Health departments in Maine are organized differently from those in most other states. Maine has no county health departments, so public health work is shared among the state Department of Health and Human Services, a few city health offices, and a local health officer in every town. Our directory lists seven offices in Augusta, Bangor, Portland, and Calais. This page explains which office handles what, so you can make the right call the first time.

How Public Health Is Organized in Maine

The legal foundation is Title 22 of the Maine Revised Statutes, which covers health and welfare. It gives the state, acting through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), broad authority over disease reporting, immunization, vital records, and environmental health. It also requires each municipality to appoint a local health officer, who responds to nuisance complaints and local health hazards.

Maine has 16 counties, but they do not operate health departments. County government here focuses on the sheriff's office, the jail, and the registries of deeds and probate. That is why the county pages in this directory point you to the city or state office that serves the area, not to a county health agency.

To bridge that gap, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) divides the state into nine public health districts. Each district has a coordinating council made up of hospitals, health centers, municipalities, and nonprofits. One of the nine, the Wabanaki Public Health District, serves Maine's federally recognized tribal communities. These councils plan regional programs, but they do not replace the offices where you actually receive service.

In practice, your first call depends on your need. A restaurant complaint, a flu shot, a birth certificate, and a rental health hazard may each go to a different office. The sections below sort them out.

What the State Handles From Augusta

The State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services is listed at 221 State Street in Augusta, phone 207-287-3707. Maine CDC is part of DHHS, and most statewide public health programs run through it. Call before you travel, because many state services are handled by phone, mail, or online instead of at a front counter.

State-level responsibilities include:

DHHS also runs MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, along with food assistance and cash benefit programs. Those are benefits offices, not clinics. If you need a checkup, a screening, or a vaccine, a local health center, a hospital clinic, or a city health office is usually the better choice.

City Health Offices in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and Calais

Cities are where Maine residents are most likely to find a local public health presence. Four cities host the offices in our database, and each serves a very different kind of area.

Portland and Cumberland County

Portland has two listings. The Portland Health Department is at 103 India St, phone 207-874-8791. The Portland Public Health Division is at 389 Congress Street, phone 207-874-8784. Portland is Maine's largest city, and Cumberland County is the most populous county in the state. Because two offices appear, call one number and ask which office handles your request, whether that is a clinic service, a community program, or a complaint.

Bangor and Penobscot County

Bangor lists two offices at the same address, 103 Texas Avenue. The Bangor Health Department answers at 207-992-4549. The Bangor Department Of Health And Community Services answers at 207-992-4530. Bangor is the main hub for central and northern Maine, and many people from across Penobscot County and beyond travel here for care. A shared address usually means shared staff, so try either number and ask to be transferred if needed.

Augusta and Kennebec County

Augusta is the state capital, so it hosts both a city office and the state agency. The Augusta Health Department is at 35 Anthony Avenue, phone 207-624-8050. The state DHHS office is separate and sits on State Street. In Kennebec County, ask the city office about local concerns and the state about statewide programs such as WIC, immunization records, or vital records. Mixing the two up is the most common reason people are sent back and forth.

Calais and Washington County

The Calais Health Department is at 392 South Street, phone 207-454-9000. Calais sits on the St. Croix River across from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, at the far eastern edge of the state. Washington County is rural, with long distances between towns, so a phone call can save a long drive. This is the only listing in the county, which makes it an important first contact for local questions.

Rural and Urban Maine: Why Service Levels Differ

Maine is one of the most rural states in the country and has one of the oldest populations. Those two facts shape public health. In southern Maine, Portland offers a dense network of hospitals, clinics, and community groups. In Washington County and much of northern Maine, one health center or hospital may serve several towns, and the nearest city office may be an hour or more away.

Small towns usually do not have a full-time health department. The local health officer there is often a part-time appointee who sometimes holds another municipal job. That person can look into a nuisance, follow up on a complaint about an unsanitary property, or point you to the right state program. Contact the town office and ask for the local health officer by title.

Private wells are another Maine-specific issue. Many households rely on well water, and arsenic and radon occur naturally in parts of the state's bedrock. No city health office tests your well for you, so the state laboratory and private labs matter. Tick-borne disease is also a seasonal concern, especially in coastal and southern areas, and Maine CDC publishes guidance on prevention each spring.

Before You Call or Visit a Maine Health Office

A few preparation steps save time at any of these offices. Bring a photo ID and proof of your address. If you are seeking immunization records, bring any prior paperwork and ask whether your provider entered the shots in the state registry. If you have MaineCare or private insurance, bring the card. Some clinic services are billed to insurance, while others may be offered at reduced cost, so ask when you call.

