Merrimack County Court Records

A court record is any document containing motions, pleadings, exhibits, transcripts, and orders on a court case filed with a Court Clerk. They are a vital part of the judicial process making sure all occurrences during a court trial are properly documented. Court records in Merrimack County and other counties in the state constitute New Hampshire Court records and are governed by state laws.

The Clerk of Court takes responsibility for the preservation and dissemination of the records. Court records usually contain the following details

• Party information
• Case information
• Motions
• Index
• Docket information
• Transcripts
• Exhibits

Are Court Records Public in Merrimack County?

Merrimack County's public records include its court records. According to New Hampshire Right to Know Law everyone is legally permitted to retrieve and inspect the county’s court records. However, not all court records are subject to public inspection as some are exempted by state law. These records include

• Juvenile delinquency
• Abuse/neglect records
• Adoption
• Termination of parental rights
• Children in Need of Services (CHINS)

A court record may be redacted from the public space if the court deems there is reasonable cause to do so. One of the reasons may be to protect the identity of the parties involved. The Clerk of Court is authorized by law to also deny access to an individual on the following grounds:

• History of previous theft
• Destruction of records
• Vandalism or tampering of records
• Lack of compliance with administrative regulations.
• Any other good cause shown

Merrimack County Court Records Search

Merrimack County court records are obtainable through the following means:

• The Clerk of Court at the presiding courthouse
• The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Central Processing Center
• The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal

Merrimack County Court Records Search by Name

Merrimack County courts allow for individuals to search for a court record by name. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Central Processing Center manages access to these court records. The department conducts a manual (for records prior to 1992) or electronic record search and dispenses case summaries which include an index of documents and events in the case. To look up a court record by name, the inquirer must complete and print the record request form of the court division where the record is filed. The inquirer can perform multiple name searches on one request. Below are the record request forms of the various court divisions in the county.

• The Superior Court or Circuit Court (Family and District Division) Record Search form
• The Circuit Court Probate Division Record Search Form

The printed form should be delivered in person or by mail (along with payment) to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Central Processing Center at:

New Hampshire Judicial Branch Administrative Offices
Central Processing Center
1 Granite Place, Suite N400
Concord, New Hampshire 03301

In-person submission must be done during the weekdays between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Submissions are not allowed during the weekend or court holidays.

A name-based search costs $20 per name for a request for up to five names, and $5 for each additional name subsequently. If a manual search exceeds one hour, an additional cost of $25 per extra hour spent will be incurred in addition to the fee paid per name for the search. Payments can be made by check (made payable to the NHJB Central Processing Center) or by card.

It is necessary to note that these records do not serve as an official copy of the court record. Interested parties should visit the courthouse in the custody of the record to obtain an official copy of the record. This will require providing the case number of the record to the Court Clerk.

A name search can also be conducted on the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal. The portal provides access to non-confidential Circuit Court records and Superior Court criminal and Civil Court records with the exclusion of domestic violence records.

Merrimack County Courts

Merrimack County's court system comprises one Superior Court and four Circuit Courts (Family, District, and Probate Divisions). The Superior Court hears major civil and criminal cases, the Circuit Court Family Division hears domestic cases. The District Division is responsible for misdemeanor and violation-level offenses, and other civil cases while the Probate Division handles cases relating to guardianship, adoption, equity, name changes, wills, trusts, and estates. New Hampshire’s Supreme Court is also situated in the county. Here are the addresses of the courts in Merrimack County.

Merrimack Superior Court
5 Court Street
Concord, NH 03301

Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court - Family and District Division - Concord
32 Clinton Street
Concord, NH 03301

Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court - Family and District Division - Franklin
7 Hancock Terrace
Franklin, NH 03235-0172

Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court - Family and District Division - Hooksett
101 Merrimack Street
Hooksett, NH 03106-1416

Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court - Probate Division - Concord
2 Charles Doe Drive, Suite 1
Concord, NH 03301

New Hampshire Supreme Court
One Charles Doe Drive
Concord, NH 03301

Phone: (603) 271-2646

Merrimack County Superior Court and Circuit Court can be contacted by phone at (855) 212-1234 (toll-free) for callers within the United States and Canada. Callers outside the United States and Canada can contact the Circuit Court on the phone at (603) 415-0162 (non-toll-free).

Merrimack County Superior Court Case Search

Merrimack Superior Court hears misdemeanor appeals from the Circuit Court District Division, and felony cases including drug crimes, burglary, theft, and aggravated felonious sexual assault. The court also handles cases involving negligence, contracts, real property rights, and civil matters with a minimum of $1,500 in damages. It has exclusive authority over cases where the damage claims exceed $25,000.

The Superior Court records can be obtained through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Central Processing Center. Researchers with a case number do not need to submit a record request form or pay a search fee. They can go directly to the courthouse, provide the case number, and obtain the necessary record. Researchers without a case number must submit a record request form as explained previously.

Individuals can also remotely access Superior Court records on the NHJB’s online case search portal. Users must register on the platform before conducting a record search.

