We do solemnly declare that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who agree to live together as husband and wife for so long as they both may live.__We understand the nature, purpose and responsibilities of marriage.__We have read the pamphlet entitled "Covenant Marriage Act" and we understand that a covenant marriage is for life.__If we experience marital difficulties, we commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage, including marital counseling.

With full knowledge of what this commitment means, we do hereby declare that our marriage will be bound by Maine law on covenant marriage, and we renew our promise to love, honor and care for one another as husband and wife for the rest of our lives."

B.__An affidavit consisting of the following:

(1)__An affidavit by the parties that they have discussed their intent to designate their marriage as a covenant marriage with a priest, minister, rabbi, clerk of the Religious Society of Friends, any clergy of any religious sect or a marriage counselor, which included a discussion of the obligation to seek marital counseling in times of marital difficulties and the exclusive grounds for legally terminating a covenant marriage by divorce;

(2)__A notarized attestation, signed by the counselor and attached to or included in the parties' affidavit, acknowledging that the counselor provided to the parties the informational pamphlet written by the Office of the Attorney General entitled "Covenant Marriage Act," which provides a full explanation of the terms and conditions of a covenant marriage; and

(3)__The signature of both parties witnessed by a notary.

4.__Contents of declaration of intent.__The declaration of intent must contain 2 separate documents, the recitation and the affidavit, including the attestation within the affidavit or attached to the affidavit.__The parties shall prepare the recitation in duplicate originals, one of which the parties shall retain and the other, together with the affidavit and attestation, the parties shall file as provided in section 671, subsection 2.