What are Kennebec County Public Records?
According to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, a public record is any written, graphic, printed, or electronic information connected to and maintained by a state or local public body. Under this law, Kennebec public records are available to everyone, including non-citizens of the State of Maine. However, certain records are not publicly available. These include any form designated by state statutes as sealed or unavailable, any document under legal privilege, medical records, and juvenile records. The record keeper will deny access to any of these documents when requested. In some scenarios, the public agency might ask requesters to clarify a request or state why they need the requested document. However, the record keeper cannot deny a public record request solely because the requester failed to provide a reason for requesting the copy.
Kennebec County Crime Statistics
The Maine State Police, under the Department of Public Safety, provides crime statistics for Kennebec County. According to the latest Crime in Maine report, law enforcement in Kennebec County recorded 1,618 total index crimes in 2019, representing a 7.9% drop from the previous year (1,757 index offenses in 2018). Kennebec County also had a clearance rate of 47.3% in 2019, higher than the 2018 figure (43.7%)
The breakdown includes; three murders, 61 rape offenses, 19 robberies, 64 aggravated assaults, 185 burglaries, 1,244 larcenies, 39 motor vehicle thefts, and three cases of arson. Of all the index crimes, only rape counts decreased from the previous year. Kennebec County's crime rate was 1321 crimes per 100,000 population. This data represents an 8.35% drop from the previous year (the county recorded 1441.4 crimes per 100,000 people in 2018).
Are Kennebec County Criminal Records Public?
Kennebec County criminal records are open to the public. The Maine State Police, under the supervision of the State Bureau of Identification, executes criminal background checks. The background check system will provide information on all criminal records for all Maine counties, including Kennebec. Interested parties can conduct a name-based or a fingerprint-based check. However, only name-based reports are available for request by anyone, even without consent from the record owner. People may also use an online service (the Maine Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request Service) to access criminal history records and juvenile crime information in electronic form.
With these, the public has 24-hour access to conviction and adjudication information for all adult and juvenile crimes committed within Kennebec County that are currently on record. Available data also includes pending criminal charges that are not up to one year old.
The Main State Police charges $31 ($21 for subscribers living in Maine) for each background check. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the result of the search. It is important to note that most civil violations committed by a minor are not open to the public. However, felony-level offenses and any case handled in an adult trial court are open to the public and remain a public record until the offender successfully files for expungement.
How to Obtain Kennebec County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records Department of the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office provides arrest records and incident reports. Interested individuals can contact the Records Officer from 8:00 a.m. up until 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The requesting party should call (207) 623-3614 ext. 1262 or submit requests via email.
The Records Officer encourages requesters to complete their request as soon as possible, preferably within 48 business hours. A standard accident report will cost $10, and the processing time could take up to five days. Accident reconstruction reports are also available for $50 each and may take a longer time to process. The Records Officer will only release completed and approved requests. Background checks and reports for Kennebec County arrest records will cost $10, payable by money order or cash. The Records Officer will not accept credit cards and personal checks.
Interested individuals can also schedule Non-Criminal Fingerprints for employment, foster care, and adoption purposes by calling (207) 623-3614 ext. 1200. Kennebec arrest records and police reports for each municipality are also available by querying its local police department:
Augusta Police Department
33 Union Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 626-2370
Gardiner Police Department
6 Church Street
Gardiner, ME 04345
Phone: (207) 582-5150
Hallowell Police Department
1 Winthrop Street
Hallowell, ME 04347
Phone: (207) 623-3131
Monmouth Police Department
P.O. Box 270
Monmouth, ME 04259
Phone: (207) 933-4446
Oakland Police Department
7 Fairfield Street
Oakland, ME 04963
Phone: (207) 465-2202
Thomas College Campus Police
180 W River Road
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 859-1111
Waterville Police Department
1 Common Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 680-4700
Winslow Police Department
114 Benton Avenue
Winslow, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 872-5215
Winthrop Police Department
15 Town Hall Lane
Winthrop, ME 04364
Phone: (207) 377-7226
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Kennebec County
The Maine State Police maintains a statewide sex offender registry. This repository is available online and accessible by all members of the public. Interested individuals can search the registry by providing the offender's first and last name, city or town address, and zip code.
On the sex offender registry, people can find information such as the individual's general profile (name, home and mailing address, date of birth, and place of employment), a display picture, and conviction information. Residents can also subscribe to mail alerts to help them monitor sex offender movements.
How to Find Kennebec County Inmate Records
The Kennebec County Sheriff's Corrections Division maintains a jail roster for all incarcerated individuals. This database is open to the public and available on the "Current Inmates" section of the Kennebec County Sheriff's website. The roster contains a full list of inmates arranged in descending alphabetical order of the inmate's last name. People can find the inmate's full names, booking date, and inmate I.D. on the jail roster. The requester can also call (207) 623-2270 ext - 1230 for further inquiries.
