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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing

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.