Franklin County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Franklin County in 2026
FranklinCountyRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Franklin County, Maine. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, docket entries, and related family court filings through official court channels and state resources. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage judgments, parenting plans, property division orders, spousal support determinations, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness of records vary depending on the age of the case and any applicable court-ordered restrictions.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Franklin Superior Court clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Maine Judicial Branch's electronic records system, and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's vital records office.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Maine Judicial Branch currently provides electronic access to court records through its eCourts platform. Members of the public may search case information at no charge for basic docket entries, though fees apply for obtaining copies of documents. The Record Search Request Instructions and Information form specifically identifies the Franklin Superior & Farmington District as a searchable court location, allowing requestors to submit written requests for case searches by party name or case number.
2. State Court System Portal
The Maine Judicial Branch maintains a statewide portal for accessing electronic court records. At present, records in criminal, juvenile, and civil violations cases for Franklin County are available through this system. Family law case records, including divorce proceedings, are accessible through the clerk's office and, where digitized, through the eCourts platform. The portal consolidates records across jurisdictions, enabling searches that span multiple Maine counties.
3. State Vital Records
Maine registers divorce records through the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention's Vital Records office. The state maintains divorce certificates as vital records, and members of the public may request certified copies of divorce certificates directly from this office. Fees apply, and the vital records office maintains records of divorces granted statewide, providing an alternative search avenue when the specific county of filing is unknown.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Franklin Superior Court & Farmington District Court
Members of the public may inspect divorce case files in person at the Franklin County courthouse. Staff assistance is available for locating case files, and public access terminals are provided for electronic record searches. Certified copies of final decrees and other documents may be requested at the clerk's window.
Franklin County Superior Court & Farmington District Court
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-5888
Maine Judicial Branch
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Obtaining staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request
Members of the public may submit written record search requests by mail using the official Maine State Courts Request for Record Search form. Requests should be directed to the Franklin Superior & Farmington District Court clerk's office.
Mail requests to:
Clerk of Court
Franklin Superior Court & Farmington District Court
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Each written request should include:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or filing year
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of the request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is subject to court workload and is at present estimated at one to two weeks for standard requests.
By Phone
Limited Information Available
The clerk's office may confirm by telephone whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date. Detailed document contents, copies of filed documents, and confidential case information are not available by telephone.
Clerk of Court: (207) 778-5888
Through Attorneys
Members of the public who require access to sealed documents or who face complex record retrieval situations may engage licensed Maine attorneys, who hold professional access to court records and may petition the court for access to restricted materials. The Maine State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Franklin County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Maine are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, § 901, the divorce action is properly filed in the county of residence of either party, not necessarily the county where the marriage occurred.
Residency Requirement: Under current Maine law, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Maine for six months prior to filing for divorce.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in electronic systems. Members of the public should allow standard processing time following the final hearing before searching online databases.
Older Divorces: Cases predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Archived records may not be digitized and may require a special request to the clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not appear in a search include:
- Incorrect county of search
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in physical archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public encountering these issues may contact the clerk's office at (207) 778-5888, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or request a search through the Maine CDC vital records office.
What Are Franklin County Divorce Records?
Franklin County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Franklin Superior Court or Farmington District Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Court as permanent public records, subject to applicable restrictions.
Types of Divorce Records
Court case files in Franklin County divorce proceedings contain the full range of documents filed by the parties and issued by the court. The petition for dissolution of marriage initiates the case and sets forth the grounds for divorce, the parties' identifying information, the date and place of marriage, and the relief requested. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, § 902, irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the recognized ground for divorce in Maine, making the state a no-fault divorce jurisdiction.
The final judgment of dissolution is the most frequently requested document from the divorce case file. This order, signed by the presiding judge, legally terminates the marriage and sets forth the court's determinations regarding property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support where applicable. Certified copies of the final judgment serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes of remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit claims.
