Law

RSA 5-C Vital Records Administration

New Hampshire · 5-C · statute

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Contents: 117 provisions
  1. 5-C:1 Definitions.
  2. 5-C:2 Division of Vital Records Administration Established.
  3. 5-C:3 Declaration of Policy, Purpose and Scope.
  4. 5-C:4 Registrar of Vital Records; Privacy; Duties.
  5. 5-C:5 Statistical Forms.
  6. 5-C:6 Seal of Registrar.
  7. 5-C:7 Authenticated Copies.
  8. 5-C:8 Preservation of Returns.
  9. 5-C:9 Disclosure of Information From Vital Records.
  10. 5-C:10 Fees for Copies, Verifications and Amendments to Vital Records.
  11. 5-C:11 Decorative Heirloom Certificates.
  12. 5-C:12 Furnishing to Governmental Agencies.
  13. 5-C:13 Record as Evidence.
  14. 5-C:14 Duties and Responsibilities; Penalties.
  15. 5-C:15 Vital Records Improvement Fund.
  16. 5-C:16 Advisory Committee.
  17. 5-C:17 Quarterly Reports.
  18. 5-C:18 Annual Report.
  19. 5-C:19 Completion of Birth Worksheet for Hospital or Institutional Births.
  20. 5-C:20 Completion of the Birth Worksheet for Non-Hospital Births.
  21. 5-C:21 Distribution of the Birth Record.
  22. 5-C:22 Legitimation of Child Form.
  23. 5-C:23 Birth Record Following Legitimation.
  24. 5-C:24 Affidavit of Paternity.
  25. 5-C:25 Informational Requirements for an Affidavit of Paternity.
  26. 5-C:26 Preparation of New Birth Record Following Paternity Determination.
  27. 5-C:27 Rescission of Paternity Form.
  28. 5-C:28 Rescission of Paternity Procedures.
  29. 5-C:29 Surrogate Mother.
  30. 5-C:30 Birth Resulting From Artificial Insemination.
  31. 5-C:31 Notice of Adoption.
  32. 5-C:32 Adoption Recording Procedures.
  33. 5-C:33 Procedure for Amending the Birth Record Following Adoption.
  34. 5-C:34 Application for Certificate of Foreign Birth.
  35. 5-C:35 Certificate of Foreign Birth.
  36. 5-C:36 Birth Record of a Foundling.
  37. 5-C:37 Preparation of the Birth Record of a Foundling.
  38. 5-C:38 Application for Delayed Certificate of Birth.
  39. 5-C:39 Town and City Clerk Procedures for Delayed Certificate of Birth.
  40. 5-C:40 State Registrar Approval, Denial, or Dismissal of Delayed Certificate of Birth.
  41. 5-C:41 Marriage Registration Forms.
  42. 5-C:41 Marriage Registration Forms.
  43. 5-C:42 Marriage License and Registration.
  44. 5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License.
  45. 5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License.
  46. 5-C:44 Offshore Marriages.
  47. 5-C:45 Repealed by 2024, 81:5, VII, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
  48. 5-C:46 Marriage of Step-Children and Adopted Children.
  49. 5-C:47 Marriage of Prisoners.
  50. 5-C:48 Civil Annulments of Marriage.
  51. 5-C:49 Officiant Responsibilities.
  52. 5-C:50 Remarriage Permitted.
  53. 5-C:51 Certificate of Remarriage.
  54. 5-C:52 Delayed Certificate of Marriage.
  55. 5-C:52 Delayed Certificate of Marriage.
  56. 5-C:53 Delayed Certificate of Marriage Procedures.
  57. 5-C:54 Approval, Denial, or Dismissal by the State Registrar for a Delayed Certificate of Marriage.
  58. 5-C:55 Investigation of Bigamous Marriage.
  59. 5-C:56 Voiding a Marriage Certificate Due to Bigamy.
  60. 5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.
  61. 5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.
  62. 5-C:58 Divorce, Legal Separation, and Civil Annulment Forms.
  63. 5-C:59 Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment Registration Procedures.
  64. 5-C:60 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment.
  65. 5-C:61 Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment Record Copies and Fees.
  66. 5-C:62 Death Registration Forms.
  67. 5-C:63 Initiation of the Death Record.
  68. 5-C:64 Medical Certification of the Death Record.
  69. 5-C:65 Presumptive Death.
  70. 5-C:66 Responsibility of Funeral Director, Next of Kin, or Designated Agent Relative to Completion and Filing of the Death Record.
  71. 5-C:67 Burial Permit.
  72. 5-C:68 Burial Permit Procedures.
  73. 5-C:69 Filing of the Burial Permit and the Emergency Burial Permit With the Cemetery or Crematory Authority and the Clerk of the Town or City.
  74. 5-C:70 Emergency Burial Permits; Extensions on Time Periods for Filing a Completed Death Record.
  75. 5-C:71 Cremation.
  76. 5-C:72 Disinterment and Reinterment Forms.
  77. 5-C:73 Disinterment and Reinterment Procedures.
  78. 5-C:74 Reporting Fetal Deaths.
  79. 5-C:75 Reporting Fetal Deaths.
  80. 5-C:75-a Certificate of Stillbirth.
  81. 5-C:75-b Limited Release of Information to CDC; Fetal Death.
  82. 5-C:76 Fetal Death Paternity Affidavit.
  83. 5-C:77 Procedures for Completion of the Fetal Death Paternity Affidavit.
  84. 5-C:78 Burial Permit for Disposition of Fetal Remains.
  85. 5-C:79 Procedures for the Disposition of Fetal Death Remains.
  86. 5-C:80 Delayed Registration of Death.
  87. 5-C:81 Queries.
  88. 5-C:82 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate.
  89. 5-C:83 Issuance of Death Certificate Copies.
  90. 5-C:84 Matching of Birth and Death Certificates.
  91. 5-C:85 General Forms for Amending or Correcting a Vital Record.
  92. 5-C:86 Forms to Amend Birth Records.
  93. 5-C:87 Initiating Amendments and Corrections to Birth Records.
  94. 5-C:88 Town or City Clerk Procedures to Amend Birth Records.
  95. 5-C:89 Documentary Evidence Required to Amend Birth Record.
  96. 5-C:90 Forms for Amending or Correcting a Marriage Record.
  97. 5-C:91 False Information on the Marriage Application Worksheet.
  98. 5-C:92 Amending or Correcting a Certificate of Marriage.
  99. 5-C:93 Amendments and Corrections to Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment Records.
  100. 5-C:94 Amendments and Corrections to a Death Record.
  101. 5-C:95 Amending the Death Certificate.
  102. 5-C:96 Retention Schedule for Forms and Other Documents.
  103. 5-C:97 Marriage Licenses.
  104. 5-C:98 Vital Records Copies.
  105. 5-C:99 Apostille Records.
  106. 5-C:100 Search Fees.
  107. 5-C:101 Requests From Government Agencies.
  108. 5-C:102 Disclosure of Information to Individuals; Direct and Tangible Interest.
  109. 5-C:103 Release of Information to Federal or Other Agencies.
  110. 5-C:104 Release of Information to the Media.
  111. 5-C:105 Disclosure of Information to Genealogists.
  112. 5-C:106 Requests for Public Records to Clerk of Towns and Cities.
  113. 5-C:107 Handling of Special Records.
  114. 5-C:108 Procedures for Requesting Vital Records Data for Health-Related Research.
  115. 5-C:109 Aggregate Data.
  116. 5-C:110 Public Use Statistical File.
  117. 5-C:111 Hearings.

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

117 provisions

5-C:41 Marriage Registration Forms.

