Advance Directive Form

Maine’s Advance Directive form authorizes a health care attorney and specifies an individual’s instructions regarding their health treatment, last will, and organ donation. The form must be signed by the individual, healthcare proxy, two witnesses, and a physician.

How to Order a Death Certificate

The following people can request a death certificate in Maine:

• Deceased’s spouse or registered partner
• Deceased’s parents
• Deceased’s children, grandchildren, and remote descendants of legal age
• Legal representative or deceased or their family members
• Genealogists holding a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics

The following information is required to obtain a certificate:

• Deceased’s name
• Date and place of death
• Applicant’s name and phone number
• Applicant’s relation to the deceased and it proof
• Copy of applicant’s government-issued photo ID
• Self-addressed and stamped envelope

The certificate and one certified copy cost $15 with an additional copy ordered at the same time coming at $6. Cash is only accepted when the request is made in person.

The application can be handed in person or sent to:

Vital Records

244 Water Street, SHS #11

Augusta, ME 04333-0011

Digital Estate Planning Law

Maine LD 846 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act authorizes an individual’s legal representative who can access and control their digital assets and communications. This bill came into effect on July 1, 2018.

Death With Dignity or Aid-in-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death

Maine has let the state’s terminally ill residents die with dignity since September 19, 2019. More information on this matter can be found here.

Organ Donation Registry

Maine’s organ donation registry can be found here.

Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Maine has adopted the national POLST form in 2019. This form must be completed only after a conversation with a patient or their representative. It’s necessary for patients who are at risk of a life-threatening clinical event due to a life-limiting medical condition.

Probate Laws

Information on Maine’s legislation on decedent’s will regarding their estate and other assets can be found in the following acts:

• Title 18: Decedent’s Estates and Fiduciary Relations
• Title 18-A: Probate Code

Estate and Inheritance Tax

Maine has an estate tax of up to 12%. Full information can be accessed on the Maine Department of Revenue official site.