Notary Wedding Services In Maine: What's Allowed?

Can a Notary Perform a Wedding in Maine?

If you're planning a wedding in Maine, you may be wondering who can legally perform the ceremony. While religious figures like priests, ministers, and rabbis are an option, as are public figures such as judges and justices of the peace, there's also a third, lesser-known choice: a notary public. A notary public can perform a wedding ceremony, legally marry a couple, and act as a wedding officiant. However, it's important to note that not all states allow notary publics to solemnize marriages. So, can a notary perform a wedding in Maine?

Maine notary wedding legality

In Maine, the state appoints notaries to officiate marriages. However, as of July 1, 2023, a Maine Notary Public will no longer have the authority to solemnize a marriage in their capacity as a notary public. All Maine notaries public who are Maine residents are automatically eligible to receive a marriage officiant license free of charge unless they opt out. A marriage officiant license authorizes the holder to solemnize marriages in Maine.

Requirements for a Maine Marriage Officiant License

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a resident of Maine
• Demonstrate an ability to read and write the English language
• Demonstrate an understanding of the laws and rules governing marriages (19-A M.R.S Chapter 23)

Duties of a Maine Notary as a Marriage Officiant

• Observe the exchange of wedding vows
• Pronounce the couple as officially married
• Sign the marriage license
• Verify the couple's identity
• Be knowledgeable about marriage licenses and how to obtain one
• Complete the marriage certificate in black ink
• Return the completed license to the municipal clerk who issued it within seven working days after the marriage ceremony
• Maintain accurate records of performed marriages

Who Can Perform a Wedding in Maine?

• Ordained ministers of the gospel
• A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, a religious seminary, or an ecclesiastical body
• Judges or justices (residents of Maine only)
• Lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (residents of Maine only)
• Licensed marriage officiants

Who Cannot Perform a Wedding in Maine?

Out-of-state notaries and justices of the peace

Who can be a wedding officiant in Maine?

In Maine, several types of people can be authorised to perform weddings. These include:

• Ordained ministers of the gospel
• A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, a religious seminary, or an ecclesiastical body
• Judges or justices (residents of Maine only)
• Lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (residents of Maine only)
• Licensed marriage officiants
• Maine notaries public (until July 1, 2023)

Maine Notaries Public

Until July 1, 2023, a Maine Notary Public could solemnize a marriage in their capacity as a notary public. After this date, Maine notaries public who are Maine residents are automatically eligible to receive a marriage officiant license free of charge unless they opt out. A marriage officiant license authorises the holder to solemnize marriages in Maine.

How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Maine

To become a wedding officiant in Maine, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Maine
• Demonstrate an ability to read and write the English language
• Demonstrate an understanding of the laws and rules governing marriages

There is a $25 application fee for a marriage officiant license.

How to get a marriage license in Maine

Firstly, congratulations! Now for the legal part. Marriage licenses are issued at the town or city level, so you'll need to visit the town office in person to apply for the license. You can check your town's website for information, or give them a call. If you're both residents of Maine, you should both apply at the town office where at least one of you lives. If you live in different towns in Maine, you can apply in either town—you don't need to apply separately in each town. If one of you is from out of state, you should apply in the Maine town where the other person lives. If neither of you lives in Maine, you may apply in any Maine town office. It doesn't have to be the same town where the wedding will take place, but some people like it to be so that the town name is on the certified copy of the marriage license.

There is a $40 fee for the marriage license, but this may vary from municipality to municipality, so check with the town office. You can fill out the Maine Intention to Marry form ahead of your appointment to speed up the process. This form asks for the name, title, phone number, address, and email address of your officiant. You can leave it blank, but it's good to have this information to hand.

When you go to the town office, bring a completed State of Maine Intention to Marry application, as well as a photo ID such as a driver's license. This must be valid and not expired. If either of you has been married before, bring a certified copy with a raised seal of the divorce decree or death certificate of the last spouse. Applicants must be over 18 years old. Written parental consent is required for applicants under 18, and written parental consent and written consent of a judge are required for applicants under 16. No blood test is required.

Your marriage license will be valid for 90 days and can only be used within the State of Maine. There is no waiting period from the time your marriage license is issued until your wedding can take place. The person performing the ceremony is responsible for filing the marriage certificate with the town office that issued the marriage license.

The role of a notary in a wedding

A notary public is a licensed professional who can perform wedding ceremonies, legally marry a couple, and act as a wedding officiant. However, the laws related to a notary's authority to perform weddings vary from state to state. In the United States, only a few states, including Maine, recognise a marriage certificate from a notary. From 1 July 2023, a Maine Notary Public will no longer have the authority to solemnise a marriage in their capacity as a notary public. However, all Maine notaries public who are Maine residents are automatically eligible to receive a marriage officiant licence free of charge unless they opt out.

In Maine, the state appoints notaries to officiate marriages. As marriage officiants, notaries observe the exchange of wedding vows, pronounce the couple as officially married, and sign the marriage license. Notaries must also verify the couple's identity, be knowledgeable about marriage licenses and how to obtain one, and complete the marriage certificate in black ink.

In addition, notaries are responsible for returning the completed marriage license to the municipal clerk who issued it within seven working days after the marriage ceremony, and maintaining accurate records of performed marriages. Notaries also take oaths and affirmations and process and manage the documents about sworn oaths and affirmations.

To become a notary in Maine, one must submit an application for a notary commission to the Secretary of State, who handles all information related to notary commissions. Maine notaries serve for seven years and have the option to renew their commission to extend their term. There is a $50 fee for all commissions.

In summary, while the role of a notary in a wedding can vary depending on the state, in Maine, notaries play a crucial role in officiating and formalising marriages, as well as maintaining accurate records and managing related documents.

The cost of a notary wedding

As of July 1, 2023, a Maine Notary Public will no longer have the authority to solemnize a marriage in their capacity as a notary public. However, all Maine notaries public who are Maine residents are automatically eligible to receive a marriage officiant license free of charge, unless they opt out. A marriage officiant license authorizes the holder to solemnize marriages in Maine.

For an elopement with witnesses provided by the couple, the cost is typically $125. This includes a short wedding ceremony script chosen by the officiant, and casual attire. The ceremony usually takes place at a residence or public venue. If the officiant provides the witnesses, the cost is $200.

For a small wedding ceremony of up to four people, the cost is around $250. This includes a customized wedding ceremony script of any length and casual or semi-formal attire. The ceremony is typically held at a residence or public venue.

A mid-size wedding ceremony of up to six people costs around $375. Attire may be casual, semi-formal, or formal, and the ceremony may take place at a residence, public venue, or private venue.

For a large wedding ceremony of more than six people, the cost is approximately $500. The attire is semi-formal or formal, and the ceremony is usually held in a private venue.

There may be additional costs for a wedding rehearsal, which is typically priced at around $150.

If the notary wedding officiant needs to travel, there may be mileage costs of around $0.58 per mile, and overnight accommodation costs of $100 per night.

Additional Costs

In addition to the cost of the notary wedding ceremony, there are a few other costs to consider when getting married in Maine.

The couple must obtain a marriage license, which is issued at the town or city level. The cost of the marriage license may vary depending on the town.

There may also be costs associated with the wedding venue, attire, catering, and other wedding-related expenses.

It is important to note that the rates mentioned above are subject to change and may not include additional fees or charges. It is always a good idea to get a quote from the notary wedding officiant to understand the total cost of their services.

Frequently asked questions