Baxter State Park Weddings
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Baxter State Park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park, located in Piscataquis County in north-central Maine. It was established in 1931, and has grown to over 200,000 acres (800 km²) in size. The park is home to the state's highest peak, Katahdin. The number of visitors has been declining in the 21st century, from 75,000 in 2000 to 55,000 in 2005.
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Baxter State Park Weddings
Traditions
Marriage License Requirements
In most circumstances you may apply for a marriage license at any ME county clerk office where you plan to be married. These offices are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the procedures you must follow to obtain your license.
Cost of License
- What is the cost of a marriage license?
The marriage license fee is $20.00 dollars.
Residency Requirements
- What are the residency requirements for Maine?
None. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Maine to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide.
Waiting Period
- Is there a waiting period from the application date to the date the license is issued?
Yes, there is a mandatory 3 day waiting period. In most states, the waiting period does not include Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. In some instances, the day the application is filed is not included within the waiting period.
- Is there a waiting period from the date the license is issued to the date I am allowed to marry?
No, you can marry immediately after receiving your license.
Age Requirement
- What is the minimum age a man or woman may marry?
You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
- What if one or both of us is younger than 18?
If either partner is under 18, parental consent forms must be signed. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.
Blood Tests and Physical Exams
- Are blood tests and physical exams required?
No blood test or physical exam is required.
License Expires
- How long does a marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?
Your license will expire 90 days from the date it is issued.
Divorced and Widowed Applicants
- What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?
If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. A copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered online.
How Do I Legally Change My Name?
- What's the process of legally changing my last name after marriage?
Following your wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This certificate will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need when you begin the process of notifying several goverment agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).
We have created a legal name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding can be considerably convenient.
Miscellaneous Questions
- Are proxy marriages legal?
No, marriage by proxy is not allowed.
- Are cousin marriages legal?
Yes, cousin marriages are allowed.
- Are common law marriages legal?
No, common-law marriages are not allowed.
- Are same sex marriages legal?
No, same-sex marriages are not allowed.
Why Baxter State Park?
How To Get There
This park in northern Maine, 160 mi/260 km northeast of Portland, is a beautiful and vast wilderness preserve centering on Mount Katahdin (a rock-topped peak towering 5,267 ft/1,605 m—Maine's highest point). It is reputed to be the best place to meet a moose, the state animal. It's also a good place to see bear, deer and even transplanted caribou, and you can also enjoy excellent fishing, mountain climbing and hiking trails. Mount Katahdin is also the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia along the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. (64 Balsam Drive. Phone 207-723-5140. Baxter State Park[1]).
Starting near the northwest corner of Baxter State Park is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (Phone 207-941-4014. Maine.gov[2]). The Allagash is part of the new Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-mi/1,191-km watertrail that passes through Maine, New Hampshire, Quebec, Vermont and New York. If you're into canoeing and rafting, don't miss this 90-mi/145-km strip of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in a remote refuge known for its white water.
Insider tips
Best Time To Go
Climate
Local Weather Information
Baxter State Park uses the Caribou Forcast from the following website for local Park weather: www.erh.noaa.gov/er/car
All users of Baxter State Park are urged to call or stop at Park Headquarters in Millinocket, or the closest occupied Ranger Station, for weather forecast and classification information.
It is the policy of Baxter State Park to permit climbing on Katahdin as many days as possible. While Katahdin should be closed during hazardous weather conditions, it should not be closed when conditions are not truly hazardous.
Weather Condition Classification for Hiking and Day Use May 15th to October 15th
Class 1 Open. Weather conditions favorable for day use and climbing.
Class 2 Open but not recommended for climbing. Weather conditions favorable but changing.
Class 3 Open but not recommended; one or more trails closed, trails closed to be named by Ranger when setting the class day.
Class 4 Mandatory closure of all trails at the trailheads.
[The Ranger at Chimney Pond is responsible for determining the class day of Katahdin.]
The Park Uses a color code to classify winter weather conditions:
- Green = Favorable Conditions
- Yellow = Favorable but Deteriorating Conditions
- Red = Park use is restricted or terminated when: Actual temperature is -30o F or colder; Wind chill is -35o F or colder*; Rain/sleet conditions exist; or Major snow storm in progress.
On code red days campers in outlying campgrounds may be restricted to bunkhouse facilities.
BSP's wind chill chart and code red wind chill temperature have been updated to reflect the National Weather Services new wind chill formulas.
One outdoor thermometer and one wind chill chart are necessary equipment for winter camping parties.