You have to be at least 18 years old to get married in Maine. Since 2025, that’s the only permissible age, with no exceptions for parental consent, judicial approval, or near-18 applicants. Maine is one of a growing number of states that have completely closed the door on minor marriage.
No Exceptions Under Current Law
Maine law is direct: no town clerk or the State Registrar of Vital Statistics may issue a marriage license to anyone under 18.1Maine State Legislature. Title 19-A, 652: Issuance of Marriage License It doesn’t matter whether both sets of parents approve, whether a judge would sign off, or whether the applicant is days away from a birthday. The rule is absolute.
Some Maine government webpages and informational materials still display older language referencing parental consent for applicants under 18. The statute itself controls, and it now flatly prohibits issuing a license to anyone younger than 18.
How Maine Got to 18
Maine didn’t always have a blanket ban. The law changed in stages over a short period:
- Before 2020, a parent could consent to the marriage of a child of any age.
- In 2020, the legislature raised the effective minimum age to 16 with parental and judicial consent.
- In 2023, the minimum was raised again to 17, still requiring parental consent or judicial approval.
- In 2025, LD 1185 eliminated all minor marriage provisions, making 18 the only permissible age.2Maine Legislature. Summary of LD 1185
The 2025 change repealed both the parental consent pathway (former subsection 7 of §652) and any remaining judicial approval mechanism.1Maine State Legislature. Title 19-A, 652: Issuance of Marriage License If you’ve read older guides or spoken to someone who married young in Maine years ago, their experience no longer reflects the law.
Crossing State Lines Doesn’t Work
If you’re a Maine resident thinking about going to a state with a lower minimum age, Maine specifically addresses that. Under Title 19-A §701, when Maine residents leave the state intending to evade Maine’s marriage laws and then return to live here, the marriage is void in Maine.3Maine State Legislature. Title 19-A, 701: Prohibited Marriages; Exceptions The law looks at intent: if you left to sidestep the age requirement and planned to come back, the marriage carries no legal weight once you’re home.
The statute reaches further. Any marriage performed in another state that would violate Maine’s prohibitions is not recognized here if the couple later takes up residence in Maine.3Maine State Legislature. Title 19-A, 701: Prohibited Marriages; Exceptions Couples who weren’t Maine residents at the time of a minor marriage can face recognition issues if they move to Maine later.
Once You’re 18
Turning 18 clears the age barrier. From there, you can apply for a marriage license at any Maine town office as long as you meet the other standard requirements: both parties appear in person to file a notice of marriage intentions, you bring a government-issued photo ID, and you have no existing marriage or prohibited family relationship with your intended spouse.4Maine.gov. Residents: Getting Married in Maine
Where you apply depends on residency. If both of you live in Maine, apply at the town office where at least one of you resides. If one of you lives out of state, apply in the town where the Maine resident lives. If neither of you lives in Maine, you can apply at any Maine town office.4Maine.gov. Residents: Getting Married in Maine
The license fee is $40.5Maine.gov. Planning Your Marriage in Maine Maine has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so the ceremony can happen the same day the license is issued. Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days and can only be used within Maine. If either party has been married before, bring a certified copy with a raised seal of the divorce decree from your most recent marriage or the death certificate of your former spouse.4Maine.gov. Residents: Getting Married in Maine