New Hampshire Death Records

In New Hampshire, a death record is an official document containing details of a person's death, including the location of death, the date of death, the deceased's personal information, and the cause of death. Registration of death events in the state dates back to the 1600s, but statewide registration did not begin until 1883, and statewide compliance did not begin until 1901. The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration has some death records that date back to 1640.

The New Hampshire age-adjusted death rate of 749.2 per 1000,000 residents is lower than the national mortality rate average of 805.6 per 100,000 United States residents. Approximately 13,861 deaths are registered annually in the state, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of death include heart disease, cancer, and accidents. The major type of death record in New Hampshire is the death certificate.

An original New Hampshire death certificate may be filed by a funeral director, the decedent's next of kin, or a designated agent. According to Section 5-C:64 of the state's Revised Statutes, once the funeral director or designated agent completes the deceased's personal data on the death certificate, the certificate is forwarded to a healthcare professional to fill out the medical certification part of the certificate. In some cases, a medical examiner may be required to certify a person's death and provide the cause of death on a death certificate. Afterward, the completed original death certificate may be filed with the state's Office of Vital Records or the Town Clerk's Office, where eligible persons may obtain certified copies.

A certified copy of a New Hampshire death certificate is a copy of an original death certificate filed with the state's Office of Vital Records. It has been officially verified by a government seal and may be used for any legal purpose.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate in New Hampshire?

The Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) of the New Hampshire Department of State (SOS) issues certified copies of death certificates in the state. To obtain one, an eligible person should take the following steps:

• Print out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record and complete the "Death" Section and other relevant parts of the form.
• Prepare a photocopy of an identification card or document, such as a passport, driver's license, or any other government-issued photo ID. Where an applicant does not have a valid acceptable photo ID, they can complete the Documentary Evidence Required Form.
• Pay $15 for the first copy of the requested death certificate and $10 for each additional copy of the certificate requested at the same time. Fees may be paid by money order or check made out to the Treasurer-State of New Hampshire.
• Add a self-addressed stamped return envelope if a faster mailing is expected.
• Add any document to prove the applicant's mailing address if the mailing address is not listed on their photo ID. Such a document may be a car registration, utility bill, lease agreement, or a notarized letter authorizing the applicant may use a different address to receive the requested certified copies of a death certificate.

• Mail the completed application and all the required documentation, as well as payment proof, to the New Hampshire Department of State at:

  New Hampshire Department of State

  Division of Vital Records Administration

  Registration/Certification

  9 Ratification Way

  Concord, NH 03301-2455

Alternatively, eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of death certificates in New Hampshire in person or by mail from the local Town and City Clerks in the city or town where the death occurred. Some cities/towns offer online certificate request services. If submitting a request in person or by mail, the requester must ensure to provide all the required information and documentation. Certified copies of a death certificate requested in person at the Town or City Clerk's Office may be obtained the same day. On the other hand, it takes a few days to process mail-in requests.

Are New Hampshire Death Records Public?

New Hampshire death records are considered private and confidential unless they are more than 50 years old. Access to records of death events under 50 years is limited to persons who have a direct and tangible interest in such records. On the other hand, per Section 5-C:105 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes, death records do not become open and public records in the state until 50 years have passed after the date of death.

Who Can Request an Original Death Certificate in New Hampshire?

No individual has the right or authority to request an original death certificate in New Hampshire. All original death certificates filed with the Town/City Clerk's Office or the state's Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) are permanently maintained in the file of the clerk's office or the DVRA. However, certified copies of a New Hampshire death certificate may be obtained by certain eligible individuals who have a tangible and direct interest in the death certificate.

Per Section 5-C:102 of the state's Revised Statutes, persons eligible to request certified copies of a New Hampshire death certificate include the following:

• Immediate family members of the deceased, including spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
• The decedent's guardian.
• Any representative with a tangible and direct interest in the death certificate, such as an attorney.
• A funeral director.
• Anyone who demonstrates a need for information to determine or protect a property or personal right.
• Court officials, law enforcement officials, and representatives of the office of the attorney general who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the death certificate.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in New Hampshire?

How long it takes to get a death certificate (certified copies) in New Hampshire depends on certain factors. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to several months. Any eligible person may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate in the state within a few days if the original death certificate has already been filed with the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration or the City or Town Clerk's Office in the town or city where the death occurred.

Under state law, an original New Hampshire death certificate is expected to be filed with the relevant state agency within 10 days after the death of a person, following which any eligible person may request a certified copy. However, where the death is unnatural and the circumstances surrounding it seem suspicious, an autopsy may be required to determine the cause and manner of the death. In such a case, it typically takes a longer time before the final death certificate (including the cause of death) is prepared and filed with the appropriate state agency, which in turn, causes a delay in getting certified copies of the death certificate.

Generally, when an autopsy is done in New Hampshire, final written reports will not be available until all investigations and diagnostic testing are complete. In most cases, this takes several weeks to a few months. However, while the process is ongoing, the Medical Examiner may file a pending/supplemental death certificate with the DVRA. Members of the deceased's family may obtain copies of that certificate to enable them to go about burial arrangements. Once the final autopsy report is available, the Medical Examiner will prepare a final amended death certificate and file it with the Division of Vital Records Administration. This entire process takes a few months and usually directly impacts how long it takes to get a certified copy of a death certificate after a person's death in New Hampshire.

Can I View New Hampshire Death Records Online for Free?

The New Hampshire Vital Records Information Network Web Query System (NHVRINweb) allows members of the public to query information regarding death events in the state. Similarly, certain historical death records in the state may be accessed online through resources like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. Furthermore, a person can access certain records of death events in the state through trustworthy third-party sites NewHampshirepublicrecords.us.

Alternatively, interested individuals may obtain New Hampshire death records for free through substitute records like coroner's records, newspapers, obituaries, cemetery records, mortuary records, and probate records. Others include tax records, church records, court records, body transit records, city directories, insurance records, and funeral or memory cards. These records are typically reliable sources of information regarding death events not officially registered in New Hampshire.

When Would You Require A Death Certificate in New Hampshire?

A copy (or copies) of a death certificate in New Hampshire is required for several purposes, many of which are legal and administrative, as listed below:

• They are required by credit unions, banks, and other financial organizations to close deceased persons' accounts and transfer the funds to enable the executors of estates to liquidate the decedents' estates.
• Notifying the Veterans Affairs Office about the death of a person enables beneficiaries to apply for any applicable benefits after a veteran dies.
• Filing for insurance claims.
• They are required by the probate court to initiate the process of closing out a deceased's estate and distributing assets to the estate's beneficiaries.
• Notifying a deceased person's credit card company about the deceased's passing away and canceling their credit cards.
• Transferring the ownership of a decedent's property, including vehicle titles and real estate titles, to new individuals/owners.
• Notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) to update their records about a deceased, stop direct payment to the deceased's account, and begin the payment of survivor's benefits to authorized persons (if applicable).
• Canceling a decedent's subscription services, including telephone bills.
• Arranging for a funeral.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in New Hampshire?

Depending on the specific needs and some other factors, anyone who has lost their loved one in New Hampshire may need between 8 and 12 certified copies of the deceased's death certificate. However, the actual number of copies needed can vary greatly. Some of the determining factors are the scope of the deceased's estate, the number of assets in their name, and the number of public agencies and private institutions where a copy of the death certificate is required to address a legal or administrative matter.

Before requesting certified copies of a death certificate in New Hampshire, writing down a list of where each copy is required and the type of transaction for which it is needed is recommended. This will help anyone get a clear idea of the number of certified copies of the death certificate they need.