Same-sex marriage became legal in the U.S. state of New Hampshire on January 1, 2010, replacing civil unions. On January 1, 2011, all civil unions in the state became marriages unless otherwise dissolved, annulled or previously converted to marriage.
On January 1, 2008, civil unions became legal in the state. Legislation for same-sex marriage was signed into law by the governor on June 3, 2009, New Hampshire was one of a series of states in 2009 to legalize same-sex marriage in New England.
OFFICIANTS
Carl M. Caporale, Justice of the Peace
New Hampshire Justice of the Peace & ULC Minister
Justice of the Peace Michael Marram
Wedding ceremonies N. Easton, MA and surrounding areas
NEW ENGLAND: Northeast Nuptials
Catholic priest will travel to your wedding, indoors or out, as well as All faiths/No Faiths ceremonies.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Non-denominational. Based in central NH, but I will travel. Visit my website for details.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Roberta Wilkins
NH Justice of the Peace
New Hampshire Justice of the Peace
Over 300 weddings performed in NH
Rev. Ernie Chiaradonna – Serving NH, MA, and ME
Your Wedding – Your Way – With My Help
Rev. Michael J. Scarlett New England Minister
Our ministry is non-denominational serving all faiths.
The NH Justices of the Peace A-List Organization
An organization of Highly Professional JPs
Solemnization of Marriage
Section 457:31
457:31 Solemnization of Marriage. – A marriage may be solemnized in the following manner:
I. In a civil ceremony by a justice of the peace as commissioned by the state and by judges of the United States appointed pursuant to Article III of the United States Constitution, by bankruptcy judges appointed pursuant to Article I of the United States Constitution, or by United States magistrate judges appointed pursuant to federal law; or
II. In a religious ceremony by any minister of the gospel in the state who has been ordained according to the usage of his or her denomination, resides in the state, and is in regular standing with the denomination; by any member of the clergy who is not ordained but is engaged in the service of the religious body to which he or she belongs, and who resides in the state, after being licensed therefore by the secretary of state; or within his or her parish, by any minister residing out of the state, but having a pastoral charge wholly or partly in this state.
Source. RS 147:6. CS 156:6. 1861, 2484:1. GS 161:9. 1877, 57:1. GL 180:9. PS 174:8. 1919, 56:1. 1921, 79:1. PL 286:28. RL 338:31. RSA 457:31. 1969, 435:1. 1998, 294:1. 2001, 11:1, eff. April 24, 2001. 2006, 86:2, eff. July 4, 2006. 2009, 59:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2010.
Section 457:31-a
457:31-a Secretary of State. – The secretary of state may issue a license to an unordained clergy who is a resident of this state and who is a member of and engaged in the service of a religious body which is chartered by the state if he or she presents a certification from that body that he or she is in its service. Said license shall authorize the clergy to solemnize marriage in this state. The fee for such license shall be $5.
Source. 1969, 435:2. 1975, 81:1, eff. June 14, 1975. 2006, 86:2, eff. July 4, 2006.
Section 457:31-b
457:31-b Solemnization of Marriage; Applicability. –
I. Nothing contained in this chapter shall affect the right of Jewish Rabbis residing in this state, or of the people called Friends or Quakers, to solemnize marriages in the way usually practiced among them, and all marriages so solemnized shall be valid. Jewish Rabbis residing out of the state may obtain a special license as provided by RSA 457:32.
II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a person authorized to solemnize a marriage in a religious ceremony from solemnizing a marriage in a civil ceremony.
Source. 2009, 60:6, eff. Jan. 1, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.