Androscoggin County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Androscoggin County?
Public records in Androscoggin County are defined according to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, specifically under Title 1, Chapter 13, §402(3), which states that public records include "any written, printed or graphic matter or any mechanical or electronic data compilation from which information can be obtained" that is in the possession or custody of a public agency or official. These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county and municipal offices.
Androscoggin County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Androscoggin County Superior Court and District Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers maintained by the Registry of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (maintained at both municipal and state levels)
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings and other county boards
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with statutory limitations)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning decisions
Each record type is maintained by a specific county department or office. The Androscoggin County government provides centralized access to many of these records, while others require contacting the specific department responsible for their maintenance.
Is Androscoggin County an Open Records County?
Androscoggin County adheres to Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under Title 1, Chapter 13, §401 of Maine Revised Statutes, the law declares that "public proceedings exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of the Legislature that their actions be taken openly and that the records of their actions be open to public inspection and their deliberations be conducted openly."
The statute explicitly states that "the people's right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is essential to the democratic process." This foundational principle guides Androscoggin County's approach to records access.
Androscoggin County complies with Maine's sunshine laws, which require that most government meetings be open to the public and that records of government actions be accessible. The county has established procedures for requesting public records in accordance with state law, which requires that records custodians acknowledge requests within 5 working days and provide a good faith estimate of when the records will be available.
The county follows the Maine Public Access Ombudsman's guidelines for implementing the FOAA, ensuring consistent application of open records principles across all county departments and offices.
How to Find Public Records in Androscoggin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Androscoggin County may follow these steps to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate office: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek.
- Property records: Contact the Registry of Deeds
- Court records: Access through the Maine Judicial Branch's electronic court system
- Vital records: Request through the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention or the municipal clerk's office where the event occurred
- County administrative records: Contact the County Administrator's Office
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Submit a formal request: While some records are available online, others require a formal request.
- For general county records, submit a written request to the appropriate department
- Use the county's public records request form if available
- Include specific details about the records sought, including dates, names, and document types
- Provide contact information for follow-up
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Access online resources: Many records are available through digital platforms.
- Property records can be searched through the Registry of Deeds online database
- Court records are accessible through the Maine eCourts system
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the county website
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Visit in person: For records not available online, visit the appropriate office during business hours.
- Bring identification and any required forms
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies
- Some records may be available for immediate access, while others may require processing time
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Follow up on requests: If records are not immediately available, maintain contact with the records custodian.
- Under Maine law, agencies must acknowledge requests within 5 working days
- Request updates if the estimated completion time passes
Pursuant to Maine's FOAA, records custodians must provide reasonable access to public records during regular business hours.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County charges fees for public records in accordance with Title 1, Chapter 13, §408-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, which permits agencies to charge "reasonable fees" for the actual cost of searching for, retrieving, and compiling requested public records.
Current standard fees include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
- Certified copies: $1.50 per page for certified documents
- Research fees: $15.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is free under state law)
- Electronic records: Actual cost of media (USB drives, CDs) if not provided electronically
- Specialized documents: Maps, plans, and other oversized documents have varying fees based on size and complexity
Specific record types have statutorily established fees:
- Vital records: $15.00 for the first copy of birth, death, and marriage certificates; $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Deeds and property records: $5.00 per page for recorded documents
- Court records: $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Accepted payment methods include:
- Cash (in-person requests only)
- Checks or money orders made payable to "Androscoggin County"
- Credit/debit cards for certain departments (additional processing fees may apply)
Fee waivers may be granted when the release of the public record is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
Does Androscoggin County Have Free Public Records?
Androscoggin County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Maine law. Under Title 1, Chapter 13, §408-A(1), individuals have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. This inspection right applies to most public records maintained by county offices.
Free records and services include:
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may examine non-confidential records at no cost during regular business hours
- Online access: Several record types are available through free online portals:
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas on the county website
- Basic property ownership information through the Registry of Deeds online search
- Court docket information through the Maine Judicial Branch website
- First hour of research: State law mandates that the first hour of staff time for searching and retrieving records is provided at no cost
The Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds offers free public access terminals at their office for searching property records. Similarly, the Clerk of Courts provides public access terminals for viewing court records that are not confidential.
Municipal offices within Androscoggin County, such as the Lewiston and Auburn city clerks' offices, also provide free inspection of their public records during regular business hours.
Who Can Request Public Records in Androscoggin County?
Under Maine's Freedom of Access Act, specifically Title 1, Chapter 13, §408-A, "every person" has the right to inspect and copy public records. This broad eligibility extends to:
- Maine residents
- Non-residents of Maine
- Business entities
- Media organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification for most record types (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Demonstrate a "need to know" or legitimate interest in the records
- Be a Maine resident or U.S. citizen
However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:
- Vital records: Access to birth, death, and marriage certificates is restricted to persons with a "direct and legitimate interest" as defined in Title 22, §2706
- Criminal history information: Complete criminal history records may require proper identification and authorization
- Confidential records: Records protected by specific confidentiality statutes are not available to the general public
When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply:
- Individuals have greater access rights to their own records
- Requesting records about other individuals may trigger privacy protections
- Certain personal information may be redacted from records before release
Government agencies in Androscoggin County may ask requestors to put their requests in writing, but cannot require this as a condition of fulfilling the request except in specific circumstances outlined in state law.
What Records Are Confidential in Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure under Maine law. Title 1, Chapter 13, §402(3) of the Maine Revised Statutes establishes numerous exceptions to the definition of public records. The following record types are generally considered confidential:
- Sealed court records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain juvenile proceedings
- Juvenile records: Criminal records of minors, with limited exceptions
- Ongoing investigation records: Active law enforcement investigations, grand jury proceedings, and pending prosecution materials
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers
- Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents
- Child welfare records: Child protective services investigations and case files
- Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (with exceptions for certain employment information)
- Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security information: Infrastructure details, security plans, and emergency response protocols
- Attorney-client communications: Legal advice and work product between county attorneys and officials
- Records designated confidential by statute: Various record types specifically protected by Maine law
The Maine Intelligence and Information Center records are also exempt from disclosure under specific statutory provisions.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, agencies must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Maine law employs a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests.
Androscoggin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds
2 Turner Street, Unit 1
Auburn, ME 04210
207-753-2550
Registry of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Androscoggin County Probate Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
207-753-2500
Probate Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
207-753-2999
Maine Judicial Branch
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Androscoggin County Clerk's Office
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
207-753-2500
County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays