York County Court Records Search
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York County is one of Maine’s original counties, covering a large swath of the state’s southern coast and interior. Its courts handle thousands of cases each year spanning criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Whether you need to verify an old judgment, confirm the status of a pending case, or obtain certified copies of legal filings, understanding how the county’s court system is organized and where records are kept will save considerable time. The county seat is located in Alfred, though the primary trial-court facility for most case types is now the York Judicial Center in Biddeford.
Residents and members of the public searching for Maine court records can begin with the clerk’s office at the courthouse where a case was filed, use public-access terminals at the courthouse, or search electronically through the Judicial Branch’s online tools. MaineCourts.us may also help locate publicly available court case information and direct users to the appropriate resources statewide.
How to Look Up a Court Case in York County?
The method for looking up a case depends on when the case was filed, what type of case it is, and whether the court has transitioned to electronic filing. York County’s Superior Court and District Court both operate out of the York Judicial Center and share a single clerk’s office.
York Judicial Center (Superior Court and District Court)
Address: 515 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
Phone: (207) 283-6000
TTY: 711 Maine Relay
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on court holidays, administrative weeks, and emergency closings)
York County Probate Court / Registry of Probate
Address: 45 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, ME 04002
Phone: (207) 324-1577
Email: probate@yorkcountymaine.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
To look up a case, follow the approach that matches the record format:
- Paper records (most cases filed before November 2020). Complete a Request for Records Search form and mail it, with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the Judicial Branch Service Center at P.O. Box 266, Lewiston, ME 04240 (for FedEx or UPS: 250 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240). You may also visit the clerk’s office at the York Judicial Center in person and request a search there. A search fee of $20 per name applies for third-party requests. Parties to a case may inspect their own files at no charge.
- Electronic records (cases in courts where eFiling is available). Register for a free account on re:SearchMaine, the Judicial Branch’s online case-search platform. Members of the public can view public Registry of Actions entries and any documents the court has made remotely accessible. For York County, criminal, civil-violation, and related case records became available on re:SearchMaine after March 2026.
- In-person electronic access. At the York Judicial Center, members of the public may use courthouse terminals to view electronic case documents that are not available remotely but are still publicly accessible under the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (MRECS). Paper copies of public electronic records may be requested free of charge at the courthouse.
Copy and certification fees for paper records are $2.00 for the first page, $1.00 per additional page, and $5.00 for certification per document. Acceptable payment methods include checks, money orders, and credit cards. Questions can be directed to the Judicial Branch Service Center at (207) 753-2901 or jbrecordcheck@courts.maine.gov.
Are Court Records Public in York County?
Most court records in Maine, including those maintained by York County courts, are presumed open to the public. The Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) establishes a broad right to inspect government records, but the Judicial Branch has its own framework for court records. Access to electronic records is specifically governed by Administrative Order JB-20-03 and the MRECS, which balance public access with privacy protections.
Under these rules, certain categories of information are classified as nonpublic and cannot be accessed without a court order:
- Judicial memoranda, notes, drafts, and working documents prepared while researching a judgment or opinion
- Materials used in judicial settlement conferences
- Juror questionnaires and discovery documents
- Health information, including HIV testing and substance-use evaluations
- Adoption records and domestic-violence case details
- Personally identifying financial data such as tax returns, bank account numbers, and Social Security numbers
- Exhibits presented during trial preparation
Entire case types may also be designated confidential by law:
- Child protection matters
- Adoptions
- Guardianships of minors and name changes for minors
- Mental health civil commitment proceedings
- Medical malpractice screening panel proceedings
- Sterilization proceedings
- Extreme weapon protection order proceedings
- HIV/AIDS testing proceedings
- Minor settlement proceedings
- Petitions for court-authorized abortions for minors
- Emancipation of minors
- Assisted reproduction matters
- Most juvenile case records
Persons who need access to sealed, impounded, or nonpublic records must file a motion for access under the applicable court rules of procedure. Any access granted in such cases will not be remote; it requires an in-person visit to the courthouse.
York County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in York County are tried in both the Superior Court and the District Court, both located at the York Judicial Center. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over felonies and jury trials, while the District Court handles misdemeanors and other criminal matters that do not require a jury.
Searching criminal case records. Criminal case records have historically been maintained in paper format. The Judicial Branch’s Records Retention Schedule dictates how long paper records are stored at the courthouse, when they move to the Records Center of the Maine State Archives, and when they may be destroyed. To obtain copies of paper criminal records, submit a completed Records Search Request form to the Judicial Branch Service Center or visit the clerk’s office at 515 Elm Street, Biddeford. You will need the defendant’s name, date of birth, case number, or docket number.
As of March 2026, electronic criminal case records for York County became searchable on re:SearchMaine for public Registry of Actions entries. Full documents may still require an in-person visit.
Fees for criminal records services at the clerk’s office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search fee (third-party, per name) | $20.00 |
| First page copy | $2.00 |
| Each additional page | $1.00 |
| Certification per document | $5.00 |
Parties to a case may access their own files at no charge.
Criminal history records vs. court case records. A criminal case file from the court is not the same as a criminal history report maintained by law enforcement. Statewide criminal history information—including convictions, adjudications, and pending cases—is maintained by the Maine State Police’s State Bureau of Identification (SBI). Background checks may be requested through the InforME portal. The fee is $21.00 for Maine InforME subscribers and $31.00 for non-subscribers. This is a non-refundable fee. A notarized copy of a criminal history record costs an additional $10.00.
