Union, Maine Public Records

For small claims specifically, the court processes disputes Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with a filing fee of $65 for claims under $2,500 and $120 for claims between $2,501 and $6,000. Traffic violations and criminal arraignments are also heard at this location. Maine courts provide online access to case records through the Maine Judicial Branch's public access portal at courts.maine.gov/maine-courts/court-records, where users can search civil, criminal, and family cases by party name or case number; while basic case information is free, certain detailed documents may require in-person requests. Certified copies of court documents cost $3 per document plus $2 for certification. Divorce records are available through both the court clerk's office (for case files) and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (for vital records certificates). Probate matters, including wills and estate administration, are handled by the Knox County Probate Court at the same location; probate records are generally public unless sealed by court order. For traffic violations and small infractions, payment can often be made online through the Maine Violation Bureau at courts.maine.gov/fees_fines/violations/index.html.

The Registry provides free online access to recorded documents dating back to the early 1800s through their website search portal, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, book and page number, or property location. Digital images of recorded instruments can be viewed and printed at no charge. For property assessment information, the Union Town Office at 567 Common Road, Union, ME 04862 (phone: 207-785-3658) maintains local tax assessment records, though comprehensive property data is available through the Knox County tax maps and assessment database. The town assesses all real and personal property annually, with tax commitment typically occurring in August. Property owners can search assessed values, acreage, building descriptions, and tax payment history by owner name or map-lot number. Knox County also provides a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, offering interactive parcel searches with aerial photography, property boundaries, ownership information, and land use classifications. To obtain certified copies of deeds or other recorded documents, requests can be made in person at the Registry of Deeds or by mail with a $2 fee per page plus $2 for certification; digital copies from the online database are free for personal use.

The annual Union Fair, operated by the Union Agricultural & Horticultural Society since 1869, generates significant seasonal economic activity each August, drawing thousands of visitors to the fairgrounds on Heald Highway. The town's workforce includes skilled tradespeople, educators, healthcare workers (many employed at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport), and retirees attracted by Union's lower property values compared to coastal Knox County communities. Median household income in Union is estimated at approximately $52,000-58,000, somewhat below the Maine state median but reflecting the town's rural residential character. Recent economic developments include growth in small-scale agricultural businesses, value-added food producers, artisan workshops, and tourism-related services catering to visitors exploring the lakes region. Union's property tax base consists primarily of residential properties, farmland under the state's Tree Growth and Farmland tax programs, and limited commercial development. The town benefits economically from its location at the junction of Routes 17 and 131, providing access to the Mid-Coast region while maintaining affordable housing stock that attracts families and first-time homebuyers priced out of coastal markets.

Union's primary law enforcement is provided through a contract with the Knox County Sheriff's Office, located at 301 Park Street, Rockland, ME 04841 (phone: 207-594-0429, website: knoxcountymaine.gov/sheriff). The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction throughout Union and handles patrol, criminal investigations, and emergency response. Union also has a part-time police department with limited hours; for police reports and incident records, residents should contact the Knox County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 207-594-5656 or visit the main office in Rockland. The Sheriff's Office maintains daily activity logs and accepts public records requests for non-confidential reports. For arrests and jail bookings, the Knox County Jail at 301 Park Street operates an inmate roster accessible through the Knox County Sheriff's website, displaying current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and anticipated release dates. To request copies of police reports, arrest records, or investigative documents, Union residents must submit a written request under Maine's Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. §§ 401-410), also known as Maine's FOAA. Requests should be directed to the Knox County Sheriff's Office Records Division; while basic logs are typically free, copying fees may apply for extensive records at $0.25 per page after the first 50 pages. Certain records, including active investigations and juvenile matters, may be exempt from disclosure under 16 M.R.S. § 621.

Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies ordered simultaneously; requests can be submitted online through VitalChek at maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital-records/order-copy.shtml with an additional processing fee, by mail, or in person in Augusta. Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks by mail or immediate issuance in person. Death certificates follow the same process and fee structure. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest can request birth and death records less than 50 years old, per 22 M.R.S. § 2705. Marriage licenses are issued by any Maine municipal clerk; Union residents typically obtain licenses from the Union Town Office for $40, valid for 90 days, with the completed marriage certificate returned to the town clerk after the ceremony. Marriage and death records over 50 years old are considered public and available without restriction. Divorce records (vital statistics portions) are available from the Maine CDC for $15, while complete divorce case files must be obtained from the Knox County court clerk. The Union Town Office maintains records dating back to the town's incorporation in 1786, though records prior to 1892 may be incomplete; comprehensive statewide indexing began in 1892.

For fictitious business name (DBA) registrations, businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file with the town clerk; the filing fee is typically $25 with renewals required every five years. Knox County does not maintain a separate DBA registry; all such filings occur at the municipal level. For formal business entity formation, Maine requires registration with the Secretary of State. The Maine Secretary of State Corporate Examining Division (website: icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS) provides a free searchable database of all registered corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other business entities. Users can search by business name, registration number, or registered agent to verify entity status, view officers and directors, check good standing, and access formation dates. Professional licenses (contractors, electricians, plumbers, real estate agents) are issued by respective Maine state licensing boards. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Maine Secretary of State UCC Division at maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/ucc. For commercial property tax assessments in Union, business owners should contact the Union Tax Assessor through the town office; commercial properties are assessed at 100% of fair market value with the current mil rate applied annually, typically around $13-15 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Union voters are served by the Knox County Clerk's Office, located at 62 Union Street, Rockland, ME 04841 (phone: 207-594-0427, website: knoxcountymaine.gov/clerks-office), which administers all elections and maintains voter registration records for the town. Maine residents can register to vote online through the Maine Secretary of State at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/voterguide.html, by mail, in person at the Union Town Office (567 Common Road, Union, ME 04862), or at the polls on Election Day. Maine allows same-day voter registration, though advance registration must be completed at least 21 days before an election if registering by mail. Voters must provide proof of identity and residency; acceptable documents include Maine driver's license, current utility bill, bank statement, or government check. Union holds municipal elections annually on the second Tuesday in March for local offices including selectmen, school board members (MSAD 40), and budget validation. The next municipal election will occur in March 2026, with local candidates filing nomination papers with the town clerk by January 2026. Polling for municipal elections takes place at the Union Town Office or Thompson Community Center, depending on anticipated turnout. For state and federal elections, Union residents vote at their assigned polling place, which can be verified through the Maine Secretary of State's polling place lookup at maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/pplocate.html or by contacting the town clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Knox County reported approximately 68% voter turnout with 24,697 ballots cast from 36,318 registered voters; Union's participation typically mirrors county-wide patterns. On November 3, 2026, Union and Knox County voters will decide several significant races: Maine's gubernatorial election (Governor Janet Mills' term expires; the seat will be contested), Maine State Senate District 13 and State House District 95 seats representing Union, Knox County Sheriff, County Commissioner, Register of Deeds, and potentially ballot questions on state and local issues. Maine voters also elect their U.S. Representative for Congressional District 1, though U.S. Senate seats are not up in 2026 (Senators Collins and King have terms extending beyond 2026). Public election records in Maine include voter registration lists (available for political purposes under 21-A M.R.S. § 196), campaign finance reports searchable at maine.gov/ethics, candidate filings and nomination papers, and precinct-level election results published by the Secretary of State. Maine offers no-excuse absentee voting; Union residents can request absentee ballots online at maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl, by contacting the Union Town Clerk, or by downloading an application from the Secretary of State's website. Absentee ballot requests must be received by the Thursday before Election Day, and completed ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.