Free New Hampshire Marriage Records Online
New Hampshire marriage records are essential documents for anyone researching family history in the Granite State. These records provide valuable information about bride and groom identities, including ages, birthplaces, occupations, and the identities of parents or guardians who gave consent. Marriage returns also reveal who performed the ceremony and who witnessed the union.
The state of New Hampshire has maintained vital records since its earliest colonial settlement. Understanding the different sources available and how to navigate the state’s vital records system will help you find the marriage information you need efficiently.
New Hampshire Vital Records Office
The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration is the official state office responsible for recording and maintaining vital records in New Hampshire. This office operates under the Secretary of State’s Department.
Office Location:
Division of Vital Records Administration
New Hampshire Department of State
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301.
The Division of Vital Records Administration holds marriage records from 1949 to the present. Records from 1948 and earlier are maintained at the county level or through town clerks where the marriage occurred. The office provides certified copies of marriage records for legal purposes and informational copies for genealogical research.
How to Request Records:.
- Submit requests by mail to the Concord office address
- In-person requests are available during business hours
- Online requests may be available through the state’s designated service
- Requests must include proper identification and applicable fees
Free Online Sources
Several free genealogical databases provide access to New Hampshire marriage records:.
FamilySearch.org offers a comprehensive collection of New Hampshire marriage records and indexes. The platform provides both browsable image collections and searchable indexes. Key collections include New Hampshire Marriage Records 1949-Present and various county marriage record collections spanning different time periods.
New Hampshire State Archives maintains historical marriage records and provides online access to certain indexes and databases. The archives hold historical records from colonial era through 1948, including marriage intentions, returns, and certificates. Visit their website for specific digital collections and browsable records.
New Hampshire Town Clerk Database â Many New Hampshire towns maintain their own vital records databases with historical marriage information recorded at the local level. Town records often include earlier documentation than state-level records.
County-Level Records
New Hampshire consists of ten counties, each maintaining vital records at the county level. County marriage records are typically held at the County Probate Court or County Register of Deeds. The counties include:.
- Belknap County
- Carroll County
- Cheshire County
- Coos County
- Grafton County
- Hillsborough County
- Merrimack County
- Rockingham County
- Strafford County
- Sullivan County
Each county courthouse maintains marriage records for marriages solemnized within that county. Records from 1948 and earlier should be requested directly from the county where the marriage took place. Some counties have digitized their records and made them available online through local archives or courthouse websites.
County-level records often include marriage intentions filed before the marriage ceremony, providing additional genealogical details. Marriage intentions were required by law before a marriage could be solemnized, and these documents can be valuable when the marriage certificate itself is unavailable.
How to Search Step by Step
Step 1: Identify the Marriage Date Range
Determine whether the marriage occurred before or after 1949, as this affects where you should search. Records from 1949 to present are held at the state level, while older records are found at county courthouses or town archives.
Step 2: Identify the County or Town
Determine which New Hampshire county or specific town the marriage took place in. This will help you target your search to the correct office.
Step 3: Search Free Online Indexes First
Begin your search with free databases like FamilySearch and the New Hampshire State Archives. Search by the names of both parties, and note that earlier records may only have indexes rather than full records online.
Step 4: Contact the Appropriate Office
If records are not found online, contact the county probate court or register of deeds for records from 1948 and earlier. For modern records, contact the Division of Vital Records Administration in Concord.
Step 5: Submit Your Request
Provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and the location. Include the appropriate fee and a copy of your identification. Wait for processing and delivery.
Requirements and Fees
To obtain certified marriage records from New Hampshire, you must provide valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. If requesting by mail, include a completed request form and payment.
The Division of Vital Records Administration charges fees for certified copies. Town and county offices may have their own fee schedules. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing or multiple copies.
Genealogical or informational copies typically cost less than certified copies and are suitable for research purposes. Some offices restrict access to older records or require proof of genealogical intent.
Historical Records
New Hampshire marriage records span from the colonial era to the present day. The earliest records are maintained at town clerk offices, as New Hampshire required vital statistics to be recorded at the local level from the beginning of settlement.
Pre-1949 records are held at various locations depending on their age and origin. The New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord holds significant collections of older vital records. The New Hampshire State Archives in Concord maintains state-level historical documents including marriage-related materials from earlier periods.
For marriages from the 1700s and 1800s, town records are often the primary source. Many towns have preserved these records in local archives or have donated them to the state archives. The state archives maintain marriage registers and indexes from various time periods, including statewide indexes that can help locate records when you know only the names.
New Hampshire was settled early in colonial history, and some marriage records from the 1600s and 1700s exist in manuscript form. These older records may require visiting the state archives in person to access, as they have not all been digitized or indexed online.