York County Sheriff’s Office. For arrest records and local law-enforcement information, contact:
York County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1 Layman Way, Alfred, ME 04002
Phone: (207) 324-1113
Fax: (207) 324-8268
The York County Sheriff’s Office handles civil process service, warrant execution, and patrol functions throughout the county.
York County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in York County are heard in either the Superior Court or the District Court depending on the nature of the claim, the amount in controversy, and whether a jury trial is requested. The Superior Court handles major civil litigation and jury cases, while the District Court presides over small claims, forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases, and other civil matters within its jurisdictional limits.
Obtaining civil case records. The steps for retrieving civil case documents mirror the general process described above:
- In person: Visit the clerk’s office at the York Judicial Center during regular hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) and provide the case number or party names.
- By mail: Send a completed Records Search Request form to the Judicial Branch Service Center, P.O. Box 266, Lewiston, ME 04240, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.
- Online: Use re:SearchMaine to search for electronic case records. Public entries for civil case types such as personal-injury tort, contract disputes, declaratory or equitable relief, title-to-real-estate proceedings, and 80B/80C appeals are available remotely. For small claims, forcible entry and detainer, and foreclosure cases, public access to electronic records is available only after judgment if the plaintiff prevailed.
Copy and certification fees remain the same as noted earlier: $2.00 for the first page, $1.00 each additional page, and $5.00 per certified document. The $20.00 search fee per name applies to third-party searches.
Small claims. Small claims cases in York County are filed at the District Court (York Judicial Center). Detailed information on filing procedures, service of process, and court forms is available through the Judicial Branch’s court forms portal. The Sheriff’s Offices directory maintained by the Judicial Branch lists contact information for service of process by county.
Property records. While not technically court records, property-related documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plans are maintained by the York County Registry of Deeds at 45 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, ME 04002, Phone: (207) 324-1576 The Registry offers an online search platform where registered users can view up to 500 pages free per calendar year; additional pages cost $0.50 each. In-person copies cost $1.00 per page, and certification is $5.00 per document.
York County Family Court Records
Family law cases in York County—including divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, child support, protection from abuse, and related matters—are handled by the Family Division operating through the York Judicial Center. There is no standalone family court building in the county; all family-law proceedings take place at 515 Elm Street, Biddeford.
Accessing family court records. Non-confidential family court records may be obtained through the same channels as other civil records: in person at the clerk’s office, by mail to the Judicial Branch Service Center, or via re:SearchMaine for electronic filings. A party name, case number, or filing date is typically needed to initiate a search. The Find a Court by City/Town tool on the Judicial Branch website can help determine which court location originally handled a given matter.
Confidential family records. Several categories of family-related cases are fully confidential and closed to public access:
- Child protection cases
- Adoption proceedings
- Guardianships of minors
- Emancipation of minors
- Assisted reproduction and gestational carrier matters
Parties to confidential family cases such as protection-from-abuse or protection-from-harassment orders who wish to access their own records on re:SearchMaine must submit Form OTH-014, which requires notarization, by emailing it to ecourtshelp@courts.maine.gov with the subject line “re:SearchMaine Access Request - Protection Order Case”.
Divorce records. Divorce judgments and case files may be in paper or electronic form depending on when and where the case was heard. Copies can be obtained from the clerk’s office or via the methods described for paper and electronic records. A divorce certificate—distinct from the court file—can be obtained from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) office.
Marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates. Vital records in Maine are not public records. Access is restricted to the registrant, parents named on the record, and individuals who demonstrate a direct and legitimate interest as defined by Maine law. To order a certified copy of a marriage, birth, or death certificate, applicants may apply in person at the DRVS office in Augusta (220 Capitol Street, walk-ins welcome 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), by mail using the Application for a Vital Record, or online through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com (phone: (877) 523-2659).
Vital record fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (first) | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (same record, same order) | $6.00 |
| Non-certified copy | $10.00 |
| VitalChek processing charge (per order) | $15.50 |
Checks and money orders for mail requests must be made payable to the Treasurer, State of Maine. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all vital record requests.
York County Probate Court Records
The York County Probate Court operates separately from the Superior and District Courts and is administered at the county-government level rather than through the state Judicial Branch. It has jurisdiction over the probate and administration of estates, construction of wills and trusts, guardianships and conservatorships of adults and minors, adoptions, termination of parental rights, and legal name changes.
The York County Registry of Probate is the custodian of all probate court records, with original records dating back to 1687. The Registry is staffed by an elected Register of Probate and support employees.
Registry of Probate contact information:
York County Registry of Probate
Address: 45 Kennebunk Road, Alfred, ME 04002
Phone: (207) 324-1577
Email: probate@yorkcountymaine.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
How to request probate records:
- In person: Visit the Registry of Probate during business hours. Inspection of records at the office may be free, but copying and certification will incur fees.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the decedent’s name, case number (if known), and the type of document needed to the mailing address above.
- Online: Probate case information for York County may also be searched through MaineProbate.net, which provides an index of probate filings by county.
Types of matters handled:
- Probate and administration of decedent estates
- Admission of wills and appointment of executors
- Appointment and removal of administrators for intestate estates
- Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Trust matters and construction of wills
- Legal name changes (adults and minors)
- Adoptions and related termination of parental rights
The Registry accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express for fee payments. Estate notices are published periodically by the Registry and can be viewed on the York County government website.
Note about former court locations. The source webpage references Springvale and York District Court locations with separate addresses; both of those courthouses have been permanently closed. All Superior Court, District Court, and family-law functions in York County now operate from the York Judicial Center at 515 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04005. The Probate Court remains at the York County Courthouse in Alfred. The Biddeford District Court page on the Judicial Branch website confirms the consolidation for anyone who may have older records referencing the Springvale or York locations.