Merrimack County District Court Records

The District Court hears cases on landlord-tenant, stalking, small claims, Involuntary Emergency Admissions (IEAs), other minor civil matters, misdemeanors, and violation offenses (motor vehicle cases inclusive).

A District Court record can be looked up at the appropriate courthouse with a case number. A name-based search for the desired record must be done by submitting a filled District Court Record Search Form along with the search fee to the NHJB Central Processing Center. District Court records can be accessed online on the NJHB’s case access search website.

Merrimack County Criminal Records

A criminal record is created for a person when they are arrested and taken into custody. The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest generates an arrest record after the arrest. This usually marks the beginning of an individual’s criminal history.

Merrimack County arrest records can be procured from the local police department that carried out the arrest. Here is the process of retrieving Merrimack county arrest records from some local town police departments in Merrimack County.

• Bow Town Police Department: A Bow Town arrest record request must be made in writing. This is done by filling out the Request for Incident or Arrest Report form. Arrest records cost $10 for up to 10 pages with an additional cost of $0.25 per page for subsequent pages. The completed form should be submitted to the police department at:
  _Physical Address
  Bow Safety Center
  7 Knox Road
  Bow, NH Mailing Address
  10 Grandview Rd.
  Bow, NH 03304_
• The City of Franklin Police Department: Arrest records can be acquired from the police department by completing the Request for Information Form (the form can also be obtained at the police address). The form may be submitted in person, or forwarded by mail to the Police Department’s office. The office address is:
  Franklin Police Headquarters
  5 Hancock Terrace
  Franklin, NH 03235

It costs $10 per request, and an additional $5 if the request necessitates the use of a CD.

Persons involved in an ongoing case who want to obtain a copy of their arrest record may submit a request for discovery to the prosecutor’s office. The request can be submitted in person, by email, or by completing and mailing the Discovery Request Form. Discovery requests are free.

• Concord City Police Department: The Records Division of the Concord Police Department is responsible for the dissemination of the city’s arrest records. An individual can request an arrest record from the Records Division in person between the hours of 11:00 am to 3:30 pm on Mondays, and 8:00 am to 3:30 pm on other weekdays. The request may also be made by mail to the police station or the division’s email address. The division’s mailing address (also the department’s physical address) is:
  Concord Police Records
  35 Green St.
  Concord, NH 03301

The requestor must provide the following information to proceed with the request.

• Date of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Parties involved
• Report number (if available)

An arrest record costs $0.25 per page if collected in person. The cost of postage is added to the total fee if the inquirer requests mail delivery.
The Records Division can be contacted by phone at (603) 225-8600 for further information.

The complete criminal history of an individual can only be obtained by contacting the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit. Criminal records in New Hampshire are confidential per state law. Third parties will only get access to an individual’s full criminal history record with the knowledge and permission of the person. However, members of the public may freely perform a criminal conviction check on a person.

A criminal conviction check can be done in person or made via mail to the department’s address

Department of Safety
Division of State Police
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

Individuals can request their own complete criminal record history in person or through a mail-in request. A government-issued photo ID is needed to obtain the record. Mail-in requests should include the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and a notary public or justice of the peace signature, date, and seal.

Each request costs a fee of $25. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, credit card (in-person requests only), check, or money order made payable to New Hampshire.

Merrimack County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal cases in Merrimack County are trialed by both the Superior Court and Circuit Court District Division. Researchers can acquire a Merrimack County criminal court record at the courthouse in custody of the record. The researcher must have the case number of the record to retrieve it from the courthouse. A name-based search can only be conducted by submitting a Superior Court or District Court record request form to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch (NHJB) Central Processing Center. A name search costs a fee.

The Central Processing Center disseminates case summaries. To procure an official copy of the record, the requestor must contact the relevant Clerk of Court and provide the case number.

Criminal court records can be looked up online via the case access portal on the NHJB website.

Get Merrimack County Civil Court Records

The Superior Court and Circuit Court District Division also handle civil matters in the county. These records can be acquired similarly to criminal court records. They can be obtained using the records case number at the courthouse or performing a name-based search through the NHJB’s Central Processing Center to receive a case summary. The case number from the acquired case summary can be used to obtain an official copy of the court record from the courthouse. Accessing a civil court record from the courthouse using the case number is free. The name search and obtaining an official copy of the court record costs a fee.

The NHJB’s case access portal also provides access to non-confidential civil court records.

Merrimack County Family Court Records

Family court records contain information on the judicial proceedings of domestic cases. The Circuit Court Family Division trials family-related cases in Merrimack County. These cases include:

• Divorce/parenting action
• Child support
• Domestic Violence petitions
• Guardianship of minors
• Termination of parental rights
• Abuse/neglect cases
• Children in need of services
• Juvenile delinquency
• Some adoptions

Most family court records are confidential in Merrimack County and can only be accessed by authorized persons which typically are the parties involved in the record, a parent/guardian or family member.

These records can be obtained at the courthouse where the case was trialed. The case number of the record will be required at the courthouse to access the record. A case summary for the record can be obtained by completing and submitting the Circuit Court records search form to the NHJB Central Processing Center.

Non-private family court records can be remotely accessed through the NHJB case access portal.

