Coos County
Coos County, New Hampshire, was established in 1803. The county is named after the Abenaki word "Coos," meaning "small pines." Although Berlin is its largest city, the county seat is located in Lancaster. Covering approximately 1,830 square miles in the northern part of the state, the county is the largest in New Hampshire by area. Despite its size, Coos County is sparsely inhabited. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county had an estimated population of 31,372 as of July 1, 2023. The county's court system comprises the Superior Court and the Circuit Court.
The Coos County Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. Typically, it hears cases involving felonies, contract enforcement petitions, injunctions, civil claims for amounts in dispute above $25,000, real property title controversies, and misdemeanor appeals from the Circuit Court District Division. It also presides over family law cases, including child custody and divorce. The Circuit Court in Coos County has three divisions: Family, District, and Probate Divisions. The District Division oversees minor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil disputes below $10,000. On the other hand, the Family Division attends to cases of divorce, child support, and juvenile matters. Cases of administration of estates, probate of wills, and guardianship cases are handled by the Circuit Court Probate Division.
Public Court Records in Coos County include official documents that are generated during the court litigation process. These records are managed by the Clerk of Courts. Certain records, such as those involving juveniles or sensitive family law matters, are restricted from public access. Publicly accessible court records in Coos County include:
- Civil court records
- Criminal court records
- Probate records
- Traffic records
- Family law records
Public court records in Coos County may be accessed online through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website. Individuals may also request certified or physical copies at a fee. You may also send a mail or visit the Coos County Superior Clerk's office in person at:
55 School Street
Lancaster, NH 03584
Phone: (603) 788-4702
