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RSA 5-C:49 · Officiant Responsibilities

Title
I: THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT
Chapter
5-C · VITAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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5-C:49 Officiant Responsibilities. –

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I.

The person who performs a marriage shall certify the fact of marriage and within 6 days return the record by mail or in person to the clerk of the town or city of license issuance.

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II.

No person shall certify or sign the marriage certificate as the officiant at his or her own marriage ceremony.

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III.

An ordained deacon in the Roman Catholic Church shall be in the category of a "minister of the gospel in the state who has been ordained according to the usage of his denomination," pursuant to RSA 457:31, and be empowered to sign the marriage certificate in the state of New Hampshire with the same authority as an ordained priest of the Roman Catholic faith.

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IV.

Any out-of-state minister who wishes to perform a marriage in the state of New Hampshire shall obtain a special license from the secretary of state as required by RSA 457:32.

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V.

In the event a special license is not obtained by an out-of-state officiant, the division shall notify the officiant by written letter to pursue a special license or be subject to prosecution in accordance with RSA 457:35. The division shall recognize the marriage certificate in such cases as valid under the provisions of RSA 457:36.

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VI.

In accordance with paragraph I, the officiant shall report the fact that a marriage has taken place, even if the bride and groom have a change of mind after the ceremony and ask the officiant not to report the marriage to the clerk of the town or city. The date of the marriage shall be the date that the ceremony took place.

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VII.

Failure of the officiant to report a marriage shall be a violation. Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 141:10, eff. July 21, 2006.

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Source note

Source. 2005, 268:1. 2006, 141:10, eff. July 21, 2006.

Source history

  • 2005, 268:1
  • 2006, 141:10, eff. July 21, 2006

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1260 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    applicants. The [bride and groom] marriage applicants shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony. 6 Officiant Responsibilities. Amend RSA 5-C:49, VI to read as follows: VI. In accordance with paragraph I, the officiant shall report the fact that a marriage has taken place, even if the [bride and groom] marriage applicants have a change of mind after the cerem

  • 2026 HB1260-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    applicants. The [bride and groom] marriage applicants shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony. 6 Officiant Responsibilities. Amend RSA 5-C:49, VI to read as follows: VI. In accordance with paragraph I, the officiant shall report the fact that a marriage has taken place, even if the [bride and groom] marriage applicants have a change of mind after the cerem

  • 2026 HB621 amend

    he state's vital records system. The memorandum shall facilitate a working relationship between the 2 agencies in meeting their respective responsibilities under this chapter and RSA 5-C. The memorandum shall be reviewed annually and may be modified at the request of either agency. On or before November 1, 2026, the agencies shall amend the memorandum of understanding to ensure that the minimum amount

  • 2026 HB621-FN amend

    he state's vital records system. The memorandum shall facilitate a working relationship between the 2 agencies in meeting their respective responsibilities under this chapter and RSA 5-C. The memorandum shall be reviewed annually and may be modified at the request of either agency. On or before November 1, 2026, the agencies shall amend the memorandum of understanding to ensure that the minimum amount

  • 2026 SB530 amend

    idence, race, ancestry, education, occupation, and social security number. 2 New Section Vital Records Administration; Fetal Death; Limited Release of Information to CDC. Amend RSA 5-C by inserting after section 75-a the following new section: 5-C:75-b Limited Release of Information to CDC; Fetal Death. I. When the division of vital records administration releases information on a fetal death to t

  • 2026 SB530-FN amend

    idence, race, ancestry, education, occupation, and social security number. 2 New Section Vital Records Administration; Fetal Death; Limited Release of Information to CDC. Amend RSA 5-C by inserting after section 75-a the following new section: 5-C:75-b Limited Release of Information to CDC; Fetal Death. I. When the division of vital records administration releases information on a fetal death to t