New Hampshire Public Records
Everyone who resides in the state of New Hampshire has the right to access, acquire, and investigate any state public records that are readily available. Public records are accessible to and available for review by members of the general public.
The relevant agencies can provide information on a person's criminal background, registered property, and business accounts. In addition, the government agency that holds the document conveniently provides information on death, birth, or marriage to interested parties.
How to Find New Hampshire Records
In New Hampshire, the Vital Records Administration oversees the records for deaths and births that cover counties and towns. These records go back to 1640.
The Vital Records Administration will not issue certificates online, so you must go through the process by mail or in person at the local town clerk's office.
Moreover, vital records in the state are considered private. Therefore, the state's law limits access to only those who can show a direct and tangible interest in the information. For example, if you want to access the birth certificate of someone outside your family, you can't access the record.
To search, you are charged $15.00 for one certificate and $10.00 per extra copy. Birth records, beginning in 1988, and death records from 1990, are available at town clerk sites through the newest computer systems.
You can easily find several types of state records if you visit the State Records website for New Hampshire. These records include an array of public archives, including arrests and criminal and inmate files, traffic violations, financial and real estate information, business ownership records, and vital records. You can also check unclaimed records and registered licenses.
You can find court records in New Hampshire through the court system. However, you cannot access all records. Some sealed cases include juvenile cases, including records regarding termination of parental rights, delinquency, and neglect and abuse information.
Other court records that are not open to the public include grand jury records and applications made for wiretaps. Agencies also maintain and do not release denied or pending applications involving arrest or search warrants or data related to a current investigation.
The Judicial Branch will give you the necessary details to obtain the court records you seek. You can also research court records in person at 1 Granite Place, Suite N400 in Concord, New Hampshire. The contact number is 1 (855) 212-1234.
Are New Hampshire Public Records Available Online?
You can access most records online with some exceptions, as noted above, such as birth and death certificates.
Vital records are available at one of two places online. You can go through the New Hampshire Secretary of State (SOS) website and download an application to receive certificates through the mail. Applicants may obtain a certified copy for a birth, marriage, divorce, civil union, or death.
You can also easily obtain various records online through the state's State Records portal.
If you’re checking court records, visit the New Hampshire Judicial Branch site for access and retrieval.
You may also contact the agency directly for specific records when searching. For instance, if you're seeking deed information, visit the Register of Deeds online.
Do you want bankruptcy information? If so, visit the PACER case locator portal online. PACER is the acronym assigned to the public access to court electronic records system. Not only can you access bankruptcy court records, but it also gives you information for all bankruptcy, appellate, and district court cases. You may also save cases for later review at the site.
What Records Are Available in New Hampshire?
You can access a large number of public records in New Hampshire. This non-exhaustive list includes:
- Vital records, such as death, birth, marriage, and divorce information
- Arrest records and criminal and jail and inmate records
- Traffic violations on file
- Information regarding bankruptcies
- Property deed information
- Real estate liens and judgments
- Business ownership files
- The registration of licenses
- Unclaimed assets
You may also obtain genealogy information and history details through the New Hampshire State Library.
What Records are Non-Public in New Hampshire?
Some records are not available for public access in New Hampshire. Below are examples of some of the standard records
- Vital records, such as marriage, death, birth, and divorce certificates that are not direct or tangible.
- Confidential criminal history files, including non-conviction information. This information is only given to law enforcement officers or individuals who wish to access their own records.
- Records related to Petit and Grand juries. (Petit juries listen to trial evidence so they can return a verdict while a Grand jury listens to lawyer-presented evidence for the government. This allows jurors to determine if criminal charges should be brought against a defendant.)
- Pardon board and parole information.
- Student records.
- Some financial or commercial data.
You can glean more information about public record access by learning more about the Right to Know Law in the state here.
Types of Public Records Available in New Hampshire
Below are some of the usual public records available in New Hampshire:
New Hampshire Criminal Records
The New Hampshire State Police offers a repository for New Hampshire criminal records through its CHRI database. CHRI is an acronym that stands for Criminal History Record Information.
It includes all arrests and dispositions of people charged with a crime in the state. An Automated Fingerprint Identification System, or AFIS, supports the Criminal Records Unit of the Central Repository and the record database for the FBI.
The CHRI database provides the following information:
- The date of birth of the offender
- The offender's driver's license number
- A mugshot or photo
- Fingerprints
- Past and current address
- Prior arrest records
- Past and current warrants
- Sex offender status
When requesting your own criminal history, you'll need to have the document notarized or signed by a Justice of the Peace, along with a seal and date. Requesters must provide a current photo I.D. if they order the history at a public counter.
Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in New Hampshire :
Arrest Records and Warrants
You can access arrests and warrants through the New Hampshire State Police website. Arrest records show the offender's name, the time and date of the arrest, and its location. A mug shot and charges are part of the report. You can also obtain fingerprint information.
