We
are so glad that you are thinking about having your
celebration in the Squam Lakes Area, an increasingly
popular wedding location. Whether you choose to hold
your ceremony on Church Island on Squam Lake or in
one of the charming inns, it will certainly be a
day to remember. To help you plan your special day,
the Squam Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce has developed
this page to assist you with your arrangements.
Below we have compiled some important
information from the State of New Hampshire regarding
the requirements for getting married in our state.
Residence
Requirements - Anyone whether a
resident or not can obtain a license anywhere
in the state and be married anywhere in the
state.
Previous marriages - Individuals
that were previously married must provide certified
copies of divorce and/or death certificates
for any previous marriages.
Proxy Marriages - Proxy
marriages are not allowed. Both parties must
be present.
Cousin Marriages - Marriage
is not permitted in NH between people who are
related by blood as first cousins or in any
more direct lineage.
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Application
- Both parties must appear in person and sign the
application.
- Armed forces personnel may forward an affidavit
prepared by armed services or legal representatives
to the town clerk if they cannot appear in person.
Falsification of any fact may make the applicant
subject to criminal prosecution.
- If both parties reside outside of the state
the marriage intentions must be filed with the
clerk of the same city or town where you plan to
be married.
- If one of the parties resides in the state,
the marriage intentions must be filed with the
clerk of the city or town where the resident lives.
If both parties reside in New Hampshire in different
cities/towns, only one filing of the intentions
at either location is required. This license may
be used anywhere within the state but it must be
returned by the officiant after the marriage to
the clerk who issued the license. A license is
valid for a period of 90 days from the date of
filing. If license is not used for some reason,
it must be returned to clerk who issued it.
- After the marriage ceremony is performed the
officiant will provide the couple with the contracting
parties copy of the marriage certificate. This
is strictly a "souvenir" copy until brought
to the clerk of issuance and certified by him/her
free of charge. This certificate then becomes a
legal document.
- The certification cannot take place until the
clerk has in his/her possession the completed copy
of the certificate from the officiant. Permit adequate
time (approximately two weeks) for this to take
place before requesting this service.
Marriage License Fees - The fee
for a marriage license is $45.
The
New Hampshire Division of Vital Records issues
certified copies of Birth, Death, Marriage, and
Divorce certificates, for events that occurred
within the state of New Hampshire.
Document Requirements
- Proof of age.
- Certified copy of a death certificate of former
spouse, if applicable.
- Certified copy of a final divorce decree, if
applicable.
- Certified copy of an annulment, if applicable.
License Validity Period
- 3 day waiting period
A license may be issued the same day of the application,
provided all signatures and statutory requirements
are met. The license is valid for a period of not
less than 3 days and not more than 90 days from the
date of filing.
Waiting period - This
requirement can be waived on application to a justice
of the superior court or judge of probate within
the county where the marriage is to take place.
Blood Test - New
Hampshire does not require a blood test.
Age Requirements
- 18 years of age without parental consent.
- Females 13 - 17 and males - 14 - 17 need consent
of parent or guardian and a waiver.
- Females under 13 and males under 14 are prohibited
from being married under any condition.
The above regulations on
age apply to New Hampshire 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 N.H. under any conditions.
Waiver - Party Under Age
When either of the parties is under 18 but meets
the minimum age requirements (Female 13 - 17 and
male 14 - 17) he or she may request permission to
marry from a justice of the superior court or a judge
of probate of the county in which one of the applicants
resides. The request shall be in writing and the
parents or guardian of the applicant shall join in
the request. No age waiver shall be granted to persons
below the age of consent (18) if both parties are
nonresident.
Waivers - When "good and special
cause" is shown waivers may be obtained which
can alter certain requirements.
Shortening Time Period
On applications to a justice of the superior court
or justice of probate within the county where the
proposed marriage is to be solemnized, the court
for good cause shown may order that the period
of 3 days may be shortened.
Solemnization
In New Hampshire marriage may be perform by:
- Justice of the peace
- Minister of the gospel in NH ordained according
to the usage of his denomination, residing in NH,
and is in regular standing with the denomination.
- Minister within his parish, residing outside
NH, but having a pastoral charge wholly or partly
in NH
- Jewish Rabbis who are citizens of the U.S. and
resident in this state
- Quakers
- Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church ordained
according to the usage of his denomination
- Clergymen who are not ordained and non-resident
ministers or Jewish Rabbis, after being licensed
by the Secretary
of State
Questions and applications relative
to solemnization licenses should be addressed directly
to the Secretary
of State or call 603-271-3244. $5.00 is charged
for the license issued to out-of-state clergymen.
Uniform Marriage Recognition Law
If a New Hampshire resident goes to another state
to get married to avoid New Hampshire requirements
or if a nonresident comes to New Hampshire to avoid
their state's requirements such a marriage will be
declared null and void with the same effect as though
such prohibited marriage had been entered into in
the state of residence.
For more information, contact
the town clerk in the town you wish to be married.
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