About Cumberland County
Cumberland County is located in southwestern Maine and is the state's most populous county, with an estimated population exceeding 295,000 residents spread across approximately 835 square miles. Cumberland County Seat is Portland, Maine's largest city and economic hub, situated on Casco Bay. Cumberland County was established in 1760 and named after William, Duke of Cumberland. Cumberland County includes 27 municipalities including Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Gorham, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Falmouth, and Brunswick.
Major landmarks include Casco Bay with its Calendar Islands, Portland Head Light (Maine's oldest lighthouse commissioned by George Washington in 1791), the historic Old Port district, and Sebago Lake, one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the nation. Cumberland County Courthouse is located at 205 Newbury Street in Portland, Maine 04101. Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, responsible for recording property documents, operates at 142 Federal Street, Portland, ME 04101, phone.
Cumberland County Manager's Office oversees county operations from the County Administration Building at 142 Federal Street. Cumberland County Assessor function is handled at the municipal level in Maine, with each town maintaining its own assessment records. Cumberland County's economy is driven by healthcare, higher education, tourism, financial services, and a growing technology sector, making it the economic engine of northern New England.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Cumberland County. It operates Cumberland County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office also provides patrol services, court security, and civil process services. Notable programs include community policing initiatives and a focus on mental health crisis intervention, which are tailored to meet the specific needs of Cumberland County residents.
Police Departments
Cumberland County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook. Each city department is responsible for maintaining law and order within its jurisdiction, while the sheriff's office handles unincorporated areas. These agencies often collaborate on major crimes and regional initiatives, making sure of full coverage across Cumberland County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 36 County Road in Portland, ME 04102, provides law enforcement services throughout Cumberland County under Sheriff Kevin Joyce. The main office can be reached, and the agency website is cumberlandso.org. The Sheriff's Office operates Cumberland County Jail, a regional correctional facility housing pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Arrest records and police reports are public records under Maine's Freedom of Access Act, 1 M.R.S.
- To request arrest records, submit a written request to the specific police department or Sheriff's Office that made the arrest, citing the FOAA statute.
- Most agencies charge copying fees ranging from $0.15 to $0.25 per page.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through Cumberland County Jail's online inmate roster or by requesting them directly from the Sheriff's Office.
- Processing times vary but typically take 5-10 business days for formal FOAA requests.
Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website under the Jail/Inmate Information section, or by calling the jail for The online roster typically includes inmate name, booking date, charges, and bail information. Municipal police departments operate independently in cities and towns including Portland Police Department (207-874-8575), South Portland Police (207-799-5511), Westbrook Police (207-854-0644), Scarborough Police (207-883-6361), Brunswick Police (207-725-5521), Gorham Police (207-839-5581), and Yarmouth Police (207-846-3333). §§ 401-410, though certain investigative records may be temporarily exempt.
No tribal police agencies operate within Cumberland County, though the State Police Troop B in Gray provides highway patrol and investigative support throughout Cumberland County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Cumberland County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. These records are maintained by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the Maine State Police. Residents can conduct background checks through the Maine Bureau of Identification, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The bureau ensures that Cumberland County residents have access to accurate and up-to-date criminal records for employment, housing, and other purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Cumberland County are maintained by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the respective law enforcement agency. These records typically include the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and arresting agency. The Maine Freedom of Access Act governs the public's right to access these records, for public access in law enforcement activities.
Jail & Inmate Records
Cumberland County Jail, located in Portland, is the primary detention facility for Cumberland County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestee. Inmate lookup is available through the jail's website, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules require scheduling in advance and adherence to specific guidelines. The bond and bail process in Maine allows for cash bail or bail bonds, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the jail's administrative office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Cumberland County are taken and retained by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be searched through the sheriff's office website or by submitting a formal request. Maine does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement or dismissal of charges.
Courts & Case Records
Cumberland County is served by Maine's Unified Court System with Cumberland County Courthouse located at 205 Newbury Street, Portland, ME 04101, phone. The courthouse houses the Maine Superior Court (criminal felonies and major civil cases), Maine District Court (misdemeanors, small claims, family matters, and civil cases under $30,000), and Cumberland County Probate Court. The Maine Judicial Branch operates a statewide case search portal at judex.maine.gov where users can search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by party name or case number free of charge.
- The system provides case summaries, docket entries, and party information, though certain sealed or confidential cases are excluded.
- For certified court documents, requests must be submitted to the Clerk's Office at the courthouse with fees of $5.00 for certification plus $2.00 per page for copies.
- Cumberland County Court also handles traffic violations, protection from abuse orders, and small claims matters up to $6,000.
- Maine's public access to court records is governed by the Maine Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S.
- Online access is free for case searches, but certified documents require in-person or mail requests with payment.
Property & Public Records
Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, located at 142 Federal Street, Portland, ME 04101, maintains all property and land records for Cumberland County. The office can be reached, and their website is cumberlanddeeds.com. Register of Deeds Catherine Toof oversees the recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, rights-of-way, subdivision plans, and other land documents dating back to the 1700s.
- The Registry provides free online access to recorded documents through their website's document search feature, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, book and page number, or document type.
- Recording fees are established by state statute: $22.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page.
- Certified copies cost $3.00 per document plus $2.00 per page.
Images of recorded documents can be viewed and printed at no charge. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Property tax records and assessment information are maintained by individual municipalities in Maine, not at Cumberland County level.
Each city and town has its own Tax Assessor's Office. For example, Portland's Assessing Division can be reached, and many municipalities offer online property tax and assessment lookup through their websites or through Maine's Property Tax Portal at maine.gov/revenue/propertytax. The Registry also maintains grantor/grantee indexes and extensive plan files.
