Maine · Serving papers · Updated Oct 2026

Serving divorce papers in Maine

How your spouse gets the divorce papers in Maine: who can deliver the papers, how your spouse can accept or waive service, the deadline to respond, what happens without a response and the law.

Quick answer

Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff. Time to respond: Generally 20 days after service; the deadline is stated on the Family Matters Summons you receive.

Time to respond
20 days after service
Accept or waive service
Yes
Law
M.R. Civ. P. 4, 12; Maine Judicial Branch (How to Start a Divorce)

How papers are served in Maine

  • Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff.
  • You must get the official 'Family Matters Summons and Preliminary Injunction' from the clerk.

Law: M.R. Civ. P. 4, 12; Maine Judicial Branch (How to Start a Divorce)

Deadline to respond and default

Generally 20 days after service; the deadline is stated on the Family Matters Summons you receive.

If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Serving your spouse in Maine, step by step

  1. File your papers first

    File with the Maine District Court. Service comes after filing.

  2. Serve the papers

    You must get the official 'Family Matters Summons and Preliminary Injunction' from the clerk.

  3. Or have your spouse sign

    Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff.

  4. File proof of service

    File the proof of service with the court.

  5. Watch the deadline

    Generally 20 days after service; the deadline is stated on the Family Matters Summons you receive.

  6. If there is no response

    If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask the judge for a default judgment.

Questions about serving divorce papers in Maine

How do you serve divorce papers in Maine?

Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff. You must get the official 'Family Matters Summons and Preliminary Injunction' from the clerk.

Can my spouse accept or waive service in Maine?

Three common ways: (1) hand or mail the papers to your spouse and have them sign and return an Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-036); (2) certified mail, restricted delivery; or (3) a sheriff.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Maine?

Generally 20 days after service; the deadline is stated on the Family Matters Summons you receive.

More about divorce in Maine

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Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.