New Hampshire (NH) Vital Records

Ordering In-Person or By Mail

You can apply in person if you live within travel distance of the state health department office that issues certified copies of the original vital records. New Hampshire does have a physical office where you can visit to obtain vital records. Before you go, confirm that the office is open to the public for walk-ins, but be prepared for long queues when you arrive.

For those living abroad, ordering online can be the most convenient method available for requesting vital records. Ordering via mail or online can also be a more efficient approach to avoid difficulties when applying in person. If the local vital records office is closed or you prefer to avoid potentially long queues, you can rely on mail or order online.

Mail is also suitable for those living out-of-state, while online ordering is typically the most convenient method for residents living abroad. The steps for applying for vital records are generally the same whether you apply in person or by mail.

If you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following steps:

• gathering your documents,
• getting photocopies of your documents,
• completing the correct form, and;
• (if open to the public) presenting everything to the health department during regular business hours.”

Additionally, when ordering by mail, you will need the following: 

• purchasing an envelope,
• including a physical check or money order,
• obtaining a notarized sworn statement (only required if they cannot provide proof of address via primary or secondary identifications or when a non-direct or tangibly related individual makes the request) and,
• issuing it to the New Hampshire SOS-DVRA.

If you or one of your family members need to replace a birth, death, or marriage certificate, you can learn more about our services. It’s important to note that each certificate type has different requirements for who is eligible to request a certified replacement. Vital Records Online can help simplify the process and minimize errors, resulting in faster processing times.

❗️ To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.

❗️ Be certain that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies from the preserved original record.

❗️ Before receiving approval, confirm if you must also have your documents and application notarized with a sworn statement for identity verification.

❗️ If you choose to mail your application and documents manually, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.

Requirements

Before gathering documents for your vital record application, it is crucial to understand the conditions and requirements.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization: 

To order certified copies of New Hampshire vital records, you must provide the necessary information and documents listed in the table below. The New Hampshire SOS-DVRA requires all applicants to prove their identity. For most types of records, a driver’s license, a state-issued photo ID, or a passport will suffice (check other acceptable IDs per certificate needed). However, if you cannot provide a government-issued ID, you must submit two secondary forms of identification. One must reflect your current physical address; otherwise, a notarized affidavit is required. If the state requires two secondary forms of ID as an alternative, one must show the address to which the documents are mailed. A secondary ID may be accepted if you do not have a valid form of identification.

If you cannot provide proof of address via primary or secondary identifications, or when a non-direct or tangibly related individual makes the request, a notary is required to attest that you are authorized to obtain the record.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in New Hampshire?

The New Hampshire SOS-DVRA has specific eligibility conditions for each type of certificate and personal circumstance. Please review the eligibility requirements for certified New Hampshire birth, death, and marriage replacements.

❗️ Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in New Hampshire?

Requesting a certified copy of vital records requires all applicants to provide proof of identity. If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, you can confirm that you are eligible by reviewing the authorized third-party applicants for each type of certificate. Immediate family members and legal representatives can request a copy of vital records with proof of their relationship with the individual on record.

The record holder also must provide proof of identity with the application. If you are not eligible, you may still obtain the certificate with the Vital Records Authorization Form. This form requires the eligible requester’s signature, copies of the person on record’s primary ID, and your ID. You may be asked for additional documentation proving your eligibility as a third-party applicant. To check the eligibility requirements for each certificate, refer to the table below.

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record.

❗️ Non-authorized third-party requests for New Hampshire birth certificates must include a notarized letter of consent to release information from the certificate holder.

✔︎ All requests ordered through Vital Records Online include an online notarization service if necessary, which can be added as an extra step during checkout.

Notarized Sworn Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

The New Hampshire State Office of Vital Records Administration (SOS-DVRA) has specific requirements for obtaining certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates. Applicants do not need a notarized statement to request certified copies of their birth or marriage certificates if they can provide acceptable ID that shows their current address. Additionally, immediate family members of the deceased do not need a notarized statement to request death certificates. This applies to all methods of requesting certificates, including online, by mail, telephone, or in person.

However, a notarized statement may be necessary if a third-party representative requests a vital record. In some cases, applicants may need to prove their identity by notarizing a sworn statement along with their application and documents, primarily if they cannot provide an accepted form or forms of identification.

Only individuals with a “direct, tangible interest,” such as family members or legal representatives, can obtain certified death certificates. In some instances, a notarized sworn statement may be required.

❗️ A Notarized sworn statement may be required under the following circumstances: 

• When a third party requests a certified copy of a New Hampshire birth certificate (if the third party cannot demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the document).
• When submitting an application without a copy of a valid, government-issued ID or two forms of accepted secondary ID, one of which includes your current address.

You can confirm with the SOS-DVRA website for more information on the unique circumstances that may require one. If you use a local public notary, you must bring a valid ID to create the document.

Notaries are necessary for apostilles, corrections, or amendments to vital records in certain cases. For more information on these requirements, please refer to other FAQs provided below.

❗️ A notary is generally not required to obtain authorized copies of NH vital records. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.

❗️A notarized sworn statement may be required when a third party not blood-related to the record holder requests a birth or death certificate.

✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service in your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when creating this document using a local public notary.

Costs and Fees

Replacing vital records comes with a cost that varies based on the fees charged by the SOS-DVRA for each type of certificate. The total cost will depend on how you submit your application and whether a notary is required to prove your identity. If you order birth, marriage, divorce, or death records through Vital Records Online, the online Application Assistant starts at $29.

The SOS-DVRA charges $15.00 for each certified copy of a birth, marriage, or death certificate. If you need additional copies during the same order, the fee is $10.00 for each copy.

✔︎ Additional copies can be requested during the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my vital records from New Hampshire?

The processing and delivery times for birth, death, or marriage certificates may vary. You can check the current processing and delivery times listed in the table below. The total amount of time until you receive your vital record in the mail can also be affected by the method you choose to submit your application and documents.

Vital Records Online simplifies the process of gathering documents and submitting your application packet and offers to expedite your order for priority processing.

Please note that the processing and delivery times may change based on the volume of requests the SOS-DVRA receives. If a notary is required, you can include the notarization online as an extra step during the checkout when processing your order on Vital Records Online. Otherwise, you need to account for additional time to obtain a notary from a local entity.

✔︎ All Vital Records Online includes an online notarization service that can be performed virtually during checkout.

❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by SOS-DVRA may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.

❗️ We also advise allowing 2-3 additional days in your application process if you choose to obtain a notary from a local entity (if required).

❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.

How to Track My NH Vital Record?

After submitting your application through Vital Records Online, you can track the status of your order and monitor the processing status of your application. Additionally, you can track your application packet to the New Hampshire SOS-DVRA using the prepaid mail postage included with your order.

If you choose to mail the application packet to the Vital Records Health Department manually, it’s important to remember to purchase first-class mail tracking to ensure that your application arrives successfully.

Although the New Hampshire SOS-DVRA ships all vital records to your home via USPS first-class mail for security purposes, they do not claim responsibility for any misdirected or lost certificates.

If your birth certificate is lost, you should immediately file a report with the local police. It’s crucial to avoid any simple errors or typos when entering your personal information, as this could potentially expose your information if sent to the wrong address.

❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the New Hampshire counties office locations directory.