Washington County Court Records Search

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    Washington County, Maine's easternmost county, covers a wide range of coastal communities and rural towns, with the county seat located in Machias. Its courts — a Superior Court, two District Courts, and a Probate Court — generate records across criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile matters. These documents form an important part of the public record and capture the county's full judicial history.

    If you're searching for court case information in Maine, you can approach it several ways: through the clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the statewide electronic records platform, or by submitting a paper records request. MaineCourts.us can help point you toward publicly available case information across the state's judicial system.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?

    Washington County has three courts under the Maine Judicial Branch and one Probate Court administered at the county level. Where you start depends on which court handled the case and when it was filed.

    Washington County Superior Court
    Address: 85 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654-0526
    Mailing: P.O. Box 526, Machias, ME 04654-0526
    Clerk: Allison Wood
    Phone: (207) 255-3326
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed court holidays, administrative weeks, and weather-related closures)

    Machias District Court
    Address: 85 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654-0526
    Clerk: Allison Wood
    Phone: (207) 255-3044
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Calais District Court
    Address: 382 South Street, Suite B, Calais, ME 04619
    Clerk: Karen Moraisey
    Phone: (207) 454-2055
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Washington County Probate Court (Registry of Probate)
    Address: 85 Court Street, P.O. Box 297, Machias, ME 04654
    Phone: (207) 255-6591
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Online Search

    The re:SearchMaine platform is the Maine Judicial Branch's online portal for accessing electronic court records in courts where eFiling has been implemented. Washington County Superior Court is scheduled to go live on re:SearchMaine on July 27, 2026. After that date, you'll be able to search public case Registry of Actions (ROA) and certain records remotely at no registration fee. Until then — and for older paper-based records — the options below apply.

    Paper Records — Mail Request

    For most Washington County court records currently held in paper files, submit a completed Records Search Request form (OTH-009) by mail to:

    Judicial Branch Service Center
    P.O. Box 266, Lewiston, ME 04240
    (For FedEx/UPS: 250 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240)
    Phone: (207) 753-2901

    The search fee is $20 per name, per court location checked on the request form. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your submission.

    In-Person Requests

    Visit the clerk's office at the relevant court with the party's name, docket number if known, case type, and approximate filing date. Keep in mind that some clerk's offices cannot accommodate telephone requests for paper records.

    Are Court Records Public in Washington County?

    Washington County court records are generally open to the public. The Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) establishes public access rights for government records, and court records are subject to additional judicial branch rules — specifically the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS) and Administrative Order JB-20-03 — which balance openness with privacy protection.

    Under Maine law and court rules, the following case types and records are confidential and not accessible to the general public:

    • 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
    • Adoptions
    • Guardianships of minors
    • Name changes for minors
    • Petitions for court-authorized abortions for minors
    • Emancipations of minors
    • Assisted reproduction matters
    • Most juvenile case records

    MRECS also creates three tiers of access for electronic records: records accessible only by attorneys of record and parties; records the public can view remotely; and records accessible only at a courthouse terminal. Sealed or impounded records require a court order to access, and any non-remote access to such records must also be court-authorized.

    For paper copies of public electronic court records, members of the public may request them free of charge at courts where eFiling is available.

    Washington County Criminal Court Records

    Felony criminal cases in Washington County go before the Superior Court, while the Machias and Calais District Courts handle misdemeanors, traffic matters, and civil violations. The Judicial Branch maintains criminal case records — which are distinct from criminal history records — under its Records Retention Schedule.

    Important Distinction

    Criminal case records held by the court are not the same as an individual's criminal history. If you need criminal history information rather than a specific case file, your options are different:

    Searching Criminal Case Records

    • For cases after Washington County Superior Court's eFiling launch (July 27, 2026), search the re:SearchMaine portal for ROA information on public criminal cases
    • For paper records and older cases, submit a Records Search Request to the Judicial Branch Service Center (fee: $20 per name per court location)
    • Contact the Superior Court clerk at (207) 255-3326 or the District Court clerk at (207) 255-3044 (Machias) or (207) 454-2055 (Calais) directly

    Arrest and Law Enforcement Records

    The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and law enforcement records and is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county.