I. There shall be 2 forms for the completion of a marriage registration. The marriage application worksheet, which shall be the form that is used to record marriage intentions, shall be completed by the prospective bride and groom and the clerk of the town or city and shall contain the information needed to complete the marriage license. The marriage license, which shall be the form that is used to record that the marriage ceremony has taken place and to record who solemnized the marriage, shall be completed by the bride, groom, the officiant and the clerk of the town or city in accordance with this section and RSA 5-C:42. The marriage license shall be the official copy of the certificate of marriage when the marriage is registered with the division. II. The marriage application worksheet shall be completed by the prospective bride and groom in the office of the clerk of the town or city. The information supplied by the groom shall include his full name; his usual residence by street and number, city, town or location, county and state; his birthplace; his date of birth; his social security number; his father's full name; his father's birthplace; his mother's maiden name; and his mother's birthplace. The information supplied by the bride shall include her full name and maiden surname, if different; her usual residence by street and number, city, town or location, county and state; her birthplace; her date of birth; her social security number; her father's full name; her father's birthplace; her mother's maiden name; and, her mother's birthplace. II-a. (a) Upon entering into marriage, either party may retain his or her surname prior to the marriage or change his or her surname to the surname of the other party or change the surname to a hyphenated combination of the full surnames of both parties. If a party requests a surname change under this paragraph, that party may also change his or her middle name to his or her surname prior to the marriage. Each party shall indicate on the marriage application worksheet the party's name after marriage. (b) Provided that the change is not made for a fraudulent criminal or wrongful purpose, the name of each party after marriage as indicated on the marriage application worksheet and marriage license shall become the sole legal name of each party after marriage. If a party indicates a name change other than as described in subparagraph (a), the party shall request approval of the court. III. The clerk of the town or city shall complete the following statistical and legal information on the marriage application worksheet for both the applicants with information supplied by the applicants: the number which represents the currently intended marriage; if previously married, whether a civil annulment occurred or the marriage ended by death or divorce; the date of civil annulment or that the last marriage ended; whether proof of age of the applicants was demonstrated using identification with photograph; if applicable, the divorce decree; and, if applicable, the death record of the former spouse. IV. The bride and groom shall record the following on the marriage application worksheet after the clerk of the town or city completes information on the application worksheet as described in paragraph III: the date and the city or town where the marriage is intended to take place, if known; the name and address of the officiant for the marriage ceremony, if known; the groom's mailing address and phone number; the bride's mailing address and phone number; the groom's signature and date signed; the bride's signature and date signed; and certification that the information provided is correct to the best of his or her knowledge and belief and that he or she is free to marry under the laws of New Hampshire. V. Once all of the information on the marriage application worksheet has been obtained, the clerk of the town or city shall transfer the information as listed in paragraphs II and III from the marriage application worksheet to the marriage license as well as record the following information on the marriage license: the date that the marriage license is issued, the signature of the clerk, and the name of the city or town of issuance. VI. Pursuant to RSA 457:26, the date that the marriage license is issued shall be not more than 90 days from the date that marriage intentions were filed. VII. Upon request of the groom, the name of a legal guardian shall be substituted on the marriage license for a natural parent's name, regardless of whether the groom who makes the request is of legal age at the time when intentions are being filed. VIII. Upon request of the bride, the name of a legal guardian shall be substituted on the marriage license for a natural parent's name, regardless of whether the bride who makes the request is of legal age at the time when intentions are being filed. IX. The substitution of stepparents' names shall not be permitted. X. Persons entering dates on the marriage license shall use the full or abbreviated name of the month rather than numerals. XI. When listing the birthplace on the marriage license, if the person is known to have been born in the United States, but the state is unknown then "U.S.-Unknown" shall be entered, and, if the person is known to have been born in a foreign country, but the country is unknown, "Foreign Unknown" shall be entered. XII. If no information is available regarding place of birth, "Unknown" shall be entered. XIII. The prospective bride and groom shall review the information on the marriage license for completeness and accuracy prior to signing the marriage license. XIV. [Repealed.] XV. The officiant shall record the following on the marriage license after the marriage ceremony has taken place: certification that he or she is duly authorized to solemnize the marriage in accordance with RSA 457; the officiant's status, pursuant to RSA 457:31; the date of the marriage ceremony; the city, town or location and county where the couple were married; certification that the bride and groom were married by the officiant in conformance with RSA 457 and that the information noted is correct to the best of his or her knowledge; the signature of the officiant; the officiant's typed or printed name; the officiant's title and address; and an indication of whether the ceremony was religious or civil. XVI. The date the marriage license is received by the clerk of the town or city from the officiant shall be recorded on the marriage certificate as the date the marriage registration is filed. XVII. The marriage license shall include the signature of the clerk of the town or city and the name of the town or city. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2011, 187:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2014, 69:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015. 2024, 81:5, VIII, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; 229:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. 2025, 252:1, eff. July 1, 2025.

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5-C:41 Marriage Registration Forms.

I. There shall be 2 forms for the completion of a marriage registration. The marriage application worksheet, which shall be the form that is used to record marriage intentions, shall be completed by the prospective marriage applicants and the clerk of the town or city and shall contain the information needed to complete the marriage license. The marriage license, which shall be the form that is used to record that the marriage ceremony has taken place and to record who solemnized the marriage, shall be completed by the marriage applicants, the officiant, and the clerk of the town or city in accordance with this section and RSA 5-C:42. The marriage license shall be the official copy of the certificate of marriage when the marriage is registered with the division. II. The marriage application worksheet may be completed online or offline ahead of time, and shall be completed by the prospective marriage applicants by signing it in the office of the clerk of the town or city. The town or city clerk shall also sign the marriage application worksheet. The information supplied by both marriage applicants shall include his or her full name; his or her usual residence by street and number, city, town or location, county and state; his or her birthplace; his or her date of birth; his or her social security number; his or her father's full name; his or her father's birthplace; his or her mother's maiden name; and his or her mother's birthplace. If applicable, a party shall also provide their surname if different from their current name. II-a. (a) Upon entering into marriage, either party may retain his or her surname prior to the marriage or change his or her surname to the surname of the other party or change the surname to a hyphenated combination of the full surnames of both parties. If a party requests a surname change under this paragraph, that party may also change his or her middle name to his or her surname prior to the marriage. Each party shall indicate on the marriage application worksheet the party's name after marriage. (b) Provided that the change is not made for a fraudulent criminal or wrongful purpose, the name of each party after marriage as indicated on the marriage application worksheet and marriage license shall become the sole legal name of each party after marriage. If a party indicates a name change other than as described in subparagraph (a), the party shall request approval of the court. III. The clerk of the town or city shall complete the following statistical and legal information on the marriage application worksheet for both the applicants with information supplied by the applicants: the number which represents the currently intended marriage; if previously married, whether a civil annulment occurred or the marriage ended by death or divorce; the date of civil annulment or that the last marriage ended; whether proof of age of the applicants was demonstrated using identification with photograph; if applicable, the divorce decree; and, if applicable, the death record of the former spouse. IV. The marriage applicants shall record the following on the marriage application worksheet after the clerk of the town or city completes information on the application worksheet as described in paragraph III: the date and the city or town where the marriage is intended to take place, if known; the name and address of the officiant for the marriage ceremony, if known; the marriage applicants' mailing addresses and phone numbers; the marriage applicants' signatures and date signed; and certification that the information provided is correct to the best of his or her knowledge and belief and that he or she is free to marry under the laws of New Hampshire. V. Once all of the information on the marriage application worksheet has been obtained, the clerk of the town or city shall transfer the information as listed in paragraphs II and III from the marriage application worksheet to the marriage license as well as record the following information on the marriage license: the date that the marriage license is issued, the signature of the clerk, and the name of the city or town of issuance. VI. Pursuant to RSA 457:26, the date that the marriage license is issued shall be not more than 90 days from the date that marriage intentions were filed. VII. Upon request of either marriage applicant, the name of a legal guardian shall be substituted on the marriage license for a natural parent's name, regardless of whether the marriage applicant who makes the request is of legal age at the time when intentions are being filed. VIII. The substitution of stepparents' names shall not be permitted. IX. Persons entering dates on the marriage license shall use the full or abbreviated name of the month rather than numerals. X. When listing the birthplace on the marriage license, if the person is known to have been born in the United States, but the state is unknown then "U.S.-Unknown" shall be entered, and, if the person is known to have been born in a foreign country, but the country is unknown, "Foreign Unknown" shall be entered. XI. If no information is available regarding place of birth, "Unknown" shall be entered. XII. The prospective marriage applicants shall review the information on the marriage license for completeness and accuracy prior to signing the marriage license. XIII. [Repealed]. XIV. The officiant shall record the following on the marriage license after the marriage ceremony has taken place: certification that he or she is duly authorized to solemnize the marriage in accordance with RSA 457; the officiant's status, pursuant to RSA 457:31; the date of the marriage ceremony; the city, town or location and county where the couple were married; certification that the marriage applicants were married by the officiant in conformance with RSA 457 and that the information noted is correct to the best of his or her knowledge; the signature of the officiant; the officiant's typed or printed name; the officiant's title and address; and an indication of whether the ceremony was religious or civil. XV. The date the marriage license is received by the clerk of the town or city from the officiant shall be recorded on the marriage certificate as the date the marriage registration is filed. XVI. The marriage license shall include the signature of the clerk of the town or city and the name of the town or city. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2011, 187:1, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2014, 69:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015. 2024, 81:5, VIII, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; 229:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. 2025, 252:1, eff. July 1, 2025. 2026, 296:2, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:42 Marriage License and Registration.

