Sometimes a person finds that the information on the official record is not complete or that some item of information on the certificate does not agree with what they believe to be the facts. When this is the case, it is possible to have missing information added or to have errors on the certificate corrected. Some of these changes can be performed with a correction application and applicable documentation, while some changes or amendments, such as a legal name change, require a court order.
The process and the requirements to make changes to a birth, death, or marriage certificate vary depending on the type of change and how recently the record was registered. The processing time for corrections or amendments to vital records takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Any corrections made to vital records require a completed application, supporting documentation (if applicable), and the required fees.
- How do I apply?
There is a special form used for the purpose of applying to correct or complete a vital record. This form is called the Application to Correct a Vital Record in Maine (VS-7) (PDF). Most applications are made on this form. Applications may be mailed, submitted online, or in person at the Vital Records office (by appointment only).
In-person requests (by appointment only)
Please schedule an appointment with the correct team member to correct or amend a vital record by viewing the Vital Records Staff Listing (PDF).
Mail requests
Written requests may be made using the above application. The applicant's signature on the application form must be witnessed by an official authorized to take oaths or a municipal clerk. Two pieces of documentary evidence to support the change must be provided if the vital record is more than 90 days from the date the record was filed. A copy of a government-issued identification (or two alternate forms of identification) and a self-addressed, STAMPED envelope along with payment by check or money order may be mailed to:
Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
220 Capitol Street
State House Station 11
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011Please send the completed application to the address provided above. Checks or money orders may be made payable to the "Treasurer, State of Maine." Applications received without the required fees will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant.
Be sure to review the application and instructions to determine what information may be amended and if documentary evidence is required. (If you have questions related to the correction of a vital record, please contact the correct team member indicated on the Vital Records Staff Listing (PDF))
Online requests
Maine Vital Records has partnered with an independent company, VitalChek: www.vitalcheck.com. Individuals may apply to amend, correct, or complete a birth record by using an online system. When using the online system, persons apply do not need to complete the application to correct a vital record in Maine, although they must answer questions related to the vital record to determine eligibility and documentary evidence requirements (if applicable) by completing the online application.
VitalChek charges an additional fee to expedite orders for using this service. All major credit cards are accepted. Please visit the VitalCheck website to start the online application.
- Who can apply?
Any person may apply for completion or correction of any certificate in which they are listed. Ordinarily, this will be the person whose certificate needs to be completed or corrected, the parents listed on the vital record if the child is under 18, or the legal representative of the individual. If the registrant (the persons own record) is 18 years of age or older, they must be the one to request the change. Other examples may be:
- An emancipated minor.
- The legally appointed guardian or the legal representative acting on behalf of the registrant.
- The informant or funeral director listed on the death record.
- The parties listed on the marriage certificate (to correct their own personal information) or the marriage officiant listed on the marriage certificate (to correct the ceremony information).
- The municipal clerk who made the clerical error on the marriage certificate provided the marriage intentions on file in their municipality contains the correct information.
- Types of corrections
- Corrections to items on a vital record less than 90 days from the date the record was filed.
- Corrections to items on a vital record more than 90 days from the date the record was filed.
- Correction or completion to medical items on a death record.
- Correction or completion to personal items on a death record.
- Given names on a vital record.
- Unnamed registrant on a vital record.
- Sex/Gender Marker on a birth, marriage, or death record.
- Court Orders
- Legal Name Changes
- Adjudication of Parentage (Parental Rights and Responsibilities)
- Defacto Parentage
- Genetic Parentage
- Gestational Carrier Agreement (surrogacy)
- Adoptions
- Foreign Born Adoptions
- Correction of an item on a vital record amended more than once
- Maine Parentage Act
- Examples of supporting documentation
When presenting documentation to correct a vital record, the document(s) MUST be original, true attested copies, or notarized copies of the original document, and they must show the name(s) of the person whose record is being corrected (as it should appear on the record) and the date of the event.
- Personal affidavit:
- Births: A parent, grandparent, older sibling, or legal guardian who has first-hand knowledge of the registrant's birth may complete the personal affidavit and have it notarized.
- Marriages: The parties may complete the personal affidavit to correct personal information on themselves, a municipal clerk may complete the personal affidavit to correct a clerical error made by the municipal clerk, or the marriage officiate may complete the personal affidavit to correct information in the ceremony section.
- Deaths: the funeral director, authorized person, or the informant may complete the personal affidavit.
- The person completing the personal affidavit MUST sign the affidavit in the presence of a notary public or municipal clerk.
- Birth, death, marriage records, and marriage intentions.
- Passport.
- Medical records or immunization records.
- Records of employment, education, census, selective service, or military service.
- Voter registration applications.
- Vehicle registrations, hunting or fishing licenses.
- SSA statements.
- Income taxes.
- Insurance records.
- Housing/rental agreements.
- Court orders and/or divorce records.
- Ceremonial certificate from the church and/or baptismal record.
- Other documents approved by the State Registrar.
- Personal affidavit:
- Required fees
The Department does not have the authority to waive fees related to the correction, completion, or amendment of a vital record. Fees are regulated by 10-146 Department Rules, CMR Chapter 7.
Questions?
Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
220 Capitol Street
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Telephone: (207) 287-1919
Toll Free: 1-888-664-9491