MARRIAGE LICENSE
OBTAINING COPIES OF MAINE VITAL RECORDS
Questions & Answers
1.
How do I obtain copies of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, divorce, and
domestic partnership records?
By law, Maine vital records less than 100 years old are considered to be
private. In order to inspect these
documents, or to obtain copies, an individual must prove that they are permitted
by law to do so. Those authorized
to view or obtain a copy of a vital record include:
·
The person named on the record,
·
The person’s spouse or registered domestic partner,
·
The parent(s) named on the record,
·
Descendants of the person named on the record (including children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree),
·
The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named
on the record, and
·
Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics.
Effective July 12, 2010, all individuals requesting copies of these records must
present positive identification and, if requesting the record of a parent or
grandparent and you are not a registered genealogist, proof of direct lineage.
Registered genealogists may only obtain a non-certified copy of a record, unless
they can meet the above requirements for obtaining a certified copy.
They may only view or obtain a copy of a birth, death, or marriage
record.
Records 100 years old, or older, are considered public records and informational
copies can be issued to anyone requesting them.
2.
Why do I need to present positive identification when requesting a record?
While
most requests for vital records are honest attempts to obtain one's own personal
documentation, some are not; some are attempts to obtain information and
documents needed to assume another person’s identity.
These documents can be used to obtain a driver’s license, state photo ID,
social security card, and passport under the assumed name, opening the door to
credit card, bank and tax fraud; mail theft, and social security and insurance
fraud. The requirement that you
provide positive identification when requesting a copy of a record helps to
protect you and your family from this type of crime.
3.
What are acceptable forms of identification?
Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport or other
government issued photo identification.
4.
What if I do not have an acceptable photo ID?
If you do not have acceptable photo identification, you may present two items
with your name on it from the following list: a utility bill, a bank statement,
a car registration, a copy of an income tax return, a personal check with
address, a previously issued vital record or marriage license, a letter from a
government agency requesting a vital record (for example, the Maine Department
of Health and Human Services), a Department of Corrections identification card,
a Social Security card, a DD214, a hospital birth worksheet, a license or rental
agreement, a pay stub (W-2), a voter registration card, a Social Security
disability award letter, a Medicare or Medicaid insurance card, and a school or
employee photo ID. Other forms of
identification listing your name, date of birth, and address may also be
considered.
5.
How would a person demonstrate direct lineage?
In order to prove direct lineage when requesting records concerning your parents
or grandparents, a copy of your birth certificate will identify your parents.
If your parents were married, this document can be used to obtain a copy
of your parents’ marriage record, which should identify your grandparents.
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