I. A marriage performed in the state of New Hampshire shall be registered when the marriage certificate is filed in accordance with this section and RSA 5-C:41, signed by the clerk of the town or city, and forwarded to the division. II. An application for a marriage license may be made in any city or town in the state of New Hampshire and the marriage license shall be issued for a marriage ceremony to be performed in any city or town in the state of New Hampshire. III. No marriage license or court-ordered waiver issued by any other state shall be acceptable for marriage in the state of New Hampshire. IV. The persons to be married shall appear in person to the clerk of the town or city to file the marriage intentions and to sign the application for the marriage license unless either party or both are unable to appear in person, in which case the procedure in paragraph V or V-a shall apply. V. If either party or both is a member of the armed forces and is unable to appear in person, the following shall apply: the armed services' legal representative shall prepare the marriage application worksheet; the completed application worksheet shall be signed by the service person; the armed services' legal representative, company commander or other superior officer, shall sign a statement attesting that the information provided is correct; the service person, if unable to appear, shall submit a signed statement authorizing the non-service person to sign for both the bride and groom; the completed application, and signed release if applicable, shall then be forwarded to the clerk of the town or city who issued the application; when the application worksheet is received by the clerk of the town or city, it shall then be used as an acceptable substitute for the personal appearance of the service person; the license shall then be prepared pursuant to RSA 5-C:41 with the non-service applicant being permitted to sign the license for both the bride and groom; and the application worksheet received from the service person shall be retained permanently by the clerk of the town or city. V. If either party or both is a member of the armed forces and is unable to appear in person, the following shall apply: the armed services' legal representative shall prepare the marriage application worksheet; the completed application worksheet shall be signed by the service person; the armed services' legal representative, company commander or other superior officer, shall sign a statement attesting that the information provided is correct; the service person, if unable to appear, shall submit a signed statement authorizing the non-service person to sign for both the marriage applicants; the completed application, and signed release if applicable, shall then be forwarded to the clerk of the town or city who issued the application; when the application worksheet is received by the clerk of the town or city, it shall then be used as an acceptable substitute for the personal appearance of the service person; the license shall then be prepared pursuant to RSA 5-C:41 with the non-service applicant being permitted to sign the license for both the marriage applicants; and the application worksheet received from the service person shall be retained permanently by the clerk of the town or city. V-a. If either party is unable to appear in person for documented medical reasons, the city or town clerk may accommodate the parties by meeting in person with the parties at such other location within the city or town as may be convenient. VI. One party may initiate the process of applying for a marriage license; however, the license shall not be issued until signatures have been obtained from both parties. VII. An applicant for a marriage license shall provide positive identification consisting of a certified copy of a birth certificate or a driver's license or a passport or other license or identification that contains a photograph of the applicant and the applicant's name and date of birth. VIII. Both applicants shall be at least 18 years of age, in accordance with RSA 457:4. IX. If either or both parties have been previously married, a certified copy of the final divorce decree or decrees, or a certified copy of the death record of each deceased spouse, shall be reviewed by the clerk of the town or city before the marriage license is issued. The clerk shall make notation upon the marriage license of such review. X. If a civil annulment is declared as the means of dissolving a former marriage, the clerk of the town or city shall review a certified copy of the civil annulment decree before the marriage license is issued. XI. A divorce decree in a foreign language shall not be acceptable for presentation as proof of final divorce, unless the divorce decree is translated into English and signed by the translator, with the signature certified by a justice of the peace or notary public. The cost of the translation, if any, shall be the responsibility of the applicant. XII. If a divorce decree from a foreign country is not available, the applicant shall provide an affidavit stating that he or she was divorced and a statement from the embassy of the foreign country stating that the records are not available. XIII. After the marriage application worksheet has been prepared and signed by the applicants, a license fee in accordance with RSA 457:29 shall be paid by the applicants to the clerk of the town or city. If the applicants do not use the marriage license for any reason, the fee shall not be refunded. XIV. The date of the signing of the worksheet by either the bride or groom, or the earlier of 2 dates if applicable, shall be used by the clerk of the town or city to indicate when the intention of marriage was received and recorded and the date to be used to establish the beginning of the time period during which the license shall be valid. The marriage license shall be valid pursuant to RSA 457:26 for not more than 90 days from the date the marriage intentions were filed. When 90 days have elapsed from the date the marriage intentions were filed and a completed marriage certificate or a delayed certificate of marriage has not been processed, the clerk of the town or city shall make a notation on the marriage application worksheet stating the marriage presumably did not take place. In the case where the marriage certificate is received within 6 months of the end of the 90-day period, the clerk of the town or city shall remove the notation and issue the certificate. In the case where the marriage certificate is received more than 6 months after the end of the 90-day period, the clerk of the town or city shall follow the procedure for issuing a delayed certificate of marriage. XIV. The date of the signing of the worksheet by either marriage applicant, or the earlier of 2 dates if applicable, shall be used by the clerk of the town or city to indicate when the intention of marriage was received and recorded and the date to be used to establish the beginning of the time period during which the license shall be valid. The marriage license shall be valid pursuant to RSA 457:26 for not more than 90 days from the date the marriage intentions were filed. When 90 days have elapsed from the date the marriage intentions were filed and a completed marriage certificate or a delayed certificate of marriage has not been processed, the clerk of the town or city shall make a notation on the marriage application worksheet stating the marriage presumably did not take place. In the case where the marriage certificate is received within 6 months of the end of the 90-day period, the clerk of the town or city shall remove the notation and issue the certificate. In the case where the marriage certificate is received more than 6 months after the end of the 90-day period, the clerk of the town or city shall follow the procedure for issuing a delayed certificate of marriage. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2011, 187:2, 3, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2022, 295:4, 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2023. 2023, 159:1, eff. Sept. 26, 2023. 2025, 252:2, eff. July 1, 2025. 2026, 296:3, 4, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License.

After the clerk of a town or city has forwarded the completed marriage license to the division, the registrar shall give the original to the prospective bride and groom. A marriage license may be mailed to the bride or groom if mailed via certified mail with return receipt requested and the cost for the certified mail handling shall be paid by the applicants. The bride and groom shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License.

After the clerk of a town or city has forwarded the completed marriage license to the division, the registrar shall give the original to the prospective marriage applicants. A marriage license may be mailed to the marriage applicants if mailed via certified mail with return receipt requested and the cost for the certified mail handling shall be paid by the applicants. The marriage applicants shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2026, 296:5, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:44 Offshore Marriages.

I. A marriage license for an offshore marriage ceremony shall be obtained from the clerk of any town or city and certified only if the marriage ceremony was performed on the ocean off the New Hampshire coast within 3 miles of the shoreline, in the air anywhere over the state of New Hampshire, or, aboard ship on a lake in the state of New Hampshire. II. The marriage ceremony for an offshore marriage shall be performed by an officiant identified in RSA 457:31 and the city or town of departure shall be the city or town of occurrence of the marriage. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:45 Repealed by 2024, 81:5, VII, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.

Repealed by 2024, 81:5, VII, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.

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5-C:46 Marriage of Step-Children and Adopted Children.

I. The division shall issue a marriage certificate for step-siblings in a family if the natural parents of each child had no biological connection to each other closer than cousin. II. The division shall issue a marriage certificate to an adopted brother and an adopted sister in the same family, unless they are also related biologically as specified in RSA 457:2. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2009, 59:8, eff. Jan. 1, 2010.

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5-C:47 Marriage of Prisoners.

If an inmate of a state prison or county jail receives permission from prison or jail officials to marry while still an inmate, the city or town in which the institution is located shall be considered as the residence of the inmate but the marriage license may be obtained from the clerk of any town or city in the state of New Hampshire. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:48 Civil Annulments of Marriage.

A certified copy of the absolute or final court-ordered civil annulment decree shall be presented by the party to the clerk of the town or city who issues the marriage license. The clerk of the town or city shall make a notation on the marriage license indicating a civil annulment decree had been presented. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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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. 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. 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.

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5-C:50 Remarriage Permitted.

The clerk of the town or city shall refer to the state registrar all requests for a marriage license made by parties who are currently married but the validity of the marriage is questioned by the court, law enforcement agencies or the state registrars outside of New Hampshire. If the validity of a marriage is questioned, the clerk of the town or city shall obtain from the licensees any documentation of their current marriage, including, but not limited to, a copy of a marriage license or the certified copy of a final divorce decree, and forward all the information to the division for a review by the state registrar. If a review of the documentation provides sufficient evidence that the marriage in question is subject to challenge, the state registrar shall notify in writing the married couple and the clerk of the town or city. The couple may petition the court for a review of the legal status of the marriage or the couple may initiate the application for a marriage license. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:51 Certificate of Remarriage.

I. A marriage certificate shall not be issued to parties who are already lawfully married to each other except as provided in RSA 5-C:50. This shall also include issuing a marriage certificate for the renewal of marriage vows for religious or anniversary purposes. II. In the case where the state registrar receives an affidavit challenging the legality of a marriage certificate, the state registrar shall send a certified letter to the married couple advising them that an allegation of violation of RSA 457 has been made that causes the legality of their marriage certificate to be subject to challenge and therefore might void the marriage certificate and advising them of the information necessary to respond to the alleged violation of RSA 457. III. The state registrar shall send a copy of the certified letter described in paragraph II to the clerk of the town or city who issued the marriage license and to the officiant. IV. The validity of a marriage certificate shall not be affected because of lack of legal authority or jurisdiction on the part of the officiant or as otherwise stated in RSA 457:36. V. If the correction of an alleged violation requires another marriage ceremony to be conducted in conformance with New Hampshire statutes, it shall not be necessary for the clerk of the town or city to issue a new certificate. VI. If another marriage ceremony is necessary in accordance with paragraph V, the date of marriage shall be noted on the marriage certificate as the date the original marriage ceremony took place or, if the alleged violation is due to lack of conformance to a statutory time limit, the date shall be the date of the second marriage ceremony. VII. When a second marriage ceremony has taken place, the officiant shall notify the clerk of the town or city in writing. VIII. Certified copies of the marriage certificate issued after the alleged violation of RSA 457 has been corrected shall not make reference in any way to the alleged violation. IX. If the alleged violation is not corrected, all certified copies issued of such marriage record shall include a notation of the alleged violation. X. If false information is provided pursuant to RSA 639:1 or RSA 5-C:14, the state registrar shall report such an offense to the county attorney where the event occurred. XI. When a second marriage ceremony has taken place, the clerk of the town or city shall make an appropriate notation on the face of the local certificate as described in paragraphs VI and VIII. XII. The appropriate form shall be sent in accordance with RSA 5-C:85 to the state registrar to update the vital record. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:52 Delayed Certificate of Marriage.

