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New Hampshire Court Records & Case Lookup
The New Hampshire judicial system processes a substantial number of new cases each year. These cases comprise a range of legal issues, including civil and criminal matters, domestic relations disputes, and probate matters.
In recognition of the substantial caseloads handled by courts across the state, the New Hampshire judicial system collects and organizes case information for each category of court cases processed.
In 2023, New Hampshire's Circuit Courts handled a total of 45,228 criminal cases and 5,026 civil cases. The Superior Courts recorded 8,700 new criminal filings and 5,553 new civil filings, while the Supreme Court received 754 new filings.
The New Hampshire judicial system allows public access to court records as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
While most court records are publicly accessible, access to confidential or sealed records is restricted. Anyone who wishes to view sealed records must obtain a court order granting them access.
The state's judicial system provides citizens with several options for viewing New Hampshire court records. Interested persons may access court records online, in person at the courthouse, via mail, or the telephone.
Note that telephone access to court records will only be allowed at such times and under such conditions set forth by a court clerk.
State of New Hampshire Court System
New Hampshire has a robust court system comprising one appellate court (Supreme Court) and two trial courts (Circuit and Superior Courts). These courts provide access to fair, prompt, and efficient forums for administering justice within the state.
The Supreme Court of New Hampshire is the sole appellate court in the state. It has the judicial authority to hear appeals originating at the state's trial courts as well as some administrative agencies for the state.
The Supreme Court also enjoys jurisdiction that allows the issuance of prohibition, habeas corpus, and certiorari. This court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices.
In addition, the Supreme Court is responsible for reviewing errors made in the proceedings for the trial court, interpreting federal constitutions as well as case law, and supervising court administration duties.
It's important to note that most cases are settled at the trial court level. However, some judgments and decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Trial Courts
New Hampshire has a two-level trial court structure, which includes a court of general jurisdiction and a court of limited jurisdiction.
Superior Courts in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Superior Court serves as the court of general jurisdiction, providing jury trials for civil and criminal cases within the state. The Superior Court also handles felonies, including drug-related offenses, burglary, theft, and aggravated sexual assault.
Furthermore, the New Hampshire Superior Court adjudicates cases related to property rights, civil matters, and contracts where the minimum claim for damages is $1,500.
It also has jurisdiction exclusively over all cases where damage claims are greater than $25,000 and misdemeanor appeals originating within the Circuit Court District Division.
New Hampshire has 11 Superior Courts, with each of the 10 counties in the state having at least one of these courts.
Circuit Courts in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Circuit Court is the court of limited jurisdiction. It was created by the state legislature in 2011 to merge the Family Division, Probate Court, and District Court into one unified court benefitting from centralized management.
The Circuit Court has the authority to oversee and make decisions on any cases within three different divisions: The Family, District, and Probate divisions.
The District Division conducts non-jury trials on violation and misdemeanor charges. It also decides civil matters and landlord-tenant matters as well as claims for small businesses in which the amount in dispute is under $10,000.
The Family Division manages cases such as parenting issues, child support, divorce, abuse/neglect, delinquency, domestic violence, and minor guardianship issues.
The Probate Division comes with jurisdiction overseeing all estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, name changes, termination of parental rights, involuntary commitments, and adoptions.
New Hampshire is organized into ten Circuits, one for each county. Within these Circuits, 34 Circuit Courts are serving local communities.
What are Specialty Courts in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire specialty courts are established to help citizens by combining treatment programs with court supervision. These courts offer support through community-based programs and enforce rules with rewards and sanctions. They address the specific needs of citizens, ranging from mental health problems to substance abuse, and adult care. New Hampshire Specialty Courts include:
New Hampshire State Court Records VS Federal Court Records
New Hampshire court records are any document that contains information on a legal case filed, tried, and determined within the state's court system. In New Hampshire, court records are maintained by the clerk of the court that handled the case.
The major difference between New Hampshire court records and federal court records is the type of court that generates the record. New Hampshire court records are generally created by courts operating under the supervision of the state's judicial system.
In contrast, the federal court serving New Hampshire federal creates New Hampshire federal court records. The United States District Court District of New Hampshire is the sole federal court in the state.
New Hampshire state court records typically include case information from civil and criminal cases, domestic relations cases, probate matters, and traffic violations.
On the other hand, federal court records include case information from lawsuits involving the federal constitution, civil disputes between two or more states, and bankruptcy.
New Hampshire state courts are responsible for maintaining case files and records of each case filed in the court. Additionally, the court is responsible for providing citizens access to these records upon request.
New Hampshire court records can be viewed in person at the courthouse where the case was handled. Those who wish to make a copy of the court record must submit a request in writing to the clerk of the court where the case was handled. Alternatively, citizens can view New Hampshire online court records using the statewide case access portal.
On the other hand, federal court records in the state can be viewed on the Public Access to Court Records database. This database can be used to view all available federal court records in the country.
What Are Public and Non-Public Court Records in Hawaii?
