How to Find Maine Death Records
How to Find United States Deaths 
Maine Deaths
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Maine; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.
Next Step: When did the death occur? |
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Deaths before 1880
Before 1880, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place. Some cemetery records and obituaries have been indexed in Maine, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 but the quantity is limited.
| Records that give death information: | ||
Deaths between 1880 and 1936
Statewide registration started in 1880 which required deaths to be recorded at both the county and state levels.
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:
Deaths after 1936
The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1880.
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 get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:
- Maine 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
Death 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 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.