How to Get a Marriage License in New Hampshire
New Hampshire marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $50 (statewide statutory fee; town/city clerk)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 (New Hampshire set 18 as the floor with no exceptions, 2024)
- Blood test
- no
New Hampshire is different. marriage under 18 fully banned, no exceptions
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking to marry in New Hampshire must obtain a marriage license from the town or city clerk's office in any New Hampshire municipality. The statewide license fee is $50, and no waiting period applies. The license remains valid for 90 days from issuance. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and proof of age. As of 2024, New Hampshire requires both parties to be at least 18 years old, with no exceptions to this minimum age requirement. Residency in the state is not required to obtain a license.
Application for a marriage license must be completed in person at the town or city clerk's office; online applications are not available. No blood test, witnesses, or other preliminary requirements apply. Before applying, couples should confirm the current fee and all eligibility requirements by contacting their local town or city clerk directly or consulting the clerk's official page, as rules and fees may change and minor local procedures may vary.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| License fee | $50 (statewide statutory fee; town/city clerk) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 90 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 (New Hampshire set 18 as the floor with no exceptions, 2024) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | no — apply in person at any NH town/city clerk |
| Where to apply | Town/City Clerk (statewide fee) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full New Hampshire requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record New Hampshire marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.