How to Find Maine Birth Records

United States US Vital Records  How to Find United States Births  Maine  Vital Records  Maine Births

In 1820, Maine was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of births began in 1892.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:


 * Births before 1892
 * Births between 1892 and 1922
 * Births after 1922
 * Birth year unknown


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Births before 1892

 * Index and images

Before 1892, birth records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Obtain the Birth Record
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

Return to top: Choose another birth year
 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor was born and order a copy of the birth record.

Births between 1892 and 1922
The state of Maine began recording births in 1892. All birth certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the Maine State Archives.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
For births that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Birth Certificate
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

Return to top: Choose another birth year
 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * Maine State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the birth record.

Births after 1922
The Vital Records office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has copies of births from 1923 to present day. Births from 1892 to 1922 are held by the Maine State Archives. Births before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must be:


 * The person named on the certificate
 * The person's spouse
 * 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
 * Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics

NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the birth to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.

'''If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles

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 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
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 * Index and images