Coos County Court Records Search

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    Coos County is New Hampshire’s largest and most northern county, covering more than 1,800 square miles and encompassing the entire northern tip of the state. Lancaster serves as the county seat, and the majority of the county’s judicial activity is concentrated there, although court services are also provided at locations in Berlin and Colebrook. Coos County court records document the full range of judicial proceedings — from felony criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to family law matters, probate filings, and protective orders — and are maintained by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch.

    Court case information in New Hampshire can be accessed through several channels, including in-person visits to clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and official online tools operated by the state. NewHampshireCourts.us offers a way to locate publicly available court case information filed across the state’s court system, including Coos County. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch also operates its own electronic services and case search tools, described in detail throughout this guide.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Coos County?

    The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides several online tools for searching and accessing case records, as well as established in-person and mail-based procedures for obtaining copies of documents.

    Online Access Options:

    • New Hampshire e-Court / Electronic Services — The Judicial Branch’s central hub for electronic filing and case access. From this portal, users can navigate to the Case Access Portal, e-filing services, and other online tools.
    • Case Access Portal — Registered users can view non-confidential circuit court case files and Superior Court criminal case summaries remotely. Registration is free. To access Superior Court criminal case summaries, users must register and sign in; the system provides view-only access to publicly filed documents.

    To request copies of specific case documents from any Coos County court, use the official Request for Certificate or Copy form (NHJB-2420-DFP), available on the Judicial Branch website. Complete the form and submit it by mail or in person to the appropriate court.

    Key contact for most Coos County case records:

    Coos County Superior Court
    Address: 55 School Street, Suite 301, Lancaster, NH 03584
    Clerk: Viktoriya A. Kovalenko
    Phone: (855) 212-1234 (outside U.S./Canada: (603) 415-0162)
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    The Superior Court handles felony criminal matters and civil cases involving claims above $25,000. For misdemeanor cases, small claims, and other lower-level matters, contact the appropriate Circuit Court District Division (see the Criminal and Civil sections below for division-specific contact details).

    Are Court Records Public in Coos County?

    New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A, establishes the public’s right to inspect and obtain copies of governmental records, including court records held by state judicial bodies. Under this statute, the presumption favors disclosure — records must be made available unless a specific exemption applies.

    Certain categories of records are withheld from public access, either under RSA 91-A or applicable court rules:

    • Records involving minors — Juvenile case information is confidential and does not appear in public record searches or case access systems.
    • Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order are excluded from public access.
    • Grand jury and petit jury records — Exempt from disclosure under RSA 91-A:5.
    • Redacted personal information in divorce and family records — Even in publicly accessible cases, Social Security numbers, financial account details, and information relating to domestic abuse are redacted before release.
    • Confidential criminal history (non-conviction data) — Under RSA 106-B:14, non-conviction criminal history records are restricted to law enforcement, judicial agencies, and the individual subject of the record. Public requests for criminal history are limited to conviction records only.
    • Attorney work product and certain internal court materials — Drafts, memoranda, and personal notes created by court officials are not subject to public disclosure.

    Criminal records that have been annulled pursuant to a successful court petition under RSA 651:5 are removed from public access. Annulment in New Hampshire is the legal process by which a record of arrest, conviction, or sentence is effectively erased from public view upon court approval.

    Coos County Criminal Court Records

    Felony criminal cases in Coos County are tried before the Coos County Superior Court in Lancaster. Misdemeanor criminal matters, bail proceedings, preliminary hearings, and arraignments fall within the jurisdiction of the three 1st Circuit – District Division courts located in Berlin, Colebrook, and Lancaster.

    Court Locations:

    CourtAddressPhoneHours
    Coos Superior Court55 School Street, Suite 301, Lancaster, NH 03584(855) 212-1234Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    1st Circuit – District Division – Berlin650 Main Street, Suite 100, Berlin, NH 03570(855) 212-1234Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    1st Circuit – District Division – Lancaster55 School Street, Suite 201, Lancaster, NH 03584(855) 212-1234Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    1st Circuit – District Division – Colebrook17 Bridge Street, Colebrook, NH 03576(855) 212-1234Scheduled Thursdays only (see court calendar)

    Note: The Colebrook District Division operates on scheduled session days only — primarily designated Thursdays throughout the year. On non-session days, the Lancaster Circuit Court handles Colebrook matters. Emergency arraignments for detained individuals at Coos County Jail are held via WebEx each business day at 2:00 p.m.

    How to search criminal case records:

    1. Register for free on the New Hampshire Case Access Portal to view publicly available Superior Court criminal case summaries and non-confidential circuit court filings.
    2. Submit a completed Request for Certificate or Copy (NHJB-2420-DFP) by mail or in person to the relevant court for certified copies or full case documents.
    3. Visit the courthouse public access terminal during business hours for free in-person electronic access to open court records.