    Washington County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 83 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654
    Phone: (non-emergency): (207) 255-4422 or (207) 255-3128
    Emergency: 911
    Fax: (207) 255-8636

    The District Attorney handles criminal prosecutions in Washington County from two offices:

    • Machias DA Office: (207) 255-4425
    • Calais DA Office: (207) 454-3159

    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

    Washington County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Washington County — including personal injury, contract disputes, real property disputes, foreclosures, small claims, and eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer) proceedings — are handled by the Superior Court and the two District Courts, depending on the amount in controversy and case type.

    Searching Civil Records

    Once eFiling launches at the Washington County Superior Court on July 27, 2026, public Registry of Actions for civil cases will be searchable on re:SearchMaine at no cost. Note that for eviction, small claims, and foreclosure cases, records are only publicly viewable after judgment if the plaintiff prevailed.

    For currently available paper records, submit the Records Search Request form to the Judicial Branch Service Center with the $20 per-name, per-court fee. You can also contact the Machias clerk at (207) 255-3326 or the Calais clerk at (207) 454-2055 to ask about specific cases or records held in paper files.

    Civil case types that will be searchable remotely once electronic records are available include contract disputes, personal injury and non-personal injury torts, declaratory or equitable relief, constitutional/civil rights matters, title to real estate proceedings, and 80B/80C administrative appeals.

    The Maine eCourts platform also allows online payment of court filing fees for represented and self-represented parties.

    Washington County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Washington County — including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders (Protection from Abuse), and paternity — are handled by the District Courts in Machias and Calais, with certain matters going before the Superior Court.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records, including the divorce judgment or decree, are maintained by the clerk of the court where the case was heard. Depending on the filing date, records may be in paper or electronic form. To obtain a divorce record:

    • For paper records: submit a Records Search Request to the Judicial Branch Service Center ($20 per name, per court location)
    • For electronic records (post-eFiling launch): visit re:SearchMaine or access records in person at the courthouse
    • The Maine CDC Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics also maintains divorce records and can be reached through the vital records order portal

    Protection from Abuse Orders

    If you need remote re:SearchMaine access to Protection from Abuse or Protection from Harassment cases, you must submit a notarized request using form OTH-014 to ecourtshelp@courts.maine.gov with the subject line "re:SearchMaine Access Request – Protection Order Case".

    Marriage Records

    Marriage records in Washington County are held by the Town or City Clerk in the municipality where the couple obtained their license. Records less than 75 years old are restricted to the married couple, their direct descendants, or individuals with a verifiable legal interest. The Maine CDC Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics also maintains marriage records from 1892 to the present, accessible through the vital records order portal. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth records less than 75 years old are confidential, available only to the person named, their legal guardians or parents, and legal representatives. 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.

    Both can be requested from:

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

    Fees: Certified copy — $15.00 for the first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Non-certified copy — $10.00. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online via the vital records order page.

    For local death records inquiries in the Machias area, the district office of the Maine Department of Health Services is at:
    Machias District Office: 38 Prescott Drive, Suite 3, Machias, ME 04654, Phone: (207) 255-2000

    Washington County Probate Court Records

    The Washington County Registry of Probate holds probate records dating back to 1785, making it one of the longest-running public archives in the county. The court handles estates, wills, trusts, guardianships of adults and minors, conservatorships, adoptions, and name changes. Probate hearings are presided over by a part-time judge and are held twice monthly on scheduled Tuesdays, with additional hearings as needed.

    Washington County Registry of Probate
    Address: 85 Court Street, P.O. Box 297, Machias, ME 04654
    Phone: (207) 255-6591
    In-Person Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Mail Requests: P.O. Box 297, Machias, ME 04654

    Searching Probate Records

    Washington County probate records from 2007 onward are searchable online through MaineProbate.net, a platform maintained for all 16 Maine county registries of probate. The Washington County Registry has also scanned records back to 2005 and continues back-scanning older files as time permits.

    For records predating the online system, visit the Registry in person during business hours or submit a written mail request describing the case to the P.O. Box above.

    All records are open to the public except adoption records finalized after September 1953, which are sealed by statute.

    The Registry also holds some unique historical resources worth knowing about — including original Census Books for 1850, 1860, and 1870, an extensive collection of Washington County newspapers (some on microfilm with a reader-printer available in-office), and reproductions of the 1881 Washington County Atlas. Staff sells forms for probate proceedings but does not provide legal advice.

    The MaineProbate.net directory provides contact information for all Maine county probate courts and can help you identify the right registry for your records search.