New Hampshire

The following is an overview of the laws of the state of New Hampshire. It should not be used as legal advice and is provided as information only. Family Fairness does not warrant that this information is current or comprehensive.
Updated: 04/23/2009

Same-Sex Relationships

Performs Same-Sex Marriages
"No man shall marry . . . any other man." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN 457:1. "No woman shall marry . . . any other woman." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN 457:2.		 No
Recognizes Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriage
"Marriages legally contracted outside the state of New Hampshire which would be prohibited if contracted in New Hampshire shall not be legally recognized in this state." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN 457:3. But, "[a] civil union or a marriage between a man and another man or a woman and another woman legally contracted outside of New Hampshire shall be recognized as a civil union in this state." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN 457-A:8 		Yes
Other Recognition: Civil Unions
"The state of New Hampshire recognizes the civil union between one man and another man or one woman and another woman." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN 457-A. Effective January 1, 2008. 		Yes

 

Gay and Lesbian Adoption

Single LGBT Adoption
Any unmarried adult may adopt a minor. N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 170-B:4.		 Yes
Joint Same-Sex Adoption
No explicit prohibition, and some county courts have permitted joint adoption by persons of the same sex. No state high court has yet ruled on this issue, and so there is no unified law.		 Maybe
Gay or lesbian adoption of a partner's child
No explicit prohibition, but no state high court has yet ruled on this issue.		 Maybe

 

Housing Discrimination

Protections on the basis of sexual orientation
"It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice . . . to discriminate against any person . . . on account of that person's sexual orientation." N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 354-A:10 		Yes
Protections on the basis of gender identity
No explicit protections. Gender identity is not included in the state nondiscrimination laws.		 No

 

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