Mary Carey Seavey
NH Justice of the Peace
62
Kennett St., Conway, NH 03818
Work: 603.356.5701 ext. 305 | Home: 603.447.2424 | Cell: 978.314.3456
maryseavey-jp@msn.com
If you've
just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you! Here is what
you need to know and
what documents to bring with you before you apply for a NH marriage license.
I recommend contacting the a NH City Clerk's
office to verify this information and suggest that you get this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way at least
two months before your wedding date.
Residency Requirements You do not
have to be a resident of NH to apply for the license.
Time Frame and Jurisdiction Before your
ceremony, you must purchase a New Hampshire marriage license. It must be given to the officiant before your marriage is performed.
While your license may be purchased up to ninety days before your ceremony, if it is not used in that time, it must be returned
to the town clerk who issued the license originally. Licenses are only valid for the state of New Hampshire, but are not restricted
to town jurisdiction. Once approved, you can be married anywhere within the state lines.
Application for License Procedure and Identification Requirement
Both parties must appear together in person at any town or city clerk's office. Both parties must bring a
type of photo identification that has their legal names and date of birth, such as a valid driver's license, state or
military I.D. or passport. BLOOD TESTS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED. WITNESSES ARE NOT REQUIRED.
Required Information
Along with basic information such as your full name, address, and social security
number, race, be prepared to present your ancestry, years of education, date of birth, state of birth, and parent’s
full names and places of birth.
Previously Married
If either or both of parties have been previously married, you must bring proof of the marriage
being dissolved. Accepted documents are a divorce decree, annulment papers, dissolution agreement, or the spouse’s death
certificate.
Under 18
Applicants who have reached the age of 18 can marry without parental consent, A female between the
age of 13 and 17 years and a male between the age of 14 and 17 years can be married only with the permission of their
parent (guardian) and a waiver. A female below the age of 13 and a male below the age of 14 are not allowed to marry under
any conditions.
The above regulations on age apply to NH residents or to a non-resident who desires to marry a
resident. If both parties are non-residents and are below the age of 18 they cannot be married in NH under any conditions.
Payment and Fees
There is a $45, payable in cash only, for the marriage license. certificates
are available following the filing of the license by the person who officiated the ceremony. Cost for the certificate in $12.00
for the first copy and $8.00 for subsequent copies issued at the same time. The Justice of the Peace/Officiant cannot
give you a copy of the marriage license.
Who Can Marry You In NH?
Any Justice of the Peace commissioned in the state or minister who lives within the state can perform the ceremony.
If you wish to have another clergyman marry you, they must obain a separate license from the state. New Hampshire does not
allow lay people to perform marriages unless they are authorized to perform marriages within their own state. A special request
must be filed with the state for this purpose.
New Hampshire Resident Marrying Outside the Country
If
any NH resident contracts a marriage or civil union in another jurisdiction that they were legally unable
to contract in NH, (for example due to age, relation, etc.) the marriage or civil union would not be recognized by the State
of NH. See RSA 457:43
How Do I Change My Name?
Name changes are done by the couple and usually
require presenting a certified copy of the marriage certificate, which is available after the officiant (person performing
the ceremony) files the marriage license with the city clerk. The certificate is presented to any agency where the name change
would be recorded; social security, driver's licenses, creditors, etc.
I Don't Want My Name to
Change, What Do I Do?
Nothing, Name changes take place only upon your request.
NH Justice of the Peace, Mary Carey Seavey, wedding officiant, vow renewals,
elopements, casual weddings, indoor weddings, outdoor weddings, garden weddings, handfasting, private weddings, weekday weddings,
backyard weddings, big weddings, small weddings, surprise weddings, simple weddings, North Conway, Jackson, White Mountains
of NH, Mount Washington Valley,
|
|
|
