New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted 2 D cosponsors

HB 1260 — relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 296; eff. 9/8/2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 16, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill updates marriage registration forms and procedures for delayed marriage certificates.

The legislation modifies the forms used for registering marriages and establishes rules for delayed marriage certificates. This aims to streamline the marriage registration process.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families may find it simpler to register marriages and correct any delays in documentation.

Summary

relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

220 added · 233 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 1260 allows individuals applying for marriage to fill out their application in advance and introduces a fee for filing a delayed marriage certificate. Importantly, the bill updates the language used in marriage documentation to be gender neutral, replacing terms like "bride" and "groom" with "marriage applicants." This change is significant because it promotes inclusivity and recognizes diverse relationships, ensuring that all couples feel represented in the legal processes surrounding marriage.

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HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...
CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION 5Mar2026...
HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...
CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION 5Mar2026...
1 Definitions;
296:1 Definitions;
2 Marriage Registration Forms.
296:2 Marriage Registration Forms.
There shall be 2 forms for the completion of a marriage registrationThe marriage application worksheet, which shall be the form that is used to record marriage intentions, shall be completed by the prospective [bride and groom]marriage applicants and the clerk of the town or city and shall contain the information needed to complete the marriage licenseThe marriage license, which shall be the form that is used to record that the marriage ceremony has taken place and to record who solemnized the marriage, shall be completed by the [bride, groom]marriage applicants, the officiant, and the clerk of the town or city in accordance with this section and RSA 5-C:42.
There shall be 2 forms for the completion of a marriage registration.
The marriage application worksheet, which shall be the form that is used to record marriage intentions, shall be completed by the prospective [bride and groom]marriage applicants and the clerk of the town or city and shall contain the information needed to complete the marriage license.
The marriage license, which shall be the form that is used to record that the marriage ceremony has taken place and to record who solemnized the marriage, shall be completed by the [bride, groom]marriage applicants, the officiant, and the clerk of the town or city in accordance with this section and RSA 5-C:42.
and, her mother's birthplace.] HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - II-a.(a) Upon entering into marriage, either party may retain his or her surname prior to the marriage or change his or her surname to the surname of the other party or change the surname to a hyphenated combination of the full surnames of both parties.
and, her mother's birthplace.] II-a.(a) Upon entering into marriage, either party may retain his or her surname prior to the marriage or change his or her surname to the surname of the other party or change the surname to a hyphenated combination of the full surnames of both parties.
If a party requests a surname change under this paragraph, that party may also change his or her middle name to his or her surname prior to the marriage.
If a party requests a surname change under this paragraph, that party may also change his or her middle name to his or her surname prior to the CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - marriage.
The clerk of the town or city shall complete the following statistical and legal information on the marriage application worksheet for both the applicants with information supplied by the applicants:the number which represents the currently intended marriage;
The clerk of the town or city shall complete the following statistical and legal information on the marriage application worksheet for both the applicants with information supplied by the applicants:
the number which represents the currently intended marriage;
Upon request of [the groom] either marriage applicant, the name of a legal guardian shall be substituted on the marriage license for a natural parent's name, regardless of whether the HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - [groom] marriage applicant who makes the request is of legal age at the time when intentions are being filed.
Upon request of [the groom] either marriage applicant, the name of a legal guardian shall be substituted on the marriage license for a natural parent's name, regardless of whether the [groom] marriage applicant who makes the request is of legal age at the time when intentions are being filed.
When listing the birthplace on the marriage license, if the person is known to have been born in the United States, but the state is unknown then "U.S.-Unknown" shall be entered, and, if the person is known to have been born in a foreign country, but the country is unknown, "Foreign Unknown" shall be entered.
When listing the birthplace on the marriage license, if the person is known to have been born in the United States, but the state is unknown then "U.S.-Unknown" shall be entered, and, if the CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - person is known to have been born in a foreign country, but the country is unknown, "Foreign Unknown" shall be entered.
Repealed.
[Repealed].
3 Marriage License and Registration.
296:3 Marriage License and Registration.
the completed application, and signed release if applicable, shall then HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 4 - be forwarded to the clerk of the town or city who issued the application;
the completed application, and signed release if applicable, shall then be forwarded to the clerk of the town or city who issued the application;
4 Marriage License and Registration.
296:4 Marriage License and Registration.
When 90 days have elapsed from the date the marriage intentions were filed and a completed marriage certificate or a delayed certificate of marriage has not been processed, the clerk of the town or city shall make a notation on the marriage application worksheet stating the marriage presumably did not take place.
