Marriage licenses in Maine are handled locally, and the details that matter — the fee, the wait, how long the license lasts — are set by state law. This page collects the statewide rules from Maine’s own official sources, then links every county guide we have verified so far.
The statewide rules
- Who issues the license: Municipal (town or city) clerk — intentions are filed with the clerk of the municipality where a Maine-resident party lives; nonresidents may file with any municipal clerk
- License fee (statewide): $40
- Waiting period: None — the license may be issued immediately once intentions are filed
- License validity: 90 days from the date the intentions were filed (not from issuance)
- Witnesses: Two witnesses must be physically present at the ceremony and sign; the officiant may not serve as a witness
- Minimum age: 18 — persons under 18 may not marry (effective Sept. 25, 2025); emancipated minors are treated as adults
- Residency / where to apply: If either party is a Maine resident, intentions are filed in the municipality where that party resides (or with the Dept. of Health and Human Services if there is no municipal clerk); if neither party resides in Maine, intentions may be filed at any municipal clerk’s office
- Who can officiate: Justices and judges; lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar; marriage officiants under Title 5 Sec. 90-G (e.g., notaries); ordained ministers, clerics and licensed preachers; nonresidents holding a temporary registration certificate from the Maine CDC vital records office
- Courthouse ceremonies: No clerk ceremony service stated; municipal clerks issue licenses — solemnization is by the authorized officiants listed, including notaries registered as marriage officiants
Maine counties in this directory
We have published 9 verified county guides for Maine so far. License fees on the verified county pages currently run from $40 to $40. 2 of them publish a separate ceremony fee. Browse them all: Browse all Maine county guides — and use the search on the homepage to jump straight to your county.
Source for the statewide rules: https://www1.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/sites/maine.gov.dhhs.mecdc/files/Planning-your%20marriage%20in%20Maine..pdf (checked 2026-11-09). County figures are checked separately against each county’s own official page and carry their own verified dates. Always confirm with your county clerk before you go — this is not a government site.