Town Clerk

Note: Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death) can also be ordered through the State of Maine Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics | MeCDC | Maine DHHS

Auto Registration

Re-registering your auto can be done at the Town Office or online at State of Maine Rapid Renewal (Link https://apps1.web.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal/ ). If you come in to the office, we will need the following:

Proof of Vehicle Insurance
Old Registration
Mileage

Purchased a new vehicle from a dealer? We will need:

Blue Title Application Form
Bill of Sale showing purchase price and sales tax
Proof of Vehicle Insurance
Current Mileage

Private Sale purchases require:

Bill of Sale with date, price, VIN, vehicle description, and signatures of both buyer and seller
Title if vehicle is newer than 1995
Proof of Vehicle Insurance
Current Mileage

Transferring your auto registration from your vehicle to a new/newer vehicle requires that you MUST also bring in the registration of the vehicle you are transferring from.

Moving from another state and registering a vehicle in Maine requires:

Vehicle registration from previous state (Current)
Proof of Vehicle Insurance in Maine
Title if vehicle is newer than 1995
Current Mileage
Lien holder information paperwork (if applicable)

Please note:

Vehicle registrations expire a year from when an auto is registered (unless you are transferring).

Ellsworth branch BMV

Hours are 8:00 - 4:30 M-F

Phone: (207)667-9363 (available 8:30 - 4:30)

FAX: (207) 667-0048

22 School Street, Ellsworth ME 04605

EXPIRATION DATES:

TRAILERS: Can be registered for 1 or 2 years, same month, except over 2000 lb.
Trailers expire in Feb. (1 or 2 years)
BOATS: Expire Dec. 31st
ATVs: Expire June 30th
SNOWMOBILES: Expire June 30t
MOTORCYCLES: Expire March 31 of every year, except antique

Boat Registration

All boats with motors and some other vessels must be registered.

For more information on boating in Maine and how to register, pay excise tax and renew your registration, see:

Fishing & Boating: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

ATV/Snowmobile - IFW ATV & Snowmobile Registration | Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Hunting and Fishing in Sorrento

Recreational/commercial fishing and hunting require licenses.

Information can be found at the Town Office and permits can be applied for online.

IFW Hunting & Fishing Licenses | Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Saltwater fishing:

Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing | Department of Marine Resources

Commercial Fishing | Department of Marine Resources

Inland fishing:

Licenses & Permits: Fishing: Fishing & Boating: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Hunting:

Hunting Licenses and Permits: Laws & Rules: Hunting: Hunting & Trapping: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Recreational Shellfish License

Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Conservation

The towns of Ellsworth, Franklin, Hancock, Lamoine, Sorrento, Sullivan, and Trenton

act collaboratively as stewards to preserve, protect, manage, and enhance the shellfish resources and ecological well-being of the Frenchman’s Bay Region and to ensure a sustainable harvest of shellfish and opportunity for those who make their living on the tide.

Recreational shellfish licenses are available for sale at the Sorrento Town Office.

Commercial harvesters licenses must be purchased at the Franklin Town Office.

34 Main Street

Franklin ME 04634

207 565-3663

https://www.franklinmaine.com/frenchmans-bay-shellfish/

Taxes

Real estate or property taxes can be paid in person at the Town Office or by phone or through the mail. If you pay by credit card, there is a processing fee.

Unpaid taxes after due date are subject to interest.

Unpaid taxes after a designated date after commitment are subject to a property tax lien.

See Property Taxes page for more info.

Absentee ballots may be obtained in person at the Town Office or by writing or calling the Town Office.

Notary Services are available in the Town Office.

Dog Licensing

All dogs kept within Sorrento town limits must be licensed for the coming year on or before January 1st. If you no longer own a dog that was registered last year, please email TownOffice@SorrentoMaine.org to update our records.

M.R.S.A. Title 7, Sect. 3921

License Necessary: A dog may not be kept within the State, unless the dog has been licensed by its owner or keeper in accordance with the laws of this state.

M.R.S.A. Title 7, Sect. 3922

Each owner or keeper of a dog at the age of 6 months or more, on or before January 1st of each year, shall obtain a license.

2. A Clerk may not issue a license for a dog until the applicant has filed with the clerk proof that the dog has been immunized against rabies.

Late Fees: An owner or keeper required to license a dog under Section 3922, Subsection 1 or Section 3923-C, Subsection 1 and applying for a license for that dog after January 31st shall pay to the municipal clerk’s office, a late fee of $25.00 in addition to the annual license fee paid. As per the State, the town cannot waive late fees.

New tags are available in the Sorrento town office.

The 2024 fee is $6 for neutered/spayed… $11 for unaltered dogs.

***When licensing your dog in the town office, you must bring with you your dog’s rabies certificate showing the tag number and date of expiration and your certificate of proof of spay or neuter, unless these are current and already on file at the Town Office.

Note: The State allows through the end of January to complete dog registrations. A state mandated late fee of $25 per dog is imposed effective February 1st. This fee cannot be waived by the municipality.

All dogs must be on a leash or under their keeper’s voice control and may not run at large.

Online licensing is available October 15th through January 31st (there is an additional $1 added to the fee that is used to develop, maintain, and enhance this online service as well as the State's official web portal Maine.gov, and Maine.gov online services like this one). This online service is operated without any state government funding.

State of Maine Dog Licensing Online Purchasing & Renewal Service You will need to pick up your tags after registering, at the town office. Please bring your paid receipt.