Public Records Resources for Washington, Maine

Official government websites for Washington, Maine and the surrounding area. All links point to .gov, .us, or .mil domains.

About Washington County

Population 31,000 residents
Area 2,569 square miles
County Seat Machias
Established 1790

Court Records & Case Information

The Washington County Superior Court serves Washington County and is located at 26 Court Street in Machias. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the region. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Maine online court portal.

Washington County Superior Court is located in Machias, Maine. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases in Washington County. The court is located at 26 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Arrest records in Washington County are public records under Maine's Freedom of Access Act (Title 1, Chapter 13 of Maine Revised Statutes).
  • Some agencies may charge reasonable copying fees.
  • Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office, though they may not be published online routinely.
  • Processing times vary but most agencies respond within 5-10 business days.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Criminal Records

  • The sex offender registry is also accessible to the public, offering information on registered offenders residing in Washington County.

Jail & Inmate Records

  • In Maine, the bond or bail process allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on this process is available through the jail's administrative office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

Court records for this county include civil cases, criminal cases, traffic violations, and family law matters handled by the local Circuit, District, or Superior Court.

  • Certified copies of court documents cost $2 per page plus a $5 certification fee.
  • In-person requests can be made at the Clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
47 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654 • Phone: 207-255-3326

Property & Public Records

  • Online access typically requires a subscription fee or per-document charge, though basic index searching may be free.
  • Certified copies cost $2 per page for documents up to 20 pages, with additional fees for larger documents.
  • The Maine Revenue Services Property Tax Division provides statewide oversight under Title 36 of Maine Revised Statutes.
  • Documents submitted for recording must meet specific formatting requirements including proper acknowledgment and recording fees paid at time of submission.
85 Court Street, Machias, ME 04654 • Phone: 207-255-6512

Vital Records

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

  • Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and 1-2 weeks for online orders with expedited shipping available.
  • Marriage certificates become public record after filing and can be obtained from the town clerk's office or the state vital records office for $15.
  • All vital records requests must comply with Maine's vital statistics laws under Title 22, Chapter 701 of Maine Revised Statutes.

Business & Licensing

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

  • Doing Business As (DBA) names and fictitious business names are typically registered at the municipal level with the town clerk in the community where the business operates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Washington County, Maine?
To search for someone recently arrested in Washington County, Maine, you can contact the Washington County Jail located in Machias. The jail provides an inmate lookup service where you can inquire about recent arrests. You may also visit the jail in person or call them at their official contact number to get the most current information about an inmate's status.
Mugshots or booking photos in Washington County, Maine, can be obtained from the Washington County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to booking photos upon request, and some information might be available through their official website. For detailed inquiries, visiting the Sheriff's Office in person or contacting them directly is recommended.
To obtain a criminal background check in Washington County, Maine, you should contact the Maine State Bureau of Identification. They handle statewide background checks, including those for Washington County. You can request a background check online through the Maine State Police website or by submitting a request form to the Bureau of Identification.
You can look up sex offenders in Washington County, Maine, by accessing the Maine Sex Offender Registry. The registry is maintained by the Maine State Police and provides an online search tool where you can search for offenders by name, location, or proximity to a specific address. This tool is accessible to the public and provides detailed information about registered offenders.
You can register to vote in Washington County by visiting your local municipal clerk's office, registering online through the Maine Secretary of State's website at https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/, or utilizing Maine's same-day registration option at your polling place on Election Day. Maine does not have an advance registration deadline, making it one of the most accessible states for voter registration. Once registered, you can request absentee ballots through your town clerk for any election, with applications accepted until the third business day before Election Day. Contact your municipal clerk directly for specific local information and polling location details.
Property records in Washington County are maintained by the Washington County Registry of Deeds at 85 Court Street, Machias (207) 255-6512), where you can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents through their online portal or in person. The registry offers subscription-based online access for detailed document viewing, while basic index searches may be available at no cost. For property tax assessment information, contact the tax assessor in the specific municipality where the property is located, as many towns offer free online GIS mapping systems with parcel data, assessed values, and ownership history. In-person research is also available at the Registry during regular business hours with public terminals provided.
Birth and death certificates for Washington County residents are issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control's Office of Vital Records in Augusta (207) 287-3181) or can be ordered online through VitalChek at the state's vital records website. The cost is $15 per certified copy plus any online processing fees, with standard processing taking 2-4 weeks for mail orders and expedited service available for additional fees. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 25 years old require proof of relationship and valid photo ID from eligible requestors such as immediate family members or legal representatives. You may also check with the municipal clerk in the town where the birth or death occurred for recent records.
Business entity records for Washington County can be searched for free through the Maine Secretary of State's online database at https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS, which includes corporations, LLCs, and other registered businesses with details on status, registered agents, and officers. Local business names (DBAs) and fictitious name registrations are filed with municipal clerks in the town where the business operates. Professional licenses are managed by the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and can be verified on their website. For information on local business licensing requirements, building permits, or zoning approvals, contact the Washington County planning office at 207-255-3448 or your municipal code enforcement officer.

Nearby Counties

Penobscot County ME Aroostook County ME Hancock County ME