VITAL RECORDS FOR THE STATE OF MAINE

Vital records are  kept by town clerks. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most vital records date from about 1700. Many older vital statistics are often arranged by family. Before 1892, records of births, marriages, and deaths were kept by the towns and cities of Maine. Some municipalities kept good records, some kept no records, and some kept adequate records only to have them lost to fire, flood, or storage in private homes. The information on these municipal records is in most cases sparser than found on more modern records. Marriages and deaths, for example, rarely listed parents' names or the parties' places of birth. When, in the 1920's, the State requested copies of pre-1892 vital records from the towns, only about 20 percent responded.  

There are no certified birth or death records from 1833 to 1892 for the Town of Alfred due to destruction by fire. 

Birth Certificates are filed with:
  • The City or Town in which the child was born;
  • The City or Town in which the mother was living at the time of the birth; and
  • The State Office of Health Data and Program Management (formerly known as the Office of Vital Records)

Marriage Certificates are filed with:
  • The City or Town in which intentions were filed and the license was issued; and
  • The State Office of Health Data and Program Management (formerly known as the Office of Vital Records) 

Death Certificates are filed with:  
  • The City or Town of residence at the time of death;
  • The City or Town where the death occurred; and
  • The State Office of Health Data and Program Management (formerly known as the Office of Vital Records)

 Unsure where the event took place?  Begin by contacting the State. They maintain copies of records from every town in Maine. Also, be sure to check family bibles, city directories, obituaries, old maps, old photographs, town history books and old newspapers for information. Lastly, Maine State Archives keeps a list of professional genealogists who provide research for a fee. 

                                Important Information regarding  Access to Vital Records Information 

Access to birth, death and marriage records will now be limited to the person on the record, the person’s spouse, registered domestic partner, mother, father, guardian, descendant (child, grandchild) attorney or agent, certain other family members*, genealogists/agent, officiant, informant, or funeral establishment. Individuals requesting records will need to provide proof of their eligibility to obtain the record (proof of lineage, certificate of domestic partnership, marriage license, guardianship papers, notarized statement from family, etc.). 

Persons requesting to purchase copies of vital records must complete a request form which declares their name and connection with the person who is listed on the record. Anyone purchasing a certified copy must show proof of identification: driver’s license, passport or other government issued picture identification card. If one of these is not available, the requestor will need to show two items from the following list: utility bills, bank statements car registration, copy of income tax return, personal check with address, a previously issued vital record, letter from government agency requesting vital record, Department of Corrections ID card, Social Security card, DD214, 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, or a disability card from SSA. These identification requirements apply to both certified and non-certified copies of vital records.

 *Other Family Members include grandparent, sibling, step-parent, step-child, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. 

Birth, Marriage and Death records are available from the Alfred Town Clerk's Office. The cost for these records is $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record issued at the same time. 

Vital Record Requests

All Vital Record Requests MUST be accompanied by:

1. Completed application form.

2. Check or Money Order payable to the "Town of Alfred" ($15.00 for the first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time).

3. Positive proof of applicant's identity (include photocopy of appropriate document(s) such as a driver's license, passport, or other government issued picture ID. If these are not available, the requestor needs to show photocopies of two items from the following; utility bills, bank statements, car registration, income tax return, personal check with address, previously issued vital record, rental agreement, voter registration card, school or college photo ID, employee photo ID.

4. Anyone purchasing a certified copy of a record shall declare their connection with the person that is listed on the record and/or show and provide proof of direct and legitimate interest.

              Requests should be mailed to:

Alfred Town Clerk
P.O. Box 850
Alfred, Maine 04002

For further information please call: 207-324-5872, Ext 204 
OR
Email: shewitt@alfredme.gov

Check the following links for the required vital records applications:

Intentions of Marriage Form


Please complete the Intentions of Marriage Form carefully and completely as it will be used to complete your Marriage License.
You will be completing items #1 through #72.
Please DO NOT sign this form at this time.
It must be signed in the presence of the Town Clerk or a Notary Public