Supporting documents within the case file include financial affidavits, marital settlement agreements, parenting plans, child support calculation worksheets, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) for retirement account division, and any post-judgment modification orders.
Who Maintains Divorce Records
The Clerk of Court at the Franklin Superior Court and Farmington District Court serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files originating in Franklin County. The Maine CDC Vital Records office maintains statewide divorce certificates as a secondary repository. The Maine Judicial Branch court forms page provides access to forms used throughout the divorce process, including those relevant to post-judgment proceedings.
Are Franklin County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records in Franklin County are public court records subject to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S.A. § 401 et seq.), which establishes a presumption of public access to government records. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and final judgments without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status information
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers are redacted from publicly accessible documents pursuant to Maine court rules. Detailed financial statements and tax returns filed with the court may be subject to limited access provisions.
Children's Information: The names, addresses, schools, and medical information of minor children may be redacted or restricted. Custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and psychological assessments of children are subject to heightened confidentiality protections.
Sensitive Personal Information: Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence, mental health records, medical records, and substance abuse treatment information may be sealed or restricted by court order. In cases involving domestic violence, the personal addresses and contact information of protected parties are withheld from public access.
Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Maine law and do not become part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General Public: May access public case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the Case: Retain full access to their own case files, including documents subject to restricted public access.
- Attorneys: Hold professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order and a demonstration of legitimate purpose under First Amendment principles.
Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
- Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
- Violation of existing protective orders
- Any use prohibited by applicable state or federal law
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Franklin County?
The Maine Judicial Branch establishes standard fees for court record copies and certified documents. Members of the public should be aware that fee schedules are subject to periodic revision, and current fees should be confirmed with the clerk's office prior to submitting a request.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies of court records | $2.00 per page |
| Certified copy of final divorce decree | $15.00 per document |
| Record search by clerk's office | $10.00 per name searched |
| Electronic copy (where available) | Varies; confirm with clerk |
| Vital records divorce certificate (Maine CDC) | $15.00 per certified copy |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Check or money order payable to the Treasurer, State of Maine (mail requests)
- Credit or debit card (availability varies by location; confirm with clerk)
Fee Waivers: Members of the public who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees. The court retains discretion to grant or deny fee waiver requests on a case-by-case basis.
What Is Available at No Charge:
- In-person inspection of public case documents at the courthouse
- Basic case status information provided verbally by clerk's office staff
- Docket entry review at public access terminals
Fees for vital records divorce certificates obtained through the Maine CDC are governed separately and are payable directly to that office.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Franklin County
A complete Franklin County divorce case file contains all documents filed by the parties and issued by the court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.
Basic Case Information: The case caption identifies the court, case number, names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and attorneys of record. Filing information reflects the date of filing, case type, and jurisdictional basis.
Initial Pleadings: The petition for dissolution of marriage sets forth the parties' identifying information, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation if applicable, grounds for divorce, information regarding minor children, property claims, and the relief requested. The respondent's answer or counterpetition reflects the responding party's position and any independent requests for relief.
Financial Affidavits: Both parties are required to file financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment and retirement accounts, and personal property), and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents: Where discovery is conducted, the case file may contain interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, deposition notices, and financial disclosure documents including tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and retirement account statements.
Property-Related Documents: The case file includes marital asset and debt inventories, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on the value of marital assets. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is filed as a separate court order directing the plan administrator.
Children-Related Documents: Where minor children are involved, the case file contains the parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, the timesharing schedule including regular, holiday, and vacation provisions, child support calculation worksheets, income information for both parties, and any custody evaluation or guardian ad litem reports ordered by the court.
Settlement Documents: A marital settlement agreement, where the parties reach agreement on all issues, is incorporated into the final judgment and constitutes a binding contract between the parties. Mediation agreements may be incorporated into the settlement agreement, though mediation communications themselves remain confidential.
