New Hampshire Marriage Records

In New Hampshire, marriage records comprise the marriage license/application (worksheet) and the marriage certificate. The marriage license (filed with a town or city clerk) grants a couple the right to get married. Information typically collected by the marriage license application includes the couple's complete names and dates of birth, residence, birthplace, birth date, Social Security numbers, and parents' names and birthplaces.

In comparison, the marriage certificate, which is completed by the officiant and returned to the issuing clerk within six days of the wedding ceremony, is registered by the Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) and constitutes evidence that the marriage took place.  

What Types of Marriage Records are available in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, marriage records comprise two types of documents: a marriage license (authorization to marry issued by any city or town clerk in the state) and a marriage certificate.

Marriage License

This is the authorization to marry issued by any city or town clerk to couples wishing to get married in New Hampshire. To obtain a marriage license, the parties (potential groom and bride) are expected to visit any City or Town Clerk's Office to complete a Marriage License Application. Following the issuance of the marriage license, the couple may get married in any city or town in New Hampshire within 90 days.

A New Hampshire marriage license application is expected to contain the couple's personal information (e.g., complete name and maiden surname (if different, residence, birthplace, date of birth, among others). They are also expected to present proof of age and photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or certified birth certificate.

If previously married, the couple must provide certified documents showing how the previous marriage ended. This may be a death certificate (if widowed), a final divorce decree (if divorced), or a civil annulment certificate (if annulled).

Marriage Certificate

This is the official legal record that confirms that a marriage actually occurred. It includes the spouses' names, date and place of marriage, and the officiant's certification.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed record (within 6 days) to the issuing clerk. Returned records are registered with the Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) and become the permanent state record from which certified copies are issued. Applicants (couples) may request certified copies of marriage certificates from any New Hampshire city or town clerk at least two weeks after the wedding. 

Are New Hampshire Marriage Records Public?

In New Hampshire, marriage records are considered mainly closed records. This means they are not public records. Only individuals with a "direct and tangible interest," such as the registrant, immediate family members, and legal representatives, are eligible to acquire certified copies of a New Hampshire marriage certificate from a city or town clerk or the state Division of Vital Records.

Marriage records that are more than 50 years old are regarded as public and available to the general public in New Hampshire. Consequently, requesters may access marriage indexes through the state's NHVRINweb. However, this is not a platform for public copies. Certified copies of marriage certificates are dependent on eligibility and application to a town/city clerk or DVRA. 

The two principal laws governing access to marriage records are RSA 5-C:9 (Disclosure of Information from Vital Records) and RSA 5-C:102 (Disclosure to Individuals; Direct and Tangible Interest).

How to Find Marriage Records in New Hampshire

Individuals seeking New Hampshire marriage records may utilise the following steps:

1. Determine eligibility: Under New Hampshire law, only persons with a "direct and tangible interest" (e.g., registrant, immediate family, and legal representatives) may request certified copies of marriage records.
2. Choose request location: Eligible parties may request certified copies of marriage certificates from local City and Town Clerks and the Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA).
3. Application and ID requirements: Eligible requesters are expected to complete a marriage application form and provide a copy of a valid photo identification to obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Those without a valid ID are expected to complete the Documentary Evidence for Individuals Not Possessing an Acceptable Picture Identification form.  
4. Payment of fee: The State of New Hampshire charges $15 as a search fee (payable whether a record is found or not) and the cost of a certified copy of a marriage certificate. Each additional copy of the same record issued at the same time costs $10.
5. Order options: Requesters may submit their marriage record request packet in person or by mail to any local City and Town Clerk's Offices or DVRA. They may also request certified marriage certificates online through a state-authorized vendor or most city or town clerk portals (Online vendor/processing fees typically apply). 

Interested parties may obtain detailed contact information for the Division of Vital Records Administration on the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s website.

How to Get a Marriage License in New Hampshire

A New Hampshire marriage license is the authorization to marry issued to couples wishing to get married by any city or town clerk in the state. In contrast, a marriage certificate is the official legal document that confirms that a marriage actually took place.

