Vital records,
as their name suggests, are connected with central life
events: birth, marriage, and death. Maintained by civil
authorities, they are prime sources of genealogical
information; but, unfortunately, official vital records are
available only for relatively recent periods. These records,
despite their recent creation in the United States, are
critically important in genealogical research, often
supplying details on family members well back into the
nineteenth century.
The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy,
by Loretto Szucs and Sandra Luebking.
The New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records is the state
resource for residents who wish to obtain copies of birth, marriage,
divorce and death certificates. They also have a genealogical research
vault that is open to the general public containing records that date
back to the year 1640
Copies of records may be
obtained from State office or from City or Town Clerk in place where event
occurred. This fee is payable whether of not a record is found. Fees may
be waived for state agencies and federal government agencies for
non-certified copies, or verification of vital events. Additional copies
of the same record issued at the same time are $8.00.
Check or money order should be made payable to
Treasurer, State of New Hampshire. Personal checks are accepted. To
verify current fees, the telephone number is (603)
271-4654.This will be a recorded message
Birth Certificate Application $12.00
Death Certificate Application $12.00
Marriage Certificate Application $12.00
Divorce Certificate Application $12.00 State office has records since1880.
