Can my town office process the correction?
No. A municipal clerk may witness the signature, but the municipality does not process the correction. DRVS processes the request.
Document Guides
Maine VS-7 Vital Record Correction: Notary Rules
Maine's paper VS-7 corrects birth, marriage, and death records; its signatures must be notarized, and DRVS—not the municipality—processes the correction.
iRemoteNotary Editorial Team
Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed September 21, 2026
Quick Answer
Must Maine VS-7 signatures be notarized?
Yes. Maine VS-7 states that signatures must be notarized. A municipal clerk may witness the signature, but the municipality does not process the correction; the completed request goes to the Division of Records and Vital Statistics (DRVS).
For a correction within 90 days, there is no correction fee, though a certified copy is $15 if needed. After 90 days, the fee is $60 and Maine generally asks for two supporting documents that are five years old or older. Confirm remote online notarization acceptance before booking.
Maine VS-7 correction facts
| Item | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Form | VS-7 — Application to Correct a Vital Record in Maine |
| Record types | Birth, marriage, and death |
| Signature rule | SIGNATURES MUST BE NOTARIZED |
| Within 90 days | No correction fee; certified copy $15 if needed |
| After 90 days | $60; generally two supporting documents five years old or older |
| RON status | Recipient confirmation required — no express DRVS RON acceptance statement reviewed |
Maine VS-7 is the paper application for correcting eligible birth, marriage, and death records. The form emphasizes that signatures must be notarized, while DRVS retains authority to review and process the correction.
iRemoteNotary is a national and international online-notary organization. Remote online notarization is performed under the law of the online notary's commissioning state. Start with the Vital Records Notary Center or compare Utah's amendment affidavit.
Paper VS-7 vs VitalChek Online
The paper pathway uses VS-7 and requires notarized signatures. Maine also describes an online VitalChek correction option; an online submission may not require the paper VS-7.
Do not mix instructions from the two channels. Confirm the channel and current document list with DRVS before obtaining notarization.
| Channel | Form handling | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Complete VS-7 | Signatures must be notarized |
| VitalChek online | Follow online workflow | Paper VS-7 may not be required |
The 90-Day Fee and Evidence Split
For requests made within 90 days of the event, Maine lists no correction fee. If the applicant needs a certified copy of the corrected record, the copy fee is $15.
For requests made more than 90 days after the event, Maine lists a $60 fee and generally requires two supporting documents that are five years old or older. DRVS decides whether the submitted evidence supports the requested correction.
- Confirm the record type and requested correction
- Choose the paper VS-7 or VitalChek online pathway
- Apply the within-90-days or over-90-days requirements
- Keep the paper VS-7 unsigned until the notarial session
- Send the correction to DRVS, not the municipality
- Confirm RON acceptance before booking
Municipal Clerk May Witness; DRVS Processes
A municipal clerk may witness a VS-7 signature. That convenience does not transfer correction-processing authority to the town or city office.
The municipality does not process the correction. Submit the completed materials to DRVS according to the current form instructions.
Ready to notarize a Maine VS-7?
If you have the current unsigned paper VS-7, understand that notarization does not approve the correction, and will confirm recipient acceptance of remote online notarization, start with a commissioned U.S. online notary.
Important Limits
Notary ≠ amendment approval. iRemoteNotary does not issue Maine vital records, decide eligibility, process corrections, or guarantee DRVS acceptance.
For authentication after obtaining a certified record, see online notarized document and apostille.
Frequently asked questions
Do all VS-7 signatures need notarization?
The paper VS-7 states that signatures must be notarized. Follow its current signer instructions.
What changes after 90 days?
Within 90 days there is no correction fee, with a $15 certified copy if needed. After 90 days the fee is $60 and Maine generally requires two documents five years old or older.
Does VitalChek require the paper VS-7?
Not necessarily. Maine presents VitalChek as a separate online correction path that may not require the paper VS-7. Follow the selected channel's current instructions.
Does notarization approve the correction?
No. DRVS reviews and processes the request. Notarization is not amendment approval.
Can I use remote online notarization for VS-7?
Only if DRVS accepts a remotely notarized VS-7 for your submission. Confirm before booking. Recipient confirmation is required.
Related pages
Sources and Official References
The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.
Amend, Correct, or Complete Vital Records(opens in a new tab)
Maine Division of Public Health Systems / DRVS
Accessed September 21, 2026
Application to Correct a Vital Record in Maine (VS-7)(opens in a new tab)
Maine Division of Public Health Systems / DRVS
Accessed September 21, 2026
Maine paper VS-7 ready?
Use the current unsigned VS-7, match the 90-day fee and evidence rules, remember that DRVS—not the municipality—processes the correction, and confirm remote online notarization acceptance before booking.