How to Get a Certified Birth Certificate in New Hampshire

A birth certificate is vital to obtain important documents.

A birth certificate is the official documentation of a birth. In New Hampshire, each birth is recorded and held by the Vital Records Administration. A certified copy of a birth certificate is necessary to obtain certain documents, apply for a driver's license and gain access to Social Security benefits. New Hampshire's Division of Vital Records Administration issues a certified birth certificate copy for all of the state's counties and only upon request.

Instructions

1. Read the Vital Records Administration's restrictions and requirements. If the birth occurred after 1959, for example, you must meet certain guidelines and requirements to obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate, according to the administration's website. Also, individuals eligible to obtain a certified copy of a New Hampshire birth certificate include the person named on the birth certificate as the person born, parent or legal guardian, a physician, a lawyer acting on the behalf of the person named on the birth record and qualified press members. If the person named on the birth record is deceased, an immediate family member of that person may request a certified copy.

2. Obtain an application for the birth certificate copy on the Vital Records Administration website or in person at its office at 71 S. Fruit St., Concord. The administration's online application is linked in the Resources section. Complete the application, which requires you to provide information on the individual birth record, including name at time of birth, father's name, mother's name, date of birth, sex and place of birth.

3. Copy your government-issued identification. Acceptable identification includes a valid driver's license, U.S. passport and U.S. military identification card.

4. Submit the completed application, the copy of your government-issued identification and required payment to the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration in person at the previously mentioned address or by mail. The required fee as of early 2011 is $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy issued at the same time.

   The full mailing address is:

   New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration

   71 S. Fruit St.

   Concord, N.H. 03301-2410

References

• New Hampshire Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Obtaining Certified Copies of Vital Records
• New Hampshire Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Application for Vital Record Certificate
• New Hampshire Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Vital Records Access Policies
• New Hampshire Revised Statutes:Title 1, Chapter 5-C, Vital Records Administration; 2005

Resources

• N.H. Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Obtaining Certified Copies of Vital Records
• N.H. Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Application for Vital Record Certificate
• New Hampshire Department of State, Vital Records Administration: Vital Records Access Policies