How to Find Maine Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Maine Deaths

In 1820, Maine was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1892 Deaths between 1880 and 1936 Deaths after 1960

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1892

Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

Maine Births Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Next try:
Ancestry database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes

If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Obtain the Death Record

If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

• FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
  
• Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the death record.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths between 1892 and 1922

The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the Maine State Archives.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For death that exist during this time period, try the following databases.

Maine Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Maine. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers
Try 2nd:
	State Historical Society of Maine	Free; index to death records from 1917-1935, depending on the county (in PDF form).
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in other records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

There are three options:

• FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
  
• State Historical Society of Maine, Public Reference Services - Provides both information to order the certificate and information about local professionals for hire to copy the certificate.
  
• You may also order the certificate, for a fee, from one of the two locations:
  • Maine Department of Public Health
  • VitalChek

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1922

The Vital Records office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the Maine State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

NOTE: Very few of these deaths are indexed from death certificates. The information comes from burial, church, and other sources.

Maine Death Databases - Includes Index Only
	1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Maine. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

To Order Death Certificates
County probate judge's offices		Vital Records office of the Maine Dept of Health and Human Services
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Has an expedited service on Vital Chek	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Restrictions for Obtaining a Certificate:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be:

• The decedent's spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling
• Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons.
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must provide notarized identification and signature

NOTE: A copy of the certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of death.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Related Wiki Articles

• How to Find United States Birth Records
• Learn more about U.S. Death Records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Birth Records
• United States Marriage Records

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