1. Election. Registers of probate are elected or appointed as provided in the Constitution of Maine. A register’s election is effected and determined as is provided for county commissioners by Title 30?A, chapter 1, subchapter 2, and a register’s term commences on the first day of January following the register’s election, except that the term of a register appointed to fill a vacancy commences immediately.

2. Bond. A register, before acting, shall give bond to the treasurer of the register’s county with sufficient sureties in the sum of $2,500, except that this sum must be $10,000 for Cumberland County. A register, having executed the bond, shall file the bond in the office of the county commissioners of the register’s county, to be presented to the county commissioners at the next meeting for approval. After the bond is approved, the county commissioners shall retain a copy of the bond and deliver the original bond to the register, who shall deliver the original bond to the treasurer of the county within 10 days after the bond’s approval. Surety and fidelity insurance coverage provided by a public sector self-funded risk pool organized pursuant to Title 30?A, section 2253 in the sum ordered by the commissioners is deemed to comply with the requirements of this section.

3. Vacancies. Vacancies caused by death, resignation, removal from the county, permanent incapacity as defined in Title 30?A, section 1, subsection 2?A or any other reason must be filled as provided in the Constitution of Maine. In the case of a vacancy in the term of a register who was nominated by primary election before the general election, the register appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy until a successor is chosen at election must be enrolled in the same political party as the register whose term is vacant. In making the appointment, the Governor shall choose from any recommendations submitted to the Governor by the county committee of the political party from which the appointment is to be made.

4. Salary. A register is entitled to receive an annual salary as established by the register’s county pursuant to Title 30?A, chapter 3. The salary of the register must be in full compensation for the performance of all duties required of the register.

5. Copies and fees. Registers may make copies of wills, accounts, inventories, petitions and decrees and furnish the copies to the persons requesting the copies and may charge a reasonable fee for that service, which is considered a fee for the use of the county. Fees for exemplified copies of the records of the probate of wills and the granting of administrations, guardianships and conservatorships; fees for copies of petitions and orders of notice for personal service; fees for appeal copies; and the statutory fees for abstracts and copies of the waivers of wills and other copies required to be recorded in the registry of deeds are considered official fees for the use of the county. This subsection may not be construed to change or repeal any provisions of law requiring the furnishing of certain copies without charge.