TITLE I
THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 5-C
VITAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures

Section 5-C:49

    5-C:49 Officiant Responsibilities. –
I. The person who performs a marriage shall certify the fact of marriage and within 6 days return the record by mail or in person to the clerk of the town or city of license issuance.
II. No person shall certify or sign the marriage certificate as the officiant at his or her own marriage ceremony.
III. An ordained deacon in the Roman Catholic Church shall be in the category of a "minister of the gospel in the state who has been ordained according to the usage of his denomination," pursuant to RSA 457:31, and be empowered to sign the marriage certificate in the state of New Hampshire with the same authority as an ordained priest of the Roman Catholic faith.
IV. Any out-of-state minister who wishes to perform a marriage in the state of New Hampshire shall obtain a special license from the secretary of state as required by RSA 457:32.
V. In the event a special license is not obtained by an out-of-state officiant, the division shall notify the officiant by written letter to pursue a special license or be subject to prosecution in accordance with RSA 457:35. The division shall recognize the marriage certificate in such cases as valid under the provisions of RSA 457:36.

[Paragraph VI effective until September 8, 2026; see also paragraph VI set out below.]


VI. In accordance with paragraph I, the officiant shall report the fact that a marriage has taken place, even if the bride and groom have a change of mind after the ceremony and ask the officiant not to report the marriage to the clerk of the town or city. The date of the marriage shall be the date that the ceremony took place.

[Paragraph VI effective September 8, 2026; see also paragraph VI set out above.]


VI. In accordance with paragraph I, the officiant shall report the fact that a marriage has taken place, even if the marriage applicants have a change of mind after the ceremony and ask the officiant not to report the marriage to the clerk of the town or city. The date of the marriage shall be the date that the ceremony took place.
VII. Failure of the officiant to report a marriage shall be a violation.

Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 141:10, eff. July 21, 2006. 2026, 296:6, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.