Maine (ME)
Automated Lookup
Operational
Research Maine notary commissions. NotaVeri can automatically cross-reference Maine notary details against the official state database.
Visit Maine Official Notary Database
How to Research a Maine Notary
1. Go to https://apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/notary/search/search_index.pl
2. Select 'Notary Public', enter the name, and click Search.
3. Verify the commission details match.
Note: This directory may not contain all Maine notaries.
2. Select 'Notary Public', enter the name, and click Search.
3. Verify the commission details match.
Note: This directory may not contain all Maine notaries.
How to Verify a Maine Notary's Signature
Maine notaries file their signature with the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Maine Secretary of State at (207) 624-7752.
2. The notary's signature must match the name on file with the SOS — any changes require filing a Change of Signature form.
Email: cec.notaries@maine.gov
To verify a notary's signature:
1. Contact the Maine Secretary of State at (207) 624-7752.
2. The notary's signature must match the name on file with the SOS — any changes require filing a Change of Signature form.
Email: cec.notaries@maine.gov
Verifying Older Maine Documents
The online notary search may only cover active commissions.
1. Contact the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions at (207) 624-7752 for historical records.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Email: cec.notaries@maine.gov
Address: 6 E Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330
Commission term: 7 years.
1. Contact the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions at (207) 624-7752 for historical records.
2. Provide the notary's name and approximate date of notarization.
Email: cec.notaries@maine.gov
Address: 6 E Chestnut Street, 5th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330
Commission term: 7 years.
Maine Notary Stamp/Seal Requirements
Maine does not require notaries to use a stamp or seal. However, if a notary chooses to maintain a seal of office, it must meet certain guidelines.
Seal requirements if used (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 4, § 951):
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as on commission, "Notary Public", "Maine" or "Me."
- May include: The state arms or other device of the notary's choosing
- No specific shape, size, or ink color mandated by statute
- Since a seal is not required, the absence of a stamp on a Maine notarization is not necessarily a red flag — verify by checking the notary's signature and printed name
Seal requirements if used (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 4, § 951):
- Must include: Notary's name exactly as on commission, "Notary Public", "Maine" or "Me."
- May include: The state arms or other device of the notary's choosing
- No specific shape, size, or ink color mandated by statute
- Since a seal is not required, the absence of a stamp on a Maine notarization is not necessarily a red flag — verify by checking the notary's signature and printed name
Contacting a Maine Notary
The following is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
We make no warranty regarding its accuracy or completeness.
Consult a qualified attorney before taking action.
Maine — Contacting the Notary for Verification
Maine does not require notaries public to maintain a journal for traditional paper notarizations. However, journals are mandatory for electronic and remote online notarizations, and the Secretary of State strongly recommends keeping a journal for all notarial acts (4 M.R.S. Chapter 39, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts).
Journal requirements:
- Traditional notarizations: No journal required (but strongly recommended).
- Electronic and remote notarizations: Journal required for all electronic or remote online notarial acts.
- Mandatory special records: Notaries must keep records of (1) every marriage performed (19-A M.R.S. § 654), and (2) a log of petitions for which they administered the circulator's oath, listing the petition title, circulator's name, oath date, and number of petition forms (21-A M.R.S. § 902).
- Format: Journal may be created on tangible medium or in electronic format. The notary shall retain the journal for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled.
Accessing notary records:
- For electronic/remote notarizations with journals: Records may be inspected in the presence of the notary by any individual whose identity is personally known to the notary or proven by satisfactory evidence, and who specifies the notarial act to be examined.
- For traditional notarizations (where no journal exists): No records may be available.
- Subpoena/court order: If voluntary access is denied, a court order or subpoena duces tecum may compel production of records.
Key considerations:
- Most Maine notaries performing only traditional paper notarizations do not maintain journals, as they are not required to do so.
- Maine's journal requirements expanded with the adoption of electronic and remote notarization provisions.
- When a commission expires, there is no general requirement to transmit traditional notary journals to any public office (though electronic/remote notarization records must be retained for 10 years).
Contact:
- Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions — (207) 624-7752
- Email: CEC.Notaries@Maine.gov
- Website: maine.gov/sos/cec/notary
- Address: 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Relevant statutes: 4 M.R.S. Chapter 39 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts); 19-A M.R.S. § 654 (marriage records); 21-A M.R.S. § 902 (petition circulator records)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.
Maine does not require notaries public to maintain a journal for traditional paper notarizations. However, journals are mandatory for electronic and remote online notarizations, and the Secretary of State strongly recommends keeping a journal for all notarial acts (4 M.R.S. Chapter 39, Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts).
Journal requirements:
- Traditional notarizations: No journal required (but strongly recommended).
- Electronic and remote notarizations: Journal required for all electronic or remote online notarial acts.
- Mandatory special records: Notaries must keep records of (1) every marriage performed (19-A M.R.S. § 654), and (2) a log of petitions for which they administered the circulator's oath, listing the petition title, circulator's name, oath date, and number of petition forms (21-A M.R.S. § 902).
- Format: Journal may be created on tangible medium or in electronic format. The notary shall retain the journal for 10 years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled.
Accessing notary records:
- For electronic/remote notarizations with journals: Records may be inspected in the presence of the notary by any individual whose identity is personally known to the notary or proven by satisfactory evidence, and who specifies the notarial act to be examined.
- For traditional notarizations (where no journal exists): No records may be available.
- Subpoena/court order: If voluntary access is denied, a court order or subpoena duces tecum may compel production of records.
Key considerations:
- Most Maine notaries performing only traditional paper notarizations do not maintain journals, as they are not required to do so.
- Maine's journal requirements expanded with the adoption of electronic and remote notarization provisions.
- When a commission expires, there is no general requirement to transmit traditional notary journals to any public office (though electronic/remote notarization records must be retained for 10 years).
Contact:
- Maine Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, UCC and Commissions — (207) 624-7752
- Email: CEC.Notaries@Maine.gov
- Website: maine.gov/sos/cec/notary
- Address: 101 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Relevant statutes: 4 M.R.S. Chapter 39 (Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts); 19-A M.R.S. § 654 (marriage records); 21-A M.R.S. § 902 (petition circulator records)
This information is provided for general reference only, does not constitute legal advice, and may not reflect current law. Laws and procedures change frequently. We make no warranty regarding accuracy or completeness. Consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking action.