I. The registration of a marriage after 6 months from the actual date of the marriage shall be accomplished using a regular certificate of marriage, completed in accordance with RSA 5-C:42. II. Registration of marriage pursuant to paragraph I requires that an application for a delayed certificate of marriage be initiated by the bride, groom, or their legal representative with the clerk of the town or city where the marriage license was allegedly issued. To be acceptable for registration by the state registrar, the delayed certificate of marriage shall be supported by a copy of the marriage worksheet application, if available, obtained from the clerk of the town or city where the intentions were filed and at least 2 of the following: (a) An affidavit from the officiant, if obtainable, stating that he or she had officiated at the wedding in question. (b) A copy of the marriage certificate signed by the officiant and given to the married couple after the alleged ceremony. (c) One or more copies of newspaper accounts of the wedding in question. (d) A copy of a city or town report showing that the marriage in question was listed therein. (e) A certified copy of a divorce decree dissolving the marriage in question. (f) Pictures of the wedding ceremony accompanied by a notarized affidavit by, but not limited to, the best man, maid of honor, mother or father of the bride or groom, or bridesmaids, testifying to the persons shown in the pictures. (g) Notarized affidavits from other members of the wedding party including participants and witnesses. (h) A census bureau report on the applicant's household demonstrating marital status. III. When evidence as cited in paragraph II is presented to the clerk of the town or city, he or she shall initiate preparation of a new marriage certificate. The marriage certificate shall be a replica of the original when possible, showing all dates and related information, and signatures of the bride and groom shall be obtained by the clerk of the town or city on the new marriage record. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2011, 187:4, eff. Aug. 13, 2011.

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5-C:52 Delayed Certificate of Marriage.

I. The registration of a marriage after 6 months from the actual date of the marriage shall be accomplished using a regular certificate of marriage, completed in accordance with RSA 5-C:42. II. Registration of marriage pursuant to paragraph I requires that an application for a delayed certificate of marriage be initiated by the marriage applicants, or their legal representative with the clerk of the town or city where the marriage license was allegedly issued. The filing fee for a delayed certificate of marriage shall be $25 payable to the city or town clerk, to be retained by the city or town. To be acceptable for registration by the state registrar, the delayed certificate of marriage shall be supported by a copy of the marriage worksheet application, if available, obtained from the clerk of the town or city where the intentions were filed and at least 2 of the following: (a) An affidavit from the officiant, if obtainable, stating that he or she had officiated at the wedding in question. (b) A copy of the marriage certificate signed by the officiant and given to the married couple after the alleged ceremony. (c) One or more copies of newspaper accounts of the wedding in question. (d) A copy of a city or town report showing that the marriage in question was listed therein. (e) A certified copy of a divorce decree dissolving the marriage in question. (f) Pictures of the wedding ceremony accompanied by a notarized affidavit by, but not limited to, the best man, maid of honor, mother or father of either marriage applicant, or bridesmaids, testifying to the persons shown in the pictures. (g) Notarized affidavits from other members of the wedding party including participants and witnesses. (h) A census bureau report on the applicant's household demonstrating marital status. III. When evidence as cited in paragraph II is presented to the clerk of the town or city, he or she shall initiate preparation of a new marriage certificate. The marriage certificate shall be a replica of the original when possible, showing all dates and related information, and signatures of the marriage applicants shall be obtained by the clerk of the town or city on the new marriage record. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2011, 187:4, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2026, 296:7, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:53 Delayed Certificate of Marriage Procedures.

I. When the steps described in RSA 5-C:52 have been completed, the clerk of the town or city shall prepare a delayed certificate of marriage as provided in this section. II. If the actual date of marriage has been established but other entries for dates recorded on the marriage certificate are not obtainable, the missing dates shall be estimated from the marriage date by the clerk of the town or city. Those dates shall be noted on the certificate as "approximate." III. The clerk of the town or city shall send the completed form and all original supporting documentation to the division after his or her signature has been affixed. A copy of the completed form shall be retained by the clerk of the town or city and a copy shall be sent to the bride and groom. III. The clerk of the town or city shall send the completed form and all original supporting documentation to the division after his or her signature has been affixed. A copy of the completed form shall be retained by the clerk of the town or city and a copy shall be sent to the marriage applicants. IV. Upon receipt of the completed form from the clerk of the town or city, the state registrar shall review the documentation for completeness and approve or not approve the delayed certificate as described in RSA 5-C:54. V. The delayed certificate of marriage shall be filed by the clerk of the town or city by adding the words "DELAYED IN FILING MARRIAGE" on the face of the form. VI. The entry for "date received by clerk" on the delayed marriage certificate shall show the date when the application for the delayed marriage certificate was approved by the state registrar. VII. Certified copies of a delayed marriage certificate issued by the clerk of the town or city or the division shall be stamped or suitably noted to indicate "DELAYED IN FILING." Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2026, 296:8, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:54 Approval, Denial, or Dismissal by the State Registrar for a Delayed Certificate of Marriage.

I. The state registrar shall review each application certified by a clerk of a town or city to determine that the application meets the requirements of RSA 5-C:52 and the evidence submitted establishes the facts of the marriage. II. If the application complies with the requirements of paragraph I, the state registrar shall approve the application by signing and dating it and shall file the application at the division. The registrar shall return the documentary evidence to the applicant along with a certified copy of the delayed certificate of marriage and send a copy of the documents and the delayed certificate of marriage to the clerk of the town or city. III. When an applicant does not submit the minimum acceptable documentation required for a delayed registration, or when the state registrar has cause to question the validity or adequacy of the applicant's sworn statement or the documentary evidence, the state registrar shall deny the application by not registering the delayed certificate. The registrar shall notify the applicant of the denial in writing and request the additional documentary evidence to prove the facts of marriage. The registrar shall advise the applicant of the reason for this action and of his or her right to appeal within 30 days to the secretary of state. IV. If the state registrar is unable to approve an application because the documentary evidence does not comply paragraph I, the registrar shall notify the applicant and the clerk of the town or city of the denial within 10 days of receipt of the application and return the application to the clerk of the town or city. V. If the state registrar has denied the application, a clerk of the town or city shall contact the applicant to obtain the necessary evidence to meet the requirements, except that the state registrar shall dismiss an application for a delayed certificate of marriage that has not been completed within one year from the date of application. VI. The state registrar shall send a copy of the letter of dismissal or denial to the clerk of the town or city where the alleged marriage license was issued. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:55 Investigation of Bigamous Marriage.

I. If an individual believes a bigamous marriage has taken place and such individual wishes to challenge the validity of the marriage certificate, the individual making the accusation shall provide to the clerk of the town or city a notarized statement of the alleged facts; a copy of the marriage certificate from the accused individual's previous marriage that was allegedly not dissolved; and a notarized affidavit from the spouse in the previous marriage attesting that the marriage was not dissolved. The clerk of the town or city shall prepare the appropriate form and have the person making the accusation sign the form in accordance with RSA 5-C:85. The clerk of the town or city shall forward the notarized statement and all other related documents to the state registrar. II. The state registrar shall send a letter via certified mail to the accused stating the alleged facts and requesting documentation to prove the marriage certificate in question is valid and dispute the claim of bigamy such as, but not limited to a certified copy of a final divorce or civil annulment of the previous marriage or a death certificate of the spouse from the previous marriage. If the division does not receive a response to the certified letter within 30 days of the signed receipt of the letter, the state registrar shall inform the person making the initial allegation of the lack of response and the need to refer the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon receipt of the evidence submitted by the accused, the state registrar shall determine whether the validity of the marriage certificate is in question. If the evidence submitted shows that the validity of the marriage certificate is not in question, then the state registrar shall send a certified letter to the accused with the results of the investigation and a copy of the letter to the person making the allegation and the clerk of the town or city. If the evidence submitted shows that the validity of the marriage certificate is in question, then the state registrar shall send a certified letter, indicating the results of the investigation and that the marriage certificate shall be voided, to the accused, the person making the allegation, and the clerk, and the county attorney. In the case where the accused disputes the determination of the state registrar, the accused may request, within 30 days, an administrative hearing. All material forwarded by the clerk of the town or city including the affidavit of the information and any pertinent documents shall be retained by the division. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:56 Voiding a Marriage Certificate Due to Bigamy.

