New Hampshire Public Records

New Hampshire was first inhabited by European settlers in the early 1600s and officially became one of the original 13 colonies that banded together to fight the British during the Revolutionary War. Officially named a state in 1788, as the ninth state to join the Union, New Hampshire boasts one of the longest histories in America. Fortunately, there are many archives to document the history of this state, from historic files dating back centuries to more recent birth and death records for New Hampshire residents who have called this state home in later generations. Locating public records for New Hampshire is a relatively easy process, since most searches originate at the New Hampshire state government website. From the main page, researchers can find documents through departments like the Vital Records Administration and Archives and Records Management. This streamlined approach is an efficient one for those interested in obtaining public records in New Hampshire for personal, professional or academic use.

When launching a public records search in New Hampshire, consider the following:

New Hampshire Public Records Search: Who is Authorized?

Many public records in New Hampshire are restricted to individuals who have a “direct and tangible interest” in the record under state law. This generally means that those who can access NH public records include the person listed on the document, immediate family members by either birth or marriage, and legal representatives of either of these parties. In addition, records may be made available to members of law enforcement or those requiring the information for legal purposes.

This access rule applies to birth, death, marriage and divorce records in New Hampshire. The restriction is in place for a limited amount of time, however. The state allows New Hampshire birth certificates to become public information after 100 years, while death, marriage and divorce records are made public after 50 years. This date is counted back from the date of the event, and provides unrestricted access after this time period is complete.

With many additional archives to choose from that date back even earlier, those interested in researching New Hampshire residents will find a wealth of resources at their disposal.

Public Records Locations for New Hampshire

Nearly all public records in New Hampshire can be located under the general umbrella of the state government. The Division of Vital Records Administration holds the majority of the more recent documents, including birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses and divorce decrees. The application for requesting these documents can be found online at the New Hampshire state government website. Applicants are required to provide a copy of photo identification, as well as specific information about the applicant’s relationship to the subject on the document.

Other New Hampshire public records can be found at the Archives and Records Management office. This department holds a host of fascinating genealogical documents for the state – some dating as far back as the 1600s!  Choose from New Hampshire probate records, military records and census files, as well as the standard birth, death and marriage records that date far beyond what is stored at the Division of Vital Records. Additional information of interest includes photographs, government rosters and court records.

These NH public records are best accessed in person when possible, although the office will attempt to fill requests by mail or email if the requests provide complete information to assist researchers on their search.

Public Records Online in New Hampshire

To make an online New Hampshire public records search possible, the Division of Vital Records Administration has placed many of their vital records online, dating from 1995 to the present. This service allows anyone to access and view public records in New Hampshire, although restriction rules are still enforced for those who wish to obtain certified copies of official documents.

Online access is not available at this time for records held by the Office of Archives and Records Management. These files must be accessed in person, or requests can be made by mail or email.