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Penobscot County, Maine State Court Records

Penobscot County court records provide official details of legal trials within the Superior, District, and Probate Courts. These records document court actions and legal decisions while serving as precedents for future legal trials.

Title 4, sections 563 and 564 of the Maine Revised Statutes, alongside the Maine Civil and Criminal Procedures, require courts to keep records of their proceedings. Within Maine’s unified court system, the Maine County Superior and District Courts Clerk’s Offices maintain Penobscot County court records under the supervision of the Maine Judicial Branch. These agencies manage case files, docket entries, and related documents generated during trials. They also grant public access in compliance with the Maine Freedom of Access Act(FOAA) and the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems and Public Access.

Penobscot County court records and other public records interrelate. For example, the county’s arrest records can become part of state and federal criminal case files, while probate cases may reference vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates.

Are Penobscot County Court Records Public?

Yes, Penobscot County’s court records are public. Access to Penobscot County court records is guaranteed by the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems and Public Access (MRECS). These rules govern public access to court records in Maine. The Maine Freedom of Access Act also mandates public access to official government documents, including Penobscot County court records.

Notwithstanding the accessibility of Penobscot County Court records, there are exemptions. Under the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems and Public Access, interested parties can view or copy:

  • Criminal case records involving adult defendants
    Civil lawsuits, such as contract disputes or personal injury claims
  • Family law cases, including divorce and child support proceedings (though some details may be redacted)
  • Probate matters, such as estate administration and wills.

However, to protect privacy and confidentiality, Maine restricts public access to:

To protect individuals’ privacy rights, Maine does not permit public access to:

  • Juvenile delinquency and child protection cases
  • Records sealed by court order or containing protected personal identifiers
  • Mental health and medical proceedings
  • Grand jury and investigative materials.

Custodian agencies will also redact sensitive personal information, such as:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Medical records
  • Personal financial information
  • Identifying information about minors.

What Information is Available in Penobscot County Court Records?

Penobscot County court records contain information about legal trials within the county’s courts. Under Maine law, court records are publicly accessible. A public-facing Penobscot County court record displays the following information:

  • Case information: This includes:
  • The case number,
  • Court location
  • Names of the parties involved (plaintiffs, defendants, or petitioners)
  • Case type and status.
  • Docket entries, including:
  • Hearing dates,
  • Motions filed
  • Orders issued by the judge.
  • Legal Filings: Original documents submitted to the court, such as:
  • Complaints
  • Petitions
  • Summons
  • Responses from the opposing party.
  • Evidence and Exhibits (documents, photographs, or materials formally entered into the record during a trial or hearing).
  • Judgments and Decrees (the final official ruling of the court, outlining the outcome of the trial, sentencing in criminal matters, or the distribution of assets in probate cases).
  • Attorney Details

Penobscot County Court Records Search

A Penobscot County court records search refers to the options for accessing trial documents from legal proceedings in the county’s courts. Under Maine’s judicial system, the Maine Judicial Branch is the custodian of county court records. This agency handles Penobscot County’s court records through the Penobscot County Superior Court and the Bangor District Court. Access to court documents is through state resources. Individuals seeking access to Penobscot County court records can opt for any of the following options:

Online Access

The MaineJudicial Branch’s eCourt System is the official online portal for a Penobscot County court records search. This platform provides access to case information, including docket entries, case status, and scheduled court events from the Penobscot County Superior, District, and Probate Courts. However, confidential and sealed matters are not accessible online.

In-person Access

Individuals who prefer in-person access to Penobscot County’s court records can visit the Penobscot County Superior or District Court to request assistance from the clerk’s office staff or search for documents through Public Access Terminals. For in-person access to Penobscot County court records, visit the Penobscot Judicial Center or the Penobscot County Probate Court between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on office days at the following addresses:

Penobscot Judicial Center

78 Exchange Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401

Penobscot County Probate Court:

97 Hammond Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401.

Phone and Mail Requests

Record seekers can make inquiries about Penobscot County’s court records through phone calls to the Penobscot County Judicial Center Clerk’s Office at (207) 561-2300. Alternatively, complete and mail a Request for Records Search form to the court clerk’s office at:

78 Exchange Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401.

A mail request for Penobscot County’s court records should include:

  • The case number (if known)
  • Names of the parties involved in the case
  • The type of record or documents requested
  • The requester’s contact information
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope for returning copies
  • A check or money order to cover applicable fees (payable to the court clerk).

Fees for Court Records in Penobscot County

Access to copies of Penobscot County’s court records is subject to fees. The Maine Judicial Branch calculates total costs based on the number of pages, the inclusion of certifications, or the request for specialized documents. Generally, the following charges apply to copies of Penobscot County court records:

Copy and Certification Fees

  • Standard copy - $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each subsequent page
  • Certified copies - $5.00 per document, plus copy fees
  • Exemplified copies - $20.00 per document
  • Name search - $20.00 per name or location (the clerk’s office waives this fee for parties to the case)
  • Postage and handling fee for mail request -$5.00
  • Copies of transcript - $3.00 per page for an original and one copy, $0.50 per page for each additional copy

Probate-specific Fees

  • Probate Copies: $1.00 per page.
  • Certificate of Appointment: $10.00 (under seal of the court).

The Maine Judicial Branch charges a $2.00 fee for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of document downloaded from the eCourt System. Additionally, the eCourt portal applies a 2.89% convenience fee for credit or debit card payments and a flat $0.25 fee per transaction for electronic checks (eCheck).

