Maine Criminal Records at a Glance
Maine criminal records are maintained by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) under the Maine State Police. SBI is the central repository for Criminal History Record Information (CHRI), collecting and linking fingerprint-supported arrest information. Criminal history requests can be submitted online. Maine court records provide information about SBI criminal history and how
1Maine Statewide Criminal Search Resources
- Maine SBI, State Bureau of Identificationwww.maine.govCentral repository for CHRI. Fingerprint-supported arrest information.
- Maine Criminal History Record Requestwww.maine.govElectronic access to request criminal history and juvenile crime information.
- Maine Courts, Court Recordswww.courts.maine.govCourt records access and relationship between SBI criminal history and court records.
- vinelink.vineapps.com vinelink.vineapps.comSearch offenders in Maine custody and register for victim notification.
2Maine County Sheriff Reports & Criminal Records
Maine’s State Bureau of Identification makes criminal history records available to the criminal justice community and general public around the clock. However, there are restrictions on how public users can use the information, it cannot be used for purposes that violate state or federal law.
- Aroostook County Sheriffs Departmentaroostook.me.usFind news of criminal activity in the area at the Aroostook sheriffs office.
- Cumberland County Sheriffs Officewww.cumberlandso.orgFind jail and inmate information, sex offender registry, weekly arrest log and fugitive files.
- Franklin County Sheriffs Officewww.franklincounty.maine.govInformation on criminal investigations, local sex offenders and sheriffs news and reports.
- Hancock County Sheriffs Officehancockcountymaine.govContact the sheriffs office for news of criminal activity in Hancock county.
- Kennebec County Sheriffs Officekennebec.govFind most wanted criminals list, registered sex offenders and community services.
- Knox County Sheriffs Officewww.knoxcountymaine.govObtain jail and inmate information, sex offender registry, domestic violence help, and crime news.
- Lincoln County Sheriffs Officewww.lincolnso.meRequest copies of accident and incident reports, find news of criminal investigations and jail information.
- Oxford County Sheriffs Officewww.oxfordcountysheriff.comFind jail information and news of criminal activity in Oxford county.
- Penobscot County Sheriffwww.penobscot-sheriff.netFind location, phone and fax information for the Haskell county sheriffs office.
- Piscataquis County Sheriffs Officewww.piscataquis.usFind crime news and information at the Piscataquis county sheriffs office.
- Sagadahoc County Sheriffs Officewww.sagsheriff.comContact the Sagadahoc sheriffs office for crime news for the county.
- Somerset County Sheriffs Officesomersetso.orgThe sheriffs office will have news of criminal activity in Somerset county.
- Waldo County Sheriffs Officewww.waldocountyme.govInformation on criminal investigations, the county jail and inmates.
- Washington County Sheriffs Officewashingtoncountymaine.comFind sheriffs monthly reports and news of criminal activity in Washington county.
- York County Sheriffs Officewww.yorkcountymaine.govContact the York county sheriff for crime news and reports.
3Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Maine's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Maine state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
Maine Criminal Records, FAQ
Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?
No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.
What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?
A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.
Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?
Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.
How long does an expungement take?
It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.