Some of the oldest settlements in the United States are in Maine, with the earliest being dated to the early 1600s. For anyone doing historical research, there is a great deal of possible material to be found.
The official beginning of state-wide Maine birth records was in 1892, and that is the extent of what you will find when contacting state offices. But beyond that, you may be able to find older records back into the 1700s (anything earlier is very sporadic).
There has been a recent change in Maine law that now restricts access to birth records unless the record is 100 years old. This law is less than a year old, so if you have contacted the office of Vital Records in the past, be aware of the change. That means for any records within the past 100 years, you will have to be either the person on the record, their parents, or a descendant (to any degree, including great-great-grandchild or more). You can also be the person's spouse. Records that are older than 100 years have no such restrictions.
When looking for an officially certified Maine birth record, where you send the application will depend on the year. The Vital Records office only has records from 1923, so anything between 1892 and 1923 will have to be requested from the State Archives instead. The State Archives can be visited in person and you can peruse their records collection, or you can request a record copy by mail. The address is 84 State House Station, Augusta ME, 04333-0084 USA.
Otherwise, mail your request to the Office of the Vital Records, 244 Water Street, Augusta ME, 04333-0011 USA. Make sure to include a stamped and self-addressed envelope or you won't get anything returned to you. They don't have specific forms for these requests, so just send a letter with the name of the person on the birth record, the date of birth, where they were born, the parent's names (maiden name for the mother), what your relationship is and your own contact information. You'll have to include a photocopy of your own photo ID as well.
They offer walk-in service as well at the Vital Records office, if you are in Augusta. In that case, you may get your Maine birth records within the hour or possibly the next day if you are putting in your application too late in the day.
Along with all the information, you have to include the $15 USD fee, as either a check or money order made out to the "Treasurer - State of Maine". Fees are not refunded if the Maine birth record you seek is not found. If you are there in person, you may be able to pay in cash.
That covers accessing records after 1892, but there are additional sources for Maine birth records that go back further than that. You will need to contact each town clerk's office as the really old records were kept by the town office rather than by a larger county. Some copies of these records are also found at the State Archives as mentioned above.
How to request Maine birth certificates
Step 1.
In order to request Maine birth records, you will need to complete the Maine Birth Certificate form with the name on the record, date and place of birth, parents' names, and your relation.
Step 2.
As part of the application, you will also need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be used to return your record to you.
Step 3.
Return the envelope and completed form, along with a check or money order for $15 to the Vital Records office.
You can contact the Department of Health and Human Services for more information on accessing Maine birth records at:
Maine Department of Health & Human Services
Vital Records
11State House Station
244 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 287-3707
How To Find Maine Birth Records
If you need access to your Maine birth records, then you can obtain them from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department processes all requests and maintains records for the state.
How You Can Order Birth Records
The two main ways to access Maine birth records are to either visit the Department in person or send an application in the mail. Neither of these methods allows for credit card payment or online ordering. However, you can use an independent provider to request records by phone, fax, and internet, though additional fees will apply.
Proof of Relation
In order to process your request for Maine birth records, you will need to include your relationship to the person listed. You must be the person listed on the record or directly related in order to make a request.
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