Public or Restricted Records
Maine is a closed record state, which means that some records and data are considered private. Maine law (MRSA 22 §2706, Section 7) defines when a vital record may be considered a public record.
Individuals seeking a copy of any vital records may submit an Application for a Vital Record (PDF) or written request to the Division of Data Research and Vital Statistics. Once a request has been received, staff will determine if the data or vital record requested is considered a public record or a restricted record, and if the applicant is entitled to receive the data or record.
Public Records
Depending on the type, records are considered public at varying times from the date on the records:
| Births | Deaths | Fetal Deaths | Marriage | Marriage Intentions | Domestic Partnerships |
| After 75 years | After 25 years | After 50 years | After 50 years | After 50 years | After 50 years |
For these public records, provided the applicant’s identification is acceptable, the applicant is entitled to receive noncertified copies of these vital records in accordance with the department's rules.
If the applicant would like a certified copy, a direct and legitimate interest in the record or proof of lineage or relationship must be provided.
Certificates and records of birth, marriage, and death, including fetal death, created prior to 1892 are open to the public without restriction. All persons may purchase a non-certified copy or copy on municipal letterhead.
If the date of the event on the completed application or written request falls outside of the timeline specified above, (or falls into the category as a restricted vital record specified below), the applicant must provide the direct and legitimate interest in the record or proof of lineage or relationship. This proof must be offered regardless of if the identification provided was acceptable or if the applicant wants a non-certified copy or a certified copy.
Restricted Vital Records
Restricted records include statistics data, reports, vital records, and reports of abortions, miscarriages, domestic partnerships, and marital intentions presented in conjunction with identifying data or with other information which may allow indirect identification of the registrant or other individuals named on the record. These are not public records.
| Births | Deaths | Fetal Deaths | Marriage | Marriage Intentions | Domestic Partnerships | Abortions | Miscarriages | ||
| Before 75 years | Before 25 years | Before 50 years | Before 50 years | Before 50 years | Before 50 years | N/A | N/A | ||
Annual Town Reports
Section 4 of MRSA 22 §2706 specifies that employees of the State or of any municipality in the state may not disclose contained in restricted records, with the exception of information printed in the annual town report by the clerk of a municipality, which typically include:
- number and location of births, listed by city or town where the birth occurred,
- deaths reported, by date of death, name, age, and location by city or town where the death occurred,
- marriages reported within the year by names of parties and date of marriage.
All other details of birth, marriage, divorce, or death may not be available to the public, except as specified in department rules.
Recommended Phone Policy
Information on a vital record should never be verbally disclosed over the phone, regardless of if the record is considered public or restricted. Individuals requesting the information must be deemed eligible prior to receiving any information about a vital record. Regulations require individuals to submit an application or a written request, provide identification, and when applicable, their direct and legitimate interest (or lineage) in the record requested.
- Individuals requesting data or information contained in the annual town report should be referred to the municipality’s website or a printed version of the annual report.
- Individuals requesting data or information from a public vital record should be encouraged to complete an application to obtain a non-certified copy of the vital record in question.
- Researchers engaged in genealogical research who hold a valid researcher identification card should be encouraged to complete an application to obtain a non-certified copy of the vital record in question.
- Municipal clerks may use their discretion if or when verifying a vital record is filed within their municipality.
For any questions, please contact us directly:
Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
Vital Records Unit
220 Capitol Street
State House Station (SHS) 11
(207) 287-3771
(888) 664-9491