Welcome to the Department of the Secretary of State

As you browse through our website, you will find a very diverse Department with three distinct bureaus - the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions, the Maine State Archives and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles . While each bureau has unique duties in the services and information it provides to the citizens of Maine, they all share the Department's goals of ensuring customer satisfaction and providing quality services. [Read more about the Department]

 

Maine Census 2020: Information

Celebrating 200 Years of Statehood

Information about REAL ID in Maine

What's New in the Department

Sec. Dunlap: BMV-issued licenses, State IDs extended during emergency

5/27/2020 Temporary registration letter for private sales PDF Format

Guidance on the NEW Temporary Registration Letter PDF format

Sec. Dunlap: CDLs, registrations extended during emergency; Real ID enforcement delayed

UPDATE NOTICE RE: Vehicle Registrations
May 26, 2020

On May 26, 2020 the Governor signed Executive Order 53-A, which means if a person can register normally through their municipality or Bureau of Motor Vehicle Office they must do so immediately. If your municipality is NOT accepting payments online, by mail, by telephone, or in the municipal office the notice below of March 20, 2020 still stands.

March 20, 2020

Please be aware that during this time of civil emergency, all Bureau of Motor Vehicle services will be delayed.

Motor vehicle and trailer registrations, including all temporary registrations and any fuel use decals that expire during the state of emergency will be extended.

This applies to registrations issued by municipalities or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and also to temporary registrations issued by dealers. The State of Maine recognizes the need of individuals, families, and businesses for transportation, work and commerce during the emergency. These registrations can be renewed after the emergency ends.

Registrations issued by a municipality, including temporary registrations, are deemed extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to P.L. 2019, ch. 617, F-1 , emergency laws approved by the Governor on March 18, 2020.

Other registrations, including temporary registrations, will be extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to the emergency provision of 29-A MRSA 405(4).

Please call the central office of the Department of the Secretary of State at 207-626-8400 if you have an emergency related to BMV that is not addressed by these registration extensions.

What's New in the Department

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap to reopen Bureau of Motor Vehicles by appointment
Sec. Dunlap: Most vehicles required to register by July 11 per updated executive order
Maine State Archives offers grants for preservation of archival collections
Towns of Weld, Waldoboro, join Rapid Renewal Service
Public comment period now open on wording of energy corridor ballot question
Towns of Baileyville, Somerville, Pittsfield join Rapid Renewal Service 

(More News)