ME Marriage Officiant Rules (2023)
Rule/Regulation
Effective: October 02, 2023
Summary
The Maine Secretary of State has adopted permanent rules implementing the provisions of Title 5, section 90-G regarding the licensing of marriage officiants who are authorized to solemnize marriages in Maine pursuant to Title 19-A, chapter 23.
Affects
Adds Chapter 720 to (Agency 29, Sub-Agency 250) the Maine Code of Rules.
Changes
- Adopts the temporary emergency rules governing the licensing of marriage officiants who are authorized to solemnize marriages that were adopted effective July 5, 2023.
Analysis
The Maine Secretary of State has adopted permanent rules to implement the provisions enacted in House Paper 1503 which no longer allow Maine Notaries to solemnize marriages under the authority of their Notary Public commission. Instead, the law created a new marriage officiant license, and automatically licenses any Notary who does not decline the license on the application for a Notary commission.