Court Orders and Judgments: Temporary orders addressing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case are part of the file. The final judgment of dissolution constitutes the court's definitive order terminating the marriage and resolving all contested issues.
Post-Judgment Documents: Petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions filed after entry of the final judgment are maintained as part of the ongoing case file.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence and related protective order details
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications
- Trade secrets contained in business valuations
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Franklin County?
Proof of divorce in Franklin County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution issued by the Clerk of Court, or through a certified divorce certificate obtained from the Maine CDC Vital Records office.
Step 1 — Identify the Correct Court: Confirm that the divorce was filed in Franklin County. If uncertain, a name search may be submitted using the Maine State Courts Record Search Request form, which covers the Franklin Superior & Farmington District Court.
Step 2 — Submit a Request to the Clerk of Court: Members of the public may request a certified copy of the final divorce decree in person, by mail, or through the eCourts system where available. The request should include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of divorce, and the case number if known.
Franklin County Superior Court & Farmington District Court
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-5888
Maine Judicial Branch
Step 3 — Request a Divorce Certificate from Maine CDC: For a state-issued divorce certificate, members of the public may submit a request to the Maine CDC Vital Records office. This office maintains statewide divorce records and issues certified certificates that serve as proof of divorce for most legal and administrative purposes.
Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention — Vital Records
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 287-3771
Maine CDC Vital Records
Step 4 — Pay Applicable Fees: A certified copy of the final decree from the clerk's office is $15.00 per document. A certified divorce certificate from Maine CDC is $15.00 per copy. Payment should accompany all mail requests.
Step 5 — Obtain Court Forms if Needed: Members of the public initiating or responding to divorce proceedings, or seeking post-judgment modifications, may access all required Maine Judicial Branch court forms through the official forms portal, where documents are available as free PDF downloads.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Franklin County?
Divorce proceedings in Franklin County are presumptively public under Maine law, but certain records or portions of records may be made confidential by court order or by operation of statute.
- Sealed Cases: A party may petition the court to seal all or part of a divorce case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children. Sealing is not granted as a matter of course and requires a demonstrated legal basis.
- Domestic Violence Cases: Where a party has obtained a protective order or where domestic violence allegations are substantiated, the court may restrict public access to the personal address, contact information, and identifying details of the protected party pursuant to Maine's domestic violence statutes.
- Children's Records: Information identifying minor children, including their addresses, schools, and medical records, is subject to heightened protection and may be redacted from publicly accessible documents.
- Financial Account Information: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible court filings under Maine court administrative rules.
- Mediation Records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and do not become part of the public court record under 1 M.R.S.A. § 401 and applicable court rules.
- Mental Health and Medical Records: Psychological evaluations, mental health records, and medical records filed in connection with custody proceedings may be sealed or restricted by court order.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Divorce Records?
Franklin County divorce records are maintained as permanent court records under Maine judicial branch records retention policies. The following retention periods apply under current Maine law and court administrative rules:
- Final Judgments of Dissolution: Retained permanently. The final divorce decree is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction or expungement under standard retention schedules.
- Complete Case Files: Divorce case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case for most civil family law matters. Cases involving minor children may be retained until the youngest child reaches the age of majority plus an additional retention period.
- Electronic Records: Cases filed through the Maine Judicial Branch's eCourts system are retained in electronic format in accordance with the court's electronic records management policies. The accessing electronic court records page provides current information on the availability of electronic case records for Franklin County.
- Archived Paper Records: Older cases maintained in paper format are archived and may require additional retrieval time. Members of the public requesting archived records should contact the clerk's office in advance to confirm availability and retrieval timelines.
- Vital Records Divorce Certificates: The Maine CDC retains divorce certificates permanently as part of the state's vital records system.
- Post-Judgment Documents: Modification orders, contempt proceedings, and enforcement actions filed after the final judgment are retained as part of the ongoing case file and are subject to the same retention schedule as the original case.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago should contact the clerk's office directly to confirm the availability and location of archived materials.