How to Find New Hampshire Death Records

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Records of deaths occurring in each New Hampshire town or city have been kept by town clerks since the early 1600s. Statewide registration began in 1866. Total compliance with the law was not accomplished until the 1880s, and even then the practice was not uniform. By this point, less than half of the population was listed in the death records. Total compliance began in 1905 with the establishment of the Bureau of Vital Records.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:


 * Deaths before 1905
 * Deaths between 1905 and 1949
 * Deaths after 1949
 * Death year unknown


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Deaths before 1905
Town clerks in New Hampshire have been keeping records of deaths since the 1600s. In 1866, law required town clerks to send copies of death records to the state government. Between 1866 and 1905, compliance was not enforced and many death records were not sent to the state.

Obtain the Death Record
If your ancestor appeared in one of the indexes, there are two options:


 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library and send it to the Family History Center nearest you.
 * Individual Town Clerk Office - You may contact the town clerk where your ancestor died and order a copy of the death record.

If you did not find your ancestor in the above indexes, try searching for death information in substitute records. You may also contact the town clerk where your ancestor died to obtain the death record.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths between 1905 and 1949
The New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records was established in 1905, bringing about full compliance to statewide registration of deaths that started in 1866. Since 1905, death records have been kept at both the town and state level. All death certificates from 1905 to 1949 are held at the New Hampshire State Archives.

If you did not find your ancestor in the above indexes, try searching for death information in substitute records. You may also contact the New Hampshire State Archives to conduct a search for the death record.

Obtain the Certificate

If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:


 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library and send it to the Family History Center nearest you.
 * New Hampshire State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the death certificate.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1949
The New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records was established in 1905, bringing about full compliance to statewide registration of deaths that started in 1866. Since 1905, death records have been kept at both the town and state level. There are Annual Town Reports found at the University of New Hampshire Digital Collection of Annual Reports of Towns The annual reports include the births, marriages, and deaths of the town for that year - usually in last part of the report. Select your town from the column on the left and then select the year you want. Download the PDF file and look in the table of contents for Deaths, or scroll to the end of the book to see if they are listed. You will have to contact the state or town to order a death certificate.

Obtain the Certificate
See restrictions below to find if you "qualify" to order a certificate. You must have full name, exact date and place of death to order from the New Hampshire Department of State Division of Vital Records Administration. If you do not have the exact information, contact the Vital Records Office for more information. They may be able to do a search.

Restrictions to qualify for certificates of persons who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must be:


 * Member of the person's immediate family
 * Individuals who have a "direct and tangible interest"

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year

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