<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000743367-14-000021.txt : 20140228
<SEC-HEADER>0000743367-14-000021.hdr.sgml : 20140228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20140228143822
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000743367-14-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130423
FILED AS OF DATE:		20140228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20140228

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000743367
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				010393663
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			ME
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1122

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		82 MAIN ST
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 400
		CITY:			BAR HARBOR
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04609-0400
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2072883314

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		82 MAIN ST
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 400
		CITY:			BAR HARBOR
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04609-0400

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BONSEY MICHAEL W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242191

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13349
		FILM NUMBER:		14654157

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		82 MAIN STREET PO BOX 400
		CITY:			BAR HARBOR
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04609-0400
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-04-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000743367</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>bhb</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242191</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BONSEY MICHAEL W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>82 MAIN STREET PO BOX 400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BAR HARBOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ME</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>04609-0400</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2013-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>593</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8868.264</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a grant of restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) that will be settled in shares of the issuer's common stock on a one-for-one basis.  The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on April 23, 2014.  At the time of vesting, sufficient shares of RSUs may be withheld to cover the executive's tax liabilities.  All shares delivered at each vesting date are subject to an additional one year holding period.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael W. Bonsey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2014-02-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
