Strafford County
Strafford County was established in 1771 and named after William Wentworth, the 2nd Earl of Strafford. It is located in southeastern New Hampshire, with Dover serving as its county seat. It has a population of about 130,965 residents and covers approximately 367.5 square miles. Strafford County's judicial system comprises the Superior and Circuit Courts.
Strafford County Superior Court has jurisdiction over felonies, title to real estate, foreclosure of mortgages, domestic violence, appeals from zoning and board decisions, and civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000. It also handles criminal cases that qualify for a jury trial. Strafford County Circuit Court is categorized into divisions based on case type. They include the District Divisions, Probate Divisions, and Family Divisions. The District Divisions manage certain civil and criminal cases, such as misdemeanors and civil claims under $25,000. The Probate Courts are limited in their jurisdiction covering probate-related items such as estate administration, real estate, guardianship, wills as well as juvenile matters. The Family Divisions enjoy complete jurisdiction of almost all domestic relations and juvenile cases, including divorce, annulment, alimony, child custody, and support, most guardianship of minors, and emergency orders of protection in domestic violence cases.
Public court records in Strafford County provide detailed documentation of legal proceedings, including filings, judgments, and case outcomes. These records are maintained by Strafford County Clerk's Office, which provides access to:
- Civil Court Records
- Criminal Records
- Family Law Records
- Probate Records
Individuals seeking access to Strafford County court records can do so through New Hampshire's case access portal, or they may visit the Clerk's Office in person at:
Strafford County Superior Court
259 County Farm Road, Suite 301
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Email: straffordsuperiorcourt@courts.state.nh.us
Email requests for records are also accepted. Up to five names can be found for $20 with a name-based search, with additional fees for more extensive searches or physical copies of records. Archived records or certified copies may require extra charges.
