New HampshireCouples can prepare marriage application worksheets before visiting clerks
Starting September 8, 2026, people applying to marry in New Hampshire can prepare a worksheet before seeing a clerk but must sign it in the clerk’s office.
What it does
Starting September 8, 2026, people applying to marry can fill out their marriage application worksheet before visiting the clerk. They must sign it in the clerk’s office.
Starting September 8, 2026, someone filing to register a marriage more than six months after the ceremony must pay the town or city clerk $25.
Starting September 8, 2026, marriage forms call both people “marriage applicants.” Requests for official certificate copies must list both full names and any prior surname that differs.
Argument forPreparing the worksheet ahead of time could shorten applicants’ visit to the clerk, even though they must sign it there.
Argument againstThe $25 fee could make it harder for some people to file for a delayed marriage certificate more than six months after the ceremony.
More detail
Marriage applicants may complete the application worksheet online or offline ahead of time. This applies to people applying to marry through a New Hampshire town or city clerk. Applicants must sign the worksheet in the town or city clerk’s office. The clerk must also sign it. This provision takes effect September 8, 2026.
A person filing for a delayed marriage certificate must pay the town or city clerk $25. This applies when a marriage is registered more than six months after the ceremony. A marriage applicant or legal representative files with the clerk where the marriage license was allegedly issued. The filing fee takes effect September 8, 2026.
Marriage forms refer to both people as marriage applicants, and requests for official certificate copies must list both full names. This covers marriage registration forms and requests for official copies of marriage certificates. A request for an official copy also lists any prior surname that differs from the current name. These provisions take effect September 8, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 16Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 296; eff. 9/8/2026Became Law
- Jul 1Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56To Governor
- Jun 30Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15Minor
- Jun 19Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2172e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2172e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 49
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2057c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 12
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2057c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2057c; 06/04/2026
- May 26Conference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:00 am GP 234
- May 13President Appoints: Senators Gannon, Abbas, Reardon; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- May 13Sen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- Apr 23Speaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, Berch, Kuttab, Manos 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 23House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1312s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 9Committee Amendment # 2026-1312s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
- Apr 9Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1312s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8Passed Senate
- Apr 2Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1312s, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13Minor
- Mar 18Hearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, LOB, 01:05 pm, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1173s; SC 11Minor
- Mar 18Hearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 11
- Mar 6Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6Minor
- Mar 5Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0693h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 21Passed House
- Mar 5Amendment # 2026-0693h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 21
- Feb 26Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0693h 02/13/2026 (Vote 17-1; CC) HC 9 P. 18Minor
- Feb 5Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- Feb 5Public Hearing: 02/11/2026 10:30 am GP 230
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 12Introduced
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