Marriage Licenses

Applying for a Marriage License

Maine residents must apply in the town/city where at least one of the applicants resides. The license is valid in any community in Maine for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed. Find a Notary Public

Note: Couples who reside in different municipalities within the State of Maine shall record a notice of their intentions in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which at least one of them resides.

Out-of-State Residents must file their Notice of Intentions in any municipal office. Once their intentions are filed and the license is issued, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine. The license is valid for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

If one of the applicants is a Maine resident, and the fiancé/fiancée resides out-of-state, the couple will apply in the town of residence of the Maine resident. The license is valid in any community in Maine for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

Once the ceremony has taken place and the officiant has returned the completed license to the issuing clerk, a certified copy of the marriage license may be requested.  Fees for certified copies are: $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Certified copies are required for name changes on many documents such as Social Security, Driver's License, insurance, and bank accounts.

Previous Marriage(s)

If either of the applicants has been previously married, a certified copy of the death or divorce decree, whichever ended the previous marriage, must be presented to the City Clerk's Department for review.

OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE - Maine Residents

NOTICE: When applying for your marriage license please allow approximately 1 hour to complete the application process. We recommend that all Bath applicants arrive at City Hall one hour before closing to allow enough time to complete the process during normal business hours.

STEP 1:

The couple must complete an Intention of Marriage form either at the City Clerk's Department or by mail (notarized signatures required). The completed Intention of Marriage form must be on file in the Office of the City Clerk. The marriage license is issued immediately and is valid for 90 days from the date the intentions are filed. Filing Fee: $40.00

Note: Unless a person provides a certified copy of a waiver of their right to appeal, there is a 21-day waiting period before a person can be remarried in the State of Maine following a Maine divorce.

STEP 2:

The completed Intention of Marriage, filing fee, and certified death/divorce decree(s), if applicable.

STEP 3:

Both of the applicants must appear in person at the Office of the City Clerk, prior to the ceremony, to sign the marriage license. Proof of identity is required, e.g. driver's license, passport, state I.D.

STEP 4:

The marriage license is completed by the officiant, legally qualified to perform a marriage in Maine, and signed by two witnesses. The officiant returns the license to the City Clerk's Department for filing. 

OBTAINING A MARRIAGE LICENSE - Out-of-State Residents

STEP 1:

The couple must complete an Intention of Marriage form either at the City Clerk's Department or by mail (notarized signatures required).
The completed Intention of Marriage must be on file in the City Clerk's Office. The marriage license is issued immediately and is valid 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.
Filing fee is $40.00. Payable to the City of Bath.

STEP 2:

The Intention of Marriage, filing fee, and death/divorce decree(s), if applicable, must be forwarded to:

City Clerk's Office
City of Bath
55 Front Street
Bath, Maine 04530

Telephone: (207) 443-8332

STEP 3:

Both applicants must appear in person at the Office of the City Clerk prior to the ceremony to sign the marriage license. Proof of identity is required (e.g. driver's license, passport, state I.D.) The City Clerk's Office is open 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday - Thursday.

STEP 4:

The marriage license is completed by the officiant, legally qualified to perform a marriage in Maine, and signed by two witnesses. The officiant returns the license to the City Clerk's Department for filing.

REQUEST A CERTIFIED (LEGAL) COPY OF A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

Request a Certified (LEGAL) Copy of a Marriage Certificate

Vital Record Information

Each municipality records and maintains its own marriage records. Marriage certificates are available at the municipal clerk’s office where Marriage Intentions were filed (and the license issued)  and at the Augusta Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you are not certain of where the certificate lives , you should call the Office of Vital Statistics at (207) 287-3184. 

In Person:

Certified copies of marriage certificates are available at the City Clerk's office on the first floor of Bath City Hall. The requestor must fill out the Vital Records Request Form, provide proof of identity (and proof of lineage, if necessary).

By Mail:

Marriage records can be requested in writing through the mail by filling out and sending a Vital Records Request Form, a photocopy of proof of identification (and proof of lineage, if necessary) and a check to cover the fee. (Photocopies are not legal documents but may be purchased for $5.00 per record)

Send your request and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Bath City Clerk’s Office
City of Bath
55 Front Street
Bath, Maine 04530