Merrimack Dissolution of Marriage Records

A dissolution of marriage refers to an official termination of a marriage union by the court. A dissolution of marriage is a family case and is overseen by the Circuit Court Family Division. The records can be obtained by following the same process as procuring any other family court record.

Merrimack County Marriage and Divorce Records

For two individuals to get married in Merrimack County, they must obtain a license from the town or city clerk they intend to get wedded. Both parties must provide identification to prove they are at least 18 years of age. If one party was previously married, they must also provide a certified copy of a divorce, civil union dissolution, or the death certificate of the previous partner. After the license is acquired and the wedding ceremony is conducted, the officiant returns the license to the town clerk for documentation.

Marriage records are private records. They will be released only to the parties involved or an immediate family member. A Merrimack County marriage certificate generally can be requested from the town clerk’s office in person or by mail. Mail requests should include a check or money order made payable to the town clerk. Identification is needed to prove the eligibility of the requestor to access the record.

It can also be requested online on the Vital Record Request page. The user is required to select the relevant state (New Hampshire) and town to proceed. The application is received, and processed and the record is mailed to the applicant’s provided address. Persons without a legible form of photo must complete the Documentary Evidence form.

The fee to obtain a marriage certificate is $15, and $10 for each additional copy requested simultaneously.

Merrimack County divorce records are the same as dissolution of marriage records. Inquirers can contact the Circuit Court Family Division Clerk of Court or search for the record on the NHJB’s case access portal.

Merrimack Birth and Death Records

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records constitute Merrimack County’s vital records. Per RSA 5-C: 9 vital records in the county are considered confidential and accessible only to persons with a direct and tangible interest. This means that only immediate family members are privy to the record. Merrimack County residents can request birth and death records through their town clerk. The town clerk is responsible for documenting all vital events that take place in the town. The request process differs according to the respective town clerk. Below is the request process for birth and death records in three of the most populated towns in Merrimack County.

• The City of Concord:
  Researchers can request a certified copy of a birth or death record from the Concord City Clerk. A request can be made in person at the clerk’s office located at:
  City Clerk's Office
  41 Green Street
  Concord, NH 03301

The clerk’s office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Thursday.

To request by mail, individuals are to complete the Vital Records Application Form and forward it with a self-addressed envelope. Payment (check or money order made payable to the City of Concord), and a photocopy of a government-issued ID should also be included. An Assignment of Access form must be filled out if the mailing address and the address on the ID differ.

Merrimack County birth certificates for births before 1935 that happened outside the City of Concord are not available through the City Clerk.

• Town of Hooksett:
  Merrimack County birth and death records can be obtained in Hooksett by visiting the Town Clerk’s office.
  35 Main St. Hooksett,
  NH 03106
  A valid government-issued photo ID is required. Payment in person can be made in cash or check
• Town of Bow:
  Individuals can apply for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate through the Bow town clerk in person or by mail to the clerk’s office. A valid ID must be presented in person or mailed (for mail-in applications).
  Bow town clerk’s address:
  10 Grandview Road
  Bow, NH 03304

Individuals can place a request for Merrimack vital records online through the Vital Records Request page. A certified birth or death record request costs $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Payment is non-refundable whether a record is found or not.

Merrimack County Probate Court Records

Probate court records contain details on probate cases. Probate cases have to do with the administration of a deceased person’s property. Probate cases are trialed in the Circuit Court Probate Division.

Probate court record requests may be made at the Circuit Court Probate Division Clerk of Court’s office. The requestor will be required to provide the case number. A request using the name on the record can be made by submitting the Circuit Court Probate Division record search form to the NHJB Central Processing Unit. The NHJB case search portal may also be used to access non-confidential probate records remotely.

Merrimack County Property Records

Property records are records comprising information about real estate. This includes deeds, liens, mortgages, attachments, and plans. The Register of Deeds department is charged with the recording of all property-related documents in Merrimack County. The department has a repository of property records dating back to 1823.

Inquiries can acquire Merrimack County property records at the Register of Deeds office. Office hours for accessing property records are 8:00 am to 3:45 pm. The office is located at:

163 North Main St, Suite 103
Concord, NH 03301

The records are also available on the register’s Landmark website. A property record can be searched using the owner’s name, document type, book and page, transfer tax, record date, docket or plan number, and legal terms. A fee is required to access and copy records through the landmark website. Individuals can subscribe for $40 per month to view indexes and images of properties and $2 per document copy. Non-subscribers can access the index and purchase a document for $4.

Information typically found in a Merrimack property record that can be viewed for free includes:

• Grantor
• Grantee
• Document type
• book/page
• Book type
• Document link

Merrimack County Court Records Online

Third-party sites like Newhampshirecourtrecords.us offer court record look-up services. These websites offer users the option of accessing court records online at their convenience. Users can generally search for a court record using the party name, case number, and other search criteria provided by the platform. Access through these sites costs a fee which varies per vendor.

While ease of access is a notable advantage of utilizing the services of third-party vendors, researchers must be conscious of the possibility of retrieving inaccurate or incomplete court records. So all court records acquired through these vendors should be verified through official sources.