Are New Hampshire Vital Records Open to the Public?
Per the New Hampshire Revised Stat. Ann. 5-C:109, marriage, divorce, and death records older than 50 years old and birth records more than 100 years old are public records, provided a court rule has not resealed them. Recently created vital records in New Hampshire are designated private and thus not available to unauthorized members of the general public.
What Information Shows Up in New Hampshire Vital Records?
New Hampshire vital records consist of all documents maintained by government agencies containing vital life event information. These records contribute immensely to accurate demographic data and public health surveillance. In New Hampshire, vital records are managed by the Division of Vital Records Administration under the New Hampshire Department of State.
What Information Do I Need to Search for New Hampshire Vital Records Online?
Before the various third-party legal researchers process an online request, the requesting party must provide sufficient information about the record and appropriate ID supporting eligibility. The required basic information includes:
- Name of the requestor
- Named party to the record
- The requestor’s relationship to the named party in the record (father, mother, son, daughter, husband, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, legal guardian, etc.)
- The reason for record request (personal use, insurance proceeds, authentication, death benefits, and other legal purposes)
- The name of the city where the event was recorded
- Father’s name and mother’s maiden name (for birth certificates only)
- Scope of search required (statewide or county-limited)
- Proof of ID revealing that the requestor has a direct and tangible interest
- The date the event occurred
- The gender of the named party on the record (if applicable)
- The age of the named party on the record at the time the event took place (if appropriate)
How Do I Obtain Vital Records in New Hampshire?
Typically, applicants require proof of identification to access and obtain copies of vital records in New Hampshire. In addition, the positive documentary evidence must prove the requester’s relationship to the document of interest. Usually, the accepted ID includes government-issued photo identification and similar documents such as driver’s license, national ID card, and passport. However, some older records may be freely available to members of the general public, thereby furnishing them with unrestricted access for genealogical purposes. New Hampshire vital records requests should be sent to the New Hampshire Secretary of State (NH SOS) Division of Vital Records Administration.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
Are New Hampshire Marriage Records Public Information?
It depends on the age of the marriage records. Generally, marriage records in New Hampshire are considered private and confidential and not available for the public domain. Authorized persons include:
- The couple the record belongs to.
- Their immediate family members.
- Legal representatives with direct and tangible interest.
- Someone with written authorization from the court.
However, records of marriages registered before 1961 or older than 50 years are considered public marriage records and are available with unrestricted access.
How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in New Hampshire?
To effectively find a marriage record in New Hampshire, the requesting party must first fill out a request form, determine the type of marriage document in question, the location of the record, the approximate date the record was filed, and ID requirements needed to search and obtain copies of the record. Essentially, there are two types of marriage records - marriage licenses and marriage certificates. In addition to the city or town clerks in the various communities, these marriage records are also maintained by the New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Statistics.
How to Get a New Hampshire Marriage Certificate
Obtain a New Hampshire Marriage Certificate from the New Hampshire Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration, or the town or city clerk's office where the marriage license was filed. Couples who are legally married in New Hampshire are eligible to request a certificate.
Are New Hampshire Divorce Records Public Information?
It depends on the age of the divorce record. Most New Hampshire divorce records are not public information and are therefore not available to members of the general public upon request. Usually, allowed persons include the divorced parties, their legal representatives, and individuals empowered by a court order. However, records of divorces finalized before 1961 or older than 50 years from the date of the event are available without restrictions.
How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in New Hampshire?
To effectively find a divorce record in New Hampshire, requesters are required to provide the names of the divorced parties, the county or city where the divorce originated, the approximate date of divorce, and the necessary ID. After gathering the information mentioned above, requesters may, in addition, proceed to either use the service of third-party sites or opt to physically visit the state office or town clerk (for divorces occurring later than 1979) for the service. Alternatively, interested persons may request by sending a printed and completed divorce application form via U.S mail to:
New Hampshire Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2455
The fee schedule includes $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy. Usually, third-party online services may require additional processing fees (see terms and conditions at the end of the page).
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in New Hampshire
Certified Divorce Certificates can be acquired through the Division of Vital Records Administration or the Superior Court where the divorce was granted. Either party involved or their legal representatives can obtain the certificate.
Are New Hampshire Birth Records Public Information?
The public availability of New Hampshire birth records depends on the age of the birth record. Birth records are not public information in the state of New Hampshire. However, the state statute allows anyone to obtain and view birth records before 1911 without prohibitions for genealogical research purposes. In addition, in some communities, the city and town clerks enable unrestricted access to birth records older than 100 years.
Furthermore, the New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records Administration maintains birth records for all births registered within the state limits. Notwithstanding, interested persons can also obtain statewide birth records registered after 1935 from every town or city clerk in New Hampshire. The only exceptions are birth records registered between 1949 - 1950, in which case the record is maintained at the particular city or town where the individual was born.
How Do I Obtain Birth Records in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, eligible persons can order birth certificate replacements and pre-adoption birth records by ordering online via third-party vendors or utilizing the physical visit or mail method options. The requesting party is required to deliver a completed birth record application form in person or by mail to:
Division of Vital Records Administration
Archives Building
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Note: A photocopy of a valid identification and applicable payment must accompany the application. The standard processing fee is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. However, online expedited orders may incur additional charges.
Are Birth Certificates Public in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Birth Certificates are not public; the statute outlining provisions for the disclosure of New Hampshire birth certificates is RSA 5-C:9.
Is New Hampshire Death Records Public Information?
It depends. New Hampshire death records recorded before 1961 (or records 50 years or older) are considered public death records, available to interested public members. However, records of deaths that occurred later than the designated date and period are restricted from public access. As such, only the immediate family members of the deceased, authorized legal personnel, and persons with a court order can perform a death certificate search for restricted records.
How Do I Obtain Death Records in New Hampshire?
Interested and eligible persons can perform a New Hampshire death record search by name online via third-party vendors or by utilizing the physical visit or mail method options. The requesting party is required to deliver a completed death record application form in person or by mail to:
Division of Vital Records Administration
Archives Building
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Note: The application must be accompanied by a photocopy of a valid photo ID and applicable payment. The standard processing fee is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. However, online expedited orders may incur additional charges.
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in New Hampshire?
As per statute, marriage, divorce, birth, and death records deemed private and confidential in New Hampshire can be accessed by legally contesting the restrictions in the court of law. Persons with substantial reasons can do this by filing a petition to the court of law for which the sitting state-licensed judge may issue a court order to that effect. Upon receiving the court order, the individual involved may present the document and the appropriate application form to the office tasked with managing and releasing the interest record.
Furthermore, adoption records are statutorily sealed in New Hampshire, and persons who wish to obtain them may also challenge the disclosure conditions to court. However, according to a 2014 amendment, non-certified copies of pre-adoption birth information can be obtained by adult adoptees and their immediate legal families. The featured channels of access are by physically visiting the Adoption Unit of the State Department of Health and Human Services or sending a mail-in request. By mail, the requesting party must send a completed application for a non-certified pre-adoption record form with the appropriate ID to:
Division of Vital Records Administration
Archives Building
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301-2410
What are Vital Statistics in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire vital statistics in New Hampshire consist of data pertaining to critical life events and health within the state. The New Hampshire Department of State Division of Vital Records Administration compiles these statistics. This information is crucial for identifying public health trends, disease control, informing policy decisions, and directing resources to enhance the health and welfare of New Hampshire citizens.
