Are New Hampshire Records Public?

Yes, most New Hampshire government records are public because Chapter 91-A of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law) guarantees this access. This law covers any information and documents that the government, its agencies, or employees create while performing their official duties. Individuals may then obtain these documents from their custodian agencies unless a court order or specific law restricts the release.

Who Can Access New Hampshire Public Records?

Anyone can access New Hampshire’s public records. These documents are accessible to residents and non-residents. In New Hampshire, public records are accessible to all interested persons, including:

• Private citizens 
• Journalists and media organizations
• Businesses and employers
• Attorneys and legal representatives
• Researchers and nonprofits
• Out-of-state requesters.

However, under Chapter 91-A:5 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, certain records are not accessible to unauthorized entities, such as:

• Juveniles 
• Expunged or annulled criminal records
• Sealed court files
• Active criminal investigations
• Confidential informant identities
• Correctional facility security plans or procedures
• Grand jury materials
• Personal, medical, and family-related records 
• Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates.

Accessing public records in New Hampshire does not require special verification. However, access to non-public records in New Hampshire requires proof of eligibility, such as a valid photo ID, fingerprints, or a court order.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Public Records in New Hampshire?

No, New Hampshire's law does not require individuals seeking access to public records to state the reasons for their requests. The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law grants access to residents and non-residents, and record custodian agencies cannot deny access based on who is asking. However, in limited cases where such records contain personal or sensitive information, custodian agencies may ask for the requester's purpose to verify that the request complies with privacy or confidentiality rules. Beyond this scenario, the law requires public requests for New Hampshire records to be for lawful purposes.

What Records are Public in New Hampshire?

Under the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, a wide range of records are public. This encompasses records at the state and local government levels. In New Hampshire, records that are publicly accessible include, but are not limited to:

• Court records
• Criminal and arrest records
• Bankruptcy filings
• Property records
• Birth and death certificates
• Business registrations
• Government meeting minutes
• Warrant articles and budgets
• Voter registration lists
• Building permits and inspection records
• Final reports and studies prepared for or accepted by a public body.

New Hampshire Public Court Records

New Hampshire court records are documents generated by various state and local courts. In New Hampshire, court records are maintained by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch. This agency oversees public access to case documents on civil and criminal trials within the state’s Circuit, Superior, and Supreme Courts.

Typically, most New Hampshire court records are public. Interested individuals can access case summaries, dockets, judgments, orders, and hearing transcripts. However, there is restricted access to juvenile, sealed, and confidential court records.

New Hampshire Public Criminal Records

Public criminal records in New Hampshire refer to the portion of an individual's criminal history that the state allows interested individuals to access. A New Hampshire criminal record may typically contain arrest information, charges, court dispositions, sentencing details, and incarceration history.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police – Criminal Records Unit maintains these records and makes them accessible to interested individuals according to Chapter 106-B:14 of the New Hampshire Revised Code Annotated. However, public access does not include juvenile records, sealed cases, and sensitive personal data. Requesters can apply for New Hampshire's criminal record online through the Online NH Criminal Conviction Check Portal. To obtain New Hampshire's criminal records offline, mail, or visit the New Hampshire Division of State Police at:

New Hampshire Department of Safety
Division of State Police – Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive,
Concord, 
NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-3867
Email: NHCriminalRecords@dos.nh.gov.

New Hampshire Public Arrest Records

In New Hampshire, public arrest records refer to publicly accessible information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement. These documents outline their personal details, the reasons for their arrests, and the conditions for their release. New Hampshire arrest records provide information for the early stages of criminal case trials within New Hampshire's Circuit and Superior Courts. 

Per the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, arrest records are public in New Hampshire. However, they may be inaccessible if the associated charges do not result in a conviction and are eligible for annulment. 

New Hampshire Public Bankruptcy Records

New Hampshire bankruptcy records are public documents that detail individuals' or businesses' filings for relief from debt under federal bankruptcy laws. Bankruptcy records contain information such as:

• The debtor’s name
• Case number
• Type of bankruptcy filed. For instance, Chapter 7, 11, or 13
• Assets and liabilities
• Repayment plans
• Court rulings.

Bankruptcy proceedings across the U.S. (including New Hampshire) are federal cases, and in New Hampshire, it is within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire.

Businesses and individuals intending to file for bankruptcy in New Hampshire are required to fulfill federal and state-specific criteria set by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire. A debtor who seeks to file for bankruptcy in New Hampshire:

• Must be a resident of New Hampshire 
• Is required to complete a credit counseling course from an approved non-profit agency 6 months (180 days) before filing for bankruptcy
• Must submit several forms and schedules, including: 
  • A voluntary petition
  • Schedules of assets & liabilities, income, and expenses
  • Statement of financial affairs
  • Chapter-specific forms. For instance, means test forms in Chapter 7 and a plan of repayment in Chapter 13
  • Statement of Social Security Number and creditor list 
• Is required to provide payment plan options, pay the filing fees, or request a fee waiver if their income is less than 150% of the poverty line for their family size and they cannot pay the fee in installments
• Must complete a financial management/debtor education course before the court discharges the debts.

In addition, there are limits on how much unsecured and secured debt a debtor can have under Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Individuals who seek to contact the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Hampshire can do so on office days, Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

Warren B. Rudman U.S. Courthouse
55 Pleasant Street, Room 200,
Concord, 
NH 03301-3941
Phone: (603) 222-2600
Email: nhbnofee@nhb.uscourts.gov.

New Hampshire Public Birth Records

A New Hampshire birth record contains the owner's full name, date and place of birth, parents’ names, and the filing details of the birth certificate. In New Hampshire, the Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) is the custodian of birth records. New Hampshire birth records are confidential documents accessible to the subjects, their immediate families, and legal representatives. 

Individuals seeking access to birth records in New Hampshire are required to provide valid government-issued photo IDs and pay applicable search and copy fees. Eligible requesters can query New Hampshire birth records online through the New Hampshire Department of State’s Division of Vital Records Administration Electronic Information System, or mail or visit the DVRA at:

71 South Fruit Street,
Concord,
NH 03301-2410
Phone: (603) 271-4650.

New Hampshire Public Death Records

A New Hampshire death record is a document created to confirm the death of an individual officially. Typically, a death record contains all or most of the following information:

• The full name of the deceased
• Date and place of death
• Cause of death
• Age at the time of death
• Marital status
• Information about their parents 
• Burial location.

In New Hampshire, the Division of Vital Records Administration is the agency responsible for maintaining death records.

New Hampshire death records are confidential documents for the first 50 years after death. During this period, they are accessible to the immediate family of the deceased, authorized legal representatives, and individuals with direct and tangible interests. Accessing death records in New Hampshire requires valid government-issued identification documents and fee payments.

New Hampshire Public Marriage Records 

Marriage records are documents that confirm the union of couples as husbands and wives. In New Hampshire, these documents are maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration.

A New Hampshire marriage record typically contains: 

• The full names of both spouses
• The ages of the couple at the time of the marriage, or their dates of birth
• Places of residence
• Date and place of marriage
• Names of the officiant and witnesses.

New Hampshire’s marriage records are not completely public; for the first 50 years, they are accessible to the individuals named on the documents, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with direct and tangible interests. For privacy reasons, access to a marriage record in New Hampshire requires a valid government-issued photo ID and a completed request form.

Individuals seeking access to certified copies of New Hampshire's marriage records should mail or visit the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration at:

71 South Fruit Street, 
Concord,
NH 03301-2410
Phone: (603) 271-4650.

New Hampshire Public Divorce Records

New Hampshire divorce records are documents that confirm the official termination of marriages within the state. A New Hampshire divorce record is a public document and contains the names of the divorced couple, the date and place of the divorce, the case number, and the court where the decree was issued. However, sensitive information, such as financial settlements, child custody arrangements, or personal identifiers, is not public.

Individuals seeking copies of New Hampshire divorce records for personal or legal purposes should contact the clerk's office of the Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

New Hampshire Public Inmate Records

In New Hampshire, public inmate records are official documents that provide information about current and former inmates of New Hampshire correctional facilities. A typical inmate record in New Hampshire contains information such as:

• The inmate’s name
• Date of birth
• Custody status
• Facility location
• Offense details
• Sentence length
• Projected release date.

In New Hampshire, anyone can access public inmate records. However, details such as medical records, disciplinary reports, and victim information are not public.

