Home › Evictions › Maine

Maine eviction process and court fees

Maine evictions are heard in the district Court (forcible entry and detainer). Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give the notice required by 14 M.R.S. §6002.

Not legal advice. This page summarizes public statutes and court fee schedules as of the date shown. Rules and fees change; confirm with the court before you file, and talk to a local attorney about your situation.

Maine eviction at a glance

CourtDistrict Court (forcible entry and detainer)

Maine evictions are heard in the district Court (forcible entry and detainer). Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give the notice required by 14 M.R.S. §6002.

Step by step

  1. Notice for unpaid rent. Once rent is at least 7 days late, a 7-day notice to quit; paying all rent due before it expires voids the notice. (14 M.R.S. §6002)
  2. File in court. If the tenant doesn't pay or move out, file the eviction case in the district Court (forcible entry and detainer). Ask the clerk for current filing and service fees. (Maine Judicial Branch: Evicting a tenant for not paying rent)
  3. Hearing, judgment and removal. After the tenant is served, the court sets a hearing. If the landlord wins, removal happens only through the court's order or writ, carried out by a law enforcement officer. Exact timelines are in the court's self-help materials. (Maine Judicial Branch: Evicting a tenant for not paying rent)

Statewide fees

Eviction filing feeNot verified
Set by each court or county; no single statewide figure published
Service of process and writ / removalNot verified
Set by the county sheriff, marshal or constable

Fees vary by court or county. For any county we haven't verified, call the clerk before filing.

About the missing details

Why it's missing: We only list eviction court fees published by an official source. Maine hasn't published its local filing, service and writ fees online in a form we could verify, so call the clerk of the district court to confirm before you file.

General information
Not specific to Maine

Across the 21 counties where we've read the official fee schedule, the eviction filing fee runs from $41 to $322. Sheriff or constable service usually adds a per-tenant charge, and a writ of possession adds another. Statewide fixed filing fees we've verified: California $240 (claims up to $10,000), Connecticut $175, Delaware $45, Florida $185, Texas $54.

Closest place with verified data

Cuyahoga County, OH (about 647 miles away): filing fee $110

Call or visit the official office

Maine Judicial Branch: Evicting a tenant for not paying rent · Official website

Ask for the clerk's office for the court that handles evictions in your county.

Know the current fee? Tell us. We check every tip against an official source before publishing it.

Frequently asked

Which court handles evictions in Maine?

District Court (forcible entry and detainer).

How much notice does a Maine landlord have to give?

Once rent is at least 7 days late, a 7-day notice to quit; paying all rent due before it expires voids the notice.

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Maine?

Fees vary by court or county. For any county we haven't verified, call the clerk before filing.