New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration

New Hampshire · Vital Records

sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0/purchasing-correcting-vital-records/request-certificates

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.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in New Hampshire; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Expedited ordering through third-party vendors VitalChek and EB2Gov
  • •By phone: Order by credit card through VitalChek at 877-878-8007
  • •By mail: Mail completed application with payment and photo ID to DVRA
  • •In person: Visit the DVRA office in Concord or any local City or Town Clerk and pay the search fee
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Valid photo ID (or the Documentation Evidence form where no acceptable photo ID exists)
  • •Proof of direct and tangible interest (a non-family requester includes a letter documenting the claim)
  • •Proof of mailing address for mail requests, if the mailing address is not on the ID
4
Allow the office's processing time (20 business days for mail requests; same-day in person).

State Vital Records in New Hampshire: key facts

What New Hampshire says9

Administering office

New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration.1

Office location and hours

9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301. 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. Phone line: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.1

Mail orders

NH Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration, Registration / Certification, 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455.1

Certificate fee

$15 for the first certified copy; $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

20 business days for mail requests; same-day in person.1

Who may order

Member of the registrant's immediate family; Registrant's legal guardian or legal representative; Person needing the record to determine or protect a personal or property right; News media, when the information requested is of a public nature; Person authorized by the immediate family to conduct genealogical research.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 36 hours.2

Public record

Death records become public 50 years after the death.1

Records available from

1640. Death, marriage, and divorce records 50+ years old are public domain per RSA 5-C:105.1

Governing law: N.H. RSA 290:5

Sources2

  1. 1.New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration
  2. 2.New Hampshire death-certificate filing rule (N.H. RSA 290:5; N.H. RSA 290:1; N.H. RSA 290:3; N.H. RSA 290:6; N.H. RSA 289:3; N.H. RSA 289:5; N.H. RSA 325:40-b; N.H. RSA 5-C:62; N.H. RSA 5-C:64; N.H. RSA 5-C:66; N.H. RSA 5-C:67; N.H. RSA 5-C:68; N.H. RSA 5-C:70)

New Hampshire vital records offices

New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records Administration

Phone

1-603-271-46508:00 AM-4:30 PM

Hours

8:30 AM-3:30 PM

Mailing address

NH Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration, Registration / Certification, 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in New Hampshire

Free tools for settling an estate in New Hampshire: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In New Hampshire, certified death certificates come from the New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records AdministrationNew Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records AdministrationVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $15New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records AdministrationVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $10New Hampshire Secretary of State - Division of Vital Records AdministrationVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

Calculate the Amount

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in New Hampshire: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysRSA 554:1, 554:26-aVerified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsRSA §§ 553:16, 554:19, 556:1, 556:2, 556:3, 556:5, 556:29Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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