New Hampshire Public Records: A Complete Research Guide

Last Updated on March 21, 2026 by Editorial Staff

New Hampshire public records — officially called governmental records since 2008 — are information created, accepted, or obtained by or on behalf of any public body or agency in furtherance of its official function, broadly accessible under the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, codified at RSA Chapter 91-A. Enacted in 1967 and amended repeatedly since, the law’s preamble declares that openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society and that its purpose is to ensure the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions, and records of all public bodies.

Residents and nonresidents frequently perform a New Hampshire public records search — sometimes called a New Hampshire right-to-know request, NH RSA 91-A request, or New Hampshire open records request — to locate governmental records, property ownership information, court filings, criminal history, business registrations, vital records, and other documents held by agencies across New Hampshire’s 10 counties and 234 towns and cities.

New Hampshire public records are distributed across state agencies, 10 county-level offices, and 234 city and town clerks — including vital records, which are held at the town clerk level for events dating back to 1640, a colonial-era structure unique in the country.

⚠️ Legal Notice

New Hampshire governmental records law is governed primarily by RSA Chapter 91-A. While the presumption is that all governmental records are accessible, certain categories are exempt — including grand and petit jury records, records relating to internal personnel practices, confidential commercial or financial information, preliminary drafts, personal school records, parole and pardon board records, investigative files, law enforcement records compiled for law enforcement purposes, and other files whose disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy. The Governor’s office and the courts are not subject to RSA 91-A (though both have constitutional access obligations under the New Hampshire Constitution, Part I, Articles 8 and 22).

This guide explains lawful public records research methods and does not constitute legal advice.

Why This Guide Is Reliable

inet-investigation.com publishes research-based guides built on primary government sources, investigative research methods, and public records law. All databases referenced in this guide link to official government websites whenever possible.

For jurisdiction-specific legal questions, consult a licensed New Hampshire attorney or the relevant government agency responsible for the record.

Quick Answer: Where to Search New Hampshire Public Records

The most important free and low-cost government databases for researching New Hampshire public records include:

• NH Judicial Branch — Case Access Portal (nhecourt.us) — remote access to non-domestic-violence Superior Court criminal and civil cases, and Circuit Court non-confidential e-filed matters; not for background check purposes
• NH Judicial Branch — Record Checks (courts.nh.gov/self-help/record-checks) — official court-level criminal and civil record check requests; fee applies; statewide coverage from 1992 forward
• NH Department of Safety — State Police CHRI (dos.nh.gov) — Criminal History Record Information background checks; fee applies; submitted by mail or in person
• NH Department of Safety — Sex Offender Registry (sor.nh.gov) — free statewide sex offender registry
• NH Department of Corrections — Inmate Lookup (nhcorrections.org) — free state prison inmate search
• NH Secretary of State — Division of Vital Records Administration (sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0) — birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from 1640; genealogical research vault open to public; certified copies by mail or in person
• NH VRIN Web Query (nhvrinweb.sos.nh.gov) — free online index of NH vital records events (birth, death, marriage, divorce) for verification purposes
• NH Secretary of State — Business Entity Search (sos.nh.gov) — corporations, LLCs, and other registered entities
• NH County Registry of Deeds — Property Records — deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments; 10 county registries; many have online deed search portals
• Office of the Right to Know Ombudsman (nh.gov/ombudsman) — free alternative to Superior Court for disputed records requests; $25 filing fee; 10-day ruling on expedited complaints
• TransparentNH (transparent.nh.gov) — state government expenditures, employee salaries, tax revenue, and vendor payments

These systems provide access to the majority of publicly searchable governmental records in New Hampshire.

Why New Hampshire Public Records Law Is Distinctive

New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law has several features that set it apart — including the immediate-production standard, a no-search-fee rule, the 2022 creation of a Right to Know Ombudsman, the colonial-era town clerk vital records system, and the notable exemption of both the Governor’s office and the courts from RSA 91-A itself.

Agencies must produce records immediately when immediately available — the 5-day deadline is a fallback, not the standard. Under RSA 91-A:4, a public body must produce records immediately upon request if they are immediately available. The 5-business-day response window applies only when records cannot be immediately provided due to archiving, location, or workload. This immediacy standard is stronger than most states’ frameworks, which treat the deadline as the first and only timeline. In practice, simple requests for readily accessible documents should receive same-day or next-business-day responses; the 5-day window is reserved for more complex or archived requests.

No search or retrieval fees — inspection is always free, and copies are charged at actual cost only. Under RSA 91-A:4, IV, there is no fee for viewing or inspecting governmental records in person. Agencies may only charge the actual cost of providing copies — not labor, not retrieval time, not search fees. This no-search-fee rule, combined with the immediacy standard, makes New Hampshire’s in-person inspection among the most accessible in the country from a cost perspective. The 2024 legislative push to allow search fees (HB 1002) passed the House but was subject to reconsideration — researchers should verify current law if the status of that proposal is relevant.

New Hampshire created a Right to Know Ombudsman in 2022 as a low-cost alternative to Superior Court litigation. RSA 91-A:7-a established the Office of the Right to Know Ombudsman effective July 1, 2022. Any person may file a complaint with the Ombudsman (with a $25 filing fee) rather than petitioning Superior Court. The Ombudsman must issue a ruling within 10 business days on expedited complaints, may review records in camera, and issues final decisions. Critically, the choice is mutually exclusive: filing with the Ombudsman forecloses Superior Court, and petitioning Superior Court forecloses the Ombudsman process. The Ombudsman is a licensed New Hampshire attorney with minimum 5 years of practice, appointed by the Governor and Council.

The Governor’s office and the courts are exempt from RSA 91-A itself — but both have constitutional access obligations. The Right-to-Know Law does not apply to the Governor’s Office (confirmed by courts in Spencer v. Governor, though the Supreme Court’s affirmance lacked precedential weight due to an even split). Courts are also exempt from RSA 91-A. However, access to both is not foreclosed — the New Hampshire Constitution, Part I, Articles 8 and 22, guarantee public access to governmental proceedings and records, and the judicial branch has established its own access rules under those constitutional provisions. Researchers seeking gubernatorial or court records must work within those separate constitutional and procedural frameworks rather than RSA 91-A.

New Hampshire vital records go back to 1640 and are held at the town clerk level as well as the state. New Hampshire’s vital records system reflects its colonial-era governance structure. Birth, death, and marriage records are held by the city or town clerk in the municipality where the event occurred — dating back to 1640 in many cases. The state’s Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) maintains a parallel central repository and a genealogical research vault open to the public. This dual-track system means researchers may access records through either the local town clerk or the state office. Divorce records are held at the state DVRA or at the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.

The term “citizen” in RSA 91-A creates genuine ambiguity about who may request records. RSA 91-A uses “citizen” in some provisions, which has been interpreted inconsistently by different agencies — some reading it as “citizen of New Hampshire,” others as “citizen of the United States.” In practice, most agencies serve all requesters regardless of citizenship status, but the ambiguity is a known gap in the law. Out-of-state requesters occasionally encounter agencies that raise this as a basis for denial, though such denials are legally suspect.

Official business may not be conducted via email under RSA 91-A. A 2008 amendment expressly prohibits public bodies from conducting official business by email. This prevents agencies from using email deliberations to avoid open meetings requirements. Electronic records must be preserved and made available for the same period as paper records.

The Legal Framework

New Hampshire Court Records

New Hampshire’s court system consists of the Supreme Court, Superior Courts (one per county, handling felonies and civil cases over $1,500), and Circuit Courts (District Division handling misdemeanors and civil matters; Family Division; and Probate Division). RSA 91-A does not apply to the courts, but access is available under the constitutional framework and judicial branch rules.

Case Access Portal (nhecourt.us). The NH Judicial Branch operates an online Case Access Portal providing remote access to non-domestic-violence Superior Court criminal and civil cases, and Circuit Court non-confidential e-filed matters (civil, small claims, name changes, and estates). The portal provides case dockets and summaries. It is not intended for background check purposes — for official record checks, use the court’s formal record check process.

Official Court Record Checks (courts.nh.gov/self-help/record-checks). For official statewide criminal and civil record checks, the NH Judicial Branch offers a formal request process with fees. Criminal case records are available from 1992 forward (searches before 1992 take additional time). Requests may be dropped off at the Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center in Concord or submitted electronically. Forms and fee information are on the Judicial Branch website.

In-Person Courthouse Access. The Judicial Branch allows in-person inspection of open court records at any courthouse in the state at no charge. Copies are $0.50 per photocopy or printout per court rules. Sealed cases, juvenile records, domestic violence matters, and grand jury records are not accessible to the general public.

New Hampshire Supreme Court. Supreme Court opinions, orders, and oral argument schedules are freely available at courts.nh.gov.

Federal Court Records. New Hampshire has one federal judicial district — the District of New Hampshire — with the courthouse in Concord. Federal case records are accessible through PACER (pacer.gov) at $0.10 per page.

New Hampshire Criminal Records

New Hampshire does not have a free public online criminal record database. Criminal history records are held by the NH State Police through the Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system, administered by the Division of State Police under the Department of Safety.

State Police CHRI Background Checks. The NH Department of Safety performs official criminal background checks for a fee. Requests must be submitted in writing, by mail or in person at the Department of Safety in Concord. The CHRI database includes convictions and other criminal history. Non-conviction information is generally available only to law enforcement or to the subject of the record. Contact the Department of Safety for current fee information and required forms.

Case Access Portal and Court Record Checks. The NH Judicial Branch Case Access Portal (nhecourt.us) and the formal court record check process provide court-level criminal case information. These are the practical tools for researchers who need to verify whether someone has a criminal case history in New Hampshire’s court system, covering records from 1992 forward for formal checks.

Sex Offender Registry. The NH Department of Safety maintains a free Sex Offender Registry searchable at sor.nh.gov by name, town, or geographic radius.

Annulment (New Hampshire’s Expungement Equivalent). New Hampshire uses the term “annulment” for the process of clearing eligible criminal records. Qualifying individuals may petition the court to have records annulled after completing their sentence and a waiting period. Annulled records are not accessible to the public through official channels.

New Hampshire Property Records

New Hampshire property records are maintained at the county level by 10 County Registries of Deeds. New Hampshire uses the English registry-of-deeds model, with all recorded instruments — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents affecting title — filed with the county registry. Property tax assessment and ownership data for tax purposes are maintained by each town’s assessing office.

County Registries of Deeds. Each of New Hampshire’s 10 counties has a Registry of Deeds that records all instruments affecting real property title. Most NH county registries provide robust free online deed search portals. The NH Association of County Registries (nhregistryofdeeds.com) provides links to all 10 county registry portals. Property tax cards, which include ownership and assessment information, are public records under RSA 91-A and must be provided upon request.

TransparentNH (transparent.nh.gov). While not a property records portal, TransparentNH provides state expenditure data, employee salaries, vendor payments, and tax revenue information — useful for researching public expenditures and state contracts.

New Hampshire Business Records

Business entity records for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities are maintained by the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Corporation Division. The online business entity search at sos.nh.gov allows free searches by entity name or registered agent. Results include entity type, status, registered agent, and principal office address. UCC financing statements are also filed with the Secretary of State.

New Hampshire Vital Records

New Hampshire’s vital records system reflects its colonial roots. Birth, death, and marriage records are held by two sources simultaneously: the city or town clerk in the municipality where the event occurred (going back to 1640 in many towns), and the state Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) within the Secretary of State’s office. Divorce records are held at the state DVRA and at the Superior Court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.

Division of Vital Records Administration — DVRA (sos.nh.gov/vital-records-0). The DVRA holds central vital records and maintains a genealogical research vault open to the public with records dating to 1640. Certified copies are restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest (the subject, parents, grandparents, adult children, spouses, and legal representatives). The DVRA does not issue certified copies online — requests must be submitted by mail or in person. Contact the DVRA for current fee information.

NHVRINweb — Free Online Vital Records Index (nhvrinweb.sos.nh.gov). The NH Vital Records Information Network provides a free online query system to verify whether a vital records event is on file. This index can confirm the existence of a birth, death, marriage, or divorce record without providing a certified copy — useful for research purposes before submitting a formal request.

City and Town Clerks. Birth, death, and marriage records from 1640 forward are also accessible from the city or town clerk in the municipality where the event occurred. This is often the fastest path for records in a specific town and may be more convenient than the state office for local research. Each town sets its own fees and procedures. Divorce records are not held at the town level — go to the state DVRA or the Superior Court clerk.

New Hampshire Inmate and Corrections Records

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections provides a free online inmate lookup at nhcorrections.org (or through the DOC website at nhcorrections.gov). The search returns current incarceration status, facility, offense, and projected release information for state prison inmates. County jail information is maintained by county sheriffs; Hillsborough County and Rockingham County sheriff’s offices maintain online jail rosters.

Professional License Records

New Hampshire professional licensing is administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) at oplc.nh.gov. OPLC oversees licensing for a broad range of occupations including health care professionals, contractors, real estate agents, engineers, and many others. The OPLC provides a free online license verification portal searchable by name or license number. The New Hampshire Bar Association (nhbar.org) handles attorney licensing. Medical professionals are licensed through OPLC under the Board of Medicine program.