I. Pursuant to RSA 458:1, a marriage certificate shall be voided if an individual accused of bigamy fails to respond to a certified letter or a founded claim of bigamy has been referred to the county attorney by the state registrar as provided in RSA 5-C:55. II. If the marriage certificate has already been filed with the division, the state registrar shall mark the record "VOID" on the face of the marriage certificate. If the charge of bigamy has been substantiated, the appropriate form as described in RSA 5-C:85 shall be returned by the state registrar to the clerk of the town or city. If a copy of the marriage certificate is also on file at the clerk's office, the clerk shall make a notation to the face of the local record indicating the marriage certificate has been declared "VOID" by the state registrar and the date. III. A copy of the document that voided the previous marriage certificate shall be presented to the clerk of the town or city in the event that either of the parties wishes to marry in the future and he or she completes a new marriage license in the state of New Hampshire. The new marriage license shall not make reference to the voided marriage certificate. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.

I. The following information shall be provided on an application for certified copy of marriage record, before a certified copy is issued: (a) The groom's full name and the bride's full maiden name. (b) The date of marriage. (c) The place of marriage. (d) The purpose for which the certificate is requested. (e) The applicant's signature. (f) The applicant's relationship to the bride and groom. (g) The applicant's name, address, and telephone number. II. The applicant shall demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.

I. The following information shall be provided on an application for certified copy of marriage record, before a certified copy is issued: (a) The full name of both marriage applicants, including any prior surname if different from the current name. (b) The date of marriage. (c) The place of marriage. (d) The purpose for which the certificate is requested. (e) The applicant's signature. (f) The applicant's relationship to the marriage applicants. (g) The applicant's name, address, and telephone number. II. The applicant shall demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2026, 296:9, eff. Sept. 8, 2026.

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5-C:58 Divorce, Legal Separation, and Civil Annulment Forms.

I. The petitioner or his or her legal representative shall provide the following information, in writing, for both the husband and the wife in order to complete a petition of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment: (a) Their full names and usual residences by city, town or location, county, and state. (b) Their birthplaces by state or foreign country. (c) Their dates of birth. (d) Whether the most recent marriage is the first, second, and so forth for each. (e) If previously married, the number of marriages ended by death or divorces, and prior civil annulments, if any. (f) Their social security numbers. (g) Their educational level specifying only the highest grade completed. II. The petitioner, or his or her legal representative, shall provide the following information, in writing, about the marriage: (a) The place of the marriage in question by city or town, county, and state or foreign country. (b) The date of the marriage in question by month, day, and year. (c) The date the couple last resided in the same household. (d) The number of children ever born alive to or adopted by the couple. III. The petitioner or his or her legal representative shall provide the following information, in writing, about the filing: (a) The number of children under 18 years of age in the household, as of the date couple last resided in same household. (b) The petitioner, identified as husband, wife, both, or other, including but not limited to legal guardian. (c) The name of the attorney for the petitioner, or the petitioner's name if the petition is a pro se filing. (d) The legal representative's business address or pro se petitioner's address by building number, street, city or town, state and zip code. (e) The date the report was completed by the legal representative or pro se petitioner. IV. The petitioner, or his or her legal representative, shall provide the following information in writing, about the action in superior court: (a) The docket number. (b) The cause for filing, stating irreconcilable differences or specifying other cause. (c) The decree, entered as an uncontested hearing, a contested hearing, or a defaulted hearing. (d) The type of decree, specifying divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment. (e) The date the decree becomes final. (f) The first and last name of the hearing official and an indication of whether the hearing official is a judge or master. (g) The name to be used by the wife after divorce. (h) Whether legal custody of the children was awarded jointly to the mother and father, to the mother, to the father, to other as specified, or not applicable. (i) The number of children under 18 whose physical custody was awarded to the mother, to the father, split between the mother and the father, to other as specified, or not applicable. (j) Whether the physical custody award was uncontested, contested, defaulted, or not applicable. (k) The signature of the clerk of the superior court; the county of the court's location; and the date signed. V. The division shall promulgate a divorce, legal separation, and civil annulment form to record the information specified in paragraphs I-IV. VI. The clerk of court shall forward the original certificates of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment granted during the preceding calendar month to the division on or before the 12th day of each calendar month in accordance with RSA 458:15. VII. Only an original form obtained from a court shall be accepted by the division. VIII. In the event that a clerk of a town or city issuing a marriage certificate is presented with a court decree showing that a marriage performed in the state of New Hampshire has been annulled, a copy of the civil annulment attached to the form to amend a vital record shall be forwarded by the clerk to the division. The state registrar shall mark the state copy of the affected marriage certificate as "VOID." Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:59 Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment Registration Procedures.

I. Only one record of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment shall be prepared by the clerk of the court and forwarded to the division for each marriage dissolved by the superior court. II. Queries to the division concerning any entry on the report of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment shall be forwarded by the division to the clerk of court or legal representative. III. Upon receipt from the clerk of superior court of a decree of the resumption of marital relations in accordance with RSA 458:30, the division shall mark the report of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment with notice of such resumption. IV. In the case of a court-ordered civil annulment of marriage that occurred in the state of New Hampshire, the following procedures shall apply: (a) Upon receipt of a report of civil annulment from the clerk of court, the word "VOID" shall be stamped across the face of the marriage certificate by the division to indicate that the marriage has been annulled. (b) A notation shall be made by the state registrar on the face of the marriage certificate to show that a court-ordered civil annulment was the authority used to void the marriage record and to indicate the name of the authorizing court and the date of the authorization. V. If a copy of the marriage certificate for which the marriage was annulled is also on file at the office of clerk of the town or city, the division shall send notice of such civil annulment to that clerk. Upon receipt of the notice, the clerk shall stamp, or print with a pen, the word "VOID" across the face of the marriage certificate; note that a court ordered civil annulment was the authority used to void the marriage record; and indicate the name of the authorizing court and the date of such authorization. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:60 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment.

I. An applicant for a copy of a divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment certificate shall provide the following information, in writing, to the division: (a) The husband's first and last name. (b) The wife's first and maiden name. (c) The date of decree. (d) The place of decree by county. (e) The purpose for which the certificate is requested, in order to establish direct and tangible interest in the record. (f) The signature of the applicant. (g) The applicant's relationship to the husband or wife. (h) The applicant's name, address, and telephone number. II. If the applicant is determined by the state registrar to have a direct and tangible interest in the record, a certified copy of a divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment record shall be issued by the division, for any year of occurrence. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:61 Divorce, Legal Separation, or Civil Annulment Record Copies and Fees.

I. Written application for a copy of a divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment record, shall be made to the division or to the New Hampshire court granting such divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment. II. The state registrar, upon receipt of a written application, shall issue a certified copy of a divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment record in his or her custody, or a part thereof to any applicant having a direct and tangible interest in the record. III. Clerks of towns and cities shall not issue certified copies of divorce, legal separation, or civil annulment. IV. Copies issued from records marked with a notice of resumptive marital relations shall be similarly marked and show the effective date. V. If needed, an apostille record shall be prepared in the same manner as described in RSA 5-C:99, except that the procedures may be done by the clerk of the court. VI. A search fee shall be charged for making a record search in accordance with RSA 5-C:10. The search fee shall be payable regardless of whether the record is found. The search fee shall include one certified copy of the record if a copy is desired. The search fee shall apply to certified copies issued by the division, which may differ from fees established by the superior court. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:62 Death Registration Forms.

