New Hampshire Public Records: How to Perform a New Hampshire Public Records Search

Requesters of public records in New Hampshire may be pleased to learn that the state has one of the fastest turnarounds for public records requests, at five days. 

Per the state's Right to Know Law, citizens of the state have the right to request and obtain New Hampshire public records without having to pay processing fees.

However, the New Hampshire Right to Know Law does not specify whether "citizens" in this instance refers to citizens of the state or citizens of the United States. 

As a result, different state agencies and departments may choose to interpret this provision the way they deem fit. 

Beyond this, the state does not offer a formal appeals process, and the only recourse open to people who have their record request rejected is to file suit. 

New Hampshire Public Records Search

In New Hampshire, designated record custodians associated with the specific agency or department in charge of maintaining the documents are frequently those who make public records available to the public. 

In the state of New Hampshire, a formal records request must be submitted to the designated record custodian in order to get public materials.

Both verbal and written requests for New Hampshire public records are acceptable. Requests in writing may be sent in person or by mail.

Some state agencies and departments allow members of the public to access public records in New Hampshire through their online database. 

Speaking of online access to New Hampshire public records, third-party websites offer some of the most convenient methods for viewing or obtaining public records in the state. 

New Hampshire Public Records: Vital Records

Vital records in New Hampshire have statutory periods of confidentiality, during which time they are regarded as private and may only be accessed by specific people. 

Once this period elapses, these records become open records unless they get resealed by court order.

To obtain a certified copy of a New Hampshire vital record, interested individuals must provide proof of their identity as well as documents that prove their relationship with the record subjects. Minimal copy fees may also apply. 

How to Obtain New Hampshire Vital Records

New Hampshire vital records are maintained and disseminated by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA). 

Requesters of New Hampshire vital records typically need to contact this agency in person or by mail to obtain vital records in the state.

They may do this by filling out the appropriate request form, attaching a valid government-issued ID and the appropriate application fee, and sending the application to:

New Hampshire Department of State,
Division of Vital Records Administration,
9 Ratification Way,
Concord, NH

New Hampshire Public Records: Criminal Records

A plethora of information about criminals in the state is contained in criminal records in New Hampshire. 

The New Hampshire Department of Public Safety's Public Criminal Records Unit organizes and preserves these records, which are available to interested members of the public. 

The department also handles the dissemination of New Hampshire criminal records. 

How to Obtain New Hampshire Criminal Records

People interested in obtaining criminal history record information in New Hampshire may apply in person or by mail to the Criminal Records Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety.

To request New Hampshire criminal records by mail, interested individuals must send a written request, along with a valid ID and the application fee, to:

New Hampshire Department of Safety,
Division of State Police,
Central Repository for Criminal Records,
33 Hazen Drive,
Concord, NH

New Hampshire Public Records: Court Records

In general, New Hampshire court records are accessible to members of the public, per the state's Right to Know Law. However, access to some records (such as records of juvenile cases) may be denied or restricted. 

How to Access New Hampshire Court Records

People interested in obtaining court records in New Hampshire must first find out which court is in charge of maintaining the desired record. 

With this information at hand, they must then submit court records request an application to the record custodian (typically the court clerk) in person or by mail.

To send a court records request application by mail, requesters doggy and must send a request application form, along with appropriate payment, to:

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

New Hampshire Public Records: Inmate Records

New Hampshire Inmate records contain details of inmates incarcerated in any correctional facility in the state. Records of inmates in New Hampshire may be accessed by members of the public anytime. 

How to Access New Hampshire Inmate Records

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is the agency in charge of maintaining and disseminating inmate records. 

The New Hampshire DOC offers an online inmate search tool, with which interested individuals may perform name-based or identification number-based searches.