For copies of Penobscot County vital records, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention charges $15.00 per certified copy, $6.00 for each additional copy of the same document ordered at the same time, and $10.00 for each uncertified copy. Other fees include:

  • Verification of facts related to a vital record - $25.00
  • Preparation and issuance of amended or delayed records (such as delayed birth certificates or certain corrections) - $60.00.

Penobscot County Courthouse Locations

Penobscot County courts are part of Maine’s unified court system. In Penobscot County, the trial system comprises the Penobscot County Superior Court and the county’s District and Probate Courts. The Penobscot County Superior Court is a general court that handles civil and criminal cases. However, it presides over cases beyond the authority of the District and Probate Courts. Interested parties can contact the various Penobscot County courts at the following locations:

Penobscot County Superior Court

78 Exchange Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401

Phone: (207) 561-2300

Case types

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Civil lawsuits involving larger claims
  • Jury trials
  • Appeals from some lower court decisions
  • Certain family and protection order matters

Bangor District Court

78 Exchange Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401

Phone: (207) 561-2300

Case types

  • Family law cases
  • Protection from abuse or harassment orders
  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Small claims and civil disputes
  • Traffic violations
  • Juvenile matters and child protection cases

Penobscot County Probate Court

97 Hammond Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401

Phone: (207) 942-8769

Case types

  • Wills and estate administration
  • Trust matters
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Adoptions and name changes

Lincoln District Court

52 Main Street,

Lincoln,

ME 04457

Phone: (207) 794-8512

Case types

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Traffic violations
  • Civil disputes
  • Family and juvenile matters

Millinocket District Court

207 Penobscot Avenue,

Millinocket,

ME 04462

Phone: (207) 723-4786

Case types

  • Traffic and misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Civil cases and small claims
  • Family law matters
  • Juvenile and child protection proceedings.

Criminal Records Access in Penobscot County

In Penobscot County, the Maine Judicial Branch and the Maine State Police maintain criminal records. The Judicial Branch serves as the custodian of criminal case records. The agency provides access to these documents through the Maine eCourt System. Meanwhile, the Maine State Police Criminal History Information Division acts as the state’s central repository for criminal history. This agency provides access to arrest data and case disposition information compiled from law enforcement agencies and courts across Maine.

Interested parties can access Penobscot County’s case-related criminal records via the Maine eCourt System. However, individuals must obtain criminal history reports through the Maine State Police Bureau of Identification’sCriminal History Record & Juvenile Crime Information Request Service. The Maine State Police charges a $31 fee per search for members of the public, though reduced rates may apply to certain subscribers. Furthermore, individuals can visit or mail a request for Penobscot County’s criminal records to:

State Bureau of Identification

45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1,

Augusta,

ME 04333

Phone: (207) 624-7240.

Penobscot County Probate Records

Penobscot County probate court records are official documents relating to legal matters involving the administration of estates and the protection of individuals who require legal assistance in managing their personal or financial affairs. Generally, this includes, but is not limited to, documents relating to:

  • Will probates
  • Trust administration
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorship
  • Intestate succession.

Penobscot County probate records are public, but there are restrictions on public access to certain probate matters, particularly those involving minors or sensitive personal information. Common contents of Penobscot County’s publicly accessible probate records include:

  • Last wills and testaments
  • Petitions for estate administration
  • Inventories of estate assets
  • Final settlement.

The Maine eCourt System permits online access to recent wills and probate filings. However, individuals seeking older estate records should contact the clerk’s office of the Penobscot County Probate Court at:

97 Hammond Street,

Bangor, ME 04401

Phone: (207) 942-8763.

Penobscot County Family Court Records

Penobscot County family court records document legal matters involving family relationships and domestic proceedings within the Bangor District Court and Penobscot County Superior Court. These records detail a wide range of family-related issues, including divorce, parental rights, child support, and protection from abuse cases.

Like most of the county’s court records, Penobscot County court records are public, but certain family court records are subject to public access restrictions. This includes:

  • Adoption records
  • Juvenile and child-protection records
  • Financial accounts and personal information
  • Sealed or confidential court rulings
  • Protective order information.

The Maine Judicial Branch provides online access to Penobscot County’s family court records through the Maine eCourt Case Management System. Additionally, individuals may search for these records at the Penobscot County Justice Center using Public Access Terminals. To obtain certified copies of Penobscot County family court records, interested parties must submit formal requests by mail or in person to the Clerk’s Office of the Bangor District Court. Record seekers should note that access to certified copies of Penobscot County’s family court records may require identification. Additionally, requesters are to pay for the copies they request.

Federal Court Records in Penobscot County

The United States District Court for the District of Maine has exclusive jurisdiction over all federal cases originating from Penobscot County. This court handles federal law cases, including:

  • Federal criminal cases
  • Federal civil lawsuits
  • Bankruptcy appeals and related matters
  • Administrative and federal agency cases.

United States federal case records are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. This search tool provides access to federal case details, including:

  • Civil and criminal case dockets
  • Filed motions,
  • Orders and judgments
  • Party and attorney information
  • Bankruptcy filings and related court documents.

Interested parties can also request access to Penobscot County’s federal case files through the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine Clerk’s Offices at:

Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse (Portland)

156 Federal Street,

Portland,

ME 04101

Phone: (207) 780-3356

Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building & Courthouse (Bangor)

202 Harlow Street,

Bangor,

ME 04401

Phone: (207) 945-0575.