Who Can Perform A Wedding In New Hampshire?

If you're planning to get married in New Hampshire, you'll need to understand the state's marriage laws. While there are no major restrictions on how a couple chooses to conduct their wedding ceremony, there are some legal requirements to ensure the wedding is legally binding. For example, both members of the couple must be physically present during the ceremony, and the officiant must be present and cannot solemnize the union by proxy. The officiant must also be an approved individual, such as a member of the clergy, Justice of the Peace, or an individual certified to perform the ceremony. If the officiant is from out of state, they must obtain a license and prove their authority to solemnize the union. Obtaining a marriage license typically takes 30 minutes and can be done at any town clerk's office in the state. The license is valid for 90 days and has no waiting period, meaning couples can get married the same day they receive their license.

Who can perform a wedding in NH?

In New Hampshire, an approved officiant is required to perform the marriage ceremony. An officiant can be a member of the clergy, a Justice of the Peace, or an individual certified to perform the ceremony.

Clergy

Both civil and religious ceremonies are recognized as legal in New Hampshire. This means that officiants can be religious or civil. For a religious ceremony, a priest, minister, or deacon can officiate. For a civil ceremony, a judge or magistrate can perform the wedding.

Justice of the Peace

A Justice of the Peace is a possible officiant for a civil ceremony.

Certified Individual

An individual can be certified to perform a wedding ceremony in New Hampshire. This can include an out-of-state resident who is authorized to perform marriages in their home state. A license and fee are required for out-of-state officiants.

Couple's Own Officiant

A couple may also officiate their own wedding as long as the individual has the legal authority to do so.

Other Requirements

Regardless of the type of officiant, certain requirements must be met. The officiant must be at least 18 years old, but there are no requirements pertaining to gender or a specific religion. The officiant must also report that they performed the wedding to the state, even if the couple does not want a report. This is a legal requirement.

How to become a wedding officiant in NH

How to become a wedding officiant in New Hampshire

To become a wedding officiant in New Hampshire, you must be at least 18 years old. There are no requirements pertaining to gender or a specific religion. New Hampshire recognizes marriages performed by clergy members, ministers of the gospel, Roman Catholic deacons who have the authority of an ordained priest, judges, magistrates, justices, and justices of the peace.

If you are a minister of the Universal Life Church, you qualify as an authorized minister. If you are from out of state, you will need to obtain a license and prove that you have the authority to solemnize weddings. You will need to obtain all the necessary paperwork detailing your status as a minister.

If you are not a minister, you can still officiate a wedding in New Hampshire by obtaining a temporary special marriage license.

What are the duties of a wedding officiant in NH?

To perform a wedding in New Hampshire, you must be an approved officiant. This can be a member of the clergy, a Justice of the Peace, or an individual certified to perform the ceremony.

Wedding Officiant Duties in New Hampshire:

Conduct the Wedding Ceremony:

This is your non-legal duty as a wedding officiant. It involves leading the wedding ceremony, which includes the “I dos” or vows where the couple consents to the marriage.

Complete the Marriage License:

This is your legal duty and involves handling and completing the marriage license with the couple and any required witnesses.

#### Here is a breakdown of the steps to follow for handling the marriage license:

##### 1. Ask the Couple to Present their Marriage License:

It is recommended to ask the couple for their marriage license before the wedding to ensure they don't forget to bring it.

##### 2. Confirm that the Marriage License is Valid:

Check that the license is still within its validity period. In New Hampshire, there is no waiting period after receiving the license, and it expires 90 days after issuance.

##### 3. Fill Out and Sign the Marriage License:

Complete your portion of the license, including your title ("Minister"), church name ("American Marriage Ministries"), religious denomination ("Non-Denominational" unless conducting a specific religious ceremony), and ceremony type ("Religious," even for non-religious weddings).

##### 4. Return the Marriage License to the Town Clerk:

Ensure the completed marriage license is returned to the Town Clerk's office within 6 days of the wedding. This is usually the couple's responsibility, but some states require the officiant to do this.

Other Post-Wedding Actions:

Record the wedding with the American Marriage Ministries (AMM) Wedding Helper and share it on the AMM Wedding Wall.

