Adopting a Municipal Seal

Training for: Legal Notes

Question: Can we adopt a municipal seal, and if so, how?

Answer: Maine law (30-A M.R.S.A. § 2002) has long authorized municipalities to adopt corporate seals, and many have done so. Municipal seals are commonly used to identify official documents, municipal vehicles and municipal websites, among other things. Municipal seals are also often a source of great pride, incorporating iconic local scenes, symbols and sayings.

The law authorizes the municipal “body corporate” to adopt a seal, and we interpret this as empowering the municipal legislative body (town meeting or town or city council) to do so on behalf of the municipality. Otherwise, there is no recognized legal authority by which the body corporate can act.

Incidentally, it is illegal to use or display an imitation, likeness, imprint, representation, facsimile or copy of a municipal seal without written permission from the municipal clerk (see 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2006). A municipality may sue to enjoin any person from using or displaying a municipal seal without permission. The unauthorized use of a municipal seal is also a Class E crime.

If a municipality wishes to adopt or revise its seal, we recommend a manageably-sized special committee, with perhaps some professional design assistance, for best results.

For a sampler of Maine municipal seals (among other things), do a Google image search using that phrase. (By R.P.F.)

Question: Can we adopt a municipal seal, and if so, how?

Answer: Maine law (30-A M.R.S.A. § 2002) has long authorized municipalities to adopt corporate seals, and many have done so. Municipal seals are commonly used to identify official documents, municipal vehicles and municipal websites, among other things. Municipal seals are also often a source of great pride, incorporating iconic local scenes, symbols and sayings.

The law authorizes the municipal “body corporate” to adopt a seal, and we interpret this as empowering the municipal legislative body (town meeting or town or city council) to do so on behalf of the municipality. Otherwise, there is no recognized legal authority by which the body corporate can act.

Incidentally, it is illegal to use or display an imitation, likeness, imprint, representation, facsimile or copy of a municipal seal without written permission from the municipal clerk (see 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2006). A municipality may sue to enjoin any person from using or displaying a municipal seal without permission. The unauthorized use of a municipal seal is also a Class E crime.

If a municipality wishes to adopt or revise its seal, we recommend a manageably-sized special committee, with perhaps some professional design assistance, for best results.

For a sampler of Maine municipal seals (among other things), do a Google image search using that phrase. (By R.P.F.)