Inmate archives and records are also available by querying the Records Department of the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office. Interested individuals can call (207) 623-2270 ext. 1317, 1318, or 1319 or Fax: (207) 626-6197 to request copies of an inmate's record. The Records Department will charge 15 cents per page for each requested document, while extensive records will cost an additional $15 fee. For medical records, the requesting party should call the Kennebec County Correctional Facility's Medical Department on (207) 623-2270 ext. 1245. Requests for an inmate's record will require a valid photo I.D.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Kennebec County Jail?
The Kennebec County Sheriff's Corrections Division allows inmates to entertain visits from family and friends. However, intending visitors will need to schedule an appointment before they can visit. To schedule a non-contact visit, interested individuals can call the Kennebec County Correctional Facility on (207) 623-2270 ext. 1227, from Wednesdays through Sundays (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.). On the other hand, the Jail Officer will grant contact visits only when requested by the inmate. The inmate will have to notify the visitor and submit a Request form for contact visits.
The duration of each visiting session is one hour. Inmates can partake in non-contact sessions at any of the following times:
- Monday to Friday - 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and 9:15 p.m. up until 10:15 p.m.
- Weekends - 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and 9:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
The Jail Official can only permit two adults and two minors per visit. Visitors will need to provide a valid I.D. upon arrival at the facility. Juveniles can only visit an inmate if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Accompanying adults will need to provide proper documentation to ascertain their relationship with the minor.
The visiting schedule for contact visits is as follows:
- Inside Trusty's - Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m. up until 9:10 p.m.
- Outside Trusty's - Friday and Saturday 9:15 p.m. up until 10:15 p.m., and on Saturday 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- All inmates - Third Thursday of every month from 8:00 p.m. up until 9:00 p.m.
Inmates with substantial substance abuse who enroll in the Kennebec Criminogenic Addiction & Recovery Academy (CARA) use a separate visitation schedule - applicable for both contact and non-contact visits.
- CARA Males - Mondays and Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. up until 6:30 p.m.
- CARA Females - Mondays and Saturdays, from 6:45 p.m. up until 7:45 p.m.
Facility Address
115 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Court Records
Trial courts in Maine include Superior Courts, District Courts, Probate Courts, and Judicial Branch Violations Bureau. Four courthouses serve Kennebec County.
Kennebec County Superior Court
1 Court Street
#101
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 213-2800
Kennebec County District Court - Augusta
1 Court Street
#101
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 213-2800
Kennebec County District Court - Waterville
18 Colby Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 873-2103
Kennebec County Probate Court
95 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 622-7558
Fax: (207) 621-1639
Are Kennebec County Court Records Public?
Kennebec County court records are open to the public. According to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, the public has the right to query the court's Clerk with jurisdiction over a case for court records. The Clerk must release a Kennebec court record unless it falls under exceptions. Some of these exceptions are information determined to be confidential by state statutes, such as documents containing:
- Minors’ full names;
- Mental health civil commitment hearings;
- Medical malpractice;
- Screening panel court files;
- Sterilization proceedings;
- Proceedings for extreme weapon protection orders;
- Minor settlements;
- HIV/AIDS testing proceedings.
How to Obtain Kennebec County Civil Court Case Records
The State of Maine Judicial Branch maintains an e-access portal where people can access civil court case records. To obtain a Kennebec County court record, the record seeker should type the case number or the name on the document (in suffix format) on the provided search box. Interested parties will need to create an account before they can utilize this tool.
Alternatively, civil court case records are available at the courthouse that handled the case. The record seeker can query the Clerk's office at the courthouse during business hours and will need to provide the case number and name on the record.
How to Obtain Kennebec County Criminal Court Records
Kennebec County criminal court records search will require the case number and the party name. These files are obtainable remotely or in person. Criminal court records are within the Clerk of court's purview in the courthouse where the criminal prosecution took place. Interested parties can also use the e-access tool provided by the State of Maine Judicial Branch. This service is only available to registered users.
What are Kennebec County Vital Records?
Kennebec County vital records are official documents of life events. They include birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce records, and death certificates. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is the primary custodian of vital records. The state office has papers filed since January 1, 1982. For older documents, the record seeker can contact the Main State Archives.
Because Maine is a closed state, vital records are not available to just anybody. Therefore, individuals requesting these documents must complete a request form, provide a valid means of identification, and may need to submit proof of relationship or direct interest.
