Marriage records in Penobscot County, Maine, are available through several channels. PenobscotCourt.us allows you to find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records are kept at municipal clerks' offices throughout the county and at the Maine State Office of Vital Records (Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics — DRVS). You can submit a request online, in person, or by mail.
Penobscot Marriage Records Search
In the state of Maine, marriage records are maintained by two levels of government. The municipal clerk of the city or town where the marriage license was issued keeps the original record. The central archive of all vital records — birth, marriage, divorce, and death — is located at the DRVS at Maine CDC. Official marriage registration in the state has been conducted since 1892, although some municipalities have earlier records.
The collection includes:
- Marriage licenses issued by municipal clerks
- Marriage certificates filed after the ceremony
- Marriage intentions/applications
- Historical records maintained at the city and state levels
The administrative center of Penobscot County is the city of Bangor. To obtain copies of marriage records, contact the clerk of the municipality where the license was issued or the state office:
Maine DHHS — Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
The municipal clerk of Bangor can also assist with marriage records if the license was issued in that city.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Penobscot
Fees for copies of marriage records are established by Maine state law (Title 22, §2706). Below is the current fee schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy — first | $15.00 |
| Additional certified copy (in the same order) | $6.00 |
| Search fee — state level | Included in the copy fee |
Uncertified (informational) copies at the state level are generally not issued separately — DRVS issues only certified documents. Some municipal clerks may have slightly different fees for local records. The processing time for mail requests at the state office is 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing is available through third-party services authorized by the state.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Penobscot
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of Maine allows ordering certified copies of vital records through the authorized online portal VitalChek. A link to this service is available on the official Maine Vital Records website. You will need:
- The full name of both spouses
- The date of marriage
- The place of registration (city/town)
- A credit or debit card for payment
Online orders incur an additional service fee over the standard $15.00.
In Person
Contact the municipal clerk of the city where the license was issued. For example, if the marriage was registered in Bangor, visit the Bangor City Clerk's Office. Bring a photo ID (driver's license or passport). A copy is usually issued the same day.
You can also visit the DRVS office in Augusta directly at the address provided above.
By Mail
Send a request to the DRVS or the appropriate municipal clerk. Include in the envelope:
- A completed application for a certified copy of a vital record — the form can be downloaded from the Maine Vital Records website
- A check or money order for $15.00, made payable to "Treasurer, State of Maine"
- A copy of the applicant's photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE)
Mailing address for requests:
Expect a response within 4–6 weeks. If you do not know the exact city of license issuance, the state office can conduct a search across the entire Maine database. For additional information on Penobscot County court records, including divorce cases, contact the Penobscot County Superior Court or use the Maine eCourts system. Current information on county public records can also be checked at PenobscotCourt.us.