Somerset County Court Records Search
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Somerset County occupies a large section of central Maine, with its county seat in Skowhegan. The county’s judicial system includes three separate courts — the Superior Court, the District Court, and the Probate Court — each handling distinct categories of legal matters. The Superior Court exercises general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, the Skowhegan District Court processes minor civil and criminal matters along with family and traffic cases, and the Probate Court administers estates, guardianships, and adoptions. All three courts are located along Court Street in Skowhegan, and the same clerk — Susan Furbush — serves both the Superior Court and District Court.
Court records in Maine can be searched through several channels, including clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and digital resources. The Maine Judicial Branch has been transitioning its records to electronic format since 2018, and the re:SearchMaine platform now provides online access to electronic case information where eFiling has been implemented. MaineCourts.us may also assist individuals in locating court directories and publicly available case information across the state. For older paper records and cases not yet in the electronic system, contact with the appropriate clerk’s office or submission of a formal records search request remains necessary.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Somerset County?
The approach for finding court records in Somerset County depends on the type of case, when it was filed, and whether the records are in paper or electronic format.
Electronic Records via re:SearchMaine
The Maine Judicial Branch’s re:SearchMaine platform allows users to search for electronic case records in courts where eFiling is available. For Somerset County, criminal and civil violation cases became available electronically after February 2026. Registration is free, and public users can view the Registry of Actions (a list of court events) for public cases and access documents the court has made remotely available. To register, visit the Accessing Electronic Court Records page on the Judicial Branch website.
Members of the public who want to view electronic court documents beyond the Registry of Actions must visit a courthouse where eFiling is available in person. Paper copies of electronic court records are available at the courthouse free of charge.
Paper Records
For cases filed before the electronic transition or case types not yet in the system, there are two options:
- In person or by phone — Contact the clerk’s office at the court where the case was or is being heard. Bring or provide the party name, case type, and docket number if known.
- Records Search Request by mail — Complete the Request for Records Search form and mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Judicial Branch Service Center
P.O. Box 266
Lewiston, ME 04240
For FedEx or UPS deliveries: 250 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240.
The records search fee is $20.00. For questions about the records search process, contact the Judicial Branch Service Center at (207) 753-2901. Note that depending on the age of a case, records may no longer be stored at the courthouse. The Judicial Branch’s Records Retention Schedule governs how long various paper records are kept and their ultimate disposition.
Somerset County Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County Superior Court | 47 Court Street (mailing) / 41 Court Street (physical), Skowhegan, ME 04976 | (207) 474-5161 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 4 PM |
| Skowhegan District Court | 47 Court Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 | (207) 474-9518 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 4 PM |
| Somerset County Probate Court | 41 Court Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 | (207) 474-3322 | Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 4 PM |
Jury trial status for Somerset County can be checked by calling (800) 872-5539 or visiting the Jury Status Notices page. The jury clerk can also be reached at JuryInfoSomerset@courts.maine.gov.
Are Court Records Public in Somerset County?
Court records in Somerset County are generally open to the public. The Maine Freedom of Access Act establishes a presumption of public access to government records, and most court filings, docket entries, judgments, and orders can be inspected or copied by any person.
However, Maine law designates several categories of cases and records as confidential, accessible only to parties and their attorneys. Under the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) and applicable statutes, the following are not publicly accessible:
- Mental health civil commitment proceedings
- Medical malpractice screening panel proceedings
- Sterilization proceedings
- Proceedings for extreme weapon protection orders
- HIV/AIDS testing proceedings
- Minor settlement proceedings
- Child protection matters
- Adoption cases
- Guardianships of minors
- Name changes for minors
- Petitions for court-authorized abortions for minors
- Emancipation proceedings
- Assisted reproduction matters
- Most juvenile case records
For electronic records, MRECS creates three tiers of access: records viewable only by attorneys and parties, records accessible remotely by the public, and records accessible by the public only at a courthouse. Records that are sealed, impounded, or designated nonpublic can only be accessed by court order. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may file a motion pursuant to applicable rules of procedure.
Under the Revised Court Fees Schedule (Administrative Order JB-05-26), copy fees for court records are $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each subsequent page. Attestation costs $5.00 per document, and exemplification costs an additional $5.00 per document. A $5.00 postage and handling fee applies to mail requests unless the requester includes a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Somerset County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Somerset County are handled by either the Superior Court or the District Court, depending on the severity of the offense. The Superior Court serves as the highest criminal trial court, while the District Court hears misdemeanors and less serious criminal matters. Both courts share Clerk Susan Furbush.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records in Somerset County became available electronically on re:SearchMaine after February 2026. Public users who register can view the Registry of Actions for criminal cases. For full case documents, a courthouse visit may be required. Older criminal cases still in paper format can be located through the Judicial Branch Service Center using the Request for Records Search form.
Individuals involved in their own criminal cases can obtain copies of documents in their files at no cost. State and federal agencies are also exempt from copy fees for criminal records.
Criminal History Records vs. Court Case Records
Criminal case records maintained by the court are not the same as a comprehensive criminal history. An individual’s full criminal history — including conviction and adjudication data for crimes committed in Maine, as well as pending cases less than one year old — is maintained by the Maine State Police State Bureau of Identification (SBI). Criminal history records can be searched and ordered through the Maine Criminal History Record Request Service.
