New Hampshire Birth Records

New Hampshire began statewide birth registrations in 1848, though compliance was inconsistent until the early 20th century. However, the state established a centralized system in 1905, where records for towns and cities were recorded in a unified repository.

A New Hampshire birth record is the official registration of a live birth, recorded in the state. New Hampshire issues two types of birth records:

• Authorized Copies: The authorized copies of a birth certificate are the official, legally valid copies of an individual's birth record bearing the official seal and signature of the State Registrar. Also called certified copies of a birth certificate, the authorized copy is required for all legal transactions and is typically issued as the long-form birth certificate in New Hampshire.
• Long-Form Birth Certificate: The long-form birth certificate is the full, comprehensive version of a live birth recorded in the state. It contains detailed information about the registrant, including full name, gender, date of birth, birth location, parents' full names, parents' birthplace, parents' birth dates, attending physician's information, and facility of birth. In addition, the long-form birth certificate also contains the physician's information, certificate number, filing date, the official raised seal of the state, and the signature of the Registrar. The long-form birth certificate is ideal for all administrative, personal, and legal transactions.
• Informational Copies: The informational copies, also called uncertified copies of birth records, are abstracts of the original birth certificate. It contains core facts of a birth, but lacks the official state seal and Registrar's signature. In addition, informational copies are printed on plain paper and are not valid for legal purposes. They are ideal for personal use and genealogy research.

How To Order a New Hampshire Birth Certificate?

You can access certified copies of New Hampshire birth certificates from 1905 to the present at the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA). Birth certificates may be ordered online, in person, or by mail.

Online requests for birth certificates are made through an independent service provider approved by the DVRA. The service provider charges an additional $30, exclusive of the record cost, to process and ship the document.

Persons ordering the document in person or by mail may download and complete the birth section of the Application for a Certified Copy of A Vital Record form. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required for mail requests. It costs $15 to order a certified copy of a birth certificate, with additional copies costing $10. Mail the request or visit the office at:

Birth certificates from 1935 to the present are accessible at the city or town clerk's office where the birth was recorded. Also, you may access birth certificates issued before 1905 at the New Hampshire State Library.

Are Birth Records Public in New Hampshire?

Birth records in New Hampshire are not public records. The records are protected under state law. In New Hampshire, birth certificates are classified as private and confidential, unavailable to the public. Only eligible persons may obtain certified copies of a birth certificate in the state.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in New Hampshire?

Under New Hampshire law, only persons with a direct and tangible interest in the document may request certified copies of birth certificates in the state. These individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents listed on the birth record
• Legal guardian
• Immediate family members, including spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren
• Legal representatives
• Anyone with a court order granting access to the birth certificate

How Long Does it Take to Get A New Hampshire Birth Certificate?

It takes the New Hampshire DVRA 20 business days to process mail requests for birth certificates. Persons who order the document online may obtain the record between 5-7 business days for standard processing and 3-5 business days if they pay the rush fee.

The New Hampshire DVRA does not offer expedited processing for birth record requests. However, persons who require the document urgently may request the record in person at the Vital Records Office. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

Where Can I Find New Hampshire Birth Records Free?

While certified copies of New Hampshire certificates are restricted to authorized individuals only, and usually for a fee, researchers and the general public can access informational birth record data at no cost through several online platforms.

While the National Vital Records Archives does not host vital records, it identifies which agency to contact for informational birth records. The platform lists the official custodians for New Hampshire vital events and where you write to for official records.

The New Hampshire Vital Records Information Network (NHVRIN) provides free online index searches by name, date range, and event type and displays core birth information, including name, date of birth, and birthplace of birth records from 1808 to the present at no cost on the platform.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy platform that offers access to New Hampshire birth records from the early 1900s. The platform holds images of state-filed certificates from DVRA from 1901 to 1915 and scanned entries, which often include registrant names, parents' names, and baptism details from 1714 to 1904, on the platform.

Ancestry.com, also a genealogy platform, offers free access through participating libraries, such as local public libraries, to birth indexes and limited images for births before 1924. Similarly, the New Hampshire State Archives houses pre-1905 birth records from city and town clerks, available for genealogy research.

PublicRecords.us aggregates birth data from public databases to provide a comprehensive database of vital records, including New Hampshire birth records. The platform provides basic birth details, including the registrant's name and date, and place of birth, for free. Detailed information, such as parents' information, may require a small fee.

When Would I Need My New Hampshire Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a vital document that serves as legal proof of identity, age, and citizenship. In New Hampshire, you may need a certified copy of your birth certificate in the following situations:

• Prove your U.S. citizenship
• Obtaining a driver's license or state-issued ID
• Obtaining or replacing your Social Security card
• Obtaining a marriage license
• Establishing parental relationships in divorce or custody cases
• Proving familial relationships when claiming inheritance
• Enrolling in public schools, universities, or colleges
• Enlisting in the U.S Armed Forces
• Changing your legal name
• Claiming tax, insurance, or health benefits
• Tracing ancestry

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in New Hampshire?

If your birth certificate is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you will need a replacement birth certificate. The process to replace your birth certificate mirrors the process to order a certified copy of the birth record.

You may order a replacement birth certificate through the New Hampshire DVRA by completing the "Birth Section" of the Application for a Certified Copy of A Vital Record form, including a copy of a government-issued ID, and the fees for the application. You may order the replacement record online, by mail, or in person. Replacement birth certificates cost $15, with additional copies charged at $10 if ordered with the first copy.

When Can the Public Access New Hampshire Birth Certificates?

Birth certificates in New Hampshire are classified as private and confidential, and access is typically restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest. However, per state law, birth certificates become public records 100 years from the birth date. After the confidentiality period expires, anyone may obtain the full birth record without having to show proof of a relationship.

How To Correct an Error on a New Hampshire Birth Certificate?

New Hampshire permits the following types of corrections on your birth certificate:

• Clerical or typographical errors, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, or birthplaces
• Omitted information, including omitting a middle name
• Missing information, such as adding a surname
• Legal name changes
• Biographical errors, such as incorrect parents' names or relationships

To amend your birth certificate, obtain the appropriate amendment form from the town or city clerk's office where the event occurred. There is an amendment form if the event is under 6 months and another if the event is over 6 months.

Specify the incorrect information on the form and state the accurate information. Include documentary evidence, such as baptismal records, hospital records, early school records, or newspaper clippings, that verify the correct information. Where a name change correction is requested, include a court order permitting the change. Submit the form with the amendment fees to the town or city clerk's office. It costs $10 to amend a birth certificate and $15 to obtain a copy of the amended birth certificate.

Does New Hampshire Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

New Hampshire does not issue non-binary or gender neutral birth certificates. Although the state permits residents to amend their gender markers, it only allows changing the birth record from "Male" to "Female" and vice versa. The state does not offer the non-binary option"X" on birth certificates.