Marriage records in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, are available through several channels. MerrimackCourt.us allows for quick access to publicly available information on marriage records in the county. Additionally, certified copies of documents are issued by the clerks of the cities and towns where the marriage was registered, as well as the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration. Requests can be submitted online, in person at the relevant office, or by mail.
Merrimack Marriage Records Search
In New Hampshire, marriage records are maintained not at the county level, but at the level of the city or town where the ceremony took place. The clerk of the respective municipality registers the marriage license and submits the record to the state's Division of Vital Records Administration (NH DVRA). For example, if the marriage took place in Concord, the administrative center of Merrimack County, the Concord City Clerk's Office issues certified copies of this record.
The collection of records includes:
- Issued marriage licenses
- Registered marriage certificates
- Historical records (older documents may require contacting the DVRA)
To search for a specific record, contact the clerk of the city in Merrimack County where the marriage occurred. The county includes 27 municipalities, from Concord to smaller towns like Boscawen. The state also maintains a centralized database of records dating back to 1640.
Concord City Clerk's Office (Vital Records)
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Merrimack
The fee amount is established by New Hampshire state law (RSA 5-C:10) and is the same for all municipalities in the county and for the DVRA.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $15.00 |
| Each additional copy (in one order) | $10.00 |
| Search fee (included in the cost of the first copy) | Included |
Uncertified or informational copies are usually not issued separately — the standard format is certified. Processing time for in-person requests is typically the same day. Mail requests are processed within 4–6 weeks through the DVRA.
Source of fees: RSA 5-C:10, NH Division of Vital Records fee schedule.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Merrimack
There are three main ways to order a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of New Hampshire offers the ordering of certified copies through the NH Division of Vital Records portal. Online orders are processed by a third-party service, so a processing fee is added to the standard fee. Delivery usually takes 2–4 weeks.
In Person
The fastest option is to contact the city clerk directly where the marriage took place. In Concord, for example, the Vital Records Office accepts walk-ins. You need to have:
- Photo identification
- Payment in the form of a check, money order, or cash (confirm with the specific office)
Only the direct participants of the marriage, their family members, or their legal representatives have the right to obtain a certified copy.
By Mail
A mail request can be sent either to the local clerk or to the state department:
Include in the envelope:
- A completed application for a copy (the form can be downloaded from the DVRA website)
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Hampshire"
- A copy of the applicant's identification
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Indicate in the application the full names of the spouses, the date, and place of marriage registration. If the exact date is unknown, specify an approximate period — this will help the clerk narrow the search. For records registered before 1901, the DVRA may redirect the request to the state archives department.
The resource MerrimackCourt.us can also be useful for an initial search of information before submitting an official request.