Who Can Officiate Weddings In New Hampshire?

If you're planning a wedding in New Hampshire, you'll need to know who can legally marry you. The good news is that there are no major restrictions in the state when it comes to how you conduct your wedding ceremony. However, there are some important points to ensure your wedding is legally binding. Here's what you need to know:

Who Can Officiate a Wedding in New Hampshire?

- A Justice of the Peace commissioned in New Hampshire.

- Ministers in New Hampshire (either residing in the state or having part of their pastoral charge in the state).

- Ministers living outside New Hampshire can officiate with a license and a fee.

- An individual living outside New Hampshire who is authorized to perform marriages in their state of residence can officiate with a license and a fee.

- Certain judges residing in New Hampshire with a license and a fee.

- A temporary special marriage license can be obtained by any individual for a fee.

What Are the Requirements for a Wedding in New Hampshire?

- Both members of the couple must be physically present during the ceremony.

- The officiant cannot solemnize the union by proxy and must be present.

- The couple must declare consent to the union before the officiant, but no additional witnesses are required.

- There is no waiting period after receiving your marriage license, and it is valid for 90 days.

Now you know the basics of who can perform a wedding ceremony in New Hampshire and the requirements for a legally binding union. With this knowledge, you can confidently plan your special day!

Who can officiate a wedding in New Hampshire?

If you're planning a wedding in New Hampshire, you'll need to ensure that your chosen officiant is legally recognised in the state. Here's what you need to know:

Religious Ceremonies

For religious ceremonies, the officiant can be any of the following:

• A minister of the gospel in New Hampshire who is ordained according to their denomination, resides in the state, and is in good standing with that denomination.
• A member of the clergy who is not ordained but is engaged in the service of their religious body and resides in New Hampshire. They will need to be licensed by the Secretary of State.
• A minister residing outside of New Hampshire but having a pastoral charge wholly or partly in the state. They will also need a license from the Secretary of State.
• A minister of the Universal Life Church, which New Hampshire recognises as authorised ministers.

Civil Ceremonies

For civil ceremonies, the officiant must be one of the following:

• A Justice of the Peace commissioned by the state of New Hampshire.
• A state supreme court justice, superior court judge, or circuit court judge.
• A judge of the United States appointed under Article III of the US Constitution.
• A bankruptcy judge appointed under Article I of the US Constitution.
• A United States magistrate judge appointed under federal law.

Additional Information

• The officiant must be at least 18 years old, but there are no requirements regarding gender or specific religion.
• An individual can officiate their own wedding, as long as they have the legal authority to do so.
• If the officiant is from out of state, they must obtain a license from the Secretary of State and may need to provide proof of their authority to officiate weddings in their home state.
• The officiant must report the wedding to the state, even if the couple does not want this.
• The officiant must be physically present at the ceremony and cannot solemnise the union by proxy.
• The couple must declare their consent to the union before the officiant, but no additional witnesses are required.

So, while there are a variety of options for who can officiate your wedding in New Hampshire, it's important to ensure that your chosen officiant meets the legal requirements to make your special day officially valid!

What are the requirements to get a marriage license in New Hampshire?

To get a marriage license in New Hampshire, couples must meet the following requirements:

Timing

The marriage license must be obtained within 90 days of the wedding day. There is no longer a waiting period, so the license can be obtained on the same day as the wedding, but it typically takes 30 minutes to process, and many town clerks are not open 5 days a week.

Location

The license must be obtained from a New Hampshire city or town hall, specifically from the town clerk's office. It doesn't matter which city or town you visit, as long as it's in New Hampshire.

Documentation

Each person must present the following documents:

• A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, non-driver identification, or passport)
• A certified copy of their birth certificate
• A certified copy of any legal name changes
• If either party was married previously, a certified copy of the document ending their most recent marriage (e.g. divorce certificate, death certificate)

Photocopies or faxes of documents are not accepted, and documents in languages other than English require a certified translation.

Age

Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Those aged 16 and 17 can ask for special permission to marry, but this requires court permission and is only granted to state residents.

Application

Both parties must be present to complete the marriage application worksheet in person, unless one party is in the military and unable to be present. The worksheet cannot be taken off-site.

Name Change

Both parties must indicate what their middle and surnames will be following the marriage. Either party may:

• Retain their middle and surnames prior to marriage
• Retain their middle name and take the surname of the other party
• Retain their middle name and take a hyphenated combination of both full surnames
• Change their middle name to their surname prior to marriage, and take the surname of the other party

Any name changes other than those listed above must be approved by the court.

Fee

There is a state-set fee of $50 for a marriage license, which can be paid in cash or by debit/credit card.

What are the officiant's duties on the wedding day?

In New Hampshire, a wedding officiant must be an approved member of the clergy, a Justice of the Peace, or an individual certified to perform the ceremony. The officiant must be at least 18 years old, but there are no requirements pertaining to gender or a specific religion.

On the wedding day, the officiant's duties include:

Before the Wedding

• Ensuring the couple has filed for a marriage license with the state or county before the ceremony.
• Meeting with the couple to discuss the flow of the ceremony, including the tone, traditions, readings, and whether the ceremony will be funny or heartfelt.
• Leading the wedding party at the ceremony rehearsal, which usually takes place the day before the wedding.

During the Wedding

• Performing the wedding ceremony, including the two key elements: the declaration of intent and the pronouncement of the couple as married.
• Introducing the couple.
• Leading the declaration of intent.
• Pronouncing the couple as officially married.
• Answering questions and assisting with practical aspects of the wedding, if needed.

After the Wedding

• Returning the completed marriage license to the city or county clerk promptly after the ceremony to ensure it doesn't expire.
• Filing the marriage license correctly and within the deadline to ensure the union is legally binding.

What are the steps to filling out the marriage license?

To fill out a marriage license in New Hampshire, both parties must appear together in person at any city or town clerk's office in the state. The couple must complete a marriage application worksheet, which requires the following information:

• Full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and birthplaces
• Names and birthplaces of parents
• Indication of any surname changes after marriage
• Social Security Number (if available)
• Fathers' full names and states of birth
• Mothers' full maiden names and states of birth

In addition, both parties must present valid government-issued photo identification to verify their ages, such as a driver's license, non-driver identification, or a passport. If either party was previously married, they must also provide a certified copy of the document ending their most recent marriage, such as a divorce decree or death certificate.

The marriage license application process typically takes about 30 minutes, and the fee for a marriage license in New Hampshire is $50, which can be paid in cash or by debit/credit card. It is important to note that the marriage license is only valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and must be returned to the issuing clerk's office within six days after the wedding ceremony.

What is the cost of a marriage license in New Hampshire?

To get married in New Hampshire, couples must obtain a marriage license from any city or town clerk's office in the state. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and can be used for a ceremony taking place anywhere in New Hampshire.

Cost of a Marriage License in New Hampshire

The cost of a marriage license in New Hampshire is $50, although one source states the cost to be $45. The fee is set by the RSA 457 and can be paid in cash, debit and/or credit card; checks are not accepted.

Additional Costs

There is also a fee for obtaining certified copies of the marriage certificate after the wedding ceremony. The state-set fee for the first copy is $15, and $10 for any additional copies issued at the same time.

Frequently asked questions