We've been paying $15 per name in the Criminal, Civil, Divorce and other courts here in Maine for nearly 10 years now.  They took away public access and now it's write a check. There is no charge if you have a case number, but a blind search results in a court fee.  Maine courts even charge for mail inquiries.  I think  New Hampshire just raised their fees to $25 per search.  More states are following the "charge for it" policy to contribute to the judicial or state coffers.  It wouldn't surprise me it the Maine Legislature raised the fee on these searches and for some new ones in the coming months to help cover budget shortfalls.  It's the new way :-)