Belknap County Court Records

Belknap County court records are those documents, exhibits, or information generated or received during a court procedure in Belknap County. They may be generated or maintained in various forms, such as audio or video recordings, written or printed documents, and photos.

Court records serve as legal documentation for court procedures. They provide the public with access to information about legal cases and allow individuals to exercise their legal rights. Generally, New Hampshire court records provide access to case information such as case title, parties involved, and case number, as well as documents like hearing transcripts, briefs, petitions, motions, case filings, dockets, judgments, and orders.

Are Court Records Public in Belknap County?

Yes. The New Hampshire Freedom of Information Act, also known as the Right-to-Know Law, establishes the right of an individual to access the records of public bodies and public agencies in Belknap County. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Rules permit public access to court records under the presumption that all court records are subject to public inspection. However, some Belknap County court records are exempt from public access and inspection. Examples include:

• Juvenile cases (abuse/neglect, delinquency, adoption, termination of parental rights)
• Grand jury records
• Pending or denied applications for search or arrest warrants
• Records kept confidential by statute, rule, or order.

Belknap County Court Records Search

The following options are available for individuals who wish to conduct a court record search in Belknap County

• The courthouse where the case was filed
• The New Hampshire judiciary case search portal
• Third-party websites.

Belknap County Courts

The Belknap County court system comprises the Superior Court, Circuit Court District Division, Circuit Court Probate Division, and Circuit Court Family Division. The Superior Court has universal authority over all civil and criminal issues in Belknap County and presides over cases outside lower courts' purview.

The Belknap County District Division has limited jurisdiction over specific categories of civil, criminal, and probate court cases. Most probate cases, certain real estate cases, and certain juvenile matters fall under the narrow purview of the Probate Court. The Family Court handles juvenile and domestic relations cases. The contact information of courts in Belknap County is listed below.

Belknap County Superior Court
64 Court Street
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Belknap County 4th Circuit Court
Laconia Courthouse
26 Academy Street
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Belknap County Criminal Records

In Belknap County, criminal records include details on an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. Criminal records are considered to be public records. Criminal history record checks may be done at the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Department.

Any individual may access public criminal conviction history at $25 per subject. Requests for public criminal records can also be carried out in person or via mail. Confidential criminal records may only be obtained by the subject of the record or other authorized persons.

Get Belknap County Civil Court Records

Registered users may utilize the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's Case Access Portal to access civil court records. This online service provides remote access to non-domestic violence Superior Court civil cases and Circuit Court non-confidential, e-filed cases, such as civil, small claims, name change, and estates. Requesters may also fill and submit the records request form to the state judiciary's central processing center along with the required fees.

Interested persons may also contact the Belknap County Superior Court clerk or Circuit Court in person or via mail. Furthermore, one may visit the court where the civil case was filed in person to request a civil court.

Belknap County Marriage Records

Anyone seeking Belknap County marriage records may contact the town or city clerks' offices within the county. For instance, the Alton Town Clerk's Office provides marriage records from 1960 to date. A requestor should be an immediate family member, guardian, or legal representative of the subject. All individuals who request a certified copy of a marriage record are also required to provide a valid ID. A certified copy costs $15, and a $10 fee for each additional copy requested.

Alternatively, one can request marriage records from the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration. Eligible interested persons may obtain a marriage record by downloading, filling out, and submitting the Certificate Application form to the state's Vital Records office.

Belknap County Divorce Records

The Belknap County Circuit Court Clerk manages and maintains divorce records within the county. Requesters may contact the clerk's office in person or via mail. The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration is the custodian of vital records within the state. Residents who desire to obtain Belknap County divorce records may submit the completed application form to:

NH Department of State
Division Of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concodd, NH 03301-2455.

Requesters should possess a positive ID such as a driver's license, passport, or other picture identification when requesting certified copies of divorce records. Alternatively, one can contact any of the local city or town clerks, as well as the Divisions of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) in Belknap County. One must provide a valid ID or Documentation Evidence for Individuals Not Possessing An Acceptable Picture Identification, along with a fee of $15. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time are $10.

Belknap County Birth and Death Records

Vital records in New Hampshire are private and accessible to persons with a direct and tangible interest in them, as per state law. Birth records older than 100 years and death records older than 50 years are considered part of the public domain per RSA 5-C:105.

Interested persons may obtain informational copies and certified copies of Belknap County birth records and death records by contacting any of the town or city clerk's offices within Belknap County. For instance, one may contact the Laconia City Clerk's Office for Belknap County birth certificates and death certificates, also referred to as Belknap County vital records.

A current photo ID is required to process a request. This request must be accompanied by a clear photocopy of the requestor's official government-issued ID and a fee of $15. Vital records may also be requested online. Choose "Birth Certificate" or "Death Certificate" from the drop-down menu and fill in the required information and a valid email address.

The NHDVRA is the state's resource for birth and death records. To obtain a birth and death certificate, complete and submit the Certificate Application, payment, and a valid photo ID to the NHDVRA office.

Vital records are used to monitor health conditions, measure life expectancy, and assess the degree of progress made toward public health objectives.

Belknap County Probate Court Records

The Probate Division of the Circuit Court has limited jurisdiction over specific types of proceedings, including the administration of estates, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, child adoptions, name change petitions, and termination of parental rights. Other cases include living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, certain partition actions, and quiet title actions about real estate.

Probate record seekers may contact the county's Probate Court in person to request probate records at:

NH Circuit Court
4th Circuit – Probate Division – Laconia
26 Academy Street
Laconia, NH 03246.

One may utilize the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's Case Access Portal to lookup probate case information online. Users are required to register or sign in to access these records. Interested persons may also obtain probate court records by completing and submitting the Probate Estate Administration Records Research and Payment Form (NHJB-2941-P) to the NHJB Central Processing Center.

Belknap County Property Records

The Belknap County Register of Deeds Office manages and maintains housing and all property-related documents in Belknap County. Recorded papers, plans, and indices dating back to 1765 are accessible for examination on the NH Deeds website. Anyone seeking online search assistance may call (603) 527-5420. One may also lookup Belknap County property records in person at

Register of Deeds Office
Belknap County Register of Deeds
64 Court Street
Laconia, NH 03246.

Property-related information available in Belknap County property records includes the name of the party involved with the property, the address of the property, the document number, the document type, legal, and the document date.

Belknap County Court Records Online

Members of the public seeking court records may utilize the services of third-party websites like Newhampshirecourtrecords.us. Generally, basic searches may be done for free on third-party websites. However, users may be required to subscribe for a fee to access comprehensive and detailed public documents. Furthermore, individuals seeking public records from third-party websites may need to verify the information and records obtained as they may vary in completeness and accuracy.