Maine Vital Records Search

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What are Maine Vital Records?

All of Maine's vital records are collected, stored and maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). These consist of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, divorce, and domestic partnership records. The state of Maine began keeping vital records in January of 1892. Many of the municipal offices around the state have records even older than that. Maine is a closed record state meaning that only certain people can get copies of vital records like close family members and legal representatives. Maine calls this a "direct and legitimate interest."

Maine Birth Records

Maine has been keeping birth records since January 1892. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) is the government agency that stores them all and issues copies to requestors. They do not allow just anyone to get a copy of your birth record. When requesting records, they allow you to get them through the mail and also by phone, internet, or fax using the VitalChek network. Maine offers both certified copies and non-certified (for a reduced fee). When you order copies, you must provide proper documentation verifying your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Maine?

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). They have all birth records going back to 1892. If you need records older, you can contact the municipal town office.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Maine?

Download the order form from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) website and mail it in with your payment. Otherwise, you can use the VitalCheknetwork.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Maine?

The cost for one certified copy of a birth record is $15. Each additional copy is $6. A non-certified copy costs $10 but cannot be used for legal purposes.

Who can request birth records?

Because Maine is a closed record state, only the following people can request a copy of your birth record:

  1. The person named on the record.
  2. The person's spouse or registered domestic partner.
  3. The parent(s) named on the record.
  4. Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the most remote degree).
  5. The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record.
  6. Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Maine birth certificate?

When you request a copy of someone's birth record, even your own, you need the following information:

  1. Name on the birth record.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Name of city/town the birth occurred in.
  4. The names of the parents - please use the mother's maiden name.
  5. State your relationship to the name on the birth record being requested.
  6. Please include a daytime telephone number.
  7. Please make the check payable to: "Treasurer - State of Maine."

Where can I find historical vital records in Maine for genealogy research?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) has records dating back to 1892. If you need older birth records, you can contact the municipal town office where the person was born.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

Maine offers two options for getting a birth record corrected. First, you can apply using a written request through the mail. Otherwise, you can apply using the VitalChek system. VitalChek charges additional fees.

Can I get a refund if my Maine birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Maine Death Records

The state of Maine has been keeping death records since January of 1892, but you can sometimes find even older records at the municipal town offices. Death records in Maine are not open to the public; therefore, only certain people can get a copy. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) is the government agency in charge of issuing death certificates. They allow you to get them through the mail using a downloadable form or using the VitalChek system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Death Records

How do I find death records in Maine?

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) for records from January 1892 to the present. For older records, contact the municipal town office where the person died.

Are death records public in Maine?

No. Maine is a closed record state, and only certain people can request copies of death records. Those usually include close family members and legal representatives.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Maine?

A certified copy of a death records costs $15 and another $6 for each additional copy. If you want a non-certified copy for informational purposes only, those cost $10.

Who can request death records?

Death records in Maine are kept private for 75 years then they are made public. Therefore, for the first 75 years, only the following people can get a copy:

  1. The person named on the record.
  2. The person's spouse or registered domestic partner.
  3. The parent(s) named on the record.
  4. Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the most remote degree).
  5. The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record.
  6. Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Maine death certificate?

When you request a copy of someone's death records, you need to provide the following information:

  1. Name of the decedent.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Name of city/town the death occurred in.
  4. State your relationship to the name on the death record being requested.
  5. Please include a daytime telephone number.
  6. Please make the check payable to: "Treasurer - State of Maine."

Where can I find historical death records in Maine?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) has death records going back to 1892. If you need older records, each municipal office may have some.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

You must apply in writing through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) or use the VitalChek system.

Can I get a refund if my Maine death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Maine Marriage Records

Maine's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) keep and issues copies of marriage certificates. They have been keeping records since 1892. The court clerk in the county where the couple was married may also have copies and older records. You can obtain copies through the mail or fax, phone, and online using the VitalChek service. Marriage records are private for 50 years; then, they are opened up to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Marriage Records

Are Maine marriage records public?

Not right away. The state of Maine keeps marriage records private for 50 years; then, they open them up to the general public.

What Maine marriage records are available?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) has records dating back to 1892, but each individual municipal town office may have older records.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Maine?

If you order through VitalChek, you can get a copy in 5-7 working days. If you order through the mail using the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS)'s downloadable form; it may take longer.

How much does a Maine marriage certificate cost?

You can get a certified copy of a Maine marriage certificate for $15. Each copy after that (when ordered at the same time) is another $6.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When you request marriage records, you do need to supply some information like:

  1. Name of bride (use maiden name).
  2. Name of the groom.
  3. Date of marriage.
  4. Name of city/town the marriage occurred in.
  5. Please include a daytime telephone number.
  6. Please make the check payable to: "Treasurer - State of Maine."

How do I get a copy of a Maine marriage record?

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) and use their online form, mail it in with a check. Or you can use the VitalChek service to order a copy.

What if I didn't get married in Maine?

If you were married in another state, contact the vital records office in that state to get a copy of your marriage certificate.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Because marriage records are kept confidential for 50 years, only the following people can get a copy of yours:

  1. The person named on the record.
  2. The person's spouse or registered domestic partner.
  3. The parent(s) named on the record.
  4. Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the most remote degree).
  5. The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record.
  6. Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Maine?

You must apply in writing through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) or use the VitalChek service.

Maine Divorce Records

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) is the government agency in charge of divorce records. They have been keeping them since 1892. Divorce records in Maine are private for 50 years then they are opened up to the public. You can request a copy of divorce records through the mail or using the VitalChek service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Maine?

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) for any records from 1892 to present. If you need older records, you can contact the individual municipal town office.

How do I find old divorce records?

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) has records dating back to 1892, but the municipal town offices sometimes have older records.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

Download the application from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) and mail it in with your payment. You also have the option of using the VitalChek service.

What information is needed to search for a Maine divorce record?

When you request Maine divorce records, you need to provide the following information:

  1. Please list the names on the divorce record as they appeared at the time of the divorce.
  2. Date of divorce.
  3. Name of city/town the divorce occurred in.
  4. Please include a daytime telephone number.
  5. Please make the check payable to: "Treasurer - State of Maine."

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Maine?

If you were divorced outside of Maine, contact the vital records office or the courthouse where your divorce was finalized. They can tell you how to get copies.

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