How to Find New Hampshire Birth Records

How to Find United States Birth Records New Hampshire New Hampshire Births

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.

Next Step: When did the birth occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record: Births before 1905 Births after 1905 Birth year unknown

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. Try these databases. First four databases are indexes only. Last database includes images. Database Name Link or links to access database Ancestry, New Hampshire, Births and Christenings Index, 1714-1904 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription Ancestry, New Hampshire, Births Records, 1659-1900 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription FamilySearch, New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904 Free, index to birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. Annual Town Reports. Dates vary per town. 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. FamilySearch, New Hampshire, Birth Records, Early to 1900 Free, index and images of New Hampshire birth records 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 order the microfilm from the Family History Library. 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. Records that give birth information: Death Records Cemetery Records Newspapers Church Records Census Military Records 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 To Order Birth Certificates Town clerk's offices New Hampshire Dept of State Division of Vital Records Administration Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state Town/city websites can be more difficult to use Has an expedited service on Vital Chek May be more expensive than ordering from the town/city 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 Selection Table U.S. Vital Records Overview United States Vital Records Locating United States Vital Records United States Death Records United States Marriage Records