How to Find New Hampshire Birth Records

Records of births 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 birth records. Total compliance began in 1905 with the establishment of the Bureau of Vital Records.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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


 * Births before 1905
 * Births after 1905
 * Birth year unknown


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{| width="99%" border="0" align="center" Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

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

Obtain the Certificate
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 view the microfilm at the Family History Library or some FamilySearch Centers.
 * Individual Town Clerk Office - You may contact the town clerk where your ancestor was born and order a copy of the birth record.

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

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1905
The New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records was established in 1905, bringing about full compliance to statewide registration of births that started in 1866. Since 1905, birth records have been kept at 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 Births, or scroll to the end of the book to see if they are listed.

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 the birth 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.

Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons born within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must be:


 * The person on the certificate
 * The parents shown on the certificate
 * Individuals who have a "direct and tangible interest"

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

Related Wiki Articles

 * Learn more about U.S. Birth Records
 * United States Record Finder
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records