A Maine marriage license is required to legally marry in the state of Maine, including for destination weddings, elopements in Acadia National Park, and ceremonies at any Maine wedding venue. This complete guide covers Maine marriage license requirements, cost, processing time, ID requirements, and what happens after the ceremony.
Maine Marriage License Requirements
To get a Maine marriage license, both partners must appear together in person at any Maine town or city clerk office. Both partners must present valid government-issued photo ID (driver license, passport, or state ID card). There is no Maine residency requirement and no waiting period before the ceremony — the license can be used the same day it is issued. Maine does not require blood tests, witnesses to the application, or proof of divorce/death certificates from prior marriages (though the clerk may ask if you have been previously married).
Maine Marriage License Cost
The Maine marriage license fee is currently $40, payable to the issuing town or city clerk. Most Maine clerks accept cash and check; some accept debit or credit cards. Same-sex marriage licenses in Maine cost the same as different-sex marriage licenses — there is no fee difference, and Maine has issued same-sex marriage licenses since the state legalized marriage equality in 2012.
Maine Marriage License Validity Period
A Maine marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. The marriage ceremony must be performed within those 90 days, and the license must be returned to the issuing clerk within 10 days of the ceremony by the officiant. The license can be used anywhere in Maine — you do not have to marry in the same town that issued the license.
Out-of-State Couples Marrying in Maine
Maine is a popular destination wedding state precisely because there are no residency requirements and no waiting periods. Out-of-state couples can fly into Portland Jetport (PWM) or Bangor (BGR), drive to any Maine town clerk, get the license that day, and marry the same day or any day within 90 days. Many couples planning Acadia National Park elopements get their Maine marriage license in Bar Harbor or Ellsworth a day or two before the ceremony.
After the Maine Wedding Ceremony
The officiant signs the Maine marriage license at the ceremony and returns it to the issuing clerk within 10 days. Once filed, the marriage is legally recorded. Certified copies of the Maine marriage certificate can be ordered from the issuing clerk for $15 each (most couples order 2-3 copies for name change paperwork, insurance, and personal records). The Maine marriage certificate is recognized federally and in all 50 states.
Plan Your Maine Wedding
Browse Maine wedding officiants who can perform your ceremony, Maine wedding venues for the celebration, and Maine wedding planners to coordinate the day.