Maine Birth & Death Vital Records

State Bird: Black-capped Chickadee
State Flower: White pine cone and tassel
State Name Language of Origin: French
State Name Meaning: Named after the French province of Maine
Admission to Union: March 15, 1820
Source: Wikipedia

Maine is a "closed records" state, meaning that recent Maine vital records are confidential, with copies available only to direct-lineage family members for 100 years. The Office of Vital Records at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has Maine birth records and death records since 1923; earlier original records are available at the Maine State Archives. Five towns (Biddeford, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Wells and York) have 17th-century records, but record-keeping remained inconsistent even after 1864 legislation required town clerks to send records to the secretary of state. Consistent recording began in 1892 with the establishment of the State Board of Vital Statistics. The New England Historic Genealogical Society, Maine State Library, town clerk's office, county register of deeds, and Maine Historical Library also have historical records. The Maine State Archives website has an online index search for 1960-2009 Maine death records but no similar search for birth records.

For more information on Maine vital records, visit Maine Marriage & Divorce Vital Records

Maine Vital Records Offices

Record Type: Birth Certificates
Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Vital Records
244 Water St, Station 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Phone: 207-287-3181
Fax: 207-287-1093
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-5PM
Note: The website has a link to VitalChek for online ordering.
Record Access Requirements: Must give relationship to person of record and reason for request. Confidential information will not be released except to the person listed on the birth certificate.
Search Note: Order form is at www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohodr/documents/vrform.pdf.

Records Available: Death Records
Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Vital Records
244 Water St, Station 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Phone: 207-287-3181
Fax: 207-287-1093
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-5PM
Note: The website has a link to VitalChek for online ordering.
Record Access Requirements: Access to cause of death is restricted to those with a legitimate interest in the information. All information on certificate of death is confidential, except name, age, date of death, as well as city/town where death occurred.
Note: Order form is at www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohodr/documents/vrform.pdf.

Records Available: State Archives
State Archives
84 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0084
Phone: 207-287-5795
Fax: 207-287-5739
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4PM