I. For every death that occurs in the state of New Hampshire, a death record shall be filed electronically by a funeral director, certifying physician, APRN, physician associate, next of kin, designated agent, or clerk of the town or city with the division within 36 hours of death and prior to final disposition or entombment. II. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent pursuant to RSA 290:1 shall provide the following information for the death record: (a) The decedent's full name, sex, date of death, and social security number. (b) The decedent's age on his or her last birthday in years or, if under one year old, the person's age in months or days lived and, if under one day old, the number of hours or minutes lived. The date of the person's birth by month, day and year. (c) The person's place of birth, by city or town and state or foreign country. (d) Whether the decedent was ever in the United States Armed Forces, indicated as yes or no. (e) If the place of death is a hospital, the record shall indicate: whether the person was an in-patient or whether the person was an outpatient or emergency room patient, in which case the person shall have arrived alive at the hospital's emergency room and died while in the emergency room as an outpatient. The record shall also indicate whether the person was transported while alive to the hospital but determined by a physician, APRN, or physician associate to be dead at the time the hospital received the body. The city or town where the hospital is located shall be shown as the city or town of death occurrence. (f) If the place of death is a facility other than a hospital, the record shall indicate: whether the facility is a nursing home, residential, or other facility, the exact location of the facility, and the name of the facility. (g) If the place of death is not a facility, the record shall indicate: the street name and number; the city, town, or location and the county. (h) In the case of deaths as described in RSA 611-B:11, when the deceased had died at the scene but was transported on the instructions of the medical examiner to another place for viewing and pronouncement of death, the city or town of death shall be shown as that place where the death actually occurred. If the place of death is unknown but the body is found in the state of New Hampshire, the city or town where the body is found shall be shown as the place of death. When death occurs in a moving conveyance in the United States and the body is first removed from the conveyance in the state of New Hampshire, the death shall be registered in New Hampshire, and the city or town where the body is first removed shall be considered the place of death. (i) When a death occurs on a moving conveyance while in international waters or air space or in a foreign country or its air space and the body is first removed from the conveyance in the state of New Hampshire, the death shall be registered in the state of New Hampshire, and the certificate shall show the actual place of death insofar as can be determined. (j) The decedent's marital status. (k) The name of the decedent's spouse and wife's maiden name, if applicable. (l) Vocational information, including the decedent's usual occupation, which shall mean the kind of work done during most of the decedent's working life. The type of business or industry, if applicable, such as manufacturing, wholesale or retail and the name of the employer. (m) Decedent's residence, as identified by the informant, which shall be identified by state; county; city, town or other location; street number; and zip code. (n) The facility if the decedent has been living in a facility where an individual usually resides for a long period of time, such as a group home, a mental institution, a nursing home, a penitentiary, a hospital for the chronically ill, or another location otherwise identified by the informant. (o) The decedent's ancestry and race, educational level, and the father's full name and the mother's full maiden name. (p) The informant's full name and mailing address by street, city or town, state and zip code. (q) How the body is to be disposed of, to be specified as: burial, cremation, temporary entombment, mausoleum, donation, or other. (r) Information regarding the place of burial or place cremated, including the name of the cemetery or crematory, the location of cemetery or crematory by city or town and state and the date of disposition; the location of final burial; and information regarding the funeral director, next of kin or designated agent, and the individual issuing the burial permit. III. The pronouncing physician or pronouncing registered nurse, pursuant to RSA 290:1 and RSA 290:1-b, shall register the following information: (a) The name of the deceased person. (b) The date and time of death. If the exact date of death is unknown, it shall be approximated by the person completing the medical certification and noted as approximated or estimated on the death record. If the exact time of death is unknown, it shall be approximated by the person who pronounces the body dead and noted as approximated or estimated on the death record. If it is not possible to make an estimation of the time of death, the time shall be indicated as "unknown." "Unknown a.m." or "unknown p.m." shall not be an acceptable entry. (c) The official capacity of the registered nurse or physician, which shall be: attending/associate physician or APRN or physician associate; non-attending physician or APRN or physician associate; pronouncing registered nurse; medical examiner/deputy medical examiner; temporary/assistant medical examiner; or assistant deputy medical examiner, non-physician. (d) The date pronounced. (e) Certification that the above information provided is true, which shall include but not be limited to the pronouncing person's signature; the name and title of the individual who pronounced death; the New Hampshire license number of the physician, APRN, if applicable, or physician associate, if applicable; whether the death was referred to the medical examiner; and the name and address of the physician, APRN, or physician associate responsible for determining the cause of death. The individuals listed above shall provide or verify for the death record whether or not the death was referred to the medical examiner. IV. The individuals listed in paragraph III, except the pronouncing registered nurse, shall provide the following information: (a) The immediate cause of death and the interval between onset and death; other factors or conditions of which death was a consequence, when applicable, and the interval between onset and death; other significant conditions contributing to death but not related to the immediate cause of death. (b) Whether or not an autopsy was performed and whether or not autopsy findings were available prior to the determination of the cause of death. (c) The manner of death, indicated as natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, pending investigation, or undetermined. (d) If the death involved an injury, the month, day, year, and time of injury shall be provided. If the exact date of injury is unknown, it shall be approximated by the person completing the medical certification, noted as approximated or estimated on the death record, and, if it is not possible for the physician, APRN, or physician associate to make an estimation, the date of injury shall be indicated as "unknown". If the exact time of injury is unknown, it shall be approximated by the person completing the medical certification and noted as approximated or estimated on the death record. If it is not possible for the physician, APRN, or physician associate to make an estimation, the time shall be indicated as "unknown." "Unknown a.m." or "unknown p.m." shall not be an acceptable entry. The record shall also indicate whether the injury occurred while at work, a description of how the injury occurred, and the physical location or place of injury. (e) The name, address, title, and license number of the certifier and the date certified. V. The certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate shall indicate whether he or she is or is not the same individual who pronounced the death. The certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate shall indicate whether he or she is the medical examiner. He or she shall sign the form, attesting to the veracity of the information as follows: (a) A certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate shall attest to the veracity of the stated time, date, and place that the death occurred. (b) A medical examiner shall attest to the veracity of the stated time, date, place, cause, and manner of the death. VI. The attending or certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate shall provide the following information for a supplemental death certificate: the deceased's name; the date of death; the time of death; the place of death; the name of the pronouncer; the New Hampshire license number of the pronouncer; the official capacity of the pronouncer; the date pronounced dead; the signature of the pronouncer; the date signed; whether this death was referred to the medical examiner; the cause of death; the performance of autopsy, indicated as yes or no; the availability of autopsy findings prior to determination of cause of death, indicated as yes or no; the manner of death; the time, date, and place of injury; whether or not the injury occurred at work; the description of how the injury occurred; the location specified as street and number or rural route number, city or town, and state; the name of the certifier; the signature and title of the certifier; the New Hampshire license number of the certifier; the date signed; and the name and address of the person who determined the cause of death. VII. The original paper death certificate shall be the official certificate and shall be filed with the division within 10 days from the date of death. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2007, 215:3-6; 324:2. 2009, 54:4, eff. July 21, 2009. 2015, 140:3-6, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2025, 105:1, eff. June 17, 2025.

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5-C:63 Initiation of the Death Record.

I. When a death occurs in a hospital or health care facility and the death is not reported to the medical examiner pursuant to RSA 611-B:12, the person in charge of such facility, or his or her designated representative, shall provide the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent with: a partially completed death record and the name and address the physician, APRN, or physician associate who will be responsible for supplying the cause of death information before the body is removed. II. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall, pursuant to RSA 290:12, leave with the hospital or health care facility, or with the person from whom the body is received, a receipt showing the name of the decedent, the name and license number of the funeral director, if applicable, the name and address of the person to whom the body is released, and the date and hour of removal from the facility. III. No hospital or other health care facility shall give a partially completed death record which includes medical certification or which is awaiting medical certification to anyone other than a funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent. IV. When a death occurs some place other than an institution, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent, who first assumes custody of the dead body, shall initiate the death record if the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate has not done so. V. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall obtain the information on the deceased for completion of the death record from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available and shall obtain the medical certification from the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate or medical examiner if not already provided. VI. If additional information becomes known regarding the death, an additional death record marked "supplemental" shall be sent to the division and shall include information listed in RSA 5-C:62, VI. VII. Upon receipt and inspection of a paper death certificate the state registrar shall return an incomplete certificate to the appropriate persons for completion or verify that the certificate is complete by signing and dating the certificate. VIII. The reverse side of the death certificate shall contain a notice to the physician, APRN, or physician associate regarding the release of a body in accordance with RSA 290:2-a, the necessity of a pronouncement in accordance with RSA 290:1-b and indication of who can provide alternate signatures in the absence of the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate, in accordance with RSA 290:1-b. The reverse side of the certificate shall also contain a reference to those categories of death that fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner as specified in RSA 611-B:11. IX. If the date of death is unknown, it shall be determined by approximation. X. When completing information regarding the decedent's marital status and spouse, the funeral director shall only record the name of a surviving or deceased spouse of the decedent. XI. In the case of an infant death when the child is less than one year of age and the mother is not married, the name of the father shall not be provided unless the father's name appears on the birth record or an affidavit of paternity has been executed relating to both the birth and death certificate of the child. The name of the child on the death record shall be the same as the name of the child as shown on the child's birth record. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 141:11. 2007, 215:7; 324:3, 4. 2009, 54:4, eff. July 21, 2009. 2015, 140:7, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2025, 105:1, eff. June 17, 2025.

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5-C:64 Medical Certification of the Death Record.

