US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 33017

Strafford County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Strafford County, New Hampshire. Serving a population of 133.243 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Dover • Land Area: 367,47 sq mi • State: New Hampshire (NH)
Call: (603) 789-1027 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Strafford County Courthouse / Recording Office, Dover, NH 03815

Seat of government for Strafford County in Dover, NH.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(603) 789-1027

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 33017 • Coordinates: 43.2933° N, -71.0356° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Strafford County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Strafford County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by RSA 478:17-g & RSA 78-B
First Page Base Fee
$20.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$4.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$0.75 per $100 ($15.00 per $1,000) split evenly between buyer and seller ($7.50 each)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in New Hampshire:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Strafford County

License Fee $50.00
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 90 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Strafford County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Obtained from any municipal Town/City Clerk. Valid statewide.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00
Death Cert $15.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration and the local Strafford County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Strafford County

Filing Fee: $50.00
1. Filing Authority

In Strafford County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in New Hampshire.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed with the Secretary of State Corporation Division.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Strafford County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Strafford County New Hampshire Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in New Hampshire.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
New Hampshire Compliant
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official New Hampshire Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with New Hampshire county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get New Hampshire Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in New Hampshire

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring New Hampshire recording offices:

Rockingham County Seat: Brentwood
~21.3 mi →
Belknap County Seat: Laconia
~25 mi →
Merrimack County Seat: Concord
~32.4 mi →
Carroll County Seat: Ossipee
~40.6 mi →
Hillsborough County Seat: Manchester
~43.6 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Strafford County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Strafford County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Strafford County office is located at Strafford County Courthouse / Recording Office, Dover, NH 03815. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (603) 789-1027.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Strafford County?
Under New Hampshire statute (RSA 478:17-g & RSA 78-B), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Strafford County costs $20.00 for the first page, plus $4.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $0.75 per $100 ($15.00 per $1,000) split evenly between buyer and seller ($7.50 each).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Strafford County, NH?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Strafford County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $50.00. New Hampshire requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Strafford County?
In Strafford County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the New Hampshire Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $50.00. Trade name filed with the Secretary of State Corporation Division.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Strafford County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $15.00) can be requested through the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration or directly at the Strafford County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.