Divorce records in Penobscot County, Maine, are available through several channels. PenobscotCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision through the court clerk's office, as well as from the Maine Office of Vital Records (Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics). Online tools, including the Maine eCourts system, can also assist with searching court cases.
Penobscot Divorce Records Search
In Penobscot County, divorce records are maintained by two main institutions. Court case materials — divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and all related documents — are kept by the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. Divorce certificates as vital records are maintained by the Maine Office of Vital Records under the Department of Health and Human Services.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees/judgments
- Divorce certificates
- Property settlement and alimony agreements
- Child custody orders
- Petitions, motions, and other procedural documents
Divorce cases in Penobscot County are heard at the Penobscot Judicial Center, where both the District Court and Superior Court are located.
Penobscot Judicial Center
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Penobscot
In the state of Maine, divorce cases are filed in the District Court or Superior Court of the county where one of the spouses resides. In Penobscot County, both courts operate at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor. Once a judge signs the divorce decree, the original remains in the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. The court also notifies the state Office of Vital Records, which registers the divorce and issues the corresponding certificates.
Where to contact depends on the specific document you need:
- Full court record (decrees, agreements, custody orders) — court clerk's office at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
- Divorce certificate (an extract from vital records confirming the divorce) — Maine Office of Vital Records or the municipal clerk's office of the city where the divorce was registered.
Electronic court records for cases filed in the Penobscot County Superior Court or Bangor District Court may be available through the re:SearchMaine system. Case parties can gain remote access to electronic records by providing their email address to the court clerk's office. Necessary court forms are available for free download on the Maine Judicial Branch website.
Court Clerk's Office — Penobscot Judicial Center
Maine Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Penobscot
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (DRVS, Maine) | $15.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of certificate (when ordered at the same time, DRVS) | $6.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Expedited certificate processing (DRVS) | $20.00 (in addition to the base fee) | 1–3 business days |
| Copy of court document (court clerk's office) | $0.50 per page | Typically upon request or within a few days |
| Certified copy of court document (court clerk's office) | $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page | Typically upon request or within a few days |