New Hampshire public records
New Hampshire property research starts with a municipal assessor and the county registry of deeds. The judiciary, Secretary of State and State Police provide separate case, vital/business and criminal-record services. A Right-to-Know request should identify the existing agency record you need.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsNew Hampshire Judicial Branch | Follow court-record instructions and contact the appropriate clerk. | Search, copies and certification may incur fees. Not every New Hampshire case is remotely searchable; protected records require authorization. |
| Property and land recordsNew Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration | Find the municipality's assessment office; use the county registry of deeds for recorded instruments. | Town and registry copy charges vary. Local assessment data and county recorded deeds have different custodians. |
| Business recordsNew Hampshire Secretary of State | Follow QuickStart business-search and corporation-record services. | Search and certified-copy orders differ. Business registrations and occupational licenses are separate records. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceNew Hampshire Division of Vital Records | Order eligible birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates through the listed channels. | Search and copy fees apply. Direct-and-tangible-interest rules govern access; a divorce certificate is not the complete court file. |
| Criminal-history checksNew Hampshire State Police | Use State Police form DSSP 256 for the permitted criminal-history request; follow its requester and record-subject authorization instructions. | Record and fingerprint processing fees apply. New Hampshire criminal-history information is confidential. Third-party release requires the record subject's knowledge and permission; a court index is a separate source. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in New Hampshire
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- RSA 91-A gives citizens access to governmental records. Request existing, reasonably described records from the body or agency holding them.
- How to submit
- Identify the New Hampshire agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- If access is not immediately available, the agency generally must respond within five business days, explaining denial or giving a reasonable production estimate.
- Fees and estimates
- Copying and certain authorized retrieval charges can apply under the current statute. Request an itemized estimate and inspect available records first when useful.
- If access is denied
- The Right-to-Know Ombudsman is an alternative dispute route with its own filing rules. Superior Court proceedings are also available.
New Hampshire records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: New Hampshire public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Access to Governmental Records and Meetings (RSA ch. 91-A), I request electronic copies of the town's approved meeting minutes and executed contract for [project] between [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
New Hampshire public records FAQ
Where can I find New Hampshire court records?
Follow court-record instructions and contact the appropriate clerk. Not every New Hampshire case is remotely searchable; protected records require authorization.
Sources: New Hampshire Judicial BranchAre New Hampshire public records free?
Copying and certain authorized retrieval charges can apply under the current statute. Request an itemized estimate and inspect available records first when useful. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: New Hampshire official public-records guidance; New Hampshire Judicial Branch; New Hampshire Division of Vital RecordsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in New Hampshire?
Order eligible birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates through the listed channels. Direct-and-tangible-interest rules govern access; a divorce certificate is not the complete court file.
Sources: New Hampshire Division of Vital Records; New Hampshire Judicial BranchIs a New Hampshire court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. New Hampshire criminal-history information is confidential. Third-party release requires the record subject's knowledge and permission; a court index is a separate source. Use State Police form DSSP 256 for the permitted criminal-history request; follow its requester and record-subject authorization instructions.
Sources: New Hampshire State Police; New Hampshire Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- New Hampshire official public-records guidance — checked
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch — checked
- New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration — checked
- New Hampshire Secretary of State — checked
- New Hampshire Division of Vital Records — checked
- New Hampshire State Police — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions