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Divorce Residency Requirements in Maine

In Maine, the filing spouse generally must have lived in the state in good faith for 6 months, with shorter paths if the spouses married in Maine, lived there when the cause arose, or the other spouse lives there; irreconcilable marital differences is a ground.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maine at a glance

State residency
6 months (exceptions apply)
No 6 month period applies if the plaintiff lives in Maine and the spouses married there or lived there when the cause arose, or if the defendant lives in Maine.
No-fault ground
Irreconcilable marital differences
If the other spouse denies it, the court may require both spouses to attend counseling.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maine

How long must you live in Maine before filing for divorce?

State residency in Maine: 6 months (exceptions apply). No 6 month period applies if the plaintiff lives in Maine and the spouses married there or lived there when the cause arose, or if the defendant lives in Maine.

What is the no-fault ground for divorce in Maine?

No-fault ground in Maine: Irreconcilable marital differences. If the other spouse denies it, the court may require both spouses to attend counseling.

Where do the Maine divorce residency requirements come from?

The rules above come from 19-A M.R.S. 901 and 19-A M.R.S. 902. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Residency is about where a spouse actually lives and intends to stay, not just a mailing address. Courts may look at a driver's license, voter registration, a lease or deed, tax filings and employment records. Keeping copies of these documents can help if residency is questioned.

Meeting the residency requirement is separate from any waiting period after filing. Some states also require a period of separation before a no-fault divorce, or a cooling-off period before the final decree. Checking all of these timelines together gives a more realistic picture of when a divorce can be finalized.

Military members and their spouses often have special residency rules based on where they are stationed. If the spouses live in different states, more than one court may be able to hear the divorce, and the choice can affect issues like property division and support. A local family law attorney can confirm where to file.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.