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How to get Maine divorce records

In Maine, order a certified divorce record from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine CDC, Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.1 The divorce judgment (decree) itself is held by the court that granted the divorce; the court clerk files a divorce record with the State Registrar within 45 days.2 The first copy costs $153 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $63. You can order online, by mail, in person, at a local office or by phone. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is in person: same day3.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What Maine divorce records cost
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order Maine divorce records
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Decree or certificate
  8. Forms
  9. Years held and older records
  10. Special situations
  11. Warnings from the office
  12. The state office
  13. Questions people ask
  14. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$153 first, $63 each extra copy, plus $15.503 VitalChek processing charge
+ 5 possible extra charges		–Card3
By mail$153 first, $63 each extra copy5 to 7 business days on average3Check and money order3
In person$153 first, $63 each extra copySame day3Cashier's check, money order and card3
At a local office$24 for the first page and $14 for each further page plus $54 a document to certify
+ 3 possible extra charges		–Check, money order, card and cash4
By phone$153 first, $63 each extra copy, plus $15.503 VitalChek processing charge
+ 5 possible extra charges		–Card6

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek (independent company partnered with DRVS)3
Vendor status
The state's only authorized vendor3
Fees
  • First copy $153
  • Each additional copy in the same order $63
  • VitalChek processing charge $15.503
  • Standard USPS shipping: no charge $03
  • Express courier, 2-3 day delivery (optional) $17.503
  • Express courier standard overnight, by 4 p.m. (optional) $18.503
  • Express courier priority overnight, by 10:30 a.m. (optional) $19.503
  • Optional UPS alternate delivery location, added to express rates $53
Expedited service
Faster delivery only: optional express courier shipping ($17.50 2-3 day, $18.50 standard overnight, $19.50 priority overnight); no faster processing is described3
Payment
Card3

Good to know

  • VitalChek can process requests for grandparents and prior generations only by phone3
  • VitalChek charges an additional fee3

Go to the ordering site3

By mail

Fees
  • First copy $153
  • Each additional copy in the same order $63
Processing time
5 to 7 business days on average3
Payment
Check and money order3
Make payable to
Treasurer, State of Maine3
Mail to
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics, 11 State House Station, 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011
6

Good to know

  • Do not send cash3
  • Applications without identification and payment are returned unprocessed3
  • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope3
  • Do not call about status until the check has been cashed3

Open the application or mail instructions3

In person

Run by
Maine CDC Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS), Augusta3
Fees
  • First copy $153
  • Each additional copy in the same order $63
Processing time
Same day3
Payment
Cashier's check, money order and card3
Office
Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS), 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME
3
Hours
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.3
Appointment
Not required3

Good to know

  • Applicants who are not the registrant or parent named on the certificate must also bring proof of eligibility3

Open the official page3

At a local office

Run by
Clerk's office of the Maine court (District or Superior Court) where the divorce was heard7
Fees
  • Copies: first page $24
  • Copies: each additional page $14
  • Certification, per document $54
  • Abstract of Divorce Decree $105
  • Short-Form Certificate of Judgment of Divorce (FM-170) $55
  • Postage and handling for mail requests $55
Payment
Check, money order, card and cash4

Good to know

  • Paper records: mail the Record Search Request form with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Judicial Branch Service Center, P.O. Box 266, Lewiston, ME 042407
  • Record search fee $20 per name per court location; parties searching their own cases are exempt4
  • Requests cannot be submitted by email or fax4

Find a local office7

By phone

Run by
VitalChek6
Fees
  • First copy $153
  • Each additional copy in the same order $63
  • VitalChek processing charge $15.503
  • Standard USPS shipping: no charge $03
  • Express courier, 2-3 day delivery (optional) $17.503
  • Express courier standard overnight, by 4 p.m. (optional) $18.503
  • Express courier priority overnight, by 10:30 a.m. (optional) $19.503
  • Optional UPS alternate delivery location, added to express rates $53
Payment
Card6

Good to know

  • VitalChek can process requests for grandparents and prior generations only by phone3
  • Order problems: VitalChek at 1-866-203-2777 or 1-866-628-9244 (option 1)3

What Maine divorce records cost

First certified copy
$153
Each additional copy, same order
$63
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee3
Fees in effect since
March 9, 2026 (court fees)5

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy of the divorce record (DRVS)6–$153
Non-certified copy of a divorce record (genealogical researchers)8–$108
Abstract of Divorce Decree (court)5–$105
Short-Form Certificate of Judgment of Divorce, Form FM-170 (court)5–$55
Attested copy of the divorce judgment (court)4–$54

No-fee copies

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. They count from the day the office receives your order. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing time
By mail5 to 7 business days on average3
In personSame day3

Who can order Maine divorce records

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The parties to the divorce3
  • Applicants who are not listed on a vital record may obtain a certified copy of the record upon application, identification, the required fee, as well as demonstrate their direct and legitimate interest in the record by providing documentation.3
  • Anyone: Court records are generally open to the public, although some records and case types are confidential by law and may be available only to parties and their attorneys.7

ID you need

Photo ID
Required3
Accepted ID
  • Driver's license
  • Passport
  • Other government issued picture identification card3
Without that ID
Rule: photocopies of two items from the list; Items: utility bill, bank statement, car registration, copy of income tax return, personal check with address, previously issued vital record/marriage license, letter from gov't agency requesting vital record (e.g. DHHS, WIC), Dept. of Corrections ID card, Social Security card, DD214 form, hospital birth worksheet, license/rental agreement, pay stub or W-2, voter registration card, Medicare/Mainecare insurance card, private or public school photo ID, college photo ID, employee photo ID, disability award from SSA3
Notarization
Application need not be notarized; documents proving direct and legitimate interest must be originals or notarized copies3
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID3

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.6

  • Full name of husband/spouse
  • Full maiden name of wife/spouse
  • Date of divorce or annulment
  • Place [Superior Court, County or District (Division)]
  • Reason for requesting the record

Decree or certificate

The decree, the court's judgment with the terms of the divorce, comes from the clerk of the court that granted it. Maine also keeps a state record of divorces at its vital records office1; it shows that the divorce happened, not its terms. Divorce certificate vs decree explains which one an agency usually wants.

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1892 to today1

Special situations

Use abroad
Apostilles on divorce records issued by court officials are available from the Maine Secretary of State10

Warnings from the office

  • DRVS endorses no internet ordering service other than VitalChek3
  • DRVS cannot waive fees3

The state office

Office
Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS)1
Mailing address
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics, 11 State House Station, 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011
6
Walk-in address
Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS), 220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME
3
Hours
Walk-in 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.3

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Maine divorce record?

The first copy costs $15 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $6.3

How long does it take to get Maine divorce records?

By mail: 5 to 7 business days on average. In person: same day.3

Can I order Maine divorce records online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek.3

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: Treasurer, State of Maine.3

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: driver's license; passport; other government issued picture identification card.3

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Vital Records (DRVS home)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  2. 22 MRS §2803 Records of divorces and annulmentsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  3. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  4. Record Search Request Instructions and Information (Rev. 10/15)State of Maine Judicial Branchdated October 1, 2015
  5. Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26) Revised Court Fees ScheduleState of Maine Judicial Branch (Supreme Judicial Court)dated March 9, 2026
  6. Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record (vrform2 R 06/2024)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)dated June 1, 2024
  7. Court RecordsState of Maine Judicial Branch
  8. Researcher Request Form (Revised 06/2024)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)dated June 1, 2024
  9. 22 MRS §2706 Disclosure of vital recordsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes
  10. Authentications and ApostillesMaine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions