Strafford County Court Records

Strafford County Court Records are official documents that provide official accounts of legal hearings of the courts in Strafford County, New Hampshire. These records are a comprehensive chronicle of judicial proceedings, including civil, criminal, and family matters.

Types of information typically found in court records include:

• Case details: Parties involved, case number, filing date, court, and assigned judge.
• Pleadings: Complaints, answers, motions, and other legal documents filed by parties.
• Court orders and judgments: Official rulings made by the court, including verdicts, sentences, and injunctions.
• Transcripts: Written records of court proceedings, including testimony and arguments.
• Evidence: Documents, photographs, and other materials presented as proof in court.
• Financial records: Court fees, fines, and other monetary transactions related to the case.

Are Court Records Public in Strafford County?

Strafford County Court records are generally accessible to the public by state law. This policy supports the public's right to access court proceedings and records under the New Hampshire Constitution.

Public access to court records is available through various means. Individuals can visit the courthouse where the case was filed or use the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's online Case Access Portal, which provides a convenient way to view electronically filed cases. Users must register or log in to use this online service.

However, certain types of court records are subject to restrictions. Records may be sealed or exempt from public disclosure due to privacy concerns or statutory provisions. Some examples of restricted records include juvenile cases, specific family court matters, and records ordered sealed by a judge.

In-person requests for court records can be made at the respective court clerk's office. Civil and criminal court records can be accessed at the Superior Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court locations in Strafford County. To facilitate the search, requesters should provide specific details such as the parties' names, the case file number, and the filing date.

Strafford County Court Records Search

Generally, there are two primary methods to search for court records in Strafford County:

1. In-Person at the Courthouse: Visit the Strafford County Courthouse and request access to the court records. This method offers the most comprehensive access but requires the physical presence of the requester.
2. Online Resources: Utilize the state's or third-party vendors' online platforms or databases. These options provide convenience but have limitations regarding record availability and search depth.

Strafford County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based search for court records in Strafford County may be performed online, in-person, or by mail requests.

Online Access

Visit the Case Access Portal:

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch offers an online Case Access Portal for accessing non-confidential Superior Court criminal and civil cases and certain Circuit Court cases (civil, small claims, name changes, and estates).

In-Person or Mail Requests

Submit a Request:

For more extensive record checks, inquirers may request an electronic record check from the Central Processing Center in person or via mail. This service typically requires the payment of a processing fee and provides case summaries from the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's case management system. Case summaries do not include confidential cases and are primarily for informational purposes.

To make these requests, the inquirer may be required to submit a form containing details of the record of interest. For Superior Court or Circuit Court (District and Family Division) searches, use the "Record Research and Billing Form (NHJB-2798-DFS)". For Circuit Court Probate Division searches, use the "Probate Estate Administration Records Research and Payment Form (NHJB-2941-P)".

In-person and mail requests may be made at:

NHJB Administrative Offices
Central Processing Center
1 Granite Place
Suite N400
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courts in Strafford County are as follows:

Strafford County Superior Court
William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building
259 County Farm Rd,
Ste 301,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County 7th Circuit Court District Division - Dover
25 St. Thomas St,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County 7th Circuit Court District Division - Rochester
76 N Main Street,
Rochester, NH 03867
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County 7th Circuit Court Probate Division
William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building
259 County Farm Rd,
Ste 203,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County 7th Circuit Court Family Division - Dover
25 St. Thomas St,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County 7th Circuit Court Family Division - Rochester
William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building
259 County Farm Rd,
Ste 302,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Strafford County Superior Court Case Search

Inquirers may use the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's online case access portal to search for cases within the Strafford County Superior Court in New Hampshire. This portal provides access to various court records, including those from the Superior Court. To perform a Superior court case search:

• Visit the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website and navigate the Case Access Portal.
• Search for cases by entering relevant information such as case number, party name, or attorney name. The portal will provide a list of matching cases, which you can select to view more details.
• After selecting a case, inquirers may view various details, including its status, parties involved, and court dates. Depending on the case and its public access status, some documents may be available for viewing.

