Search MAINE Property Records for Lien, Deed Copy and Title Search

Here is how to search MAINE Property Records for Lien, Deed Copy and Title Search:

BEGIN PROPERTY RECORDS SEARCH HERE

Here’s a comprehensive guide:

Online Search Options:

1. Registry of Deeds Offices: Maine has 16 county registries of deeds, each maintaining their own online search portal. The main ones include:
   • Cumberland County: https://secure.businessonline.net/ccrd/
   • York County: https://www.yorkcountymaine.gov/registry-of-deeds
   • Penobscot County: https://www.penobscotdeeds.com/

In-Person Search Methods:

1. Visit your local Registry of Deeds office
   • Bring the property address and owner name
   • Staff can assist with accessing physical records
   • Most offices have public computer terminals

Required Information:

• Property owner’s name
• Property address
• Book and page numbers (if known)
• Approximate date of transactions
• Tax map and lot number (helpful but not required)

Types of Records Available:

• Property deeds
• Mortgage documents
• Tax liens
• Judgment liens
• Mechanic’s liens
• Property tax records
• Title abstracts

Cost and Fees:

• Online searches: Many counties offer free index searches
• Document copies: Usually $1-2 per page
• Certified copies: Additional fee (varies by county)
• Title search: May require professional assistance

Tips for Effective Searching:

1. Start with the current owner’s name
2. Check for variations in name spelling
3. Use both grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) indexes
4. Note all related document references
5. Follow the chain of title backward in time

If you need a complete title search or legal assistance, consider working with:

• A title company
• Real estate attorney
• Professional abstractor

 

Types of Real Estate Records in Maine

Maine’s real estate record system contains various important documents that track property ownership, transactions, and legal status. Understanding these records is essential for property owners, real estate professionals, and researchers.

1. Deeds

Deeds are the most fundamental real estate records, documenting the transfer of property ownership from one party to another. In Maine, common types include:

• Warranty Deeds: Provide the highest level of protection for buyers, guaranteeing the property is free from encumbrances.
• Quitclaim Deeds: Transfer whatever interest the grantor may have in the property without warranties.
• Release Deeds: Similar to quitclaim deeds but used specifically in Maine to release any claim to property.

Deeds must be recorded at the Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located to establish legal ownership.

2. Mortgages and Financing Documents

These records document loans secured by real property and include:

• Mortgage Deeds: Legal documents pledging property as security for loan repayment.
• Promissory Notes: Written promises to repay loans according to specific terms.
• Discharge of Mortgage: Documents filed when mortgages are paid in full.

Maine follows the “title theory” of mortgages, meaning the lender technically holds title until the loan is repaid.

3. Liens

Liens represent claims against property for unpaid debts or obligations:

• Tax Liens: Filed by government entities for unpaid property taxes.
• Mechanic’s Liens: Filed by contractors for unpaid construction or improvement work.
• Judgment Liens: Resulting from court judgments against the property owner.

Liens remain attached to properties regardless of ownership changes until they’re satisfied or expire.

4. Property Tax Records

Maine municipalities maintain records of:

• Property Tax Assessments: Official valuations used to calculate property taxes.
• Tax Payment History: Records of property tax payments and delinquencies.
• Tax Maps: Visual representations showing property boundaries and identification numbers.

These records are typically available through town/city assessor’s offices or online municipal databases.

5. Title Abstracts and Insurance

These specialized records include:

• Title Abstracts: Summaries of all recorded documents affecting title to a property.
• Title Insurance Policies: Documents guaranteeing the status of title and protecting against defects.
• Chain of Title: Chronological history of property ownership.

Title searches in Maine typically cover at least 40 years of property history.

6. Boundary Surveys and Plat Maps

Visual representations of property boundaries include:

• Boundary Surveys: Professional determinations of property lines and dimensions.
• Plat Maps: Official maps showing subdivisions with lot lines, streets, and easements.
• ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys: Detailed surveys meeting specific national standards.

Maine’s unique geography and historic property divisions make accurate surveys particularly important.

7. Easements and Rights-of-Way

These records document non-possessory interests in land:

• Utility Easements: Rights granted to utility companies to access property.
• Access Easements: Rights to cross property to reach another location.
• Conservation Easements: Restrictions placed on land use for conservation purposes.

Maine has extensive shoreline access easements due to its coastal geography.

8. Land Use Restrictions and Zoning Records

These documents govern how property can be used:

• Zoning Ordinances: Municipal regulations defining permitted land uses.
• Deed Restrictions: Private limitations on property use.
• Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs): Rules governing properties in planned communities.

Maine’s local municipalities have significant control over zoning, creating variation across the state.

9. Foreclosure Records

Documents related to property repossession include:

• Notice of Default: Initial notification of loan default.
• Foreclosure Complaint: Legal filing initiating foreclosure proceedings.
• Certificate of Foreclosure: Document confirming completed foreclosure.

Maine allows both judicial and non-judicial foreclosures, though judicial is more common.

10. Historical Property Records

Maine’s rich history is reflected in specialized records:

• Historic District Designations: Documentation of properties in protected historic areas.
• Historic Preservation Easements: Restrictions protecting historic features.
• Archaeological Site Records: Information about historically significant sites.

As one of the original colonies, Maine contains some of America’s oldest property records, with some dating to the 1600s.

Where to Find Maine Real Estate Records

Real estate records in Maine are primarily maintained at:

1. County Registry of Deeds: Each of Maine’s 16 counties maintains a registry where most property documents are recorded and stored.
2. Municipal Offices: Tax records, zoning information, and building permits are typically kept by city or town governments.
3. Maine State Archives: Historical records may be preserved at the state level.
4. Online Databases: Many counties now offer digital access to real estate records through subscription or public access systems.

For the most current and accurate information, it’s advisable to check with the specific county registry where the property is located.

 

MAINE PROPERTY RECORDS – LIEN AND TITLE SEARCH-Deed Copy