Recording Vital Statistics is the process of collecting data of all births, deaths and marriages that occur in the municipality, or involve its residents, so that the permanent records may be preserved. State law requires hospitals, physicians, funeral directors, ministers, notary publics, and others to complete certificates of all marriages, births and deaths in our municipality and file them with the Municipal Clerk promptly.

Effective July 12, 2010, the law preventing fraudulent use of vital records went into effect.  Maine's law requires a person requesting a copy of birth records less than 75 years old, marriage records less than 50 years old, and death records less than 25 years old to provide documentation establishing their direct and legitimate interest in the records.  Please click on the links below for more specific information on obtaining these vital records.

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Marriage Licenses & Certificates

The Maine Office of Vital Records does not permit or allow any records, whether certified or non-certified, to be faxed to any individual, business, or institution. If a person needs a certified record faxed to the airport for travel, that person must contact the Office of Vital Records in Augusta, Maine. Municipal Clerks may not fax certified or non-certified copies of any birth, death, or marriage unless the Office of Vital Records has given authorization to the Clerk.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage Licenses - Daytime Hours Only or by appointment, plan 45 mins to 1 hr. (due to the new state procedure) Call 587-2911

Please note: the Town issues marriage licenses, but does not perform wedding

Marriage Intentions (Lic Application) - BLACK INK only, you may print off and fill out prior to coming in and you must wait to sign each page in the presence of the Clerk.

Marriage License Info & Requirements

• Valid picture ID Maine Driver's License/State ID Card or Passport
• Court Certified Divorce Decree of most recent divorce for each applicant (must have raised seal of originating court)
• Proof of Mercer Residency (if not on driver's license; current utility bill, bank statement, paystub, state correspondence)
• Forms require names of both applicants' parents; including both mothers' maiden name, and all parents' state of birth
• Must be present both applicants must appear to sign in presence of the Municipal Clerk (exceptions: incarceration/imminent death)
• Social Security numbers are required on the form
• Must be at least 18 years of age

Fees:

• Marriage License: $40 (Credit/Debit card payments are assessed a processing fee of $1.00)
• Marriage Certificate(s) - Issued after ceremony is complete: $15.00; $6.00 for additional copies in same transaction

Where do I obtain a Marriage License? 

1. If both the members of the couple are residents of the same Town, a marriage license must be obtained in the Town where both of them live. After obtaining a marriage license, the couple are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine.
2. If one person resides in one Town, and the other person in another, a marriage license may be obtained from either Town, but not both. Choose where it is most convenient to obtain a certified copy of the marriage at a later date. After obtaining a license, the couple are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine.
3. If one person resides in the State of Maine, and the other person outside the State, then a marriage license must be obtained in the Town where the Maine resident lives if they intend to be married in the State of Maine. After obtaining a marriage license, the couple are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine.
4. If both the members of the couple live outside the State of Maine, a marriage license can be obtained in any Town in the State of Maine. After obtaining a license, the couple are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine. It is strongly suggested that the marriage license is obtained in the Town where the marriage will take place so that it will be easy to remember where to apply for a marriage certificate at a later date.
5. When the Municipal Clerk completes the marriage license, the couple will be given the license along with a packet of information explaining to the person performing the ceremony how to fill out the ceremony section of the marriage license. The marriage license and informational sheets should be presented to the person performing the wedding ceremony (pastor, notary public, etc.). That person is responsible for filling out the ceremony section of the marriage license and obtaining two witness signatures. They are also responsible for mailing the marriage license back to the issuing Municipal Clerk within 7 days of the wedding ceremony. The couple is not permitted to submit the marriage license to the Municipal Clerk after the wedding ceremony.