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? |
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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: | ||
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.
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:
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.