New Hampshire court records are considered public records, meaning that citizens have the right to inspect and copy these records. However, some records are exempt from public disclosure by a court for privacy and confidential reasons:
| Public Court Records | Non-Public Court Records/Redacted Information |
|---|---|
| Criminal case files (including arrest records, trial dates, court judgment, proceedings, and conviction records) | Juvenile criminal case records, grand jury records, substance abuse treatment records, and records of pending cases |
| Civil case files (including complaints, summons, injunctions, court transcripts, and final judgment) | Social Security number, financial records, and identities of minors |
| Family case files | Adoption and guardianship records, records of files issued by child protective services, and records involving domestic violence victims |
| Probate case records | Mental health-related information |
How To Seal or Expunge New Hampshire Court Records
Rule 50 of New Hampshire specifies citizens' rights to seal and expunge court records. When a court record is sealed, it is classified as a confidential document, which limits public access to the file or specific records within it.
In contrast, expungement means removing a criminal record from the state's database. In New Hampshire, this process is known as annulment.
The major difference between sealing a record and expungement is that expunged records cease to exist while sealed records are made confidential.
While most criminal convictions in New Hampshire can be expunged, offenses categorized as violent crimes and offenses that attract long-term imprisonment do not qualify for expungement. Some of these criminal offenses include:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Kidnapping
- Child pornography
Note that all criminal charges that do not lead to conviction can be expunged.
How To Seal Court Records in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, individuals seeking to seal a court record must file a motion to seal with the court that handled their case. This motion must specify the relevant administrative order, statute, court rule, or case law supporting their request for confidentiality.
Additionally, the motion to seal must state the duration for which the party wants the document to remain under seal.
Upon submission of the motion to seal, the court will overview the information on the motion to seal alongside any objection against the motion that might have gone through the filing process with the court. The order is established that determines the ruling of the court regarding the motion to seal.
Each order must come with the duration of the document with confidential data must remain sealed.
If the court denies the motion to seal, the individual has ten days after the day of the notice given by the clerk deciding to act. It's possible to file a motion for an interlocutory appeal or to reconsider to the Supreme Court.
How To Expunge New Hampshire Court Records
In New Hampshire, anyone seeking to expunge court records must file a petition to expunge with the court that handled their case. Interested persons must visit the New Hampshire judicial branch website to download and complete the appropriate petition to expunge/annul forms.
Individuals seeking to annul a criminal record must provide information about the crime, such as the nature of the crime, date of arrest, details of court judgment, and date of conviction where applicable.
Upon submission of the annulment form, the court will review the request and contact the relevant agencies for information about the offense. If the court grants this motion, the criminal records will be removed from the state's central registry.
How Do You Access the State of New Hampshire Court Records?
Per New Hampshire's Right to Know Policy, most court records are considered public and open for viewing and reproduction. However, records related to juvenile cases, pending applications for arrest warrants, grand jury records, and applications for wiretaps are not open to public inspection.
Most open New Hampshire court records are available online on the state's judicial branch case access portal. However, in some instances, requesters may visit the office of the clerk of the court where a case was handled to view records. Each court in New Hampshire maintains case files of cases it handles. The public can access these records in person, via mail, or the telephone.
Online Access to New Hampshire Court Records
The New Hampshire judicial branch provides free online access to certain case records in the state's trial courts. Available records on the case access portal include non-confidential Circuit Court cases, including district division civil, small claims, name change, and estate cases, and Superior Court civil and criminal cases.
To use the case access portal, interested persons must register and sign in. This database allows New Hampshire court records searches by name.
In-Person Access to New Hampshire Court Records
Citizens of New Hampshire can access court records by visiting the courthouse where the case was handled. The clerk of the court will make these records available upon request. This option is best for obtaining records that are not available on the case access portal.
Note that requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To make the process faster, requesters should have adequate information about the case record they seek. In certain circumstances, requesters may be required to provide proof of identification and pay to copy records.
Mail Access to New Hampshire Court Records
Citizens of New Hampshire can access court records by sending a mail request to the clerk of the court where the record is maintained. Mail requests are written requests containing information about the specific record needed.
Note that some clerks have additional requirements for accessing court records via mail. In certain circumstances, requesters are required to download, complete, and mail a record search request form alongside applicable fees to the specific court that handled the case.
Telephone Access to New Hampshire Court Records
Certain New Hampshire court records can be obtained via the telephone by calling the clerk of the court where the record is maintained. However, telephone access to court records is only allowed at such times and under conditions determined by a court clerk.
How To Request Judicial Administrative Records
Citizens of New Hampshire can obtain general judicial administrative records by visiting the state's judicial branch website. However, requests for specific administrative records can be emailed to the Department of Communications of the Judicial Administrative Office.
Additionally, interested persons may visit the New Hampshire Administrative Office of the Courts at 1 Granite Place, Suite North 400, Concord, NH 03301.
How To Access Older and Archived Court Records in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, old court records include case files dating from 1680 to 1824. The majority of these records are maintained by the New Hampshire State Archives.
To access these records, interested persons are required to visit the New Hampshire State Archives research room. Visitors must register at the front desk and follow the research room rules.
After registering, requesters can search old and archived records. Note that copies of documents are available for a fee.