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Maine Blue Paper MH-100.A: Emergency Admission

Maine's Blue Paper (MH-100.A) is the application for emergency involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital under 34-B M.R.S. section 3863. A clinician meets it when asked to do the certifying examination of someone an applicant believes is mentally ill and poses a likelihood of serious harm. The form has three sections: the application, the certifying examination, and judicial review and endorsement.

Who completes it

Any health officer, law enforcement officer or other person completes Section 1, the application. The certifying examiner completes Section 2 and checks one qualification: licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, certified psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner or licensed clinical psychologist. A judge or justice of the peace completes Section 3.

Submitting and payment

How to submit it
After Section 2, the applicant must immediately present the form to a Superior Court justice, District Court judge, Judge of Probate or justice of the peace for endorsement. Once endorsed, it goes with the person to the psychiatric hospital.

Good to know

  • When a psychiatric hospital is named in Section 1, the certifying examination must take place no more than two days before admission. Section 2 cannot be altered once it goes for judicial review.
  • The examiner describes the symptoms and, separately, the recent actions and behaviors showing likely harm, checks at least one of boxes A, B or C, and names the least restrictive transport, or N/A.
  • If no psychiatric bed is found, a hospital emergency department may hold the person for at most 120 hours. Section 3.B and Form MH-100.B cover the endorsement once a bed is identified.
  • The endorsed application expires 3 days after admission to the psychiatric hospital, and a second examiner must complete the 24-Hour Certificate within 24 hours of admission.

Get the official form

Download the current version from the source each time; forms change without notice.

Application for Emergency Involuntary Admission to a Psychiatric Hospital ("Blue Paper")

Official pagePDF

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How this list is checked

A form is listed only after its name and number were confirmed on the issuing agency’s or insurer’s own website, or in the form itself. Each entry links to that source. The list was last checked in October 2026. Forms and their requirements change without notice, so check the official page for the current version before you complete one.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can do the certifying examination on a Maine Blue Paper?

The Section 2 signature line lists five qualifications: licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, certified psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner and licensed clinical psychologist. The examiner's opinion may rest on personal observation or on history from other sources the examiner considers reliable, including family members.

Does a Maine Blue Paper need a judge's signature?

Yes. A judge or justice of the peace endorses Section 3, finding the application and certificate regular and in accordance with the law; the judicial officer does not decide whether the statements are true. A person may be transported between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. before endorsement if it is obtained as soon as possible.

How long can someone be held on a Maine Blue Paper?

Before a psychiatric bed is found, a hospital may detain the person for up to 120 hours, after which a new Blue Paper may be started. After admission to the psychiatric hospital, the application expires in 3 days, or on the next business day if the third day falls on a weekend or holiday.