DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you know if Maine recognizes common law marriage? How would one find out? — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: No, Maine does not recognize common law marriage established within the state. You must have a formal license and ceremony for a legal marriage, but Maine will recognize a valid common law marriage if it was legally established in another state that permits them. 

For unmarried couples in Maine, the Maine Judicial Branch website (https://www.courts.maine.gov/) suggests exploring domestic partnerships, which offer some, but not all, of the benefits of marriage and are easier to enter and end. 

To qualify for a domestic partnership, the partners must both be mentally competent adults who have been legally domiciled together in Maine for the preceding 12 months.

This covers the right to inherit your partner’s property, to make funeral and burial arrangements for your partner, to be guardian or conservator of your partner’s property if they are incapacitated, to visit your partner in the hospital, the right for you and your children to get health insurance through your partner’s job if they offer a domestic partner insurance policy, to take up to 10 weeks of unpaid leave to care for your partner or their children if they are seriously ill or dying, and the right to submit your partner’s absentee ballot.

You can register your domestic partnership by visiting the Maine Domestic Partner Registry at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/vital-records/marriage-and-domestic-partnership. You’ll need to fill out a form and have it notarized (sign it in front of a notary public). Then submit your form and the $50 processing fee. 

If you can’t afford the fee, you may be able to have your fee waived. Send this form to Vital Records, 11 State House Station, 220 Capitol St., Augusta, ME 04333-0011.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I noticed a few weeks ago that there was a submission in Sun Spots asking about where to bring old newspapers with headlines. 

I have a pile myself that I would love to rehome properly. If you could please forward any contacts you may have, it would be greatly appreciated. — Angie, no town

ANSWER: I do have a contact who is a librarian and historian but need more information from you first so we don’t waste his time or yours. I’m truly not picking on you but I’m using your letter to emphasize what is needed when a reader has a request to receive an item or give something away. These requirements go like this: please be sure to include your town and your phone number (I won’t publish the number without your permission.) And give a detailed description of what you are giving or seeking. 

In this case, please tell us the era(s) the newspapers cover, what some of the headlines are, about how many papers you have, and what condition they’re in. 

If there are any Sun Spotters who want to know more about this opportunity, let me know! 

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].