Registration and Licensing:

• Wedding officiant registration in New Hampshire depends on your state of residence.
• If you are from out of state, you will need a license from the Secretary of State to officiate a wedding in New Hampshire. This includes unordained clergy, out-of-state ministers, out-of-state individuals licensed by law to perform marriages (e.g., a notary public), and judges.
• The cost of the license varies depending on the type of license and your role, ranging from $5 to $85.
• You can apply for these licenses by filling out the relevant forms (e.g., RSA 457:31-a for unordained clergy, RSA 457:32 for out-of-state ministers) and submitting them to the Secretary of State's Office, along with the required documentation and fees.
• Special licenses are also available for individuals who don't fall into the above categories, allowing them to solemnize a single marriage in New Hampshire.

What are the requirements for a valid marriage in NH?

To get married in New Hampshire, couples must meet several requirements and adhere to specific procedures. Here is a detailed overview of the requirements for a valid marriage in the state of New Hampshire:

Obtaining a Marriage License

To solemnize a marriage in New Hampshire, couples must first obtain a marriage license from any city or town clerk's office in the state. Both parties must be present and bring valid government-issued photo identification documents, such as a driver's license, non-driver identification, or a passport. There is a state-set fee of $50 for the marriage license, which can be paid in cash or by debit/credit card. The process typically takes about 30 minutes, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. It is important to note that New Hampshire does not have a waiting period, so couples can get married on the same day they receive their marriage license.

Documentation Requirements

In addition to photo identification, couples must provide certain documents to the town clerk's office. If either party has been previously married, they must present a certified copy of the document ending their most recent marriage, such as a divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate. Photocopies or faxes of these documents are not accepted. If there has been a legal name change since birth, a certified copy of the name change document is also required. All documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Application Worksheet

Both parties must complete a marriage application worksheet in person at the town clerk's office. The worksheet includes personal information such as full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, birthplaces, and parents' full names and birthplaces. Couples must also indicate their middle and surnames after marriage, including any name change requests. The town clerk will review the completed worksheet and issue the marriage license if all requirements are met.

Officiant Requirements

New Hampshire requires an approved officiant to perform the marriage ceremony. The officiant can be a member of the clergy, a Justice of the Peace, or an individual certified to perform the ceremony. If the officiant is from out of state, they must obtain a special license from the New Hampshire Secretary of State and may need to provide proof of their authorization to perform weddings in their home state. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete their section of the marriage license and return it to the issuing town clerk's office within six days.

Marriage Ceremony

New Hampshire does not require any witnesses to the marriage ceremony. However, both parties must be present at the ceremony, as the state does not allow marriage by proxy. The ceremony can take place anywhere within the state of New Hampshire, regardless of the couple's place of residence.

How to get a marriage license in NH

To get a marriage license in New Hampshire, couples must follow these steps:

Visit a Town or City Clerk's Office:

Go to any town or city clerk's office in New Hampshire. The license can be obtained regardless of the couple's residency or the location of the wedding ceremony within the state. It is recommended to go at least a week in advance, as there may be limited office hours, and the license is typically processed within 30 minutes. Note that some offices may have COVID-related restrictions for non-residents.

Complete the Marriage Application Worksheet:

Both parties must appear together in person and complete the marriage application worksheet. If either or both individuals are in the military and unable to be present, they can complete the paperwork through a legal representative. The worksheet must be completed at the clerk's office and cannot be taken off-site.

Provide Required Documentation:

Each person must present the following documents:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, non-driver identification, passport)
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Certified copy of legal name change (if applicable)
• Certified copy of the document ending the most recent marriage (if previously married)

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

Pay the Marriage License Fee:

There is a state-set fee of $50 for the marriage license. Accepted forms of payment vary by location but typically include cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards.

Receive the Marriage License:

If all requirements are met, the marriage license may be issued the same day. It will be valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in New Hampshire.

Complete the Ceremony:

After receiving the license, the couple must have a marriage ceremony officiated by an approved official. Witnesses are not required. The officiant must complete their section of the marriage license and return it to the issuing city/town clerk's office within six days.

Obtain a Certified Copy of the Marriage Certificate:

Certified copies of the marriage certificate can be requested after the completed license has been returned to the clerk's office. The first copy costs $15, and additional copies of the same record are $10 each. Requests can be made in person, online, or by mail.

Frequently asked questions