Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1615 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Contract marriage without a license

AI-generated

permitting consenting adults to enter into contract-based marriage agreements as an alternative to the requirement of a marriage license.

Establishes a legal framework for contract marriage as a voluntary civil agreement enforceable under contract law, providing procedures for optional filing, conversion, and revocation as an alternative to licensed marriage.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the legal framework for contract marriage as a private civil alternative to licensed marriage. This bill further defines contract marriage as a voluntary agreement enforceable solely under civil contract law and provides procedures for optional filing, conversion, and revocation.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Administrative dissolution" means the removal of a licensed marriage from the state's vital records by operation of law following conversion to a contract marriage under this chapter, without judicial proceedings.”
RSA 457-B:1
“A contract marriage formed under this chapter shall not be considered a licensed marriage or its equivalent for any legal purpose and shall not invoke application of RSA 457, RSA 458, or related doctrines.”
RSA 457-B:2
“A contract marriage shall be formed upon execution of a written agreement signed by all parties, witnessed by 2 unrelated adults or notarized.”
RSA 457-B:3
“A contract marriage may specify a fixed term, renewal mechanism, or automatic expiration triggered by conditions agreed upon in writing.”
RSA 457-B:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreRPrime
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Pierre DupontR, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. David LoveR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. Glenn BaileyR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR

Public testimony

49 signed in online · 24 wrote testimony

18% support82% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Nice to see something commonsense for a change. How strange it must be to get permits and licenses for marriage. I can hear the preacher... Papers Please! If folks can write their own vows, they can easily handle this. Make it so Number 1.”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“I support this bill. I see no reason why New Hampshirites shouldn't have the right to try an alternative arrangement to state licensed marriage.…”
— Logan McCormack, Merrimacksupports
“Thank you for the opportunity to speak in Support of the Contract-Based Marriage (HB1615) today. My name is Felix Shvaiger, of Loudon, NH. I am a Software Engineer and I am an immigrant, twice.…”
— Felix Shvaiger, Loudonsupports
“On religious, moral, economic and justice grounds, I do not support re-instatement of the death penalty. I am a Manchester NH native and a Sister of Mercy presently living in Nashua.”
— Eileen Brady, Nashuaopposes
“As a woman married to a woman in the state of NH. We specifically looked at states marriage laws before choosing what state to move to. I am against making changes to marriage and making marriage weaker or unequal.…”
— Jessica Marchesani, Doveropposes
“I am a 63 year old artist living in Bow with my wife, who is a cybersecurity architect, and our dog.…”
— Lisa Tsiopras, Bowopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–2
    Overall
    88% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary4:40:48–4:44:133m 25slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  4. Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/14/2026 (Vote 14-2; CC) HC 5 P. 9
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.