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Maine · RecordingMaine deeds: who can take the acknowledgment and the flat recording fee

A Maine deed has to be acknowledged before the registry of deeds will record it. Deeds and other written instruments, apart from listed exceptions such as court-issued instruments, plans, foreclosure notices and certain tax lien notices, must be acknowledged by the grantors or persons executing them, or one of them, or their attorney – within Maine before a notary public or an attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Maine; elsewhere in the United States before a clerk of a court of record having a seal, a notary public or an authorized commissioner; and abroad before a U.S. minister, vice-consul or consul or a notary public (33 M.R.S. §203). Members of the Armed Forces may acknowledge before the commissioned officers the section lists (§203). The register's fee for receiving, recording and indexing an instrument with no specific fee is a flat $35 per instrument recorded at the request of anyone other than the State or a municipality, which pay $25; plans cost $45 (33 M.R.S. §751(1), (9)).

What the statutes set

  1. Acknowledgment required (§203)

    Before recording, by a grantor or signer, or their attorney.

  2. In Maine (§203)

    Before a notary public or a Maine attorney-at-law.

  3. Elsewhere (§203)

    A court clerk, notary or commissioner; abroad, a U.S. consular officer or notary.

  4. Fee (§751(1))

    $35 per instrument for private parties; $25 for the State or a municipality.

What the TC checks before a Maine deed goes to the registry

  • Confirm who will take the acknowledgment – a notary or a Maine attorney – for each signer.
  • For signers abroad or out of state, line up an officer the statute lists.
  • Budget $35 for each instrument recorded and list it on the settlement statement.

Questions about Maine deeds and recording

Who can notarize a Maine deed inside Maine?

A notary public or an attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Maine (33 M.R.S. §203).

How much does it cost to record a deed in Maine?

A flat $35 per instrument recorded at the request of a private party, where no specific fee applies (33 M.R.S. §751(1)(B)).

Related guides

Add the acknowledgment and the recording fee to the closing checklist on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: 33 M.R.S. §§203, 751 (legislature.maine.gov), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.