State Vital Records in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in New Hampshire. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Vital Records
New Hampshire
sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0/purchasing-correcting-vital-records/request-certificates→Administering agency
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration
State Vital Records in New Hampshire: key facts
- Administering office
- New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration.
- Mail orders
- NH Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration, 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455.
- Certificate fee
- $15 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 20 business days for mail requests; same-day in person.
- Who may order
- Person with direct and tangible interest as defined in RSA 5-C:102, III.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 36 hours.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1640. Death, marriage, and divorce records 50+ years old are public domain per RSA 5-C:105.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in New Hampshire — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Expedited ordering through third-party vendors VitalChek and EB2Gov
- By mail: Mail completed application with payment and photo ID to DVRA
- In person: Visit local City or Town Clerk and pay search fee
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of direct or tangible interest
- Allow the office's processing time (20 business days for mail requests; same-day in person).
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail completed application with payment and photo ID to DVRA. in person: Visit local City or Town Clerk and pay search fee. Mail orders go to NH Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration, 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455.
The death certificate must be filed within 36 hours. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Proof of direct or tangible interest. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in New Hampshire primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Vital Records
New Hampshire
sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0/purchasing-correcting-vital-records/request-certificates→Administering agency
New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration