Town Clerk

Contact: Tina Magno, Town Clerk
Email: townclerk@bowdoinham.com
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs, Fri.: 8:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.; Weds: 11:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.
Phone: 207-666-5531 Fax: 207-666-5532

Motor Vehicle Registration
Dog Licenses
Marriage License
Birth Certificates
Death Certificates 
Hunting Licenses
Fishing Licenses

Tina Magno is Bowdoinham's Town Clerk and is considered the keeper of all Town Records. There is extensive information available here that should be of interest to the citizens of Bowdoinham and others.  She is also available to notarize your documents free of charge in addition to her town clerk duties.

See the documents list at the bottom of the page for details on specific applications or topics.


New Pine Tree Plate unveiled by BMV

 

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Deputy Secretary of State for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Cathie Curtis unveiled the design of the new Pine Tree Plate today.

 “The new Pine Tree Plate is a fresh approach to a classic design rooted in Maine history, but the ultimate purpose of license plates is for vehicle identification to ensure public safety on our roads and highways” said Secretary Bellows. “Damaged or worn out plates on our roadways increase risks to the general public, and worn-out plates reduce law enforcement’s ability to be effective when handling crimes that could be prevented or solved through the identification of license plates.”

 The current standard-issue plate, the Chickadee Plate, has been in circulation for almost 25 years. 

 “The Chickadee Plate will see over 900,000 replacements between May of 2025, and May 2026, a huge logistical undertaking coordinated by BMV staff, our municipal partners, and Waldale Manufacturing,” said Deputy Secretary Curtis. “Mainers who want to reserve their current plate numbers, including vanity plates and low-digit plates, should know that right now, they don’t need to act – but we’ll be starting a reservation process later this spring.”

 In accordance with LD 1965, “An Act to Authorize the Secretary of State to Provide a New General Issue of License Plates,” which became law last year, there are two new plate designs: One with the Pine Tree and North Star and one plain plate with blue identification number and letter combinations. Samples of the designs are attached.

 Mary Catus, an employee in the Department of the Secretary of State, donated the design of the Pine Tree Plate to the State of Maine for use on the plate.

 Waldale Manufacturing, a Nova Scotia company, has been contracted to manufacture the Pine Tree License Plates during this new general plate issuance.

 Mainers who wish to replace peeling or otherwise deteriorating plates can, and should, do so, but too often scofflaws find that they can avoid doing so – and avoid paying registration fees or tolls. BMV’s current registrations tracking system doesn’t have a mechanism to see how long a registration plate has been in use. Issuing a new design ensures fairness to law abiding Maine drivers.

 Mainers who have a specialty plate will not be impacted by the change to the Pine Tree Plate. Specialty plates include the Agriculture and Conservation plates, among others.

 Chickadee Plates that are returned to municipal offices and BMV branch offices will be retrieved by BMV staff and recycled.

 

Motor Vehicle Registration

REGISTERING A PASSENGER VEHICLE

Dealer Purchased Passenger Vehicle | Documents needed:

  • Bill of Sale from dealer (indicates sales tax & title was paid to dealer)
  • Title application (if vehicle is 25 years or newer)
  • Evidence of insurance
  • Mileage

Private Sale Purchased Passenger Vehicle | Documents needed:

  • Signed bill of sale by owner(s) listed on title.
  • Title, if the vehicle is 25 years or newer, signed over to new owner from the previous owner(s)
  • Evidence of insurance
  • Mileage

Renew a Passenger Vehicle Registration | Documents needed:

  • Evidence of insurance
  • Mileage

The Town of Bowdoinham participates in Rapid Renewal (online vehicle registration): www.SOSonline.org


Dog Licenses

 

$6.00 per year for spayed/neutered dogs

$11.00 per year for dogs not spayed/neutered

$25.00 late fee after January 31st of each year  

All dogs 6 months and older must have a license.  In order to obtain a license for your dog, the owner must provide a current State of Maine Rabies Certificate.   If your dog has been spayed or neutered please bring that certificate with you.