I. Medical certification shall consist of the pronouncement of death and the medical certification of the cause of death. II. The medical certification on the death record shall be completed by the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate or certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate and made available to the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent as soon as possible but no later than 36 hours after the time of death. III. Medical certification of the death record shall be the direct responsibility of the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate unless the death is referred to the medical examiner pursuant to RSA 611-B:12. IV. For cases where a death is not within the jurisdiction of the medical examiner, the attending physician's, APRN's, or physician associate's responsibility to complete the death certificate shall be as follows: (a) For deaths occurring in a hospital, the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate shall be that physician, APRN, or physician associate who had been responsible for the treatment of the patient while the deceased had been hospitalized. (b) For deaths occurring in a nursing home or in a similar non-acute care hospital or institution, the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate shall be the physician, APRN, or physician associate who regularly attends to the medical needs of the nursing home residents or the resident's personal physician, APRN, or physician associate if the resident was under the care of such physician, APRN, or physician associate. (c) For deaths occurring at home, the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate shall be the deceased's own physician, APRN, or physician associate. V. In all instances, medical certification shall include the cause of death information and contain the pronouncement of death. VI. In the absence of the deceased's attending physician, APRN, or physician associate or with the attending physician's, APRN's, or physician associate's approval, the medical certification of a death due to natural causes shall be completed by one of the following individuals: the attending physician's, APRN's, or physician associate's associate physician, APRN in medical practice, or physician associate, the chairperson of the applicable clinical department, the chief medical officer of the hospital, the physician, APRN, or physician associate or designee who performed an autopsy upon the decedent, or the physician, APRN, or physician associate on duty if the death occurred in the hospital emergency room. The person determining the cause of death shall attest to its accuracy. VII. In the absence of the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate, a physician or a registered nurse in accordance with RSA 290:1-b, shall pronounce that death has occurred without any reference to the cause of the death by indicating his or her official status as the pronouncing physician or as pronouncing registered nurse; attesting to the accuracy of the time, date, and place of death either by signature or by an electronic process as outlined in RSA 290:1; and providing the name and address of the physician, APRN, or physician associate who will complete the medical certification. VIII. When the death has not occurred in a hospital and circumstances require the death certificate to be certified by a medical examiner as provided by RSA 611-B, the following procedure shall be followed: (a) When the cause of death cannot be determined within 36 hours, the medical examiner shall indicate the word "pending" in the cause of death section. (b) When the manner of death cannot be determined within 36 hours, the medical examiner shall be authorized to show "pending investigation" in the manner of death section of the medical certification. (c) If the procedure in subparagraphs (a) or (b) is followed, then the medical examiner shall provide to the division updated information on the cause of death and manner of death, as applicable, within 90 days of the date of death, or as soon as practicable in cases of missing persons, accidental deaths, or homicides. IX. In cases where an autopsy is to be performed, the cause of death shall not be deferred pending a full report of microscopic and toxicological studies. Supplemental death certificate information shall be submitted by the medical examiner to the division as additional information becomes available and when autopsy results or other investigation indicates a need to correct the original cause of death information. X. Pursuant to RSA 290:1, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall ensure the medical certification has been completed prior to filing the death record with the state registrar. XI. In cases where the result of an autopsy, police investigation, laboratory report, or a similar source is needed before a final determination of the cause of death can be made, the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate or the medical examiner shall utilize the term "pending" for the applicable items on the death record. The physician, APRN, or physician associate shall file a statement of findings with the division within 90 days of the date of death, or as soon as practicable. The findings shall be in writing and submitted to the division on a supplemental death certificate information form supplied by the division or on the physician's, APRN's, or physician associate's letterhead and include information necessary for the completion of a supplemental death certificate. XII. The division shall follow up with the certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate or the medical examiner on any death record where cause of death was shown as "pending". The division shall attempt to obtain the missing information by initiating a written query to the certifying physician, APRN, or physician associate or the medical examiner 90 days from the date of death to determine current status of the investigation and shall initiate monthly contact thereafter until the final determination of death has been made. XIII. When an autopsy finding differs from the original cause of death reported on the death record, the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate who was responsible for the original death record shall send the division a supplemental death certificate information form to reflect the revised cause of death. The supplemental report shall be made part of the existing death record, and the division shall amend the death record with the cause of death as reported on the autopsy. XIV. If there is any question on the part of the physician, APRN, or physician associate as to whether he or she qualifies as the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate under RSA 290:1, a determination shall be made by the medical examiner. XV. If it is not possible to determine who is the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate for purposes of preparing the death certificate, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the state registrar who shall make a request to the state medical examiner, or designee, to determine who the attending physician, APRN, or physician associate is upon review of the facts submitted. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2007, 215:8; 324:5, 6. 2009, 54:4, eff. July 21, 2009. 2015, 140:8, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2025, 90:3, eff. Aug. 9, 2025; 105:1, 3, eff. June 17, 2025.

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5-C:65 Presumptive Death.

When a death is presumed to have occurred within the state of New Hampshire but the body cannot be located, a death record shall be prepared by the state registrar upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, indicating the finding of facts. Such death record shall be noted "presumptive," shall include the date of registration, and shall indicate the court and the date of decree. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:66 Responsibility of Funeral Director, Next of Kin, or Designated Agent Relative to Completion and Filing of the Death Record.

I. When a funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent is requested to take custody of a body, he or she shall first ascertain whether a pronouncing physician, pronouncing registered nurse, APRN, physician associate, or a medical examiner has established the cause of death and released the body for final disposition. II. If a physician, APRN, or physician associate was present at or immediately after the death, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall obtain medical certification for the death record in accordance with RSA 5-C:64. III. The personal history of the deceased and the facts of the death shall be obtained by the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent from a member of the immediate family of the deceased, or another person possessing the necessary information; medical records from the hospital or institution; or the medical examiner having jurisdiction over the investigation or final determination of the cause of death. IV. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall identify the deceased by more than one name, if it is known that the deceased used more than one name during his or her lifetime, by entering the name by which the deceased was most commonly known first on the death record and also indicating any additional name or names, other than maiden name, with the abbreviation "A.K.A." V. In the case where an additional name becomes known after a death record has been registered with the division, the added name with the notation "A.K.A." shall be filed with the division on the appropriate form to amend a vital record. VI. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall file all death record information, including the medical certification, within 36 hours of receiving the body and prior to final disposal of the body. VII. The state registrar shall inform the state board of registration of funeral directors and embalmers in writing of any violation of RSA 290:11 or RSA 290:12. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2007, 215:9. 2009, 54:4, eff. July 21, 2009. 2015, 140:9, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2025, 105:1, eff. June 17, 2025.

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5-C:67 Burial Permit.

I. A clerk of a town or city or a funeral director shall provide the following information for a burial permit: (a) The full name of the deceased. (b) The date of death. (c) The city or town, county, and state of death. (d) The sex, date of birth, and age of the deceased. (e) The method, date and place of initial and final disposition, such as, a cemetery or crematory. (f) The name of the funeral home. (g) The city or town of the funeral home. (h) The date that the burial permit is issued. (i) The lot number, section, and grave number. (j) If stored, the name of the storage vault; the date of storage; the location of the vault, by city or town and state; the signature of the cemetery sexton or person in charge of the storage vault or, if none, the funeral director; and, the date that the body or cremains are released from the storage vault. (k) The signature of the cemetery sexton or person in charge of the cemetery or crematory or, if none, the funeral director. (l) The signature of the city or town board of health official, the city or town local health officer, or the funeral director. II. Upon receipt of the completed death record, the division shall issue a burial permit or emergency burial permit in accordance with RSA 290:3, RSA 290:3-a, RSA 290:3-b, RSA 5-C:68 and RSA 5-C:69. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:68 Burial Permit Procedures.

When a body is to be stored, the burial permit shall be completed by the cemetery sexton where the body is entombed and sent to the clerk of the town or city where the storage vault is located. When the body is to be moved from entombment for final disposition, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall obtain the permit from the clerk of the town or city to use as the permit for final disposition. When the body is to be cremated, at least 48 hours shall elapse before cremation can take place in accordance with RSA 325-A and a separate cremation certificate shall be obtained from the medical examiner and submitted to the crematory with the burial permit pursuant to RSA 325-A. No separate permit shall be required when transporting a body by common carrier or remains to his or her final disposition. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 288:3, eff. July 1, 2006.

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5-C:69 Filing of the Burial Permit and the Emergency Burial Permit With the Cemetery or Crematory Authority and the Clerk of the Town or City.

The division shall issue emergency burial permits only when the death record is incomplete. The number of emergency burial permits shall be 2 per funeral home at one time, except that, if a New Hampshire funeral home has requested an emergency burial permit on behalf of an out-of-state funeral home, the New Hampshire funeral home shall be allowed to have an additional burial permit. Burial permits and emergency burial permits shall be completed and signed by the cemetery sexton or person in charge of the cemetery, crematory, or other place of disposition of a body or, if none, by the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent following such disposition. The permit shall be filed with the clerk of the town or city within 6 days after the burial pursuant to RSA 290:6. The cemetery sexton, crematory authority, funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall provide the information required for a burial permit or for a permit for disinterment. Burial permits and emergency burial permits shall be retained on file by the clerk of the town or city of the town or city of burial in accordance with the retention schedule established in this chapter. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:70 Emergency Burial Permits; Extensions on Time Periods for Filing a Completed Death Record.

I. In those cases in which personal data concerning the deceased is not available or it is not possible to obtain the cause of death information within the 36 hours stipulated for obtaining the burial permit, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall request that an emergency burial permit be issued. The request shall be submitted to the division and accompanied by the incomplete death record. The request shall include, at a minimum, the following information: (a) The full name of the deceased. (b) The date and place of death. (c) The place the body will be stored, if applicable. (d) The method and place of final disposition. (e) An explanation of the emergency condition. (f) The name of the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent. (g) The license number of the funeral director, if applicable. (h) The current date. II. The funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent shall supply the missing data to the division within 6 calendar days of the date of death. If the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent is unable to supply the missing information within 6 calendar days, he or she shall request a further extension. The request for a further extension shall be in writing and contain an explanation as to why a further extension is necessary. An additional 6 calendar day extension may be granted by the state registrar. III. The use of the emergency process for obtaining a burial permit shall be restricted to New Hampshire licensed funeral directors, the next of kin, or the designated agent of the deceased. If a New Hampshire licensed funeral director is acting to assist an out-of-state funeral director in obtaining a burial permit that will involve removal of the body from the state of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire funeral director shall process a burial permit as outlined in RSA 5-C:67 through RSA 5-C:73. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:71 Cremation.

I. When the body of a deceased person is to be disposed of by cremation, the crematory operator, the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent in charge of the final disposition arrangements shall present a copy of the death certificate and the burial permit or emergency burial permit to a medical examiner in order to obtain the medical examiner's certificate. II. A crematory authority shall not cremate the body until the cremation authority has received the medical examiner's certificate for cremation and the burial permit or emergency burial permit. III. After cremation, the crematory shall forward one copy of the medical examiner's certificate for cremation, along with the burial permit or emergency burial permit, to the clerk of the city or town of cremation. The crematory shall also forward one copy of the medical examiner's certificate to the office of the chief medical examiner, as required by RSA 325-A:18, II, and keep one copy on file. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 288:4. 2007, 324:7, eff. Sept. 14, 2007. 2025, 90:2, eff. Aug. 9, 2025.

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5-C:72 Disinterment and Reinterment Forms.

I. A permit for disinterment, transit, and reinterment shall be obtained from the division prior to disinterment of a dead body, except as exempted by RSA 290:5. An application for disinterment and reinterment shall not be processed by the division unless it includes the following: (a) The applicant's relationship to the deceased. (b) The name of the deceased. (c) The date, place, and cause of death. (d) The name and location of the cemetery where the body is presently buried. (e) The name and location of the cemetery for reinterment. (f) The name and address of the funeral director. (g) The applicant's signature and address. (h) Identification of the applicant as either the next of kin or a person authorized by the next of kin to the deceased. II. The application shall become the permit for disinterment and reinterment upon completion of the following: (a) Submission of the application form to the state registrar by the funeral director. (b) Signature of the state registrar. (c) Countersignature of the application and entry of the date signed and the city, town or state of the signing official by the chairman or secretary by the local board of health where the body is presently buried, by the local health officer when there is no local board of health for that city or town, or by another local official in the event that the local health officer is a part time officer and cannot be reached. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:73 Disinterment and Reinterment Procedures.

I. The division shall retain a copy of the disinterment and reinterment permit and return the original to the applicant. II. When the body is reinterred, the disinterment and reinterment permit shall be signed by the cemetery sexton or person in charge of the cemetery, or by the funeral director where there is no cemetery sexton, and forwarded within 6 days to the clerk of the city or town in which the reinterment takes place. III. The clerk of the city or town of reinterment shall retain the copy of the disinterment and reinterment permit. IV. A dead body deposited in a receiving vault awaiting spring burial shall not be considered a disinterment when removed from the vault for final disposition. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

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5-C:74 Reporting Fetal Deaths.

I. For every fetal death, as defined in RSA 5-C:1, XII, which occurs in the state of New Hampshire, a fetal death worksheet shall be prepared and a fetal death report filed within 5 days, pursuant to RSA 290:1-a and RSA 5-C:75. (a) When a fetal death occurs in a New Hampshire facility that regularly prepares birth records, a fetal death report shall be filed electronically by the facility. (b) When a fetal death occurs in a New Hampshire facility that does not prepare birth records, a paper fetal death worksheet shall be completed and forwarded to the division immediately by the person in charge of the hospital or institution where the fetal death occurred. The division shall file the fetal death report electronically. (c) When a fetal death occurs in New Hampshire outside a hospital or institution, a paper fetal death worksheet shall be completed and forwarded to the division immediately by the physician, APRN, or physician assistant in attendance at or after delivery. The division will file the fetal death report electronically. II. In the case of an unwed mother, unless a report of fetal death paternity affidavit has been executed, the notation "not stated" shall be entered for information concerning the father. III. When a fetal death occurs in a moving conveyance and the fetus is first removed from the conveyance in New Hampshire, or when a dead fetus is found in New Hampshire and the place of fetal death is unknown, the fetal death shall be reported to the division. The place where the fetus was first removed from the conveyance or the dead fetus was found shall be considered the place of fetal death. IV. Upon request, the division shall issue a non-certified copy of the fetal death report to the parents. V. Upon request of a parent, the division shall complete and issue to the parent or parents a certificate of stillbirth for a fetal death, as defined in RSA 5-C:1, XII, on the form established pursuant to RSA 5-C:75-a. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2007, 215:10. 2008, 239:2. 2009, 54:4, eff. July 21, 2009. 2015, 140:10, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2025, 105:1, eff. June 17, 2025. 2026, 2:1, eff. June 6, 2026.

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5-C:75 Reporting Fetal Deaths.

A completed fetal death report shall consist of the following: I. Information regarding the fetus and delivery: (a) The name of the fetus, if the parents choose to provide a name. (b) If the parents do not choose to provide a name, the first name shall be listed as "baby girl," "baby boy," or "baby unknown." (c) The name of the hospital or institution or the street and number of the location of delivery. (d) The place where delivery occurred: hospital, freestanding birth center, home delivery and whether a home delivery was planned, clinic/doctor's office, or other location. (e) The city, town, or location, county, and zip code, of delivery. (f) The date and time of delivery. (g) The sex of the fetus: male, female, or unknown. II. Information regarding the mother, including her: (a) Current full legal name. (b) Full name prior to first marriage or civil union. (c) Date of birth. (d) Birthplace. (e) Residence. III. If available, information regarding the father/parent including: (a) Current full legal name. (b) Full name prior to first marriage or civil union. (c) Date of birth. (d) Birthplace. IV. Method of disposition: burial, cremation, hospital disposition, donation, removal from state, or other. (a) If a hospital disposition, the signature of the hospital administrator, or designee, and the date signed. (b) If not a hospital disposition, the name of the cemetery or crematory and location by city or town and state. The name and address of the funeral home, next of kin, or designated agent and the signature of the funeral director, next of kin, or designated agent, the license number of the funeral director, if applicable, and the date signed. V. Attendant and registration information. (a) The delivery attendant's name and title. (b) The name and title of the individual completing the report. (c) Date report completed. (d) Date report received by registrar, which will also be known as the date filed. VI. Information regarding the fetal death, including: (a) The fetal or maternal condition directly causing death. (b) Any condition of which death was a consequence or to which it was due, either fetal or maternal. (c) The conditions giving rise to the immediate cause of death. (d) Any other significant conditions of fetus or mother contributing to fetal death but not related to immediate cause. (e) The weight of the fetus, in grams. (f) The clinical estimate of gestation, in weeks. (g) Estimated time of fetal death: whether dead at time of first assessment, no labor ongoing; dead at time of first assessment, labor ongoing; died during labor, after first assessment; or unknown. (h) Whether an autopsy was performed. (i) Whether a histological placental examination was performed. (j) Whether autopsy findings or histological placental examination results were considered in determining the cause of death. VII. Statistical information regarding the mother and pregnancy, including: (a) Mother's demographic information, including education, race, and if she is of Hispanic origin. (b) The number of live births of children now living and now dead. (c) The date of the last live birth by month and year. (d) The number of other pregnancy outcomes, spontaneous or induced, at any time after conception. (e) The date of the last other pregnancy outcome by month and year. (f) Whether the mother was married at the time of delivery, conception, or any time between. (g) The mother's height in feet/inches. (h) The date that the last normal menses began by month, day, and year. (i) The date of first and last prenatal care visit. (j) The total number of prenatal visits. (k) Whether the fetus was single, twin, triplet, or more. (l) The birth order, if not a single birth. (m) Whether mother obtained WIC food for herself during this pregnancy. (n) If the mother was transferred for maternal medical or fetal indications for delivery. If transferred, the name of the facility transferred to. VIII. Medical and health information regarding the pregnancy, including: (a) Medical risk factors for the pregnancy. (b) Infections present and/or treated during the pregnancy. (c) Method of delivery, including obstetrical procedures employed. (d) Complications associated with labor or delivery. (e) Any congenital anomalies. Source. 2005, 268:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2026, 2:2, eff. June 6, 2026; 260:1, eff. July 2, 2026.

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5-C:75-a Certificate of Stillbirth.

The director shall establish a certificate of stillbirth for a fetal death, as defined in RSA 5-C:1, XII, occurring in this state on the following form: New Hampshire Certificate of Stillbirth Name of Parents: _________________________ Date of Stillbirth: _________________________ Place of Stillbirth: _________________________ Name parents choose: _________________________ (optional) Issued by New Hampshire division of vital records administration ________________________ __________ Director of vital records Date Source. 2008, 239:1, eff. Aug. 23, 2008.

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