Marriage records in Kennebec County, Maine, are available through several channels. KennebecCourt.us allows quick access to public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, copies of certificates can be obtained directly from the municipal clerks of the towns where the marriage was solemnized or from the Maine Division of Vital Records. Requests are accepted online, in person, and by mail.
Kennebec Marriage Records Search
In Maine, marriage records are maintained at two levels: at the municipal office of the town where the marriage was registered and at the state Division of Vital Records and Statistics (DRVS) within the Department of Health. The county clerk does not issue marriage licenses — this function is performed by the town or city clerk. For marriages solemnized in the city of Augusta — the county seat — the responsible party is the City Clerk of Augusta.
The collection of records includes issued marriage licenses, submitted marriage certificates, and the registration of returned licenses after the ceremony. The state of Maine officially began centralized vital records registration in 1892, although some municipalities have earlier records. Historical documents for Kennebec County are also preserved in the Maine State Archives collections.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Kennebec
Fees for copies of marriage records are set by Maine state law (Title 22, §2706). Below is the current fee schedule for requests through DRVS:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage certificate | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (in one order) | $6.00 |
| Search fee without issuance of a copy | $15.00 |
| Expedited processing | Additional $12.00 + expedited shipping cost |
Municipal clerks in Kennebec County towns charge similar fees according to state statute. The standard processing time for a mail request through DRVS is approximately 4–6 weeks. Expedited processing reduces this time to a few business days.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Kennebec
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of Maine offers online ordering of certified copies through the VitalChek portal, which is the official partner of DRVS. The link for online ordering is available on the Maine Vital Records page. When placing an order, you need to provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date and place of marriage registration
- Purpose of the request
- Valid identification
Online orders incur an additional service fee from VitalChek on top of the standard fee.
In Person
You can visit the town clerk of the municipality where the marriage was registered or the DRVS office in Augusta. To obtain a certified copy, you must present valid photo identification.
By Mail
Send a request to DRVS including the following:
- Completed application for a copy (Application for a Search of Marriage Records — form available on the DRVS website)
- Check or money order for $15.00, payable to "Treasurer, State of Maine"
- Copy of the applicant's identification
- Self-addressed stamped envelope (for standard delivery)
Requests can also be mailed directly to the municipal clerk of the town where the marriage was registered. For example, for marriages solemnized in the city of Augusta, address the request to the Augusta City Clerk's Office. Note that the municipal clerk can usually only issue copies of records stored in their office. For statewide searches, it is better to contact DRVS.
For genealogical research and historical record searches in Kennebec County, a useful resource is the Maine State Archives, which holds documents predating the centralized registration system. Additional information about Kennebec County and its administrative offices can be found on the county's official website, as well as on KennebecCourt.us.