Charity and Nonprofit Records

New Hampshire nonprofits soliciting charitable contributions must register with the Charitable Trusts Unit of the Attorney General’s office. Registration files include contact information for every board member and are accessible through the AG’s website. Federal Form 990 filings for tax-exempt organizations are publicly available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (projects.propublica.org/nonprofits) and the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov/app/eos). The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees is subject to RSA 91-A, making university system records subject to right-to-know requests.

How to Submit a New Hampshire Right-to-Know Request

1. Identify the public body or agency holding the records. RSA 91-A covers all public agencies and public bodies except the Governor’s office and the courts. For court records, use the Judicial Branch’s own access systems. For gubernatorial records, rely on constitutional access rights under Part I, Articles 8 and 22. The AG’s Right-to-Know Memorandum (mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/doj/remote-docs/right-to-know.pdf) — currently nearly 140 pages — is the authoritative reference for agency-specific guidance.
2. Make the request — oral is acceptable, written is better. RSA 91-A requires no specific form or written request. Requests may be made orally, in person, by email, or by mail. A written request is strongly advisable to document the request date, scope, and any denial. If records are immediately available, the agency must produce them immediately. If records require retrieval, the agency has 5 business days to produce them, deny the request with stated reasons, or inform you when they will be available.
3. No search fees — pay only for copies. Inspection in person is free. Copies may be charged at actual cost — typically the cost of paper, toner, and reproduction. There are no labor, search, or retrieval fees permitted under current RSA 91-A. If an agency quotes a fee for searching or locating records, cite RSA 91-A:4 and request that the fee be waived or itemized to reflect only reproduction costs. Monitor legislative developments regarding HB 1002’s search fee proposal.
4. Review the 5-day response and any denial. If a request is denied, the agency must state the reason. NH courts generally assume all records are available unless the agency proves an exemption applies — the burden is on the government, not the requester. Review any stated exemption carefully against the RSA 91-A:5 list. Vague privacy claims or unenumerated exemptions are suspect.
5. Choose your appeal path — Ombudsman or Superior Court (not both). If your request is denied or not responded to, you must choose one appeal route: file a complaint with the Office of the Right to Know Ombudsman ($25 fee; 10-business-day ruling on expedited matters; at nh.gov/ombudsman), or file a petition in Superior Court (no filing fee beyond standard court costs; high calendar priority; attorney fees available if government “knew or should have known” of violation). Once you choose one path, the other is foreclosed until the chosen process concludes. The Ombudsman is lower-cost and faster; Superior Court provides stronger remedies and sets precedent.

Free Government Databases for New Hampshire Public Records

Common Mistakes When Researching New Hampshire Public Records

Filing an RSA 91-A request for court records. The Right-to-Know Law does not apply to the Unified Judicial System. Court records are governed by separate Judicial Branch rules and constitutional access under NH Const. Part I, Arts. 8 and 22. Sending an RSA 91-A request to a court clerk will not activate the statutory deadlines or appeal rights. Use the Case Access Portal, the official Judicial Branch record check process, or in-person courthouse access for court records.

Filing an RSA 91-A request to the Governor’s office. The Governor’s office is not subject to RSA 91-A. Access to gubernatorial records relies on the constitutional right of access under NH Const. Part I, Arts. 8 and 22, not the statutory framework. Requesters seeking Governor’s office records must work within the constitutional framework and may face a different legal process than a standard 91-A request.

Expecting a free online criminal records database. New Hampshire has no free public online criminal history database equivalent to Nebraska’s JUSTICE or North Dakota’s NDCRI. Criminal background check information goes through the State Police CHRI process (fee, mail or in-person). The Judicial Branch’s Case Access Portal and official record check process are the practical online alternatives for court-level criminal case information.

Looking for vital records only at the state DVRA without checking the town clerk. New Hampshire’s colonial-era structure means vital records exist at both the city or town clerk level and the state DVRA. For records in a specific town, contacting the town clerk directly is often faster and more convenient than dealing with the state office — particularly for recent events where state filing may still be pending. Divorce records are the exception: these are held at the state DVRA or at the Superior Court clerk, not at the town level.

Choosing both appeal paths simultaneously after a denial. RSA 91-A:7 and 7-a make the appeal routes mutually exclusive. Choosing to file with the Right to Know Ombudsman forecloses petitioning Superior Court (and vice versa) until the chosen process concludes or the deadline passes. This is not intuitive — most states allow both administrative and court remedies in sequence. Plan your appeal strategy carefully: the Ombudsman is faster and cheaper; Superior Court offers stronger precedent-setting remedies and attorney fee recovery for knowing violations.

Paying a search fee that RSA 91-A does not authorize. Under current RSA 91-A:4, agencies may only charge the actual cost of producing copies — not search fees, retrieval fees, or labor costs. If an agency quotes an hourly rate for locating records, this exceeds its statutory authority under current law (subject to any future changes from HB 1002 or similar legislation). Politely cite RSA 91-A:4 and request that fees be limited to reproduction costs. If the agency refuses, the Ombudsman or Superior Court can address an improper fee charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are New Hampshire public records open to anyone?

RSA 91-A uses the term “citizen” in some provisions, which has been interpreted inconsistently — sometimes as “citizen of New Hampshire” and sometimes as “citizen of the United States.” In practice, most agencies provide records to all requesters regardless of residency or citizenship, and denials based on the citizenship provision are legally questionable. No purpose or reason for the request is required. Inspection in person is always free; copies are charged at actual reproduction cost only.

Does New Hampshire have a FOIA law?

New Hampshire has its own open records law — the Right-to-Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A — which is entirely separate from the federal Freedom of Information Act. The federal FOIA applies only to federal executive branch agencies. New Hampshire’s law was enacted in 1967 and has been substantially amended, most significantly in 2008 (electronic records) and 2022 (Ombudsman). The AG’s Office publishes a comprehensive Right-to-Know Memorandum that is the definitive guide to the law’s current interpretation.

Are New Hampshire criminal records public?

Criminal history records at the state level are accessed through the NH State Police CHRI process, which requires a written request and fee submitted by mail or in person. There is no free public online criminal history database. Court-level criminal case information is available through the Judicial Branch’s Case Access Portal and official record check process. Non-conviction information is generally available only to law enforcement or the record subject. New Hampshire uses the term “annulment” (rather than expungement) for eligible criminal record clearing.

Where are New Hampshire property records searched?

New Hampshire property records are maintained by 10 County Registries of Deeds — one in each county. Most county registries provide free online deed search portals; the NH Association of County Registries website (nhregistryofdeeds.com) links to all 10. The registry holds recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Property tax assessment and ownership data are held by each town’s assessing office. Property tax cards are public records under RSA 91-A.

Are New Hampshire arrest records public?

Arrest records are generally accessible — investigative files and non-conviction information have more protection, but arrest records themselves are not categorically exempt. The Judicial Branch Case Access Portal shows criminal case filings. Law enforcement agencies publish public police logs (which have been treated as open records by the AG’s office). The Sex Offender Registry is publicly searchable. Fully sealed or annulled records are not accessible through official channels.

Can a New Hampshire public agency charge fees for records?

Under current RSA 91-A:4, no. Agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproducing copies — there are no authorized search fees, retrieval fees, or labor charges. Inspection in person is always free. This is one of the most requester-friendly fee structures in the country. Be aware that the 2024 HB 1002 proposal would have allowed up to $25/hour for searches exceeding 10 hours — monitor whether similar legislation passes in future sessions.

Final Thoughts

New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law is substantively strong in several respects — the immediacy standard, the no-search-fee rule, the burden of proof on government to justify withholding, and the 2022 Ombudsman as a low-cost appeal option. For in-person research at government offices, New Hampshire is among the most accessible states in the country from a cost standpoint: walk in, inspect records, pay nothing.

The main practical limitations are the Governor’s and courts’ exemptions from RSA 91-A, the absence of a free public online criminal history database, and the genuinely colonial-era complexity of the vital records system (which holds records at the town level and the state level simultaneously). The mutual exclusivity of the Ombudsman and Superior Court appeal paths requires careful strategic thinking before any appeal.

For the most common research tasks: use the Judicial Branch Case Access Portal and official record check process for court-level criminal and civil records. For vital records, check the free NHVRINweb index first to confirm the record exists, then go to either the town clerk (faster for local events) or the state DVRA. For property records, the county Registry of Deeds online portals cover all 10 counties and are among the best-maintained in New England.

Related Guides

• Vermont Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Maine Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Massachusetts Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• Connecticut Public Records: A Complete Research Guide
• How to Search Property Records Step by Step
• How FOIA Requests Work
• Best Government Databases for Background Research

Disclaimer

This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Public records laws and agency procedures change over time. Always verify current law and agency requirements directly with the relevant government office or a licensed New Hampshire attorney before relying on this information for legal or official purposes.