Maine Birth Records

Maine began statewide birth registration on January 1, 1892. Before this, birth records were managed and kept at the municipal level where the birth occurred. Maine birth records are the official legal documents that verify the details of a person's birth.

Main provides two primary categories of birth certificates, each with distinct formats and serving different purposes:

• Certified Copies: The certified copy of a birth record is the official, original copy bearing the state seal and the registrar's signature. It is usually printed on special security-treated paper to prevent easy duplicity of the document. Certified copies of birth records are valid for all legal purposes. Maine's standard certified birth certificate formats are issued as:
• Long-Form Birth Certificates: The long-form birth certificate is the comprehensive version of a birth record. The document details information about the registrant's birth, including full names, time, place, and location of birth, gender, birth weight, full parents' details, including their names, birthplaces, and occupations, and information on the attending physician. The document also details the registration information, such as the certificate number, filing date, and registrar's signature. The long-form birth certificate is ideal for all legal processes.
• Short-Form Birth Certificates: It is the condensed, less-detailed version of the birth record. Also called abstracts, the short-form birth certificate contains basic birth information, such as the registrant's name, date of birth, birthplace, parents' names, and file number. It omits detailed information, such as the parents' birthplaces and hospital details. Although the short-form birth certificate is a certified birth record, it is not ideal for all legal uses. Instead, the document is ideal for routine identification, where detailed information is not required.
• Informational Copies: Informational copies of birth records, also called uncertified copies, contain information about the registrant's birth. However, the record is usually printed on plain paper and marked as "Not for Legal Purposes". In addition, informational copies lack the official seal of the state, making them invalid for official use. They are best suited for personal records and genealogy research.

How To Order a Maine Birth Certificate?

You may order certified copies of Maine's birth records from 1923 to the present at the Maine CDC's Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). To obtain the document, complete the birth record section on the Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record form. Mail the record request or request the record in person at:

Birth certificates from 1923 to date may also be purchased online through an independent service provider. The service provider charges additional fees for processing and mailing the documents.

Persons interested in birth certificates issued before 1923 may obtain the document at the municipal clerk's offices in the town or city where the birth occurred. In addition, pre-1923 birth certificates are accessible at the Maine State Archives.

Generally, all requests for certified copies of Maine birth records must include the following:

• The name on the birth certificate
• The date of birth
• The city and town where the birth occurred
• A self-addressed stamped envelope, if ordering the record by mail
• A copy of a valid government-issued ID
• The birth certificate fee. A certified copy of a Maine birth certificate costs $15. Extra copies are charged at $6 if ordered at the same time.

Are Birth Records Public in Maine?

No. Birth records in Maine are not public records. Maine treats birth records as closed records under Title 22 Section 2706. This means that birth records are not open to the general public. State law makes them confidential for a predetermined period before they become open to the public. During the period of restriction, only eligible persons may order certified copies of birth certificates in Maine.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Maine?

Under Maine law, only persons with a direct and legitimate interest in the birth record may order certified copies of birth certificates in the state. In Maine, these authorized individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents are named on the record
• The registrant's spouse or registered domestic partner
• Immediate family members, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
• The legal guardian of the registrant
• Genealogical researchers
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Maine Birth Certificate?

The standard processing times for mail requests for Maine birth certificates ordered from the State DVRS Office are 7-10 business days. Walk-in requests at the State DVRS office are typically processed within 10-15 minutes. Similarly, most municipalities process birth certificate requests within 30 minutes if ordered in person. The processing times for birth record requests ordered by mail at the municipality vary.

Persons who order certified copies of Maine birth certificates online can expect the document within 5-7 business days. Expedited requests are typically processed the next day. The Maine DVRS Office does not offer expedited processing for birth record requests.

Where Can I Find Maine Birth Records Free?

While certified Maine birth certificates are restricted to those with a direct and legitimate interest, the general public can still access informational copies and indexes through several free, non-governmental platforms.

Although the National Vital Records Archives does not hold state-issued birth certificates, it directs users to the state or municipal office to request informational copies at no charge. The platform offers a free online tool that lists each state's vital records office, including Maine's.

FamilySearch.org provides free digital indexes and many scanned images of Maine birth registers from 1670 to 1921 and 1739 to 1900. Information on the platform includes birth dates, parents' names, and locations.

Although Ancestry.com typically requires a subscription, many public libraries across Maine offer free on-site access database of Maine's birth records from 1715 to 1922. The platform provides information on names, birth years, and locations. Access to the complete birth record requires a subscription.

PublicRecords.us provides a free searchable index of basic Maine birth data, including name, date, and birthplace, aggregated from multiple governmental sources. Access to the full birth certificate may require a minimal fee.

When Would I Need My Maine Birth Records?

A Maine birth certificate is the primary proof of identity, citizenship, and age. Therefore, the document is indispensable for a wide range of personal, legal, and governmental purposes. Generally, you need your birth certificate in the following situations:

• Passport applications and renewals
• Obtaining a state-issued ID or driver's license
• Applying for or replacing a Social Security card
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, and universities
• Applying for marriage licenses
• Accessing government benefits and assistance
• Claiming tax and insurance benefits
• Establishing a familial relationship for inheritance claims
• Changing your legal name
• Establishing parental rights in child custody or adoption
• Enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Maine?

If your birth certificate is damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen, you may need to replace the document. In Maine, replacing your birth certificate mirrors ordering a birth certificate.

Replacing your birth certificate requires completing the birth record section on the Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record form. Include a copy of a valid photo of a government-issued ID, proof of eligibility to order the document, and the fees. Mail the replacement request to the Maine DVRS Office. Replacement birth certificates cost $15, with extra copies charged at $6 per copy.

When Can the Public Access Maine Birth Certificates?

Per state law, Maine birth certificates are confidential and closed to the public for the first 75 years from the date of birth. During the confidentiality period, only persons with a direct and legitimate interest may access Maine birth certificates. After a 75-year lapse, birth records are opened to the public without eligibility proof.

How To Correct an Error on a Maine Birth Certificate?

In Maine, corrections to birth certificates fall into two categories:

• Administrative Corrections
• Typographical or clerical mistakes such as misspelled names, incorrect dates or places, or missing fields
• Completion of incorrect records when data was omitted at initial registration
• Formal Amendments
• Any corrections made after 90 days after the birth record is issued
• Adding or removing a parent's name
• Adoption or legitimation of the registrant
• Legal name changes
• Gender marker changes

To correct errors on your birth certificate, download and complete the Application to Correct a Vital Record in Maine form. List the incorrect items and specify the correct information. Notarize the applicant's signature. If the certificate is more than 90 days old, include two forms of evidence, such as personal affidavits, court orders, or hospital records, supporting the requested change.

There is no fee to amend administrative errors. However, there is a $60 fee for formal amendments. The amendment fee includes the cost of a certified copy of the amended birth certificate. Mail the amendment request to the Maine DVRS Office.

Does Maine Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Maine officially offers a non-binary designation on birth certificates. Per Title 22 Section 2765, individuals may amend their birth certificate to reflect either "Male", "Female", or the non-binary gender marker "X".

Generally, adults and emancipated minors may apply directly for a new certificate with the X marker, while parents may designate X for newborns on the original birth worksheet. Amending your birth certificate to reflect a non-binary gender marker does not require a medical or mental health provider affidavit. However, these documents are required when amending the birth certificate of a minor.