VITALS INFO - Questions and Answers
?????? OBTAINING COPIES OF MAINE
VITAL RECORDS
1.
How do I obtain copies of birth, death,
fetal death, marriage, divorce, and domestic partnership records?
By law, Maine vital records less than 100 years old are considered to be
private. In order to inspect
these documents, or to obtain copies, an individual must prove that they
are permitted by law to do so.
Those authorized to view or obtain a copy of a vital record
include:
·
The person named on the record,
·
The person’s spouse or registered domestic partner,
·
The parent(s) named on the record,
·
Descendants of the person named on the record (including children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree),
·
The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the
person named on the record, and
·
Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center
for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital
Statistics.
Effective July 12, 2010,
all individuals requesting copies of these records must present positive
identification and, if requesting the record of a parent or grandparent
and you are not a registered genealogist, proof of direct lineage.
Registered genealogists may
only obtain a non-certified copy of a record, unless they can meet the
above requirements for obtaining a certified copy.
They may only view or obtain a copy of a birth, death, or
marriage record.
Records 100 years old, or
older, are considered public records and informational copies can be
issued to anyone requesting them.
2.
Why do I need to present positive
identification when requesting a record?
While most requests for vital records
are honest attempts to obtain one's own personal documentation, some are
not; some are attempts to obtain information and documents needed to
assume another person’s identity.
These documents can be used to obtain a driver’s license, state
photo ID, social security card, and passport under the assumed name,
opening the door to credit card, bank and tax fraud; mail theft, and
social security and insurance fraud.
The requirement that you provide positive identification when
requesting a copy of a record helps to protect you and your family from
this type of crime.
3.
What are acceptable forms of
identification?
Acceptable forms of
identification include a driver’s license, passport or other government
issued photo identification.
4.
What if I do not have an acceptable
photo ID?
If you do not have
acceptable photo identification, you may present two items with your
name on it from the following list: a utility bill, a bank statement, a
car registration, a copy of an income tax return, a personal check with
address, a previously issued vital record or marriage license, a letter
from a government agency requesting a vital record (for example, the
Maine Department of Health and Human Services), a Department of
Corrections identification card, a Social Security card, a DD214, a
hospital birth worksheet, a license or rental agreement, a pay stub
(W-2), a voter registration card, a Social Security disability award
letter, a Medicare or Medicaid insurance card, and a school or employee
photo ID. Other forms of
identification listing your name, date of birth, and address may also be
considered.
5.
How would a person demonstrate direct
lineage?
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
APPLICATION
DEATH CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE VITAL RECORDS