Office hours, appointment rules, and clinic days change. Confirm them by phone before you go. City offices generally keep weekday business hours, but vaccine clinics and special programs often run only on set days.

For emergencies, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988. For a suspected poisoning, the national Poison Help line is 1-800-222-1222. For help finding local services, dial 211. If your town is not on our list, call the municipal office and ask for the local health officer. Then use the county pages above to find the nearest listed office in your part of Maine.

The health department network in Maine consists of the state health agency and a system of county and city health departments that together deliver public health programs, disease surveillance, and preventive services to residents statewide.

Health Departments locations are available in 4 cities across Maine. They are spread across 4 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Augusta, Portland, Bangor, which operate full-service health departments providing comprehensive clinical and environmental health services to large urban populations.

Residents of Maine can access their local health department for vaccinations, vital records, food inspection reports, and communicable disease information. Many services are available by appointment, and some are walk-in friendly.

Health Departments by Counties

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Residents of Maine can order certified birth and death certificates, check restaurant inspection scores, and access free or low-cost vaccination services through their local health department. Most departments offer online appointment scheduling for clinical services.

Browse Health Departments by county across Maine to find the nearest location.

Seasonal Health Concerns and Local Services in Maine

Public health demands in Maine follow the calendar. Autumn brings flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics at city offices, pharmacies, and health centers in places like Portland, Bangor, and Augusta. Spring and summer bring tick season, when Maine CDC reminds residents to check for ticks after time outdoors and to watch for symptoms such as an expanding rash. Winter adds heating hazards, including carbon monoxide, which is a real concern in older homes across the state.

Housing is another everyday issue. Maine has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, which raises concerns about lead paint, mold, and failing heating systems. The state's schedule calls for lead testing at ages one and two, and your child's doctor can arrange it. If a rental has a health hazard, tell your landlord in writing first, then contact your city or town health officer.

Eastern Maine presents a different picture. In Calais and the rest of Washington County, distance is the main barrier, so telehealth, mobile clinics, and community health centers carry much of the load. Whatever your location, the offices in this directory are best used as a starting point. Staff can tell you what they handle, what belongs to the state, and where to go next.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Departments in Maine

Start with your town or city office. Maine expects every municipality to appoint a local health officer, and the municipal clerk or town manager can tell you who holds the role and how to reach them. Local health officers receive training through Maine CDC, so the state can also help if your town office is unsure. When you call, describe the problem briefly, such as a failed septic system, an unsanitary property, or an unsafe rental. Health officers handle specific nuisance and hazard complaints and may refer other matters elsewhere.

No. Maine's 16 counties do not run health departments. Public health is delivered by Maine CDC within the Department of Health and Human Services, by a few city departments such as those in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and Calais, and by local health officers in individual towns. Maine CDC's nine public health districts cover regions and coordinate planning, but they are not walk-in clinics. If you live in Kennebec, Penobscot, Cumberland, or Washington County, start with the listed city office nearest you, or call the state office in Augusta at 207-287-3707.

Portland lists two offices: the Portland Health Department at 207-874-8791 and the Portland Public Health Division at 207-874-8784. Call either one and explain the issue. Complaints about mold, heat, or pests in a rental may be routed to a separate housing or code enforcement office. Maine's warranty of habitability law requires landlords to keep rental units fit to live in. Written notice to your landlord, with dates and photos, strengthens any complaint. For restaurants, ask whether the city or the state inspects the business before you file.

You can request one from the municipal clerk in the town where the birth or death occurred, or from the state vital records office run by Maine CDC in Augusta. Expect to show photo ID and, for recent records, a direct and legitimate interest, such as being the person named, a parent, or a legal representative. Fees and processing times vary by office and method, so confirm them before applying. The state also accepts mail and online requests, which helps if you live far from Augusta.

Not for required school vaccines. A Maine law passed in 2019 removed religious and philosophical exemptions, and voters upheld it in a March 2020 referendum. The change took effect in September 2021. Medical exemptions remain available with a signed statement from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. The rule applies to students in public and private schools and childcare, and to employees of designated health care facilities. Ask the school nurse or your doctor for your child's records and the current required schedule.

Many Maine homes rely on private wells, and no agency tests them automatically. The Maine CDC Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory in Augusta offers water test kits, and private accredited labs do as well. Maine CDC recommends testing for arsenic, bacteria, and other common contaminants, and radon testing is also advised. Test a new well right away, then retest every few years or after flooding or a change in taste or smell. Ask the lab how to collect the sample, since the wrong container can spoil results.