How to Search Maine Criminal Records (Start Here)

Maine criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: Maine state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Statewide criminal-history agency
State Bureau of Identification | Maine State Police
Public name-based search
Maine Criminal Records Free - Background Checks
Fingerprint-based screening
Fingerprinting & Background Checks | Department of Education
Sex offender registry
Maine Sex Offender Registry
Open records statute
Freedom of Access Act
Number of counties
16 counties
Population
1,405,012
Households
597,600
Median Income
$71,773
Median Home Value
$252,100
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Maine repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

Maine Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)

Maine SBI maintains the central fingerprint-based criminal history database (AFIS).
$31 conviction / $25 juvenile
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Online via Public Crimin
Primary method
How to submit
Maine State Police
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
25 MRSA §1541
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What's in a state criminal check (typical %)
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.

What Changed in 2026 — Maine Criminal Records

2026
Maine state-only check active
The Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) continues to process state criminal history checks via www.maine.gov.
2026
Maine background check fee structure
Current fee for a Maine state-only check: $31 conviction / $25 juvenile. Method: Online via Public Criminal Records (PCR) portal.
2026
Maine statutory framework
Maine criminal history records are governed by 25 MRSA §1541 and disseminated through Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI).
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Maine, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.

The 4-Step Maine Criminal Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a Maine state-only check from the Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
Online via Public Criminal Records (PCR) portal. Current fee: $31 conviction / $25 juvenile.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at www.maine.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Maine Criminal Records

❌ Myth: "Maine background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) check covers ONLY Maine arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.maine.gov (the official Maine repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Maine law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Maine public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Maine state check shows Maine-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.

Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)

Related Criminal Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Sample Maine counties: Androscoggin · Aroostook · Cumberland · Franklin · Hancock

Criminal Records Databases

5 official Maine criminal records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Criminal Records

Adult Resident/Adult Community Corrections Client Search
Official Free
Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation · This service provides a free and convenient way to search for information about adult residents/adult community corrections clients in the Maine Department of Corrections system . The search service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🌐 apps1.web.maine.gov
Adult Resident/Adult Community Corrections Client Search
Official Free
Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation · This service provides a free and convenient way to search for information about adult residents/adult community corrections clients in the Maine Department of Corrections system . The search service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🌐 apps1.web.maine.gov
Current Inmates - Kennebec County Sheriff's Office
Official Free
Corrections Mission Current Inmate List Inmate Visitation Inmate Archives / Records Inmate Bail Inmate Programs▼ · Maine Diversionary Sentencing Program (MeDSP) MeDSP Registration Form Veterans Programs PREA 3rd Party Reporting Form Integrated Healthcare Maine DOC Prisoner Search Office of Professional Review Prisoner Transport Vendors Video Arraignment iCare Gift Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Employment Opportunities Other Departments▼ · Kennebec County District Attorney's Office Emergency Management Probate Court Registry of Deeds
🌐 kennebec.gov
Maine Sex Offender Registry
Official Free
It includes information on persons who are required to register and who actually have registered in Maine. Police departments and sheriffs’ offices may post information about sex offenders on their own websites, but must provide a link to the official Maine registry site.
🌐 apps.web.maine.gov
District of Maine
Official Paid
In addition, scheduling trials ... over other criminal cases pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3164(a). Note: Clicking on the case number hyperlinks below will provide access to the docket report. You will be required to enter a PACER login and password....
🌐 ecf.med.uscourts.gov

Maine Counties

All 16 Maine counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Cumberland York Penobscot Kennebec Androscoggin Aroostook Oxford Hancock Somerset Franklin Knox Lincoln Piscataquis Sagadahoc

Frequently Asked Questions

Maine's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI). Begin the request at www.maine.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Maine statute.

Most adult criminal-history information in Maine is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) explains who can request what at www.maine.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.

A state check from the Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) (www.maine.gov) covers only criminal activity within Maine. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.

Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI). The Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) documentation at www.maine.gov lists each authorized requester category.

If you find an error on your Maine criminal history, the Maine State Police - State Bureau of Identification (SBI) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.maine.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.