Cumberland County participates in Maine's statewide GIS system, with parcel mapping available through individual municipal websites and the Maine Office of GIS. Most towns offer interactive GIS viewers showing property boundaries, ownership, and basic assessment data.
Vital Records
Vital records for Cumberland County, Maine, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and marriage certificates, are maintained by municipal Clerk offices and the Maine Center for Disease Control's Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics. Birth and death certificates from 1923 to present are available from the Maine CDC Vital Records Office at 244 Water Street, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011, phone, website maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital records.
- Certified copies cost $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek at maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital records with additional processing fees.
- Standard processing takes 4-6 weeks by mail; expedited service is available for additional fees.
Birth records are restricted for 100 years to immediate family members with proper identification; death records are public after 25 years. Marriage licenses must be obtained from any municipal clerk's office in Maine; couples then have 90 days to solemnize the marriage. Marriage certificates are filed with the county where the license was issued and with the state.
Divorce records (decrees) are maintained by the Maine District Court where the divorce was granted, not by vital records offices. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship for restricted records. Maine's vital records law is codified in 22 M.R.S.
§§ 2701-2710. For recent records (within the past 3 months), contact the specific town or city clerk where the event occurred, such as Portland City Clerk at.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Cumberland County operates through multiple levels of government. For state-level business entity searches, the Maine Secretary of State's Business Services Division maintains the full Maine Business Registry at icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities free of charge. This database includes entity status, registered agent information, filing history, and annual report compliance.
The Secretary of State's office is located at 148 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, phone. Fictitious name registrations (assumed names/DBAs) are filed with municipal clerks in each city or town where the business operates. For example, the Portland City Clerk's Office at 389 Congress Street handles DBAs for businesses operating in Portland.
Professional and occupational licenses are issued by the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation at maine.gov/pfr, covering professions from electricians to real estate brokers. Sales tax permits and employer registration are handled by Maine Revenue Services for Building permits, zoning approvals, and local business licenses are issued by individual municipalities; contact the Code Enforcement or Planning Department in each town. For example, Portland's Permitting and Inspections Department is located at 389 Congress Street.
The Greater Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce (portlandregion.com, phone 207-772-2811) is a resource for businesses throughout Cumberland County, offering networking, advocacy, and economic development support. Contractor licensing is not required at Cumberland County level in Maine but may be required by specific municipalities.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Cumberland County are administered by municipal clerks in each of the 27 cities and towns, coordinated under the oversight of the Maine Secretary of State's Elections Division. The Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions can be reached at and maintains full election information at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec. Voter registration in Cumberland County is handled by each county's clerk office; eligible Maine residents may register online at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/votereg.html, by mail, or in person at their town or city hall.
- Maine offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible citizens to register and vote on Election Day at their polling place with proof of identity and residency.
- The voter registration deadline for those registering by mail or online is 21 days before an election.
To find your polling place in Cumberland County, visit the Maine Secretary of State's polling place locator at maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_lookup.php or contact your municipal clerk. Public election records include the central voter registry (names and addresses are public; birth dates are restricted), campaign finance reports filed with the Maine Ethics Commission, candidate nomination papers and declarations, and precinct-level election results. Cumberland County voter turnout for the 2024 general election exceeded 76%, reflecting Maine's historically high civic engagement.
The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and Senate midterm elections plus Maine gubernatorial, legislative, and county races. Absentee ballots in Cumberland County may be requested through your municipal clerk's office beginning 30-90 days before any election; requests can be submitted online at maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl, by phone, in writing, or in person.
Maine's election transparency is governed by 21-A M.R.S. § 23 and related statutes, providing broad public access to voter lists, campaign finance disclosures (available at mainecampaignfinance.com), and certified election results published by the Secretary of State within days of each election.
Economy & Demographics
Cumberland County serves as Maine's economic powerhouse, accounting for approximately 40% of the state's gross domestic product despite representing only 22% of its population. Cumberland County's economy is anchored by healthcare and higher education, with Maine Medical Center (the state's largest hospital and employer with over 7,000 employees), Mercy Hospital, and several major healthcare networks headquartered in Portland. The education sector includes the University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College, and numerous private colleges.
- The median household income in Cumberland County is approximately $72,000, significantly higher than the state average of $63,000.
- (payment processing solutions, 2,000+ employees), TD Bank's regional operations, and Unum Group insurance.
Key economic sectors include financial services with major employers such as IDEXX Laboratories (veterinary diagnostics, 2,500+ local employees), WEX Inc. Tourism contributes substantially to the economy, with Portland's Old Port, Casco Bay Islands, coastal beaches, and maritime heritage attracting millions of visitors annually. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Portland Museum of Art, and numerous breweries and restaurants support a vibrant hospitality sector.
The Port of Portland handles cargo, cruise ships, and petroleum products, supporting logistics and marine industries. Agriculture includes Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, organic farming operations, and the growing beverage industry with numerous craft breweries and distilleries. The unemployment rate typically ranges between 2.5-3.5%, well below national averages.
Recent economic development includes major expansion of the Maine Medical Center campus, redevelopment of the former B&M Baked Beans factory site, and growth in the technology sector with software development, biotech, and clean energy companies locating in Portland's East Bayside district.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online Free Search | Property: Yes: Free Deeds Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: Limited: State Office or Municipal Clerk | Business: Yes: Free State Database | Elections: Yes: Online Voter/Campaign Info | Overall Score: 9/10, Cumberland County and Maine provide exceptional public records access with online databases for most record types.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Cumberland County
Explore public records for 42 cities and communities in Cumberland County, Maine.