1. I. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

   1. (a) He or she makes a written or electronic false statement which he or she does not believe to be true, on or pursuant to a form bearing a notification authorized by law to the effect that false statements made therein are punishable; or

   2. (b) With a purpose to deceive a public servant in the performance of his or her official function, he or she:

      1. (1) Makes any written or electronic false statement which he or she does not believe to be true; or
      2. (2) Knowingly creates a false impression in a written application for any pecuniary or other benefit by omitting information necessary to prevent statements therein from being misleading; or
      3. (3) Submits or invites reliance on any writing which he or she knows to be lacking in authenticity; or
      4. (4) Submits or invites reliance on any sample, specimen, map, boundary mark, or other object which he or she knows to be false.
2. II. No person shall be guilty under this section if he or she retracts the falsification before it becomes manifest that the falsification was or would be exposed.
3. III. A form adopted by a state agency pursuant to RSA 541-A, or in use by a state agency prior to January 1, 2016, containing a notification that false statements made therein are punishable under this section shall be considered authorized by law.

Source. 1971, 518:1. 2003, 158:2, eff. June 17, 2003. 2016, 196:14, eff. Aug. 5, 2016.