Marriage
Chapter 23: MARRIAGE
650.1. Findings. The people of the State of Maine find that:
A. The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.
652.3. Void after 90 days. The license is void if not used within 90 days from the day the intentions were filed in the offices of the municipal clerks as specified in section 651
Record of marriages
654.1. Copy. Every person authorized to unite persons in marriage shall make and keep a record of every marriage solemnized by that person in conformity with the forms and instructions prescribed by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics pursuant to Title 22, section 2701
2. Return of original; copies. The person who solemnized the marriage shall return each original certificate to the clerk who issued the certificate within 7 working days following the date on which the marriage is solemnized by that person. The clerk and the State Registrar of Vital Statistics each shall retain a copy of the certificate
3. Statement including officiant and witnesses. Each certificate and copy returned must contain a statement giving the names of the parties united in marriage, place and date of the marriage, the signature of the person by whom the marriage was solemnized and the names of the 2 witnesses. The person who solemnized the marriage shall add the title of the office by virtue of which the marriage was solemnized, the residence of the person who solemnized the marriage and:
A. The date ordained or authorized by a religious faith to perform marriages
4. Recorded by clerk. The clerk shall record all certificates or copies returned under this section.
655.1. Persons authorized to solemnize marriages.
B. Whether a resident or nonresident of this State and whether or not a citizen of the United States:
(1) An ordained minister of the gospel;
(2) A cleric engaged in the service of the religious body to which the cleric belongs; or
(3) A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body.
656.1. Contents of license. A marriage license must have conspicuously printed on it the following words: "The laws of Maine provide that only authorized persons may solemnize marriages in this State."
2. Completed license; ceremony performed. Each marriage license issued must be completed and the certification statement signed by both parties to the intended marriage. The completed license or licenses must be delivered by the parties to the person solemnizing the marriage. Upon completion of the solemnization, which must be performed in the presence of at least 2 witnesses other than the person officiating, the person officiating and the 2 witnesses shall sign the license or licenses, which are then known as the marriage certificate or certificates
658. Quaker; Baha'i
A marriage solemnized among Quakers or Friends, in the form practiced in their meeting, or solemnized among members of the Baha'i faith according to the rules and principles of the Baha'i faith, is valid and not affected by this subchapter. The clerk or the keeper of the records of the meeting or ceremony in which a marriage is solemnized shall return evidence of the solemnization of the marriage as provided in section 654. A person who willfully neglects or refuses to perform the duty imposed upon that person by this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $100 for each offense may be adjudged for the use of the municipality in which the offense occurred.
Penalties
659.1. Solemnization without authorization. A person who solemnizes a marriage when not authorized to do so under section 655 commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $100 for each offense may be adjudged. Forfeitures collected must be distributed to the municipality in which the offense occurred
2. Solemnization contrary to chapter. A person who intentionally or knowingly joins persons in marriage in violation of this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of $100 may be adjudged. The person may not join persons in marriage after being adjudicated as violating this subsection
3. Violation by party to the marriage. A person who contracts a marriage in violation of this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of $100 may be adjudged. A person who makes false representations to obtain a marriage license or to cause the solemnization of marriage in violation of this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of $100 may be adjudged
4. Violation by clerk. The clerk of a municipality who intentionally violates this chapter or falsely states the residence of either of the parties named in the license or certificate commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of $20 for each offense may be adjudged
Prohibited marriages
1. Marriage out of State to evade law. When residents of this State, with intent to evade this section and to return and reside here, go into another state or country to have their marriage solemnized there and afterwards return and reside here, that marriage is void in this State.
1-A. Certain marriages performed in another state not recognized in this State. Any marriage performed in another state that would violate any provisions of subsections 2 to 5 if performed in this State is not recognized in this State and is considered void if the parties take up residence in this State
Counseling/healing
Title 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Chapter 406: FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
1909. This chapter shall be construed to protect the rights of all persons to pursue their religious beliefs, to follow the dictates of their own consciences, to prevent imposition upon any person's moral standards and to respect the right of every person to self-determination in respect to family planning.
Title 32: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
3270. Licensure
Nothing in this chapter may be construed as to affect or prevent the practice of the religious tenets of a church in the ministration to the sick or suffering by mental or spiritual means.
Chapter 83: SOCIAL WORKERS
7002
Any person performing the functions of a social worker as a part of a profession or occupation or in a voluntary capacity is not subject to this section.
113-B, Subchapter 2: ACUPUNCTURE
12511. Licensure
2. Exception. This chapter does not apply to any person who is licensed to practice any healing art or science and who is practicing acupuncture in the course of that practice and within the scope of that license
Counseling Professionals
Chapter 119:13856. Exemptions
3. Clergy. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to apply to the activities and services of any priest, rabbi, clergyman, including a Christian Science healer, or minister of the gospel of any religious denomination when performing counseling services as part of religious duties and in connection with a specific synagogue or church of any religious denomination
Chapter 127: MASSAGE THERAPISTS
14307. Exemptions
2. Other exemptions. This chapter does not apply to the activities and services of individuals who practice other forms of tissue work exclusive of massage therapy, such as rolfing, Trager, reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki and polarity, if those practitioners do not use the title "massage therapist" or "massage practitioner," unless they choose to meet the requirements of this chapter.
