How to Find Maine Birth Records
How to Find United States Births 
Maine Births
Statewide registration of births began in 1899 in Maine; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1880
Before 1880, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place. Some cemetery records and obituaries have been indexed in Maine, Births and Burials, 1850-1990 but the quantity is limited.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births between 1880 and 1936
Statewide registration started in 1880 which required births to be recorded at both the county and state levels.
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
For birth that exist during this time period, try the following databases.
| Maine Birth Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to birth 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 Iowa |
Free; index to birth 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 birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for birth 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 Iowa, 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:
Births after 1936
The state of Maine began recording births in 1880.
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
For births that exist during this time period, try the following database.
NOTE: Very few of these births are indexed from birth certificates. The information comes from burial, church, and other sources.
| Maine Birth Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| 1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to birth 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 get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- If you are uncertain of the exact date or if the individual died in Maine, the department can do a search for the certificate, for a fee.
- VitalChek
Birth records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.
Restrictions for Obtaining a Certificate:
To obtain a copy of the birth 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 birth.
If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.