New Hampshire inmate records may be accessible online through the New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) Inmate Locator. Information seekers can also contact the NHDOC at:

105 Pleasant Street,
P.O. Box 1806,
Concord,
NH 03302-1806
Phone: (603) 271-5600.

New Hampshire Public Sex Offender Information

Public sex offender information refers to details about individuals convicted of sex offenses that the state legally requires to register as sex offenders. New Hampshire's sex offender information is public and accessible through the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police Sex Offender Registry. This search tool allows users to conduct name, location, or proximity to an address search. Through the New Hampshire Sex Offender Registry, individuals can obtain offenders' names, photographs, physical descriptions, offense types, and last known addresses.

Sex offender information is crucial for public safety and awareness. However, the law mandates their responsible use, and not as tools for harassment, discrimination, or vigilantism.

New Hampshire Public Property Records

Public property records in New Hampshire are official documents on real estate ownership, valuation, and taxation within the state. A typical property record contains information such as:

• Parcel number
• Property location and parcel identification number
• Land and building descriptions
• Assessed and appraised values
• Recorded documents such as deeds, liens, and mortgages
• Property tax details and sales history.

New Hampshire's property records are public documents. However, personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and certain financial details are not publicly accessible. To access property records in New Hampshire, visit the local assessor’s office in the county where the property is located, search online through the town or county’s property assessment database, or request copies from the county registry of deeds for official documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens.

What is Exempted Under the New Hampshire Public Records Act?

The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law grants public access to the state's records. However, there are exemptions. To ensure government transparency and also guarantee individual privacy and public security, New Hampshire restricts access to certain documents and information. Records that are not publicly accessible in New Hampshire include:

• Personnel and employment record
• Medical, welfare, and student records
• Law enforcement records relating to active investigations
• Confidential financial, commercial, and proprietary information
• Attorney-client communications
• Security-related and emergency response information.

If a custodian agency wrongfully denies access to an exempted record, the requester should request a written explanation before petitioning the Superior Court to review the case. The court will review the agency's application of the law and decide whether the restriction is in order or not.

How Do I Find Public Records in New Hampshire?

There are several local and state resources for accessing public records in New Hampshire. Depending on the types, these documents are accessible through local and state repositories. For instance, while property records, business licenses and permits, and voter registration and election records are accessible through county-level custodians, access to Vital Records, state criminal history records, and inmate and parole information is at the state level.

When searching for New Hampshire public records:

• Identify the type of record 
• Depending on the type of record, use a state or county online database 
• Contact the record custodian’s office if the documents are not accessible online 
• Be specific when requesting a public record. Details such as names, dates, addresses, and any identifying information may speed up the search process.

Can I Find Free Public Records in New Hampshire Using Third-Party Sites?

Yes, New Hampshire public records may be accessible for free through third-party websites. Private platforms such as newhampshirecourtrecords.us and other non-official online repositories may provide free access to New Hampshire’s public records. However, searchers may have to pay either per-search or through subscriptions for comprehensive access to information. Additionally, users of unofficial sources for documents should be cautious of errors and verify their information.

How Much Do Public Records Cost in New Hampshire?

The cost structure for accessing public records in New Hampshire depends on the requester's needs. Per the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, inspecting and receiving public records is free. However, obtaining copies of documents may require the requester to cover the actual costs of making the copies. For instance, an agency may set a copy fee of $0.50 per page and an additional $10.00 certification fee per document. Additionally, New Hampshire allows reasonable charges for electronic delivery of records that exceed 250 communications. However, if the requester is indigent or the disclosure is in the public interest, the request may qualify for a fee reduction or waiver. 

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law grants individuals access to public records regardless of their residency. Nonetheless, custodian agencies may deny access to these documents for reasons that include:

• Legal exemption to public access to the documents 
• Non-existence of the documents 
• Violation of privacy rights 
• An overly broad request that does not completely describe the specific record.

If there is a reasonable ground to believe that a custodian agency denied a request for a New Hampshire public record in error, the requester should follow this stepwise process:

• Ask the agency for a written explanation or clarification of the denial
• Request for reconsideration 
• Notify the New Hampshire Department of Justice or the Attorney General’s Office for a review of the agency’s decision if it does not reconsider 
• Submit a Right-to-Know complaint to the New Hampshire Superior Court in the county where the records are located.