Vital Records
Vital records include birth certificates, fetal death and death certificates, marriage certificates, and domestic partner registrations. Maine's new law will require a person requesting a copy of records less than 100 years old to provide documentation establishing their direct and legitimate interest in the records. Until now, Maine has been one of just a handful of states that have allowed anyone, including individuals with bad intentions and for profit entities, access to these records. Information from vital records will become completely open to the public 100 years from the date of the event.
Individuals who may access vital records less than 100 years old include:
- The person named on the record.
- The person's spouse or registered domestic partner.
- The parent(s) named on the record.
- Descendants of the person named on the record.
- Registrant's legal custodian, guardian, or conservator or respective authorized representative (includes attorney, physician, or funeral director); and Genealogists who have a Maine CDC issued researcher identification card.
Certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates that occurred in Sebago or involve residents of Sebago are normally available at the Sebago Town Clerk's Office. The Fee is $15 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy provided at the same time. Proof of identity must also be presented to the municipal and city clerks or state Vital Records Office staff. A brief application for securing a copy of the vital record must be filled out and presented, along with positive identification such as a driver's license, passport, or other government issued picture identification that clearly shows that the person requesting the record is who they say they are. Identification requirements apply whether the records are requested in person or by mail. If ordering by mail, please include a self addressed stamped enevelope.
In the event you are request a copy of a record for someone else, a notarized authorization form must accompany your request form. For an authorization form, click here.
Obtaining Copies of Vital Records:
Birth Records - Are available at the town hall in the town where the child was born, at the town hall where the mother was living at the time of the birth, and in Augusta at the Office of Vital Records. To Request a Birth Certificate, click here.
Marriage Records - Are available at the town hall of the bride's residence, town hall of the groom's residence, town hall at the place of marriage, and in Augusta at the Office of Vital Records. To Request a Marriage Certificate, click here.
Death Records - Are available at the town hall at the place of death and at the town hall at the residence of the deceased, and in Augusta at the Office of Vital Records. To Request a Death Certificate, click here.
Correcting a Certificate:
Correcting a Birth or Death Certificate - Click here for the form and instructions on correcting errors on births and deaths.
Correcting a Marriage Certificate - Click here for the form and instructions on correcting errors on marriage licenses.