Lincoln County

Lincoln County is located in the midcoast region of Maine, including approximately 700 square miles including numerous islands in Casco Bay and Muscongus Bay. Lincoln County seat is Wiscasset, often referred to as 'The Prettiest Village in Maine,' which houses Lincoln County government offices at Lincoln County Courthouse on High Street. Established in 1760, Lincoln County is one of Maine's original counties and has a rich maritime heritage. Lincoln County has a population of approximately 35,000 residents spread across 19 municipalities including Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta, Waldoboro, and Bristol. Major landmarks include the historic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site, and the reversing falls in Damariscotta. The economy historically centered on shipbuilding, fishing, and granite quarrying, though tourism and seasonal recreation now play significant roles. Lincoln County Registry of Deeds, located at 42 West Alna Road in Wiscasset, maintains property records dating back to the 1700s. Lincoln County Commissioners office oversees county operations from the courthouse complex. Lincoln County Probate Court and Superior Court are also situated in Wiscasset. Lincoln County's coastal character, with over 60 miles of rugged shoreline, defines its identity. Notable features include the Damariscotta River oyster industry, historic downtown districts in nearly every municipality, and significant preserved conservation lands. Lincoln County assessor functions are handled at the municipal level in Maine rather than by a centralized county office, with each town maintaining its own tax assessment records.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Arrest records in Lincoln County are public records under Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S.
• §§ 401-410), which governs public records requests throughout the state.
• To request arrest records, citizens must submit written requests to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, identifying the subject and timeframe.
• Fees for copies typically range from $0.15 to $0.25 per page for paper records.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Lincoln County, ME are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see State Bureau of Identification | Maine State Police.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Lincoln County, ME are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Lincoln County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at Adult Resident/Adult Community Corrections Client Search.
• Sheriff's Office: Contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

• Copies of court documents can be obtained from the clerk's office for $2.00 per page for certified copies, with search fees of $3.00 per name.
• The courts accept requests by mail, in person, or through attorneys.

Property records for Lincoln County, Maine are maintained by the Lincoln County Registry of Deeds. This office maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for properties in Lincoln County.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Death certificates are similarly maintained by the town clerk where the death occurred or where the decedent resided, with the same fee structure of $15.00 for the first copy.
• Processing time at the municipal level is typically immediate to 3 business days for in-person requests.
• Their phone number is and online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.maine.gov/dhhs/vitals with additional processing fees.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from any municipal clerk in Maine at least three days before the ceremony, with the license valid for 90 days; the fee is $40.00.
• Marriage certificates cost $15.00 from the county where the marriage was recorded.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Lincoln County Planning Office at provides regional planning support but does not issue permits directly.
• Sales tax registration is managed by Maine Revenue Services, requiring businesses to register for sales tax permits online through the MEETRS system.