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Marriage License

Where to apply 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. Note: For couples who reside in different municipalities within the State of Maine shall record 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 the bride or groom is a Maine resident, and the fiancé/fiancée resides out-of-state, both bride and groom 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 addtional copy.  Certified copies are required for the Bride to change her name on many documents such as Social Security, Driver's License, insurances and bank accounts.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING
A MARRIAGE LICENSE - Maine Residents

STEP 1:
Intentions of Marriage
The bride and groom 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.

The bride and groom must file a Record of Social Security Numbers. This document is not for public inspection.

Filing Fee: $40.00

Previous Marriage(s)
If either the bride or groom 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.

Note:Unless a person provides a certifed 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, Affidavit, Record of Social Security Numbers, filing fee and certified death/divorce decree(s), if applicable,.

STEP 3:
Both the bride and groom 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. drivers license, passport, state I.D. The City Clerk's Office is open 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday.

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.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS
MARRYING IN BATH, MAINE

STEP 1:
Intention of Marriage
The bride and groom 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.

Record of Social Security Numbers
The bride and groom must file a Record of Social Security Numbers with the City Clerk's Department. This document is not for public inspection.

Filing Fee
The filing fee is $40.00. Payable to the City of Bath.

Previous Marriage(s)
If either the bride or groom 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.

STEP 2:
The Intention of Marriage, Affidavit, Record of Social Security Numbers, 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 the bride and groom 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 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday.

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.

LIST OF NOTARIES PUBLIC INTERESTED IN
PERFORMING WEDDING CEREMONIES IN BATH