Divorce records in Hancock County, Maine can be accessed through several channels. HancockCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Hancock County. You can also request records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the county clerk's office, or the Maine Office of Vital Records. Each office holds different types of divorce documentation, so the right starting point depends on what you need.
Hancock Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Hancock County are maintained by two primary offices. The Hancock County Superior Court — which handles divorce cases filed in the county — keeps the complete case file, including the divorce judgment, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and all related filings. The Maine Office of Vital Records, part of the Maine CDC, maintains a separate divorce certificate that confirms the basic facts of the divorce: names of the parties, date, and county.
The court file is the more detailed record. It contains the original complaint, financial disclosures, parenting plans, and the final judgment. The vital records certificate is a shorter document used mainly for proof that a divorce occurred.
Hancock County Superior Court
Contact the clerk's office for current hours of operation or accessibility information.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Hancock
In Maine, divorce cases are filed in and handled by the Superior Court (or, in some counties, the District Court). For Hancock County, divorce actions are heard at the Hancock County Superior Court in Ellsworth. Once the court enters the divorce judgment, the complete case record stays with the court clerk's office at that location.
Separately, the court reports the divorce to the Maine Office of Vital Records, which creates and stores a divorce certificate. Under Title 22, §2706 of Maine law, certain details on vital records may not be available to the general public — only the fact of the divorce, the names of the parties, the date, and the place are generally disclosed.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce judgment, settlement terms, custody orders, or other court filings — contact the Hancock County Superior Court clerk's office.
- Divorce certificate (proof that a divorce occurred) — contact the Maine Office of Vital Records.
Hancock County Superior Court (Clerk's Office)
Maine Office of Vital Records
Some court records may also be accessible through the Maine eCourts system, which provides online access to certain public case information. Availability varies by case type and county, so check the portal or call the clerk to confirm whether your record is accessible electronically.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Hancock
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copy (per page, non-certified) | $1.00 per page | Same day to several business days (in person or by mail) |
| Certified court record copy | $5.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page | Several business days |
| Divorce certificate from Maine Vital Records (mail request) | $15.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce certificate from Maine Vital Records (expedited/online) | $15.00 plus processing and shipping fees | 1–2 weeks |
| Vital Records search fee (if no record is found) | $15.00 (non-refundable) | 4–6 weeks |