Get your certified New Hampshire Divorce Certificate

A certified copy of a New Hampshire divorce certificate serves as official proof of the legal dissolution of a marriage and provides essential details such as the date and location of the divorce. This document is required for various legal, financial, and personal purposes.

For legal matters, a divorce certificate may be necessary when applying for a new marriage license, passport, or name change. In financial cases, institutions often require it for pension benefits, Social Security claims, and insurance settlements. Additionally, it is a valuable record for genealogy research, employment verification, and legal status confirmation.

A certified copy is an official state-issued document that includes divorce details and court information. Because of its authenticity, many government agencies and private institutions require it as part of their documentation process.

Divorce certificates are often useful or required for:

Applying for a driver's license

Applying for a new passport

Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

Applying for Social Security benefits

Claiming pension or insurance benefits

Genealogy research

Claiming family inheritance

Applying for a new job

Enrolling in school

Enlisting in the military

Obtaining a marriage license

A certified New Hampshire divorce certificate is an official document that provides essential details about a divorce, issued by a state's vital records office. Each state has unique authentication features, affecting the certificate's appearance based on the issuance year. Official certificates typically include a raised state seal, a registrar's signature, the full names of both parties, as well as the date and location of the divorce, along with a unique certificate number. States generally issue two types: long-form (official) certificates and short-form (informational) certificates, with variations due to county guidelines and security features.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal names of the spouses.
• Date of Birth: The exact date of divorce of the spouses.
• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.
• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the divorce certificate.
• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified divorce certificate may also include:

If you lose your divorce certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the SOS-DVRA.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The SOS-DVRA does not accept walk-ins at its location.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the SOS-DVRA at:
      New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration
      9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. SOS-DVRA will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Corrections or amendments to a New Hampshire divorce certificate are allowed when errors were made in the original document. The SOS-DVRA oversees this process and requires specific documentation based on the nature of the correction.

To request a correction, applicants must:

1. Complete the Amendment Request Form provided by SOS-DVRA.
2. Provide supporting documentation verifying the correct information, such as:
3. • A certified copy of a court order (for significant changes).
   • Government-issued identification showing the correct name.
   • Marriage or birth certificates to support corrections to personal details.
3. Pay the amendment processing fee, which varies based on the complexity of the change.

Common Divorce Certificate Errors That Require Correction:

• Misspelled names (of spouses or attorneys).
• Incorrect dates (marriage or divorce finalization date).
• Wrong location (county where the divorce was granted).

Some changes, such as modifications to legal names or finalization dates, may require a court order before the SOS-DVRA will approve the amendment. The processing time depends on the complexity of the correction and the required legal documentation. Once approved, a new certified copy of the amended divorce certificate will be issued.

Typically, requests to correct or amend a divorce certificate will require the following:

• A completed amendment application
• Supporting documentation
• Appropriate fee(s)

To authenticate a New Hampshire divorce certificate for international use, you must obtain an apostille through the New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office. This certification verifies the legitimacy of the document for use in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Steps to Request an Apostille:

1. Obtain a Certified Copy – Ensure you have an official certified copy of your divorce certificate issued by the SOS-DVRA.
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form – This form is available from the New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office.
3. Provide Payment – Apostille requests require a processing fee, payable by check or money order. Contact the Secretary of State for the current fee.
4. Submit Your Request – You can apply:
5. • By Mail – Send your completed form, certified divorce certificate, and payment to:
     New Hampshire Secretary of State
     Apostille Certification Office
     107 North Main Street, Room 204
     Concord, NH 03301
   • In Person – Visit the Apostille Certification Office during regular business hours.
   • Online via VRO’s Apostille Express Service – Use VRO's Apostille Express Service for expedited processing.

• Notes:
• • An apostille is required when submitting your divorce certificate to a foreign government that is a member of the Hague Convention.
  • Apostilles are only issued by the New Hampshire Secretary of State for records initially filed with the NH DVRA.

Steps for manual apostille requests:

1. Obtain a certified copy of your divorce certificate.
2. Complete the apostille request form.
3. Include Payment: The apostille processing fee is $10.00 per document, payable by check or money order to the "New Hampshire Secretary of State".
4. Provide a Self-Addressed Prepaid Envelope: Include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for the return of your documents.
5. Submit Your Application: Mail or deliver the completed form, certified divorce certificate, payment, and return envelope to:

New Hampshire Secretary of State

Apostille Certification Office

107 North Main Street, Room 204

Concord, NH 03301

Mail-in Orders:

Express Courier Orders:

In-Person Orders: