Get your certified Maine Birth Certificate

How to Get a Maine Birth Certificate Without ID?

If you do not have a valid, government-issued photo ID, you can submit two forms of secondary identification approved by the DHHS-DRVS, shown in the table above.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Maine?

The current processing time for birth certificate replacements with Maine DHHS-DRVS is 7 to 10 days, though this varies. Refer to the table below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

A notary is not required when obtaining certified copies of Maine birth certificates, regardless of the order method. The DHHS-DRVS generally only requires notarized affidavits when amending vital records.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a Maine Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Maine; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Maine. If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base and your parents were U.S. citizens, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240).

  Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a U.S. birth certificate. This document is recognized in the U.S. as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Maine Birth Certificate?

  

  A birth certificate is an essential document that contains verified details about an individual's birth. It is recognized and accepted by all government and commercial entities. This official document verifies an individual's legal name, place of birth, parent’s name, and date of birth. Its diverse applications include being an essential requirement for various life events such as legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does a Maine Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the Maine DHHS-DRVS issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form official birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form informational copy is usually not. The Maine DHHS-DRVS defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Maine Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the DHHS-DRVS.

  a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to your nearest vital records-issuing office during hours of availability.
  

  b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the DHHS-DRVS at:

  Maine CDC 220

  Capitol Street,11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0011
  

  c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

  2. DHHS-DRVS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Maine Birth Certificate

  

  Any changes to a Maine vital record such as a correction or amendment to an item on a vital record, a legal name change, gender change, or adding a parent, requires an appointment. Please call (207) 287-3771 to make an appointment. When a vital record is to be changed, an amendment is required, and various forms are needed depending on the information that will be amended.

  Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

  1. A personal notarized affidavit: An Application to Correct a Vital Record in Maine completed by a parent, grandparent, older sibling, or legal guardian who has first-hand knowledge of the registrant’s birth.
  2. Provide supporting documentation which includes:
     • Birth, death, marriage records, and marriage intentions.
     • Passport.
     • Medical records or immunization records.
     • Records of employment, education, census, selective service, or military service.
     • Voter registration applications.
     • Vehicle registrations, hunting or fishing licenses.
     • SSA statements.
     • Income taxes.
     • Insurance records.
     • Housing/rental agreements.
     • Court orders and/or divorce records.
     • Ceremonial certificate from the church and/or baptismal record.
     • Other documents approved by the State Registrar.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): The fee for correcting or amending a vital record after 90 days of filing is $60.00. A certified copy of the corrected record is $15.00.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Maine Birth Certificate

  

  An apostille is often required when a vital record is to be submitted to a foreign government. The apostille for Maine birth certificates can be obtained through either the Secretary of State Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions, or Vital Records Online (VRO).
  To manually request an apostille, you will have to provide the following information:

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Document to be authenticated.
  3. Payment of $10.00 per document.
  4. Submit your request to the Secretary of State Division of Corporations, UCC, and Commissions at the following addresses:

  For walk-in appointments or Express Courier (UPS, DHL, FedEx)

  Secretary of State
  Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions,

  6 E. Chestnut Street,
  5th Floor
  Augusta, ME 04333

  For Standard Mail:

  Secretary of State
  Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions,

  101 State House Station,
  Augusta, ME 04333-0101