    Statewide criminal history background checks are conducted through the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit, which maintains the Central Repository for all criminal arrests and dispositions statewide. Public requests are limited to conviction records only; non-conviction data is restricted to law enforcement, the judiciary, and the subject of the record. Certified conviction history records under RSA 106-B:14 are available upon request for employment, licensing, and similar purposes.

    For arrest records and law enforcement matters, the Coos County Sheriff’s Department maintains offices in Lancaster and West Stewartstown:

    Coos County Sheriff’s Department – Lancaster
    Address: 55 School Street, Lancaster, NH 03584
    Phone: (603) 788-5598

    Coos County Sheriff’s Department – West Stewartstown
    Address: West Stewartstown, NH 03597
    Phone: (603) 237-1920
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Coos County Civil Court Records

    Civil jurisdiction in Coos County is divided by the dollar amount in controversy. The Superior Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000, including major contract disputes, personal injury litigation, and real property actions. The 1st Circuit – District Division courts handle civil claims below $25,000, including small claims matters and cases involving amounts below $1,500.00 under general civil jurisdiction.

    To search and obtain civil case records:

    • Use the New Hampshire Case Access Portal to view non-confidential civil case filings. Registration is free.
    • Submit a Request for Certificate or Copy (NHJB-2420-DFP) to the Coos County Superior Court (for claims above $25,000) or the appropriate Circuit Court District Division (for claims under $25,000).
    • Visit the clerk’s office in person at the relevant court location during regular business hours.

    For electronic filing of civil matters, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s electronic services platform supports e-filing for civil complaints, small claims, and other Circuit Court civil case types. Self-represented parties may file electronically for many case types through the same portal.

    Coos County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Coos County — including divorce proceedings, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, and paternity — are handled through the Circuit Court District Divisions and the Superior Court, depending on the nature of the case. Adoption proceedings and guardianship of minors also fall within the Circuit Court’s jurisdiction.

    Divorce records are publicly accessible unless restricted by judicial order, but certain sensitive information is routinely redacted before public release. Items that are redacted from public copies include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information relating to domestic abuse allegations.

    Searching divorce and family case records:

    • Log into the Case Access Portal to search for Circuit Court family case filings by name or case number.
    • For certified copies of divorce decrees or other family court orders, mail or submit a completed NHJB-2420-DFP request form to the Coos County Superior Court at 55 School Street, Suite 301, Lancaster, NH 03584.

    Marriage and divorce vital records are maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA). To obtain certified copies, complete the DVRA Certificate Application Form and submit it with payment to:

    NH Department of State — Division of Vital Records Administration
    Address: 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455

    DVRA Fees:

    • $15.00 per certified copy (fee applies whether or not a record is found; credit card processing fees are additional)
    • $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously

    Birth records in Coos County: Records predating 1911 are publicly accessible. Records from 1911 onward require the requester to demonstrate a direct and tangible interest. For birth records dating back to 1640, complete the DVRA Certificate Application Form and submit it to the address above. Government-issued photo identification is required. For recent birth records, contact the town or city clerk in the municipality where the birth occurred.

    Death records are accessible to immediate family members, authorized legal representatives, and individuals with a legitimate documented interest. Records dating back to 1640 are available through the DVRA using the same application form and submission process described above.

    Coos County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Coos County — including the administration of decedent estates, probate of wills, intestate succession, guardianships, conservatorships, trust administration, adoptions, and name changes — are handled by the 1st Circuit – Probate Division – Lancaster, which operates from the same courthouse complex as the other Coos County courts.

    1st Circuit – Probate Division – Lancaster
    Address: 55 School Street, Suite 104, Lancaster, NH 03584
    Clerk: Terri L. Peterson
    Deputy Clerk: Jennifer Young
    Phone: (855) 212-1234 (outside U.S./Canada: (603) 415-0162)
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    How to access probate records:

    1. Search non-confidential probate case filings through the New Hampshire Case Access Portal using a party name or case number.
    2. For certified copies or complete case documents, complete the Request for Certificate or Copy form (NHJB-2420-DFP) and mail or deliver it to the Probate Division at Suite 104, 55 School Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.
    3. Visit the probate division clerk’s office in person during regular office hours.

    The New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s electronic services portal supports e-filing for several Circuit Court probate case types, including wills and estates and guardianship proceedings, for those who prefer to file and track matters remotely.

    For historical probate records — including probate packets from 1885–1931 and a probate index covering 1885–1992 — microfilmed records are held at the Coos County Courthouse and may also be accessed through genealogical research platforms.

    Property records relevant to estate and probate transactions are maintained by the Coos County Registry of Deeds, located at 55 School Street, Suite 103, Lancaster, NH 03584(Phone: (603) 788-2392; hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; recording stops at 3:30 p.m.). The Registry holds official land records dating from 1771 and serves 43 communities throughout the county. Property records indexed from 1977 to present are computerized and searchable through the Coos County AVA Search Portal for index-only searches, or through the Laredo Anywhere portal for more comprehensive document access.