When 90 days have elapsed from the date the marriage intentions were filed and a completed marriage certificate or a delayed CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 4 - certificate of marriage has not been processed, the clerk of the town or city shall make a notation on the marriage application worksheet stating the marriage presumably did not take place.
5 Distribution of the Marriage LicenseAmend RSA 5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License to read as follows:
296:5 Distribution of the Marriage License.
Amend RSA 5-C:43 Distribution of the Marriage License to read as follows:
A marriage license may be mailed to the [bride or groom] marriage applicants if mailed via certified mail with return receipt requested and the cost for the certified mail handling shall be paid by the applicants.The [bride and groom] marriage applicants shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony.
A marriage license may be mailed to the [bride or groom] marriage applicants if mailed via certified mail with return receipt requested and the cost for the certified mail handling shall be paid by the applicants.
6 Officiant Responsibilities.
The [bride and groom] marriage applicants shall provide the marriage license to the officiant prior to the marriage ceremony.
296:6 Officiant Responsibilities.
7 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
296:7 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 5 - I.
I.
(f) Pictures of the wedding ceremony accompanied by a notarized affidavit by, but not limited to, the best man, maid of honor, mother or father of [the bride or groom] either marriage applicant, or bridesmaids, testifying to the persons shown in the pictures.
CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 5 - (f) Pictures of the wedding ceremony accompanied by a notarized affidavit by, but not limited to, the best man, maid of honor, mother or father of [the bride or groom] either marriage applicant, or bridesmaids, testifying to the persons shown in the pictures.
The marriage certificate shall be a replica of the original when possible, showing all dates and related information, and signatures of the[ bride and groom] marriage applicants shall be obtained by the clerk of the town or city on the new marriage record.
The marriage certificate shall be a replica of the original when possible, showing all dates and related information, and signatures of the [bride and groom] marriage applicants shall be obtained by the clerk of the town or city on the new marriage record.
8 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
296:8 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
III.
III.The clerk of the town or city shall send the completed form and all original supporting documentation to the division after his or her signature has been affixed.
The clerk of the town or city shall send the completed form and all original supporting documentation to the division after his or her signature has been affixed.
9 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
296:9 Marriage Registration Forms and Procedures;
HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 6 - 5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.
5-C:57 Application for and Preparation of a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate.
10 False Information on the Marriage Application Worksheet.
296:10 False Information on the Marriage Application Worksheet.
11 Registrar's Duties;
CHAPTER 296 HB 1260-FN - FINAL VERSION - Page 6 - 296:11 Registrar's Duties;
12 Disclosure of Information to Individuals;
296:12 Disclosure of Information to Individuals;
Items included in a city or town report for marriage shall be limited HB 1260-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 7 - to:
Items included in a city or town report for marriage shall be limited to:
13 Effective Date.
296:13 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2430 3/6/26 HB 1260-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0693h) AN ACT relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 10, 2026 Effective Date:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
September 08, 2026
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Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 296; eff. 9/8/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2172e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2172e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  6. Conference Committee Report 2026-2057c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  7. Conference Committee Report # 2026-2057c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14

  8. Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2057c; 06/04/2026

  9. Conference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:00 am GP 234

  10. President Appoints: Senators Gannon, Abbas, Reardon; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12

  11. Sen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12

  12. Speaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, Berch, Kuttab, Manos 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84

  13. House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1312s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84

  14. Committee Amendment # 2026-1312s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  15. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1312s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8

  16. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1312s, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13

  17. Hearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, LOB, 01:05 pm, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1173s; SC 11

  18. Hearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 11

  19. Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6

  20. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0693h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 21

  21. Amendment # 2026-0693h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 21

  22. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0693h 02/13/2026 (Vote 17-1; CC) HC 9 P. 18

  23. Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158

  24. Public Hearing: 02/11/2026 10:30 am GP 230

  25. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 12

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 413 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (413)

413 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 413 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1260 do?
relative to marriage registration forms and delayed certificates of marriage.
Who sponsors HB 1260?
HB 1260 is sponsored by Peter Petrigno (Democrat) and Paul Dargie (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1260?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 01, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1260?
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