Getting a marriage license in Maine
Where to apply, what to bring, how long it lasts. Verified against maine.gov.
Facts checked August 2026 against www.maine.gov.
Maine makes this easier than most states, and the one thing that trips people up isn't the license at all — it's who is allowed to perform the ceremony.
Where you apply
Marriage licenses in Maine are issued at the town or city level, not by the state. You both have to go to the town office in person to apply.
- Both of you live in Maine? Apply at the town office where at least one of you is a resident. If you live in different Maine towns, you can both apply in one of them — you don't need to file separately.
- One of you is from out of state? Both apply in the town where the Maine resident lives.
- Neither of you lives in Maine? You can apply at any Maine town office. It doesn't have to be the town where the wedding happens.
That last point is what makes a Maine destination wedding straightforward. You do not have to make a special trip to the town your venue sits in.
What to bring
- Photo ID. A driver's license may be required.
- If either of you has been married before: a certified copy with a raised seal of the divorce decree or the death certificate of your last spouse. A photocopy or a downloaded PDF will not do, and this is the single most common reason a couple gets turned away. Order it early — requesting a certified copy from another state can take weeks.
- Applicants must be over 18. Written parental consent is required under 18; parental consent and a judge's consent under 16.
No blood test is required.
How long it lasts
Your license is valid for 90 days and can only be used within the State of Maine.
There is no waiting period between the license being issued and the wedding taking place. That rule was removed — if you read an older guide saying you must wait three days, it's out of date.
After the ceremony
The person who performs the ceremony is responsible for filing the marriage certificate with the town office that issued the license. Not you. It's worth confirming your officiant knows this, especially if they're a friend or coming from out of state.
Fees
Fees are set by each municipality, so there isn't a single statewide number to quote. Call the clerk where you plan to file and ask — while you're on the phone, ask about their hours and whether they take cards, because plenty of small Maine town offices are open part-time and cash-or-check only.
Before you go
Check with the municipal clerk where you're filing before you make the trip. Small-town office hours in Maine are genuinely limited, and driving ninety minutes to find a locked door on a Wednesday afternoon is a real risk.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees are set by individual towns and can change — confirm with the municipal clerk where you're marrying.