NH

New Hampshire Voter Registration Guide

Current voter registration requirements, birth certificate ordering information, voter ID rules, deadlines, and official election office links for New Hampshire.

Proof of citizenship: required nowID requiredChecked Jul 27, 2026 · re-check due
Interactive map of the United States showing proof-of-citizenship law status by state
Active Proof-of-Citizenship Law
Law on Books (Not Enforced)
No Requirement
Voter ID Requirement
Voters are identified using forms listed in state law (RSA 659:13), and registrants must provide proof of identity, age, U.S. citizenship, and domicile
Online Registration
Not available
Registration Deadline
Before election: register in person up to 6-13 days before Election Day (varies by community); Election Day registration is available at polling locations; absentee registration request cutoff is 12 p.m. the day before the election
Proof of Citizenship Law
Proof of citizenship: required now
Status detailsNew Hampshire HB 1569 (signed Sep 17, 2024; eff. Nov 11, 2024) required all new registrants to produce hard-copy documentary proof of citizenship with no affidavit exception. On May 29, 2026, U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott (Coalition for Open Democracy v. Scanlan/Formella) ruled HB 1569's removal of the qualified voter affidavit unconstitutional (First/Fourteenth Amendments; procedural due process), effective immediately, and restored the affidavit option for first-time registrants lacking citizenship documents. The court did not strike the underlying proof-of-citizenship requirement. NH filed its First Circuit appeal on Jun 25, 2026 and sought a stay; the district court denied the stay in Jul 2026, so the affidavit option remains available while the appeal proceeds.

What to Do Now

  1. 1Check if you have one of the accepted documents (passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate)
  2. 2If your name has changed, get a passport in your current legal name
  3. 3Order your birth certificate now if you don't have one
  4. 4Verify your voter registration is current
  5. 5Keep originals safe — under the SAVE Act, photocopies would not be accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need proof of citizenship to register to vote in New Hampshire?

It depends on your registration path. New Hampshire currently has an active proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration. All new voter registrants statewide must show documentary proof of citizenship (HB 1569, eff. Nov 11, 2024); however, per Coalition for Open Democracy v. Scanlan/Formella (D.N.H., May 29, 2026), the elimination of the qualified voter affidavit was held unconstitutional and the affidavit option is RESTORED - first-time registrants without documents may sign a sworn citizenship affidavit; documentary-proof requirement itself survives; the state's appeal is pending at the First Circuit and its request to pause the ruling was denied in July 2026. Accepted documents can include a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate.

How much does a birth certificate cost in New Hampshire?

A certified birth certificate in New Hampshire costs $15.00 search fee (includes one certified copy if found); $10.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record issued at the same time. Processing times vary — check the state vital records office for current turnaround. Use the official New Hampshire vital records office for current details: https://www.sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0/purchasing-correcting-vital-records/request-certificates. Remember: you must order from the state where you were born, not where you currently live.

What voter ID do I need in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire's voter ID rules: Voters are identified using forms listed in state law (RSA 659:13), and registrants must provide proof of identity, age, U.S. citizenship, and domicile. Check with your local election office or visit the New Hampshire Secretary of State website for specific details on acceptable forms of identification.

Can I register to vote online in New Hampshire?

No, New Hampshire does not currently offer online voter registration. You will need to register by mail or in person. Registration deadline: Before election: register in person up to 6-13 days before Election Day (varies by community); Election Day registration is available at polling locations; absentee registration request cutoff is 12 p.m. the day before the election.

What documents count as proof of citizenship in New Hampshire?

Documents generally accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship include: U.S. Passport (book or card); U.S. Birth Certificate; Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570); Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561); Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Requirements may vary, so check with the New Hampshire election office for the most current list of accepted documents.