Marriage License

 

Where to apply:

Residents of the State of Maine must record notice of their intentions to marry in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which at least one of them resides. If only one of the parties resides in Maine, the parties must record notice of their intentions to marry in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which the resident party resides. Once the intentions are filed and the license is issued, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine. The license is valid for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

 

Out-of-State Residents may file their intentions to marry in any municipal office. Once the intentions are filed and the license is issued, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine. The license is valid for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed. (The State recommends filing in the Town where you wish to wed, as this will be the Town in which you will need to request your marriage certificate)

 

Applying for a marriage license can take 30 minutes or more to complete. Please arrive one hour before the close of business to ensure there is enough time to complete all required forms. You can expedite the process by filling out the application ahead of time, however signatures must be witnessed by the Town Clerk or a notary public. Email the Town Clerk to request your marriage intentions application. 

 

 

 

Intentions of Marriage

Applicants must complete a marriage license application. The parties' signatures must be witnessed by the Town Clerk or an official authorized to take oaths, e.g. notary public. The marriage license is valid immediately for 90 days from the date the intentions are filed with the Town Clerk (there is no waiting period in the State of Maine).

 

No blood tests are required, however first cousins are required by law to obtain a certificate of genetic counseling by a physician.

 

Both parties must appear in person with proof of identity such as driver's license or passport.

 

Social Security Numbers

Federal law requires that the parties must supply their Social Security Numbers when filing.

 

Filing Fee

The filing fee is $40.00.

 

Previous Marriage(s)

If either party has been previously married, a certified copy of the document (i.e., death or divorce decree) whichever ended the previous marriage, must be presented to the clerk where the intentions of marriage are filed. The certified copy must be presented to the clerk prior to the processing of the marriage license. A certified copy of a divorce decree may be obtained from the clerk of courts in the county were the divorce was filed. The clerk of courts will certify the document using an embossed seal. Photocopies are not accepted. A certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained from the clerk in the town/city of the place of death. The clerk will certify the document using an embossed seal. Photocopies are not accepted.

 

You may also obtain divorce or death records through Maine Vital Records.