How do I get a copy of the adoption order in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, you get a copy of your adoption order by asking the clerk of the Circuit Court that finalized your adoption for certified copies, either at the end of your final hearing or afterward by request.

At or right after your hearing:

• Ask the court clerk how certified copies are issued in your county. Some people can leave with them, while others receive them later.
• Ask what the fee is per certified copy and how the clerk accepts payment. Fees and timing can differ from one Circuit Court to another, so the clerk in your county is the best source.
• Ask for more than one certified copy. You will likely need to hand originals to several offices, and each usually wants a certified copy rather than a photocopy.

If you need a copy later:

• Contact the clerk of the Circuit Court where the adoption was finalized. It helps to know which court handled it, since New Hampshire has 10 counties.
• Have the child's name, the approximate date of finalization and, if you have it, the case number.
• Ask the clerk about the current fee, how to pay, and whether they accept requests by mail or only in person.
• If you are not sure which court handled the case, the clerk in the county where you filed can help you track it down.

Where your certified copies usually go:

• New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration: This is the agency you contact about a new birth certificate after an adoption. Ask them what they require with your request, such as forms, identification and fees.
• Health insurance: You can give a copy to your insurer to add the child. Ask what documents they accept.
• School records: Give a copy to the school if the child's name or parent information is changing.
• Passport and other records: Name changes and parentage documentation often call for a certified copy.
• Your own files: Keep at least one certified copy somewhere safe, such as a fireproof box, and don't hand over your last one.

How long until you have the order: Stepparent adoptions in New Hampshire generally run about 3-6 months from start to finish. Your order exists only once the court finalizes the adoption, so copies are not available before then. If you are adopting an adult, the court may issue the final decree at the end of the hearing, since there is no interlocutory period for adult adoptions.

If something looks wrong on the order: If a name, date or other detail is incorrect, tell the clerk right away and ask how corrections are handled. For anything that depends on your particular case, such as a contested adoption, a correction dispute, or a question about which court holds your file, the clerk or an attorney can give you an answer that fits your situation.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. Your court-ready documents arrive within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and they are backed by a 100% court acceptance guarantee. The cost is $349 for the first child (or for one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child. We have helped 114 New Hampshire families, and 34,000+ families nationally since 2001.