New Hampshire Marriage License and Blood Test Requirements

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016

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Before a couple can legally get married in New Hampshire, they must have a valid marriage license. The couple can apply for their marriage license at any town clerk's office in the state. The table below outlines New Hampshire's main marriage license requirements.

Code Section

 New Hampshire Revised Statutes section 457:23: Marriage License Requirements

What's Required?

 No marriage license will be issued within New Hampshire until the applicants have each provided the following documents for inspection:
  • Proof of age
  • A certified copy of the final divorce decree, if either or both parties are divorced, and
  • A certified copy of the death record of deceased spouses, if either or both parties are widowed

Marriage License Fee

 The parties must pay a $45 license fee when they file their marriage license application.

Prohibited Marriages

Marriage in New Hampshire is the legally recognized union of two people. These people can be of the same or of the opposite sex. However, some marriages are prohibited in New Hampshire. For example, no person is permitted to be married to more than one person at any given time, and no person shall marry their:

  • Father or mother
  • Aunt or uncle
  • Son or daughter
  • Brother or sister
  • Grandchild
  • Nephew or niece, or
  • First cousin

Are Minors Permitted to Marry in New Hampshire?

The age of consent in New Hampshire is 18 years old. Therefore, any marriage entered into by a person below that age may (in the discretion of the court) be annulled by the party who was a minor (or by his or her parent or guardian), unless the party confirmed the marriage after turning 18.

However, in some situations minors may receive permission from the state to get married before their 18th birthday. The minor, along with their parent or guardian, must apply in writing for permission to marry and explain the circumstances that makes the marriage desirable.

Will My Marriage License Expire?

Marriage licenses in New Hampshire are valid for 90 days from the date of filing. If a marriage license expires and the couple still wants to get married in New Hampshire they can simply reapply for a new marriage license.

Blood Tests

There isn't a blood test requirement for couples who want to get married in New Hampshire.

Additional Resources

State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding New Hampshire's marriage license and blood test requirements contact a local family law lawyer.

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