Couples wishing to get married in New Hampshire are expected to visit a city or town clerk's office to complete a Marriage License Application.

In New Hampshire, a marriage license application is expected to contain the parties' personal information (e.g., complete name and maiden surname (if different, residence, birthplace, date of birth, among others). They are also expected to present proof of age and photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or certified birth certificate.

If previously married, the couple must provide certified documents showing how the previous marriage ended. This may be a death certificate (if widowed), a final divorce decree (if divorced), or a civil annulment certificate (if annulled).

The filing fee for a marriage license is $50.00. The town or city clerk's office typically processes a marriage application while the couple waits (usually takes about 30 minutes).

Applicants are advised to consult the relevant city or town clerk's office concerning their application and processing schedule.

Once issued, couples may get married at any location in New Hampshire within 90 days.

Who can obtain Marriage Records in New Hampshire

New Hampshire marriage certificates are not open public records. Under the state law, only individuals with "direct and tangible interest" may access certified copies of marriage certificates.

Individuals qualified to receive these documents include:

• Either of the parties to the marriage.
• Immediate family (parent, child, grandparent, legal guardian).
• Legal representatives or attorneys of an eligible person (expected to provide proof of representation).
• Persons with a court order or a demonstrated legal need (e.g., estate/probate).
• Government agencies for official use.

Procedural Requirements

• Eligible requesters are expected to submit a request for a certified copy (available from any city/town clerk or DVRA).
• Applicants are expected to provide a valid government photo ID for in-person requests. For mail or online requests, they must include a notarized signature and a copy of their ID.
• The state-authorized fee is $15 per search and certified copy, plus $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
• Requesters may apply at any New Hampshire city or town clerk's office or directly to DVRA.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in New Hampshire

Requesters seeking free online access to New Hampshire marriage records may utilize the following resources:

Official Search Tool: The state of New Hampshire offers the public a searchable index through the NHVRINweb system. Using basic information, such as the names of spouses, the date of marriage, and the town, users may query marriage events in the state free of charge. However, the platform does not provide certified copies or complete documents.

Third-party websites: These online databases offer the public access to indexed or dated marriage records for free or for a subscription fee. An example is the third-party website that provides a free index collection of marriages in New Hampshire from 1637 to 1947, listing names and towns of marriage events.

The advantages of third-party databases include their ease of use, search flexibility (most allow filters by name, date range, and location), and digital-image browsing. The scope of their collections also covers extensive historical records that are often not easily searchable via state websites. In addition, these platforms are easily accessible from any location, eliminating the need for the stringent identification process required for official records.

Note: Third-party online databases are not substitutes for official certified copies of marriage certificates. They often do not provide complete information, unlike certified versions. 

Is New Hampshire a Common Law State for Marriage?

In New Hampshire, the law recognizes common law marriage for inheritance purposes only; recognition begins only after one of the spouses dies. Under  RSA 457:39, the surviving spouse is "deemed to have been legally married" to the deceased if:

• The two individuals cohabited for at least three years before one of them died.
• During the three years, the couple acknowledged each other as spouses and acted accordingly.
• The community regarded the couple as spouses.
• The parties held themselves out as a married couple to their family, friends, and community.

This legal interpretation allows the surviving spouse to claim spousal rights during probate affairs.

The State of New Hampshire recognizes any marriage legally contracted in other states, including a genuine common-law marriage from a state that permits it, as long as the union does not contravene any provision of RSA 457:3 (Recognition of Out-of-State Marriages).

No statewide domestic-partnership registry exists in New Hampshire. Couples wishing to get married are expected to obtain a marriage license and undergo a wedding ceremony in line with RSA 457. Unmarried couples may use private contracts (often referred to as cohabitation agreements) to lay down property or financial terms. However, such agreements are private civil contracts and not vital records recorded by DVRA. They only become public if filed in court during a dispute.