Somerset County Sheriff’s Office
The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement and maintains arrest records and incident reports. Written requests for records should be sent to:
Somerset County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Records Department
131 East Madison Road
Madison, Maine 04950
Phone: (207) 474-9591
Toll Free: (800) 452-1933
The Sheriff’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Somerset County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Somerset County is divided between the Superior Court and the District Court. The Superior Court handles general civil and real estate actions, while the District Court processes small claims, forcible entry and detainer (eviction) matters, money judgment disclosures, and other civil filings. Key filing fees established by Administrative Order JB-05-26 include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil or real estate action (Superior or District Court) | $175.00 |
| Small claims action | $70.00 |
| Forcible entry and detainer (eviction) | $100.00 |
| Small claims disclosure (per defendant) | $30.00 |
| Money judgment disclosure | $85.00 |
| Family matter action | $120.00 |
| Post-judgment motion (M.R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2), 59, 60(b), 62, or 66) | $60.00 |
Accessing Civil Court Records
Public civil case information, including torts, contracts, declaratory relief, real estate title actions, and appeals, is available on re:SearchMaine for electronically filed cases. For small claims and eviction cases, the Registry of Actions becomes publicly viewable only after judgment if the plaintiff prevailed.
Paper civil records can be requested at the clerk’s office or through the Judicial Branch Service Center. The records search fee is $20.00, and copy fees follow the standard schedule of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
Property Records
The Somerset County Registry of Deeds maintains records of property transactions, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property rights. These records can be searched online through the Registry’s land records portal. The Registry is located on the first floor of the Superior Courthouse at 41 Court Street, Skowhegan, and can be reached at (207) 474-3421.
Somerset County Family Court Records
Family matters in Somerset County — including divorce, child custody, child support, parental rights and responsibilities, protection from abuse, and protection from harassment — are heard in the District Court. The entry fee for a family matter action is $120.00. Post-judgment motions in family cases cost $80.00, though motions to modify or enforce child support carry no filing fee.
Divorce Records
Divorce records, including judgments (decrees) and related filings, may be in paper or electronic form depending on when the case was filed. For electronic cases, the Registry of Actions is viewable on re:SearchMaine. For paper divorce records, submit a Request for Records Search to the Judicial Branch Service Center. A short-form Certificate of Judgment of Divorce costs $5.00, and an Abstract of Divorce Decree costs $10.00.
Protection Orders
There is no filing fee for protection from abuse actions or for protection from harassment actions involving domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, sex trafficking, or unauthorized dissemination of private images. Copies of documents in these cases are provided free of charge to parties, their attorneys, domestic violence or sexual assault services advocates, and law enforcement.
Adoption and Guardianship
Filing a petition for adoption of a minor costs $65.00, and a petition for guardianship of a minor costs $50.00. Adoption records are confidential and not accessible to the public. Guardianships of minors and name changes for minors are likewise confidential case types.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Maine are maintained by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Data, Research, and Vital Statistics). Maine is a closed-record state, meaning vital records are not public. Marriage records less than 50 years old are confidential and available only to persons listed on the record, parents, descendants, legal guardians, legal representatives, and authorized genealogists.
Eligible individuals can request marriage records through three methods:
- In person — Visit the DRVS office at 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME. Walk-ins are accepted between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- By mail — Submit a completed Application for a Vital Record, a copy of valid government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility if not listed on the record, applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Vital Records
11 State House Station, 220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
- Online — Order through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com or by phone at (877) 523-2659. An additional processing fee applies.
| Vital Record Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Search and first certified copy | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same request) | $6.00 |
| VitalChek processing charge (per order) | $15.50 |
Birth and Death Records
Birth records are confidential for 75 years, and death records for 25 years, under Maine law. Only the registrant (for birth records), parents, descendants, legal guardians, legal representatives, and authorized genealogists may obtain certified copies. The same application procedures and fees as marriage records apply. Requests are directed to the DRVS office or can be placed through VitalChek.
Somerset County Probate Court Records
The Somerset County Probate Court operates independently from the state-level Judicial Branch and is administered at the county level. The court handles estate administration for deceased and missing persons, guardianship of incapacitated adults and minors, conservatorships, trusts, legal name changes, and some adoption matters.
Accessing Probate Records
The Probate Court manages its own records. To locate or obtain copies of probate documents, contact the court directly:
Somerset County Probate Court
41 Court Street
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Phone: (207) 474-3322
Fax: (207) 474-7405
Email: info@somersetcounty-me.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Older probate records may also be available through the Maine State Archives, which holds historical Somerset County probate files. The statewide Maine Probate Courts directory can also help users locate probate resources.
Types of Probate Matters
The Probate Court’s jurisdiction covers several key areas:
- Estate administration — Processing wills, appointing personal representatives, overseeing inventories and accountings, and authorizing distribution of assets
- Guardianship and conservatorship — Appointing guardians for incapacitated adults and minors, and conservators to manage financial affairs
- Trusts — Overseeing certain trust-related matters and disputes
- Legal name changes — Processing petitions for adult and minor name changes
- Adoptions — Handling certain adoption proceedings (adoption records are confidential)
Probate courts in Maine are exempt from the state Judicial Branch fee schedule. Fees for copies and filings at the Probate Court should be confirmed directly with the clerk’s office. Certain probate records — particularly those involving guardianships of minors and adoption proceedings — are confidential and not available for public inspection.