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MaineLD 83132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act Concerning the Filing of Marriage Licenses and the Recording of Intentions as Part of the Electronic Vital Records System

Sponsored By: Amy Kuhn (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

DOMESTIC RELATIONSDOMESTIC RELATIONS - MARRIAGE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Clear steps to make a marriage legal

You are legally married when your ceremony has at least two witnesses, not counting the officiant. The officiant and the two witnesses must sign the license. When signed this way, the license becomes your marriage certificate, and your marriage is valid.

More time to return your license

You or your officiant must return the signed marriage license within 15 working days after the ceremony. This replaces the old 7-day rule. If it arrives after 15 working days, the record is marked as a late filing.

Path to register missing marriages

If no marriage record exists with the State Registrar or the local clerk where it should, you can file a delayed registration. The State Registrar must accept it if you file it the right way. This creates an official state record of your marriage.

Marriage paperwork saved in state system

Clerks and the State Registrar must save electronic copies of marriage intent applications and completed licenses in the state vital records system. This standardizes recordkeeping across Maine. The law also removes an outdated subsection to align the rules.

Licenses paused if a caution is filed

If someone files a caution that a person cannot lawfully marry, the clerk or State Registrar stops the license. A probate judge must approve before the couple can receive or use a license. If a license was already issued, the couple is told they cannot marry until approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Kuhn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 130

    5/29/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/27/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-198) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-198), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/21/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-198).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Report READ and ACCEPTED The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY in concurrence

    1/21/2025Senate

  8. Representative MEYER from the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Reporting that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARYSent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    1/21/2025House

  9. Received by the Clerk of the House on January 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    1/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-198), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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