# 19-A M.R.S. § 656: 19-A §656. License

> Maine · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S656

## Section

- **Citation:** 19-A M.R.S. § 656
- **Heading:** 19-A §656. License
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 656

## Text

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." [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

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 parties' signatures may be obtained at issuance or at the time the marriage is solemnized. 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, and the parties are considered legally married. [PL 2025, c. 130, §6 (AMD).]

3. Name change. If the marriage license indicates that a party intends to change that party's name under section 654, subsection 3 , the new name indicated on the license becomes effective upon completion of the marriage license pursuant to subsection 2 . [PL 2019, c. 82, §3 (NEW).]

## Nearby sections

- [19-A M.R.S. § 650 19-A §650. Findings and purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 650-A 19-A §650-A. Codification of marriage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650-A.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 650-B 19-A §650-B. Recognition of marriage licensed and certified in another jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S650-B.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 651 19-A §651. Recording of intentions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S651.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 652 19-A §652. Issuance of marriage license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S652.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 653 19-A §653. Filing of cautions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S653.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 654 19-A §654. Record of marriages](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S654.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 655 19-A §655. Authorization; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S655.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 656 19-A §656. License](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S656.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 657 19-A §657. Lack of jurisdiction or authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S657.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 658 19-A §658. Quaker; Baha'i](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S658.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 659 19-A §659. Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S659.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 660 19-A §660. Delayed marriage registration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S660.md)
- [19-A M.R.S. § 701 19-A §701. Prohibited marriages; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S701.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T19-A_P2_C23_S656. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.