WHAT DOG LICENSES PAY FOR

Your dog licensing fees support:

  • Local Animal Control Officers and State Humane Agents
  • Investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws
  • Compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs
  • Care for sick and injured stray animals
  • Return of lost dogs to their owners

CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG

All dog waste must be disposed of properly. It's easy to do and helps keep our city sidewalks and waterfront clean and free of disease. Dog feces placed in town garbage cans should be contained within some type of plastic bag.

Register Your Dog Online


Marriage License

Where to apply for a Marriage License:

Maine residents must apply in the town where at last one of the applications resides. The license is valid in any town/city in Maine for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed. Please note for couples who reside in different towns/cities within the State of Maine shall record notice of their intentions in the office of the clerk of the municipality in which at least one of them resides.

If one of the applicants is a Maine resident, and the finance resides out of state, the couple must apply in the town of the Maine resident. The license is valid in any town/city in Maine for a period of 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

Out of State residents must file their intentions in any municipal office. Once their intentions are filed and the license is valid, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State of Maine. The license is valid for 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

ONCE the ceremony has taken place and the officiant has returned the completed license to the issuing clerk a certified copy of the marriage license may be requested using the Request Form.

Fees for certified copies are: $15.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Certified copies are needed for name changes on many documents such as Social Security, Driver’s License, bank accounts, insurance, and others.

Intention of Marriage

1. The couple must complete an Intention of Marriage Form either at the Town Clerk’s office or by mail. (Notarized signatures are required if by mail).  The completed Intention of Marriage form must be filed at the Clerk’s office. The marriage license is immediately issued and is valid for 90 days from the date the intentions are filed.

Filing Fee: $40.00

Previous Marriage(s)

If either of the applicants have been previously married, a certified copy of the death or divorce decree, whichever ended the previous marriage must be present to the Town Clerk for review.

Note: Unless a person provides a certified copy of a waiver of their right to appeal, there is a 21 day waiting period before a person can be remarried in the State of Maine following a Maine divorce.

2. The completed Intention of Marriage, filing fee and certified death/divorce decree(s) if applicable.

3. Both of the applicants must appear in person to the Town Clerk prior to the ceremony, to sign the marriage license.

4. The marriage license is completed by the officiant. Legally qualified to perform a marriage in Maine, and signed by two witnesses. The officiant reruns the license to the Town Clerk for filing.
 


Birth Certificate

You may purchase a certified copy of a birth record either in person or through the mail. The mother had to have been living in the Town of Bowdoinham at the time of the birth. You may purchase a certified copy of a birth record either in person or through the mail.

To order a certified copy complete the Request Form. You will also have to provide a copy of a photo ID. It is $15 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional certified copy of the same record, ordered at the same time. Make checks payable to the Town of Bowdoinham, please do not send cash in the mail. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.  

Mailing Address:
Town of Bowdoinham
Attn:  Town Clerk
13 School Street
Bowdoinham, Maine  04008

Please note: Each Municipality records and maintains its own birth records. Birth records are available at the Town Clerk’s Office where the child was born or where the mother lived at the time of the birth and at the Augusta Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you are not certain of the Place of Birth you may call the Office of Vital Statistics at 207-287-3184. The Town of Bowdoinham has birth records from1792 to present.


Death Certificate 

You may purchase a certified copy of a death record either in person or through the mail. The deceased had to have been living in the Town of Bowdoinham at the time of death or passed away in Bowdoinham. You may purchase a certified copy of a death record either in person or through the mail.

To order a certified copy complete the Request Form. You will also have to provide a copy of a photo ID. It is $15 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional certified copy of the same record, ordered at the same time. Make checks payable to the Town of Bowdoinham Please do not send cash in the mail. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.  

Mailing Address:
Town of Bowdoinham
Attn:  Town Clerk
13 School Street
Bowdoinham, Maine  04008

The Town of Bowdoinham has death records from 1792 to present.


Hunting Licenses

Applicants for an adult hunting license must show proof of having previously held an adult license to hunt with firearms in any year beginning with 1976 or successful completion of an approved hunter safety course.  Residents must provide proof of residency.


Fishing Licenses

Any resident of this state 16 years of age and older must purchase a license in order to fish in inland waters.

Hunting and Fishing licenses can now be purchased online.

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