Inmate and Jail Records
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections provides a locator tool to find inmates. Once you access the data, it will give your the following information
- Name of offender and date of birth
- Number of inmate
- Booking date
- Parole date
- Release date
- Case number
Jails and Prisons in New Hampshire :
New Hampshire Background Checks
You must visit the Office of Professional and Licensure Certification to obtain a New Hampshire background check if you're a licensed professional, such as a nurse, podiatrist, chiropractor, court reporter, or dietician. Background checks are available for over 50 professionals.
Otherwise, you can obtain a background check by performing a criminal records search through the New Hampshire State Police website.
Employers, landlords, and adoption agencies may request background checks in New Hampshire. Employers may not base his or her hiring decision on an applicant's criminal history unless it affects the job assignment. For example, a past offense for embezzlement may prevent an applicant from applying as a bookkeeper.
Criminal convictions or arrests over seven years old are not provided for applicants making up to $20,000. This rule is waived if the applicant earns over $20,000 per annum.
According to law, background checks do not provide details about arrests that did not end in a conviction that are over seven years old.
Landlords may conduct background checks as long as the potential renter signs a consent to do so. If you have a criminal record and were convicted of a crime, you cannot adopt a child in New Hampshire.
How to Find Sex Offenders in New Hampshire
To find sex offenders in New Hampshire, you can access the information through the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety, State Police website. You can also visit the U.S. Justice Department website, which allows you to link to different state sex offender registries.
New Hampshire Vital Records
You can request vital records information through the Secretary of State's office. These records may also be obtained through the State Records platform.
New Hampshire Court Records
You must visit the state's judicial branch platform to obtain court records in New Hampshire. You may also obtain records from the County Clerk's Office at a public terminal. There is no charge for the service when you use a public terminal.
The State Court System in New Hampshire
The court system in New Hampshire is made up of the following courts:
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the state's highest court and the only appellate court in New Hampshire. Not only does it hear appeals, but it also corrects errors in proceedings for trial and the laws that govern the state and federal constitutions. The court receives appeals from the Superior and Circuit courts. Four associate justices and a chief justice preside over this part of the state's judicial branch.
The Superior Court
The Superior Court in New Hampshire is composed of 11 courts, all of which oversee criminal and civil matters except cases that are exclusive to the Circuit Court. The ten counties in New Hampshire have one or more of these types of courts.
More specifically, the Superior Court system handles cases covering negligence, real estate rights, contracts, and civil matters with a minimum damage amount of $1,500. The court also has primary jurisdiction over court cases where damage claims are above $25,000.
In addition, the court handles felony charges and misdemeanor appeals from the state’s Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court
This court was introduced in 2011 and was created by combining the Probate Court, District Court, and Family Division. Therefore, it presides over cases under these three classifications. The state has 10 circuit courts, one in each county. Within the 10 circuit courts, 34 circuit courts serve local New Hampshire communities.
The District Division
This part of the court system holds non-jury trials that cover violations or misdemeanors. Tenant and landlord matters are heard as are civil cases, stalking cases, and small business claims under $10,000. The state has 32 District Divisions in the Circuit Court system.
The Family Division
The Family Division oversees parenting, divorces, child support, abuse, and negligence cases, plus minor guardianships. It also handles children in need of services and charges of delinquency. Domestic violence cases also fall under this domain.
The Probate Division
This part of the New Hampshire court system presides over estate planning adoptions, trusts, wills, and termination of parental rights. It oversees matters that involve name changes, equity matters, and involuntary obligations.
Courts in New Hampshire :
Driving Records
To access driving records in New Hampshire, you must visit the Division of Motor Vehicles website.
The agency, by law, must keep personal details on driving records confidential. Therefore, you can only access this information if you need it to transact business as a company, law enforcement officer, or governmental entity. You may also access the record if you need it for yourself.
Driving records show convictions, revocations, or suspension and restoration of licenses. They may also contain information that shows the completion of a safe driver course or the date the driver completed an Attitude Program.* Individuals who have an AKA (also known as) or FKA (formerly known as) referenced name are also listed.
*Attitude Programs cover subjects that allow a driver to make better decisions while driving, thereby avoiding impulsive actions and increasing risk.
The information for a driver's license is limited to the license's issue and expiration dates. You can access an application online to request your driving record or another person's driving record.
Civil Driving Infractions
You may also receive information about civil infractions when you obtain a driving record. These infractions include parking and speeding tickets.
The state uses a demerit point system when you violate a driving law. Point values range from 1 to 6 and appear on a copy of your driving record for three years from the violation date.
New Hampshire License Plate Lookup
To look up a New Hampshire license plate, you can do so online on a private VIN or license plate platform. This is one of the fastest ways to obtain data on a vehicle's driver or history. You may also request a records request form through New Hampshire’s DMV.
New Hampshire Property and Assets Records Online
If you’re seeking real property assets online, you can use the database tool on the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services website.
Information about unclaimed property is featured on the State Treasury's Abandoned Property Division website.
Important Government Agencies in New Hampshire
- State Governor
- Secretary of State
- State Police
- Judicial Branch
- Vital Records Administration
- Department of Corrections
- Division of Motor Vehicles