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South Portland, Maine Public Records

Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for South Portland, Maine.

Official Government Sources

South Portland Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official South Portland, Maine government websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of South Portland, Maine, you will be transported to the Cumberland County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Cumberland County Court. Under Maine law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Maine State Police. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.maine.gov/corrections/adult-community-corrections/offender-search where you can look up current detainees.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for City of South Portland, Maine?
The South Portland School District serves approximately 5,000 students in grades PreK-12. The district has seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. According to the Maine Department of Education, the district's overall performance rating for the 2018-2019 school year was a B. The district's graduation rate was 89.3%, and the average SAT score was 1020.
3
What are the school district and education performance data for South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine?
The South Portland School Department serves the city of South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. The district has seven schools, including four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.

According to the Maine Department of Education, the South Portland School Department had an overall proficiency rate of 79.2% in 2019, with a graduation rate of 89.2%. The district also had an average composite score of 20.2 on the SAT, and an average composite score of 21.2 on the ACT.
4
What are the crime statistics for City of South Portland, Maine?
According to the South Portland Police Department, the total number of reported crimes in South Portland for 2019 was 2,845. Of those, 1,845 were property crimes and 1,000 were violent crimes. The most common property crimes were larceny/theft (1,072) and burglary (541). The most common violent crimes were aggravated assault (541) and simple assault (459).
5
What are the crime statistics for South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine?
According to the Maine State Police, the total number of reported crimes in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine in 2019 was 1,845. Of those, 1,619 were property crimes and 226 were violent crimes.
6
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the City of South Portland Maine Library?
The South Portland Public Library in Cumberland County, Maine provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Maine government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which governs access to government documents in Maine. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the South Portland Maine Archives and Genealogy at https://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/genealogy/index.html. Contact the South Portland Public Library reference desk at (207) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
7
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine Library?
The South Portland Public Library in Cumberland County, Maine provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Maine government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which governs access to government documents in Maine. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the South Portland Maine Archives and Genealogy at https://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/genealogy/index.html. Contact the South Portland Public Library reference desk at (207) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
8
Where is the City of South Portland, Maine Public Library located?
The South Portland Public Library is located at 482 Broadway, South Portland, ME 04106.
9
Where is the South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine Public Library located?
The South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine Library is located at 482 Broadway, South Portland, ME 04106.
10
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in City of South Portland, Maine?
Fingerprinting services in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine are available through the South Portland Police Department and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Services are provided for employment background checks, licensing applications, immigration purposes, and personal record requests. You will typically need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where applicable, a completed fingerprint card from the requesting agency. Appointments can often be scheduled by calling (207) or by visiting the department's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the Maine State Police and the FBI for identity verification and criminal history review. Statewide criminal history checks can also be requested through the Maine State Police.
11
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine?
Fingerprinting services for South Portland, Maine residents are provided at the South Portland Police Department, which serves Cumberland County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the South Portland Police Department at (207) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Maine State Police for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Maine State Police at https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/media-community/criminal-information-center.
12
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from City of South Portland, Maine, and what information is provided in the records?
The City of South Portland, Maine offers vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. To obtain these records, you must submit a request to the City Clerk's Office. The request must include the full name of the person whose record is being requested, the date of the event, and the relationship of the requester to the person whose record is being requested.

The records will include the full name of the person, the date of the event, the place of the event, and the names of the parents or spouse, if applicable. The address of the person will not be included in the record.
13
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, and what information is provided in the records?
The Maine State Archives is the official repository for vital records in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. To obtain vital records from the Maine State Archives, you must submit a written request that includes the following information:

* Full name of the person whose record is being requested
* Date and place of the event
* Relationship of the requester to the person whose record is being requested
* Reason for the request
* Requester's name, address, and phone number

The Maine State Archives will provide a certified copy of the vital record upon request. The records include birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as divorce records.
14
About Police Reports
Police reports from South Portland, Maine can be obtained from the South Portland Police Department, located in Cumberland County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), most police reports are public records in Maine, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the South Portland Police Department Records Division at (207) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/media-community/criminal-information-center.
15
About background check
A background check in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Maine. Criminal background checks are processed through the Maine State Police, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Maine residents. The Maine State Police provides official criminal history checks at https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/media-community/criminal-information-center. Under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.