For more information, the researcher can also visit the Strafford County Superior Court at

William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building
259 County Farm Road
Suite 301
Dover, NH 03820
(855) 212-1234 (for general inquiries)
(603) 415-0162 (for callers outside the U.S. and Canada).

The Superior Court in Strafford County, as part of the New Hampshire Superior Court system, handles a broad range of cases, including:

• Civil Cases include negligence, contracts, and real property rights disputes with claims exceeding $1,500. The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases with damages exceeding $25,000.
• Criminal Cases: The court handles significant felonies such as drug offenses, burglary, theft, and aggravated felonious sexual assault. It also deals with misdemeanor appeals from the Circuit Court District Division.
• Equity Cases: The Superior Court has jurisdiction over cases seeking injunctive relief, where parties request the court to issue orders to prevent specific actions.
• Administrative Appeals: The court hears appeals from zoning and planning board decisions and disputes involving real estate titles and contract enforcement.

Strafford County Criminal Records

The New Hampshire State Police primarily managed criminal records in Strafford County. While the county does not maintain a centralized criminal records database, the State Police is responsible for compiling and maintaining statewide criminal history information.

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. There are restrictions in place to protect individual privacy. The types of documents available to the public typically include:

• Conviction records include details about the crime, the sentence, and the date of conviction.
• Arrests: Information about Strafford county arrests may be available sometimes, but access is often restricted.

To obtain Strafford County criminal records, inquirers typically have two options:

1. Directly through the New Hampshire State Police:

• In-person: Visit the New Hampshire State Police headquarters at 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH.
• Mail: Submit a completed Criminal Record Release Authorization Form to the same address.
• Online: While the State Police does not offer online searches, you can download the authorization form from their website.

Note: the fee for this search is $25.00, payable to the State of N.H. Criminal Records must accompany each N.H. request. Cash, check, money order, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted. Credit cards are only accepted at the public counter, not with mailed-in requests.

2. Through a Third-Party Commercial Service:

Several private companies offer criminal record search services. These companies aggregate information from various sources, including government records.

Strafford County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The primary method to access criminal court case information in Strafford County is through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's Case Access Portal. This online platform provides access to electronically filed cases.

To search for a criminal case, inquirers typically need information such as the case number, defendant's name, case type (criminal), and court location (Strafford County).

Get Strafford County Civil Court Records

Civil court records encompass various documents generated during civil legal proceedings. The custodians of civil court records in Strafford County are the clerks of the respective courts. For instance, the Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains records from the Superior Court, and the Circuit Court Clerk's Office manages those from the Circuit Court. Civil records subject to public inspection do not include confidential records such as juvenile cases, sealed documents, or any other records protected by statutory provisions or court orders.

These records can be accessed online, in Person, or by mail request.

1. Online Access:

• New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal: This portal provides access to electronically filed cases. You can search by case number, party names, case type, and filing date. Guidelines for public access to records are also available on their website.
• Third-party commercial services: Some private companies aggregate court records, including those from Strafford County.

2. In-Person or Mail Request:

• Directly contact the Strafford County Superior Court Clerk's Office: Inquirers may request specific records by visiting the office or sending a written request. There might be fees associated with obtaining copies of documents.

Strafford County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Circuit Court handles family law cases in Strafford County, New Hampshire. This division manages various cases, including divorce, child custody and support, domestic violence, guardianship, and juvenile matters.

The Family Division handles:

• Divorce and Legal Separation: Includes division of property, alimony, and child custody.
• Parenting Cases: These are often called custody or visitation cases between unmarried parents.
• Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders: Protects individuals from abuse by family or household members.
• Guardianship: Involves the care of minors or incapacitated adults.
• Juvenile Cases: This category covers abuse and neglect, delinquency, and CHINS (Children in Need of Services) cases.

As earlier mentioned, these records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail request.

Strafford Dissolution of Marriage Records

Strafford County's dissolution of marriage records include all records about a divorce or annulment handled by a local court. These records constitute family court records and can be obtained at the presiding courthouse or by accessing remote case search systems, as described previously.

Strafford County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records in New Hampshire are typically maintained by the town or city where the marriage license was issued. Since Strafford is a town within Strafford County, the Strafford Town Clerk's Office is responsible for marriage records within that specific town.

Inquirers may obtain a certified copy of a marriage record by contacting the Strafford Town Clerk's Office in Person, by mail, or online. This service usually has a fee associated with it.

Divorce records are maintained by the court that handled the divorce case. This would be the Strafford County Circuit Court, Family Division in Strafford County.

Inquirers may obtain a divorce record (such as a divorce decree) by contacting the Strafford County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Person or by mail. They may need to provide information like the parties' names, the date of the divorce, and the case number (if known). There is usually a fee associated with this service.

Strafford County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records in New Hampshire are primarily maintained at the town or city where the event occurred. So, the Strafford Town Clerk's Office is responsible for records within that specific town.

Birth and death records are maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA). State law governs access to these records, restricting who can obtain certified copies. Only individuals with a "direct and tangible interest" in the record, such as immediate family members or legal representatives, can access these documents. Older records, specifically birth records over 100 years old and death records over 50 years old, are considered public and can be accessed by anyone.

Process for Obtaining Birth and Death Records:

1. Online Requests:

• Use the NH Vital Records Online Ordering System to request records.

1. By Mail:

• Complete the application form for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate.
• Submit the form, along with the required fee ($15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy) and a photocopy of a valid photo I.D., to:
  N.H. Division of Vital Records Administration
  9 Ratification Way
  Concord, NH 03301-2455

1. In Person:

• Visit the DVRA office in Concord or any local city or town clerk's office in New Hampshire. Be sure to bring a valid photo I.D. and the necessary fees.

Strafford County Probate Court Records

In Strafford County, the Probate division of the Circuit Court handles a variety of cases, including but not limited to:

• Estate Administration involves handling the distribution of a deceased person's estate, whether the Person died with or without a will.
• Trusts: Issues related to creating, managing, and terminating trusts.
• Guardianships: Appointing guardians for minors and incapacitated adults.
• Name Changes: Legal name changes for both minors and adults.
• Adoptions: Finalizing adoptions and maintaining related records.
• Involuntary Commitments: Decisions regarding involuntary psychiatric commitments.

Probate court records in Strafford County can be accessed thus:

1. In Person

• Go to the Circuit Court Probate Division where the case was filed at:

Strafford County Probate Court
7th Circuit – Probate Division – Dover
25 St. Thomas Street,
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (603) 742-3065

2. Online Requests

• Use the N.H. Case Access Portal allows registered users to view and request specific case details online.

3. Mail Requests

• Send a written request to the court that includes the case number, names of the parties involved, and specific documents you are requesting. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the required fee for copying records.

The search fee for these requests are $15, plus any additional expenses incurred for credit card transactions. This fee is payable whether or not a record is found. Extra copies of the same record issued at the same time are $10.

Strafford County Property Records

The Strafford County Registry of Deeds is the primary source for property records in Strafford County. This office maintains a comprehensive database of real estate transactions, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents related to property ownership.

Inquirers may access property records in Strafford County using the Register of Deeds website or sending an in-person or mail query to the office at:

Strafford County Registry of Deeds office
259 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820.

There are typically fees associated with obtaining copies of property records.

Strafford County Court Records Online

Members of the public can access Strafford County court records on government and third-party websites. Third-party websites like Newhampshirecourtrecords.us are owned by independent companies that aggregate public records from various repositories.

An advantage of a third-party website is that users can conveniently access records remotely. Third-party websites' search functionalities are also easy to use, with a first and last name being the standard search criteria. However, users are typically charged to obtain a detailed report. The fee varies based on the provider and may be charged at intervals (usually monthly) or paid as a single fee. Further, records found on a third-party site may not be complete or up-to-date. As a result, each user should verify records acquired from a third-party provider with official sources.