Getting a Marriage License in Maine
Where to apply for a marriage license in Maine, what to bring, the waiting period, how long it's valid, and the minimum marriage age.
Short answer: Couples first record a notice of intentions to marry. Maine residents file with the clerk of the municipality where at least one of them lives or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics; 19-A M.R.S. §§ 651, 652; 30-A M.R.S. § 2652(2)
| Getting a marriage license | Couples first record a notice of intentions to marry. Maine residents file with the clerk of the municipality where at least one of them lives or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics; if only one is a resident, they file where that person lives or with the State Registrar. The application includes a signed certification that the information is correct and that each applicant is free to marry, and the clerk must be satisfied as to the applicants' identity. Anyone previously married must bring a certified copy of the divorce or annulment decree or the death record ending the last marriage. The clerk then issues the license, which is void if not used within 90 days after the intentions were filed. The statewide fee for recording intentions and issuing the license is $40. Fee statute: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/30-A/title30-Asec2652.html. |
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| Minimum marriage age | The clerk or State Registrar may not issue a marriage license to anyone under 18. The earlier provisions allowing marriage of 16- and 17-year-olds with consent have been repealed, so there is no parental-consent or court-approval exception in the current statute. Source: 19-A M.R.S. § 652(7)-(8) |
Where to get help in Maine
More Maine divorce & family law
- Adopting a Child in Maine
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Maine
- Establishing Paternity in Maine
- Changing Your Name in Maine
- Child Custody Laws in Maine
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Maine
- Divorce Records in Maine
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Maine
- How to File for Divorce in Maine
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Maine
- All Maine divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you get a marriage license in Maine?
Couples first record a notice of intentions to marry. Maine residents file with the clerk of the municipality where at least one of them lives or with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics; if only one is a resident, they file where that person lives or with the State Registrar. The application includes a signed certification that the information is correct and that each applicant is free to marry, and the clerk must be satisfied as to the applicants' identity. Anyone previously married must bring a certified copy of the divorce or annulment decree or the death record ending the last marriage. The clerk then issues the license, which is void if not used within 90 days after the intentions were filed. The statewide fee for recording intentions and issuing the license is $40.
What is the legal age to get married in Maine?
The clerk or State Registrar may not issue a marriage license to anyone under 18. The earlier provisions allowing marriage of 16- and 17-year-olds with consent have been repealed, so there is no parental-consent or court-approval exception in the current statute.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.