Death certificates in Maine
In Maine, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $15 from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $6. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.
Last checked on the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.
How to order in Maine
| Office | Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each extra copy, same order | $6 VitalChek online and phone orders add a $15.50 processing charge. The town where the death happened or where the person lived can also issue copies. |
| Who can order | Maine is a closed record state. A spouse, registered domestic partner, other family with proof of lineage, or someone with a direct and legitimate interest, such as an attorney or a person settling property, may get a certified copy. Death records become public after 25 years, but anyone can then get only a noncertified copy without showing an interest. |
| ID you need | A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, or copies of two other documents from the office's list. |
| Ways to order | Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. Walk-in service at the state office in Augusta, and at town and city clerk offices. |
| How long it takes | Same day for walk-ins, sometimes up to 24 hours. Mail orders average 5 to 7 business days after receipt. |
Do funeral homes order the first copies?
Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.
For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.
Questions people ask
- How much is a death certificate in Maine?
- $15 for the first certified copy from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS), and $6 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. VitalChek online and phone orders add a $15.50 processing charge. The town where the death happened or where the person lived can also issue copies.
- Who can order a death certificate in Maine?
- Maine is a closed record state. A spouse, registered domestic partner, other family with proof of lineage, or someone with a direct and legitimate interest, such as an attorney or a person settling property, may get a certified copy. Death records become public after 25 years, but anyone can then get only a noncertified copy without showing an interest.
- How do I order a death certificate in Maine?
- You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, or copies of two other documents from the office's list.
Sources
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS): www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/vital-records/request-documents
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS): www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/vital-records/request-documents/access-to-public-or-restricted-vital-statistics-data-reports-and-records-in-me
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS): www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/vital-records/death-records
- CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
- FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)