HB1615-FN: permitting consenting adults to enter into contract-based marriage agreements as an alternative to the requirement of a marriage license.

Related law links

RSA references from bill data

• 169-C · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  ivil court, including optional clauses related to education, medical decisions, or parenting agreements, provided they do not conflict with applicable law, including RSA 461-A and RSA 169-C. IV. No clause shall be construed to create or modify legal custody, visitation rights, or parental status unless adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. V. The family division shall retain jurisdictio

• 354-A · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  y, access, eligibility, benefits, accommodations, and documentation. III. Unequal treatment of contract marriage shall constitute a form of marital status discrimination under RSA 354-A and any other applicable nondiscrimination provisions. IV. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a private entity’s ability to enforce internal standards or contractual terms, provided such enforcement

• 457 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  nd common law governing licensed marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, child custody, parental rights, and related matters, including but not limited to RSA 457, RSA 458, RSA 461-A, RSA 490-D, and applicable doctrines of equity. VIII. "Filing" means submission of a document to the department of state for administrative purposes only, not constituting judicial review, record

• 457-B · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  unrelated adults or notarized. II. The agreement shall include: (a) A prominent heading or title labeling the document with the phrase "CONTRACT MARRIAGE AGREEMENT UNDER RSA 457-B"; (b) An express declaration that the parties intend to form a contract marriage under this chapter; (c) Acknowledgment of informed consent; (d) A disclaimer of any implied spousal duties, rights, or obligations n

• 457-B:1 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  who observes the signing of a document and affirms the identity and voluntary action of the parties signing. XVIII. "CCM" means certificate of contract marriage, as defined in RSA 457-B:1, II. The use of this abbreviation in subsequent sections shall refer exclusively to that document. XIX. "RNCCM" means revocation notice of certificate of contract marriage, as defined in RSA 457-B:14. The use of t

• 457-B:10 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  wful. VIII. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize enforcement of any term relating to child custody, visitation, or parental status except as permitted under RSA 457-B:10. IX. No marriage license or other form of state-issued authorization shall be required to enter into, recognize, file, or enforce a contract marriage, certificate of contract marriage, or any other document under thi

• 457-B:11 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  y child support, custody, or parental responsibility order originally entered under RSA 490-D, including after conversion of a licensed marriage to a contract marriage pursuant to RSA 457-B:11. 457-B:11 Conversion of Licensed Marriage. I. Spouses party to a licensed marriage may, within 12 months of the effective date of this chapter, jointly execute a CCM and a declaration of conversion. II. Upon fi

• 457-B:12 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  beyond the scope of this section unless expressly required by federal law. 457-B:14 Revocation of Certificate of Contract Marriage. I. If a CCM has been filed pursuant to RSA 457-B:12, and the underlying contract marriage is subsequently terminated or rendered void, both parties shall file a revocation notice of certificate of contract marriage with the department of state no later than 30 days from

• 457-B:13 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  publish standardized blank forms for the CCM, Declaration of Conversion, and RNCCM, provided such forms include only the exact content and field labels enumerated in RSA 457-B:12, RSA 457-B:13, and RSA 457-B:14, respectively. No additional text, explanatory language, disclaimers, headers, footers, or formatting cues shall be included. Use of such form shall be strictly optional and shall have no bearing on

• 457-B:14 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  e of this abbreviation in subsequent sections shall refer exclusively to that document. XIX. "RNCCM" means revocation notice of certificate of contract marriage, as defined in RSA 457-B:14. The use of this abbreviation in subsequent sections shall refer exclusively to that document. XX. “Designated civil court” means the courts specified in RSA 457-B:8, I(a) and (b), and expressly excludes the family

• 457-B:3 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  ans a legally recognized private marital agreement formed by 2 consenting adults through a signed, binding contract enforceable solely in the designated civil court as provided in RSA 457-B:3. V. "Department of state" means the New Hampshire secretary of state or any authorized division responsible for registering contract marriage documents under this chapter. VI. "Effective date" means the date spec

• 457-B:7 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  atus, jurisdictional limits, and enforcement provisions applicable to contract marriage under this chapter. VI. Such notice shall include a summary of enforcement limits under RSA 457-B:7 through RSA 457-B:9. 457-B:18 Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. 457-B:19 Controlling Effect. I. This chapter

• 457-B:8 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  ined in RSA 457-B:14. The use of this abbreviation in subsequent sections shall refer exclusively to that document. XX. “Designated civil court” means the courts specified in RSA 457-B:8, I(a) and (b), and expressly excludes the family division, the probate division, and any other court not expressly listed in that section. 457-B:2 Scope. I. A contract marriage formed under this chapter shall not

• 457-B:9 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  limits, and enforcement provisions applicable to contract marriage under this chapter. VI. Such notice shall include a summary of enforcement limits under RSA 457-B:7 through RSA 457-B:9. 457-B:18 Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. 457-B:19 Controlling Effect. I. This chapter shall be construed a

• 458 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  law governing licensed marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, child custody, parental rights, and related matters, including but not limited to RSA 457, RSA 458, RSA 461-A, RSA 490-D, and applicable doctrines of equity. VIII. "Filing" means submission of a document to the department of state for administrative purposes only, not constituting judicial review, recording, or a

• 461-A · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  rning licensed marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, child custody, parental rights, and related matters, including but not limited to RSA 457, RSA 458, RSA 461-A, RSA 490-D, and applicable doctrines of equity. VIII. "Filing" means submission of a document to the department of state for administrative purposes only, not constituting judicial review, recording, or approval unl

• 490-D · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  sed marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, child custody, parental rights, and related matters, including but not limited to RSA 457, RSA 458, RSA 461-A, RSA 490-D, and applicable doctrines of equity. VIII. "Filing" means submission of a document to the department of state for administrative purposes only, not constituting judicial review, recording, or approval unless express

• 542 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  nding arbitration clause governing breach or dissolution. II. Where such a clause is included, courts shall limit review to the grounds for vacating an arbitration award under RSA 542. III. No party may seek equitable relief outside the terms of the agreement. 457-B:7 Legal Effect. I. A contract marriage, when formed and filed in accordance with this chapter, shall be recognized by the state

• 641:1 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  e or witness attestation on any contract marriage or CCM shall constitute fraud under RSA 641:3 and, where intended to mislead an official proceeding, may also be prosecuted under RSA 641:1. IX. Upon receipt of a CCM for filing, the department of state shall review its records to determine whether either party appears on any other active CCM. X. Within 30 days, the department of state shall notify a

• 641:3 · reference · effective 2027-01-01

  s shall be governed by standard principles of contract law. VIII. Falsification of the date or witness attestation on any contract marriage or CCM shall constitute fraud under RSA 641:3 and, where intended to mislead an official proceeding, may also be prosecuted under RSA 641:1. IX. Upon receipt of a CCM for filing, the department of state shall review its records to determine whether either party

RSAs mentioned by this document

• RSA 169-C · CHILD PROTECTION ACT
• RSA 354-A · STATE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
• RSA 457 · MARRIAGES
• RSA 458 · ANNULMENT, DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
• RSA 461-A · PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• RSA 490-D · JUDICIAL BRANCH FAMILY DIVISION
• RSA 542 · ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES
• RSA 641 · FALSIFICATION IN OFFICIAL MATTERS
• RSA 641:1 · Perjury
• RSA 641:3 · Unsworn Falsification