Vital Records and Health Stats – Concord, NH

About the Division of Vital Records Administration

The NH Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA), located on Ratification Way (formerly South Fruit Street), is the primary repository for vital events in New Hampshire. Operating under the Secretary of State, this office collects, preserves, and manages the state’s official records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The DVRA serves as a critical resource for citizens requiring certified copies of these documents for legal, identification, or personal purposes. The facility also houses a Genealogical Research Center, allowing the public to access older historical records.

Services and Access

The division issues certified copies of vital records to individuals who can demonstrate a ”direct and tangible interest” in the record, such as the registrant or immediate family members. This includes Birth Certificates needed for passports or school enrollment, and Death Certificates for estate settlement. The office also processes corrections and amendments to records, such as legal name changes or paternity affidavits. For researchers, the Genealogical Research Center provides access to birth records older than 100 years, and death, marriage, and divorce records older than 50 years, which are considered public domain.

• Certified Copies: Issuance of official birth, death, and marriage records.
• Genealogy: Research room for accessing historical data.
• Amendments: Corrections to vital records and paternity filings.

Visiting the Office

The DVRA is open to the public for walk-in services, typically providing same-day issuance for standard requests. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to obtain restricted records. The facility is equipped with a lobby for general requests and a separate research room for genealogists. Payment for services is accepted via cash, check, money order, or credit card (with a processing fee). Parking is available on-site for visitors.