Introduction to New Hampshire Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a New Hampshire birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

New Hampshire birth certificates have been maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration for individuals born in the state of New Hampshire since 1908.

New Hampshire Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By New Hampshire state law, New Hampshire birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the New Hampshire birth certificate 
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the New Hampshire Birth Certificate

New Hampshire Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

New Hampshire birth certificates prior to 1901 are available with unrestricted access.  Individuals wishing to research these genealogical records may do so by visiting the New Hampshire Genealogical Research Center.  Alternatively, a written request may be made to the New Hampshire Vital Records offices and staff will research records upon receipt of request and search fee.

New Hampshire Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order New Hampshire Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your New Hampshire Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your New Hampshire Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order New Hampshire Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your New Hampshire birth certificate online.  It usually takes 30 days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the New Hampshire birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• Date of birth on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• Sex on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• Full name of father on the New Hampshire birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose New Hampshire birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the New Hampshire birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

New Hampshire Department of State

Division of Vital Records Administration 71 South Fruit Street

Concord, NH 03301-2410

Option 3 – In Person

In person in New Hampshire: You may go to any county health department in the State of New Hampshire to obtain a certified copy of a New Hampshire birth certificate. Most New Hampshire birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

New Hampshire Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a New Hampshire birth certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the New Hampshire birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the New Hampshire birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $8.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Treasure – State of New Hampshire." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.