Where and How to Obtain Kennebec County Divorce Records
For copies of a Kennebec County divorce record, the interested party should query the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The office can provide uncertified copies of a divorce certificate for $10. The first purchase of a certified copy will cost $15, while subsequent copies will cost $6 each.
Interested individuals should download and complete a Vital Records Application form. They will also need to provide certain information about the record, including:
- Names on the divorcee record as at the time of the divorce;
- Date of divorce;
- Name of city or town where the divorce occurred;
- Daytime phone number.
The requesting party will also need to provide a valid I.D., check payment directed to Treasurer - State of Maine, and all these together with the request form to:
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Where and How to Get Public Kennebec County Marriage Records
Kennebec County marriage records less than 50 years old are confidential. However, marriage records older than 50 years are public records available at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine State Archives, or the town or city clerk where the event occurred. Interested parties can call the State Archives on (207) 287-5790 or query any of the offices by submitting a written request.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Augusta City Clerk
16 Cony Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 626-2310
Fax: (207) 626-2424
Vassalboro Town Clerk
682 Main Street
Vassalboro, ME 04989
Phone: (207) 873-6217
Waterville City Clerk
1 Common Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 680-4213
Winthrop Town Clerk
17 Highland Avenue
Winthrop, ME 04364
Phone: (207) 377-7200
Fax: (207) 377-7201
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Kennebec County
Kennebec County marriage certificates are obtainable from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. In Maine, marriage records that are less than 50 years old are confidential information. As a result, those who can request copies of a marriage record include; the registrants, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and genealogists with a researcher card.
The first certified copy requested from the state office costs $15, and each additional document requested at the same time will cost $6. Uncertified copies are available for $10 each. Eligible parties can order copies online and make payments using a credit card or mail a completed Vital Records Application form containing the following:
- Names on both parties, including their names before marriage
- Date of marriage.
- Name of the city or town where the marriage occurred.
- Daytime phone number.
The applicant should also provide a valid I.D. or a proof of relationship, check payment directed to Treasurer - State of Maine, and forward all documents to:
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Where and How to Find Kennebec County Birth Records
Kennebec County birth certificates are within the purview of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Birth records are only open to the public after 75 years. Therefore, records less than 75 years old are only available to the record's subject, immediate relatives, legal representatives, and genealogists with a researcher card.
A certified Kennebec County birth record ordered from the state office will cost $15 for the first copy and $6 for subsequent copies purchased in the same period. The office can also provide uncertified copies for $10 each. The record seeker can order copies online or provide the following information on the State's Vital Records Application form:
- Name of the registrant
- The name of the parents (including the mother's maiden name)
- Date of birth.
- The requester's relationship with the registrant
- Name of the city or town where the birth occurred.
- Daytime phone number.
A valid I.D. and a check payment directed to the Treasurer - State of Maine should accompany the request form. Requests should be directed to:
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Birth records filed before 1892 are available by calling the Maine State Archives on (207) 287-5790 or contacting any of these offices:
Augusta City Clerk
16 Cony Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 626-2310
Fax: (207) 626-2424
Vassalboro Town Clerk
682 Main Street
Vassalboro, ME 04989
Phone: (207) 873-6217
Waterville City Clerk
1 Common Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 680-4213
Winthrop Town Clerk
17 Highland Avenue
Winthrop, ME 04364
Phone: (207) 377-7200
Fax: (207) 377-7201
Where and How to Find Kennebec County Death Records
Kennebec County death certificates are obtainable by querying the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Under Maine law, death records less than 25 years are private. Eligible parties that can request death records include; the immediate relatives, legal representatives, and genealogists with a researcher card.
The fee for the first certified copy of a death certificate purchased at the state office is $15. Additional copies requested at the same time costs $6, while uncertified copies are available for $10 each. To purchase these documents by mail, the requester will need to complete a Vital Records Application form stating the:
- Name of the deceased
- Date of death.
- City or town the death occurred
- The requester's relationship with the registrant
- Daytime telephone number.
In addition to this, the State office will request a valid means of identification. Payment is by check directed to the Treasurer - State of Maine. The address to write to is:
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Alternatively, the requester can order copies online and make payments via credit cards. Records of deaths that occurred before 1892 are available by calling the Maine State Archives on (207) 287-5790 or writing to any of these offices:
Augusta City Clerk
16 Cony Street
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 626-2310
Fax: (207) 626-2424
Vassalboro Town Clerk
682 Main Street
Vassalboro, ME 04989
Phone: (207) 873-6217
Waterville City Clerk
1 Common Street
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: (207) 680-4213
Winthrop Town Clerk
17 Highland Avenue
Winthrop, ME 04364
Phone: (207) 377-7200
Fax: (207) 377-7201
