Town Services
Birth/Death/Marriage Certificates
The fee for obtaining a certified copy of a birth certificate is $15.00 for the first copy of the record, and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record purchased at the same time. Certified copies may be obtained at the Town Office during regular business hours.
In order to obtain a birth certificate through the mail, the applicant needs to fill out a vital records search application and enclose a copy of proper identification as outlined on the form and in the FAQ, below. The application, along with the fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope should be mailed to the Town Clerk at the Town of Limestone, 93 Main Street, Limestone, ME 04750.
Links to applications:
FAQ
1. How do I obtain copies of birth, death, fetal death, marriage, divorce, and domestic partnership records?
By law, Maine birth records less than 75 years old, marriage records less than 50 years old, death records less than 25 years old and fetal deaths less than 50 years old are considered to be private. In order to inspect these documents, or to obtain copies, an individual must prove that they are permitted by law to do so. Those authorized to view or obtain a copy of a vital record include:
The person named on the record,
The person’s spouse or registered domestic partner,
The parent(s) named on the record,
Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree),
The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record, and
Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research and Vital Statistics.
Effective July 12, 2010, all individuals requesting copies of these records must present positive identification and, if requesting the record of a parent or grandparent and you are not a registered genealogist, proof of direct lineage.
Registered genealogists may only obtain a non-certified copy of a record, unless they can meet the above requirements for obtaining a certified copy. They may only view or obtain a copy of a birth, death, or marriage record.
Birth records 75 years or older, marriage records 50 years or older, death records 25 years or older and fetal deaths 50 years or older are considered public records and informational copies can be issued to anyone requesting them.
The Maine Office of Vital Records does not permit or allow any records, whether certified or non-certified, to be faxed to any individual, business, or institution. If a person needs a certified record faxed to the airport for travel, that person must contact the Office of Vital Records in Augusta, Maine. Municipal Clerks may not fax certified or non-certified copies of any birth, death, or marriage unless the Office of Vital Records has given authorization to the Clerk.
Maine Office of Vital Records
Department of Health & Human Services
244 Water Street
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Telephone: (207) 287-3181 or Toll free 1-888-664-9491
2. Why do I need to present positive identification when requesting a record?
While most requests for vital records are honest attempts to obtain one’s own personal documentation, some are not; some are attempts to obtain information and documents needed to assume another person’s identity. These documents can be used to obtain a driver’s license, state photo ID, social security card, and passport under the assumed name, opening the door to credit card, bank and tax fraud; mail theft, and social security and insurance fraud. The requirement that you provide positive identification when requesting a copy of a record helps to protect you and your family from this type of crime.
3. What are acceptable forms of identification?
Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport or other government issued photo identification.
4. What if I do not have an acceptable photo ID?
If you do not have acceptable photo identification, you may present two items with your name on it from the following list: a utility bill, a bank statement, a car registration, a copy of an income tax return, a personal check with address, a previously issued vital record or marriage license, a letter from a government agency requesting a vital record (for example, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services), a Department of Corrections identification card, a Social Security card, a DD214, a hospital birth worksheet, a license or rental agreement, a pay stub (W-2), a voter registration card, a Social Security disability award letter, a Medicare or Medicaid insurance card, and a school or employee photo ID. Other forms of identification listing your name, date of birth, and address may also be considered.
5. How would a person demonstrate direct lineage?
In order to prove direct lineage when requesting records concerning your parents or grandparents, a copy of your birth certificate will identify your parents. If your parents were married, this document can be used to obtain a copy of your parents’ marriage record, which should identify your grandparents.
Other acceptable proof of direct lineage could include a hospital or physician’s record of birth or death, a baptismal record, school enrollment records, military records, court records, a family bible record; a newspaper engagement, marriage or birth announcement; an obituary, a U.S. Census enumeration record, an insurance application, or an affidavit.
6. How do I obtain a genealogical researcher ID card?
In order to obtain a genealogical research ID card you have to apply to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Data, Research and Vital Statistics. You can find a link for the application on the Vital Records website Public Forms section listed as Application for Genealogical Research
Excise Tax Calculation
Excise tax is an annual tax that must be paid prior to registering your vehicle. Except for a few statutory exemptions, all vehicles registered in the State of Maine are subject to the excise tax.
Excise tax is defined by Maine law as a tax levied annually for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways.
WHERE DO I PAY THE EXCISE TAX?
Excise tax is paid at the local town office where the owner of the vehicle resides. When a vehicle needs to be registered, an excise tax is collected prior to the registration.
How much will it cost to renew my registration?
The amount of tax is determined by two things:
1. The age of the vehicle
2. Manufacturer's suggested retail price ("MSRP")First, you will need the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for your vehicle. MSRP is the "sticker price" of the vehicle and its accessories. It is NOT necessarily what you paid for the vehicle.
There are several ways to find the MSRP:
If you are renewing an existing registration, the MSRP is called the "Base Price" on your current registration form (upper right-hand corner of the registration document);
You may also be able to find the MSRP online at sites such as MSN Autos:
Navigate to MSN Autos
Under Used Cars, select the make and model of your vehicle and click "Go"
You'll be taken to a page for all years of the particular vehicle.
Select the year of your vehicle and click on the "Prices" tab
You'll see a chart showing the MSRP of your vehicle in various trim packages.
New vehicles are required to have a window sticker and the window sticker must be must be presented on first time registrations.
For used cars, individuals and municipalities can use the NADA Guide, the New Car Cost Guide, the Automobile Red Book and the Automobile Blue Book to determine the MSRP of a vehicle.
HOW IS THE EXCISE TAX CALCULATED?
Excise tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mill rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year.
YEAR 1 .0240 mill rate
YEAR 2 .0175 mill rate
YEAR 3 .0135 mill rate
YEAR 4 .0100 mill rate
YEAR 5 .0065 mill rate
YEAR 6 .0040 mill rate
For example, the owner of a three year old motor vehicle with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25.
WHERE DOES THE EXCISE TAX GO?
The town that collects the excise tax can use it as revenue towards the annual town budget. Typically, the revenue is spent on local road maintenance, construction and repair.
WHY IS THE TAX BASED ON MSRP?
Excise tax was designed with equity in mind. In 1925, this tax was enacted as a Maine law. At that time, the Legislature decided that the fairest tax assessment would be based on what the manufacturer suggests it sell for.
This law has remained in effect for nearly 100 years to ensure that everyone who drives the same vehicle pays the same amount of tax.
PLEASE NOTE: The State of Maine Property Tax Division only provides quotes to the Municipal Tax Collector, not to individuals.
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