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How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
WashingtonCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Washington County, Maine. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find records spanning court proceedings, property ownership, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement activity. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Record categories available through Washington County government offices include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be accessed through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
The Maine Judicial Branch provides electronic access to court records through its eCourts portal. Members of the public may search civil and criminal case information subject to availability by county and case type. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services maintains a portal for vital records requests including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Property tax records for the Town of Washington are accessible through the current and past tax bill listings on the official municipal website. No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases, though certified copies require a formal request and applicable fee.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Washington County Registry of Deeds, the Washington County Superior Court, or the relevant municipal office. The Washington County Superior Court is located at 47 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the record sought and be prepared to provide identification if requesting certified copies.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's return address. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 408-A, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
- Washington County Registry of Deeds: (207) 255-3617
- Washington County Superior Court Clerk: (207) 255-3326
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined under Maine law as any written, printed, or electronic document made or received by a government agency in connection with the transaction of public business. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 402, "public records" encompasses a broad range of government-held documents, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
The following record types are maintained by Washington County and associated state agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Washington County Superior Court / Maine Judicial Branch |
| Probate records | Washington County Probate Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Washington County Registry of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Maine CDC Vital Records / Town Clerks |
| Property tax assessments | Municipal Assessors / Town of Washington |
| Business licenses and permits | Municipal Clerks / State agencies |
| Voting and election records | Washington County Clerk / Secretary of State |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Washington County Commission |
| Law enforcement records | Washington County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Municipal Planning Offices |
The Maine Judicial Branch court records page notes that "Maine Probate Courts are located in every county and are administered at the county-government level," meaning probate records are held locally at the Washington County Probate Court in Machias.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County operates in full compliance with Maine's state open records law. Under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, § 401 et seq., all government records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that the public's right to access government records is a fundamental principle of democratic governance in Maine.
As stated in the Maine FOAA, "except as otherwise provided by statute, every person has the right to inspect and copy any public record." This presumption of openness applies to Washington County offices including the Registry of Deeds, the County Commission, the Sheriff's Office, and all municipal agencies operating within the county.
Washington County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state FOAA governs all public records requests submitted to county and municipal offices. Agencies are required to designate a public records access officer responsible for coordinating responses to requests.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and maintaining office. Under Maine FOAA § 408-A, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records but may not charge for the time spent inspecting records in person.
Standard fees currently applicable include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard) | $0.10–$0.25 per page (varies by office) |
| Certified copies of vital records | $15.00 per certificate (Maine CDC) |
| Registry of Deeds document copies | $1.00 per page |
| Registry of Deeds certified copies | $1.00 per page plus $1.00 certification fee |
| Court record copies | Set by Maine Judicial Branch schedule |
| Electronic record reproduction | Actual cost of reproduction |
Accepted payment methods vary by office and include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in the public interest, at the discretion of the agency. Inspection of records in person at a government office does not require payment of a fee.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Washington County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review documents in person without charge at the Washington County Registry of Deeds, the Superior Court clerk's office, and municipal offices throughout the county.
Several online resources provide free access to Washington County records without requiring payment:
- The Maine Judicial Branch eCourts portal provides free online access to available electronic court records
- The Maine Adult Corrections Client Search allows free public searches of individuals under supervision by the Maine Department of Corrections, including those held in county jails
- Municipal websites, including the Town of Washington, provide free access to property tax listings and maps
- The Washington County Registry of Deeds maintains a public access terminal at its office for free in-person record searches
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees as described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may request public records in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Maine's Freedom of Access Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to explain why they are seeking a particular record. This broad eligibility reflects the Act's foundational principle that government records belong to the public.
Specific conditions that apply to public records requests include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public records. Identification may be required when requesting certified copies of vital records, particularly birth and death certificates, where access is restricted by statute.
- Residency: Non-residents of Maine retain the same rights to access public records as state residents.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests. Agencies may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the information.
- Restricted record types: Certain records, including vital records for recent events, adoption records, and juvenile court records, carry additional access restrictions. Requestors seeking their own records may be required to provide proof of identity.
Members of the public seeking criminal history information may submit a request through the Maine Bureau of Investigation's public criminal history request service, which is separate from the court records system.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. Maine FOAA § 402(3) enumerates categories of records exempt from public inspection. Washington County agencies apply these exemptions in accordance with state law.
Records that are currently exempt from public disclosure include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public. As noted by the Maine Judicial Branch, "most juvenile case records" are restricted from public access.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Maine law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are exempt from disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Maine law.
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for disciplinary actions involving public safety personnel.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected.
- Security plans: Infrastructure security plans and related documents are withheld in the interest of public safety.
When an agency withholds a record, it is required to notify the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the exemption. Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may seek review through the Maine Attorney General's office or pursue judicial review.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Registry of Deeds
85 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-3617
Washington County Registry of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Superior Court
47 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-3326
Washington County Superior Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Washington County Probate Court
85 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-6591
Washington County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Maine CDC Vital Records Office
11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-3771
Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention – Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Washington County Sheriff's Office
47 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-4422
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM