New Hampshire Court Records

This New Hampshire Courts portal is designed to help provide a clear guide to understanding New Hampshire public records and how to access them. The judicial system in New Hampshire consists of three tiers: the Superior Court, the Circuit Court, and the Supreme Court. The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction and one of the two trial courts. The Circuit Court, also a trial court, includes the District, Probate, and Family Divisions. The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal and serves as the appellate court.

The trial courts, the Superior and Circuit Courts, exercise original jurisdiction, meaning they hear cases first. The Superior Court handles major criminal and civil cases, while the Circuit Court deals with limited and specialized matters. The Supreme Court reviews and decides appeals from these trial courts.

The records produced by these courts are known as court records. Under New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know, government records are presumed public. Rule 12 of the Supreme Court Rule also provides access to pleadings, docket entries, and case filings, subject to statutory restrictions. While this website serves as an information hub, records contained herein should not be interpreted as legal advice.