How To Find Any New Hampshire Public Records (2026 Guide)

New Hampshire may be one of America’s smaller states, but its commitment to open government and public access to records is anything but small. Whether you’re a landlord screening a prospective tenant, an employer conducting due diligence on a new hire, a genealogist tracing your family tree, or simply someone who wants to verify information about a person you’ve recently met, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every major category of public records available in the Granite State. New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A) guarantees broad public access to government documents, making it one of the more transparent states in the nation. Below, you’ll learn exactly where to look, what you can access for free, what may cost a small fee, and how tools like TruthFinder can dramatically speed up the process.

What Are New Hampshire Public Records?

Public records are official documents and data created, maintained, or filed by government agencies as part of their normal functions. They serve as the backbone of democratic accountability — without them, there would be no transparency in government, no verifiable chain of ownership for property, and no reliable documentation of the major events in a person’s life. In New Hampshire, public records span dozens of categories maintained at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.

Here is a breakdown of the most commonly accessed types of public records in New Hampshire:

• Criminal records — including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing information
• Court records — both civil and criminal filings from all levels of the New Hampshire court system
• Sentencing records — including parole and probation documentation
• Prison and inmate records — useful for locating a current inmate, checking release dates, or confirming transfers
• Property records — including titles, deeds, liens, and tax assessment records
• Sex offender registry — publicly searchable to promote community safety
• Missing persons databases — often cross-referenced across state lines
• Birth certificates — required for passports, professional licenses, and citizenship applications
• Death certificates — needed for insurance claims, estate administration, and probate proceedings
• Marriage records — used for legal name changes and divorce filings
• Divorce records — needed when remarrying or changing a name
• Will and probate records
• Unclaimed property records — including dormant bank accounts and uncollected funds
• Driving and motor vehicle records — available through the NH Division of Motor Vehicles

Understanding which agency holds the records you need is half the battle. The sections below walk you through each category in detail.

New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A)

New Hampshire’s primary open-records statute is the Right to Know Law, codified under RSA Chapter 91-A. Enacted in 1977 and strengthened through subsequent amendments, the law gives any member of the public the right to inspect or obtain copies of government records unless a specific exemption applies. Unlike the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which applies only to federal agencies, RSA 91-A covers state agencies, county offices, municipalities, and school districts.

Key provisions of RSA 91-A include:

• Government bodies must respond to records requests within five business days
• Denial of access must be accompanied by a written explanation citing a specific statutory exemption
• Requesters can challenge denials in Superior Court
• If a court finds that a government body acted in bad faith, attorney’s fees may be awarded to the requester

Exemptions exist for records that would compromise personal privacy (such as certain personnel files), ongoing law enforcement investigations, and records protected by attorney-client privilege. However, in the vast majority of routine public records requests — court documents, property deeds, vital records — access is straightforward and often free of charge online.

Criminal Records & Background Checks

Running a criminal background check in New Hampshire is something both individuals and organizations do regularly. Whether you’re a business owner, a nonprofit director working with vulnerable populations, a property manager, or simply a private citizen who wants peace of mind, New Hampshire provides several avenues for accessing criminal history information.

New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit

The primary source for official New Hampshire criminal history records is the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit. They maintain the state’s central repository of criminal history information, including felony and misdemeanor convictions. You can request a criminal record check online or by mail. As of 2026, the standard fee for a name-based criminal record check is modest, though fingerprint-based checks required for employment in certain regulated industries (healthcare, education, childcare) carry a higher processing fee.

To submit a request:

• Visit the NH State Police Criminal Records Unit website
• Complete the appropriate request form (personal use vs. third-party authorized)
• Submit with the required fee and any required authorization documentation

Important Limitations of State Records

State-level criminal records in New Hampshire only capture offenses prosecuted in New Hampshire courts. If the person you’re researching has lived in multiple states, a state-only search will miss out-of-state convictions entirely. That’s one major reason many people supplement their own searches with a comprehensive aggregator like TruthFinder, which pulls from multiple databases across all 50 states simultaneously.

Why Background Checks Matter

Background checks are not just a bureaucratic formality — they are a genuine risk management tool. Consider these real-world scenarios:

• A landlord who skips a background check and unknowingly rents to someone with prior convictions for property destruction or drug manufacturing could face enormous liability
• A nonprofit hiring a youth sports coach without a background check could expose children to danger and the organization to lawsuits
• A company hiring a bookkeeper without checking financial crime history could suffer significant theft losses

In some fields — healthcare, education, childcare, elder care — background checks are legally mandated in New Hampshire. Even where they are not legally required, background checks are strongly recommended and may be required by your insurer. Always consult an attorney if you are unsure of your legal obligations.

Court Records

New Hampshire’s court system is organized into several tiers: Circuit Courts (which handle district, probate, and family division cases), Superior Courts (which handle major criminal and civil cases), and the New Hampshire Supreme Court (which handles appeals). Court records from all of these levels are generally accessible to the public unless sealed by a judge.

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch operates an online case information portal where you can search for case information by party name, case number, or docket type. This is one of the most useful free tools available for conducting a basic public records search on an individual in New Hampshire. You can find information such as:

• Criminal charges filed and their outcomes
• Civil lawsuits (both as plaintiff and defendant)
• Small claims filings
• Restraining orders and protective orders (subject to privacy rules)
• Probate and estate proceedings
• Family court matters (some are sealed to protect minors)

For older records or certified copies needed for legal proceedings, you may need to contact the clerk of the specific court where the case was heard. Fees for certified copies vary by court but are generally nominal. You can find the directory of New Hampshire courts and their contact information through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website.

Sex Offender Registry

New Hampshire maintains a publicly searchable sex offender registry through the NH Department of Safety. The registry is available online at no charge and allows you to search by name, city or town, county, or zip code. Registered sex offenders in New Hampshire are classified into three tiers based on the nature of their offense and assessed risk level.

The registry provides:

• Full name and known aliases
• Current address (by town/city)
• Physical description including height, weight, and distinguishing marks
• Offenses for which the person was convicted and required to register
• Photograph (where available)

The NH sex offender registry is updated regularly and is a critical tool for parents, property managers, school administrators, and community members who want to be informed about individuals in their area. You can access it directly through the NH Sex Offender Registry portal.

Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce

Vital records in New Hampshire are maintained by the New Hampshire Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration. These records document the most significant events in a person’s life and are required for a wide variety of legal and administrative purposes.

Birth Records

New Hampshire birth records are available to the person named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. You’ll need a certified copy of your birth certificate when applying for a U.S. passport, renewing a driver’s license under REAL ID requirements, applying for Social Security benefits, or seeking professional licensure. The NH Division of Vital Records accepts requests by mail or in person. Genealogical copies of birth records older than 100 years are available to the general public.

Death Records

Death certificates are commonly needed for settling estates, claiming life insurance benefits, transferring property titles, and probate proceedings. In New Hampshire, death certificates within the past 50 years are restricted to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a documented legal interest. Records older than 50 years are generally available to the public for genealogical research.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates are recorded at both the town clerk’s office where the license was issued and at the state level through the Division of Vital Records. You may need a certified copy of your marriage certificate when changing your name with the Social Security Administration, updating a driver’s license, or filing joint tax returns in some circumstances.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees in New Hampshire are filed through the Family Division of the Circuit Court. The NH Division of Vital Records maintains a divorce index. Certified copies of divorce decrees are obtained through the court that issued them. Divorce records are commonly needed when remarrying, legally reverting to a previous name, or resolving property disputes.

To request any vital record, visit the NH Division of Vital Records Administration website for current fee schedules and required documentation.

Property Records