that are generally not public include:

    • Juvenile proceedings (with limited exceptions)
    • Adoption files
    • Records sealed or impounded by court order
    • Certain medical and mental health evaluations
    • Grand jury proceedings
    • Personal financial information (Social Security numbers, bank account numbers)
    • Trade secrets designated as confidential
    • Protection-from-abuse case details in some circumstances

    If a record has been sealed or impounded, obtaining access requires filing a motion and receiving a court order. The clerk’s office can confirm whether a specific file is subject to any restriction. For questions about electronic access rules, contact ecourtshelp@courts.maine.gov.

    Publicly searchable case types on re:SearchMaine encompass criminal matters, civil violations, traffic infractions, business and consumer disputes, personal injury claims, contract actions, foreclosures, small claims, evictions, appeals, and money judgments, among others.

    Hancock County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Hancock County are divided between two courts based on severity. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions and jury trials, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, Class D and E crimes, traffic violations, and civil violations such as OUI offenses.

    Hancock County Superior Court
    Address: 50 State Street, Suite 2, Ellsworth, ME 04605
    Phone: (207) 667-7176
    Clerk: Terry Harding

    Ellsworth District Court
    Address: 50 State Street, Suite 2, Ellsworth, ME 04605
    Phone: (207) 667-7141
    Clerk: Terry Harding

    Both courts share the same building, clerk, and business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    Active and recent criminal dockets can be searched for free through re:SearchMaine. The Registry of Actions will display charges, hearing dates, attorneys, and dispositions for accessible cases. Full document images may or may not be available remotely depending on the access tier assigned under MRECS; if a document is restricted from remote viewing, you can review it at a courthouse terminal.

    Criminal History Background Checks

    The Maine State Bureau of Identification (SBI) is the official custodian of statewide criminal history records. Background checks can be requested through the Maine Criminal History Record Request Service. Fees are:

    • Maine residents: $21.00
    • Non-residents: $31.00

    Results are typically delivered by email within approximately 12 hours. The SBI can be reached at:

    Maine State Bureau of Identification
    45 Commercial Drive, Suite 1
    Augusta, ME 04330
    Phone: (207) 624-7240

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    Arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information generated by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office are maintained separately from court files. These records are subject to their own request process and may be obtained by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly. The Maine Department of Corrections and the Maine State Police also maintain records relevant to incarceration, probation, and parole.

    Criminal records that have been sealed, expunged, or involve juvenile defendants are not available to the general public. Maine law restricts disclosure of certain criminal history information, particularly for cases that did not result in conviction or that involved youthful offenders.

    Hancock County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Hancock County is heard in both the Superior Court and the District Court. The Superior Court generally handles larger claims, jury-demanded cases, and real property disputes. The District Court manages small claims (up to $6,000), landlord-tenant actions, money judgments, and other civil matters that do not require a jury.

    How to Access Civil Records

    Civil case records are searchable through re:SearchMaine at no cost after creating an account. Registered users can view the Registry of Actions and, for many civil case types, access filed documents remotely. Case types available online include contract disputes, personal injury, declaratory and equitable relief, real estate title actions, foreclosures, evictions, and appeals.

    For cases not available electronically — particularly older or legacy files — submit Form OTH-009 to the clerk at the Ellsworth courthouse. The clerk’s office can also assist with locating records in person during regular business hours.

    Civil Filing Forms and Fees

    The Maine Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive forms library that includes civil complaint forms, motions, subpoenas, and small claims filings. Filing fees vary by case type and are set by statute; the clerk’s office can provide current amounts when you file.

    Property and Land Records

    Real property records — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers — are not held by the courts but by the Hancock County Registry of Deeds. These can be searched online through the Registry of Deeds search portal or in person at:

    Hancock County Registry of Deeds
    50 State Street, Suite 9
    Ellsworth, ME 04605

    The Registry of Deeds is part of the Hancock County government and operates independently of the court system. Civil court records involving real property — such as foreclosure actions, partition suits, and quiet title claims — are filed with the clerk of courts and searchable through the court system.

    Hancock County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Hancock County are adjudicated primarily through the District Court in Ellsworth. Maine does not maintain a separate family court division; instead, family cases are assigned to District Court judges who handle divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, paternity, parental rights and responsibilities, and name changes.

    Divorce and Separation

    Divorce filings, including complaints, financial statements, parenting plans, and final judgments, are maintained by the clerk of courts. Active divorce cases can be tracked through re:SearchMaine, though access to certain financial documents and mediation records may be restricted under MRECS access rules. Copies of divorce judgments can be requested directly from the clerk at the Ellsworth courthouse.

    Domestic Violence Protection Orders

    Protection from abuse (PFA) petitions are filed at the District Court. Due to the sensitive nature of these proceedings, some documents may not be remotely accessible and are viewable only at a courthouse terminal or by the parties involved. Emergency orders can be issued by a judge or, after hours, by a law enforcement officer with court follow-up.

    Adoption and Juvenile Proceedings

    Adoption records in Maine are confidential by statute and are not available to the general public. Juvenile case records — including delinquency, truancy, and child protective matters — are similarly restricted. Access to these files requires a court order or, in limited circumstances, written authorization from the parties involved.

    Vital Records: Marriage, Birth, and Death Certificates

    Vital records are not maintained by the courts. The Maine Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics within the Department of Health and Human Services is the state-level custodian. Requests may be sent to:

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

    The fee for a certified vital record is $15.00, payable by check or money order. Proof of eligibility and a valid photo ID are required. Maine law imposes waiting periods before vital records become fully public:

    • Marriage records: public after 50 years
    • Birth records: public after 75 years
    • Death records: public after 25 years

    Before those thresholds, access is restricted to the individual named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or other persons with a direct and legitimate interest as defined by state regulation.

    Hancock County Probate Court Records

    The Hancock County Probate Court operates separately from the Superior and District Courts and handles matters related to the administration of estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and name changes. The court is housed in the same Ellsworth courthouse complex but in a different suite, with its own staff and contact information.

    Hancock County Probate Court
    Address: 50 State Street, Suite 6, Ellsworth, ME 04605
    Phone: (207) 667-8434
    Fax: (207) 667-5316

    The Probate Court is overseen by an elected Register of Probate. More information about the office, including available forms and local procedures, is posted on the Hancock County Registry of Probate page.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate filings can be searched online through Maine Probate Search, a database that covers multiple counties and allows searches by decedent name, case number, or estate type. Some records may also appear in re:SearchMaine depending on the filing date and electronic availability.

    For older estate files or documents not available online, contact the Register of Probate at the phone number above or visit Suite 6 at the Ellsworth courthouse during business hours. Staff can assist with locating wills, inventories, accountings, guardian reports, and related filings.

    What Probate Records Include

    A typical probate file may contain:

    • Last will and testament (or determination of intestacy)
    • Petition for appointment of personal representative
    • Inventory and appraisal of estate assets
    • Accountings filed by the personal representative
    • Creditor claims and notices
    • Orders of distribution
    • Guardianship petitions and annual reports
    • Conservatorship petitions and financial accountings

    Public Access to Probate Records

    Most probate records in Maine are open to the public. Exceptions include certain guardianship records involving minors, sealed adoption files, and any documents containing confidential personal or financial information that a judge has ordered restricted. The Register of Probate can confirm whether a particular file is publicly accessible before you visit or submit a written request.

    Estate records are particularly valuable for genealogical research. The Pine Tree Legal Assistance guide to Maine probate courts offers additional context on how the probate system works across the state, including explanations of informal versus formal probate proceedings and the rights of interested parties to access filed documents.