Grafton County Court Records
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Grafton County occupies the western portion of New Hampshire, with its county seat in North Haverhill. The county's courts are part of New Hampshire's unified judicial structure, made up of one Superior Court and multiple divisions of the 2nd Circuit Court. The Grafton County Superior Court exercises general jurisdiction over civil matters, felony-level criminal cases, and equity proceedings. The 2nd Circuit Court operates through three divisions — District, Family, and Probate — with locations in Haverhill, Lebanon, Littleton, and Plymouth. Court records from these proceedings include case filings, docket sheets, judgments, orders, transcripts, sentencing records, warrants, pleadings, and appeal documents, all maintained by the respective clerks.
If you're looking for Grafton County court records, you can search online, visit a courthouse in person, or send a written request. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal is a free tool for searching case information by party name, case number, date of birth, filing date, or court location. Public-access terminals are also available at each courthouse for on-site research. For telephone inquiries about any Grafton County court, the centralized Judicial Branch number is (855) 212-1234. NewHampshireCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available court case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grafton County?
How you search depends on the record type and the level of detail you need. Here are your main options.
Online Case Search
Start with the Judicial Branch Case Access Portal. You can search by party name, case number, date of birth, case type, docket number, filing date, or court location. The portal covers all New Hampshire courts, including Grafton County Superior Court and each 2nd Circuit Court division.
In-Person Access
All Grafton County courthouses are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome for case information and record copies. Free public-access terminals at each courthouse let you search case indexes at no charge.
Written Requests
Mail record requests to the appropriate clerk's office. Include the party's full name, case number (if known), date of birth (if available), and the specific documents you need. Written record-information requests carry a research fee of $6.50 per name, as established by a New Hampshire Supreme Court order effective July 1, 2025.
Grafton County Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton County Superior Court | 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, North Haverhill, NH 03774 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| 2nd Circuit District Division (Haverhill) | 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, Box 10, North Haverhill, NH 03774 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| 2nd Circuit District Division (Lebanon) | 38 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| 2nd Circuit District Division (Littleton) | 134 Main St, Littleton, NH 03561 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| 2nd Circuit District Division (Plymouth) | 26 Green St, Plymouth, NH 03264 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| 2nd Circuit Probate Division | 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, Box 3, North Haverhill, NH 03774 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
For callers outside the United States and Canada, the alternate number is (603) 415-0162.
Record Copy Fees (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $0.50 per page |
| Kiosk printouts | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies / certificates | $10.00 |
| Record search | $6.50 per name |
| Audio recording copy (per day of hearing) | $35.00 |
| Exemplification of judgment | $40.00 |
You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card. A 3% surcharge applies to credit card transactions at courthouse point-of-service terminals or through the TurboCourt and File & Serve electronic platforms, under a New Hampshire Supreme Court order effective September 3, 2025. Debit card transactions at POS terminals are exempt from the surcharge.
Are Court Records Public in Grafton County?
Grafton County court records are generally public under the New Hampshire Right to Know Law, RSA 91-A. This statute gives the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by government bodies, including courts and clerks' offices. Record custodians must respond to requests and provide access unless a specific exemption applies.
RSA 91-A:5 lists categories that may be withheld or redacted. These include records whose disclosure would invade personal privacy, investigatory records compiled for law-enforcement purposes when release would interfere with an active proceeding, records that would reveal a confidential source, internal personnel and deliberative process materials, records protected by attorney-client privilege (added by amendment effective September 28, 2021), and medical, welfare, library-user, and educational records.
Beyond the Right to Know Law, New Hampshire court rules and specific statutes restrict certain case types. Juvenile records, adoption records, mental-health commitment proceedings, and other confidential matters are sealed from public access by statute or court order. Some domestic-violence protection-order records may also carry restricted components. Draft and unfinalized court documents are not subject to public disclosure.
When a record is only partially restricted, clerks may redact the protected portions and release the rest. If your request is denied, you may appeal to the superior court or seek guidance from the Office of the Right to Know ombudsman. The burden of proving that an exemption applies falls on the government body withholding the record.
If you can't afford court fees, you may apply for a waiver by filing a sworn financial affidavit (Form NHJB-2296-S or the applicable division-specific form) under RSA 490:26-a. A judge must review the application and issue a written order granting a full or partial waiver.
Grafton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Grafton County is split between the Superior Court and the District Divisions of the 2nd Circuit Court. Felony prosecutions go to the Superior Court. Misdemeanors, violations, and preliminary felony hearings are handled by the four District Divisions in Haverhill, Lebanon, Littleton, and Plymouth. Criminal records include complaints, arraignment records, bail orders, plea agreements, sentencing documents, and judgments.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Judicial Branch Case Access Portal lets you search criminal case dockets online by the defendant's name, date of birth, or case number. For in-person research, free public terminals at each Grafton County courthouse support index searching at no cost.
State Criminal History Record Checks
The New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit maintains the state's centralized Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) repository. Public conviction records are available to anyone for a fee through three methods:
- Online — Submit a request through the online NH Criminal Conviction Check portal. The fee is $25.00 per request.
- In person — Visit the public counter at 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106A, Concord, NH. Pay $25.00 by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
- By mail — Download and complete the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form, enclose $25.00 by check or money order payable to the State of NH Criminal Records, and mail to NH State Police Criminal Records, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. Notarization is not required for public conviction checks. Credit cards are accepted at the counter only — not by mail.
Confidential criminal history information, including non-conviction data, is available only to law-enforcement personnel or to individuals requesting their own record. If you're requesting your own complete record by mail, a notarized release form is required; at the public counter, bring a government-issued photo ID.
Nonprofit volunteers may qualify for a reduced fee of $10.00 per check when the volunteer will be working with children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities, per NH Administrative Rule Saf-C 5703.07. Submit the Reduced Fee Request Form along with your request.
A petition to annul a criminal record is filed in the court of jurisdiction with a $125.00 filing fee. New Hampshire CHRI has no expiration date and is removed only when a Petition to Annul is granted and all related fees are satisfied.
Grafton County Sheriff's Office
Grafton County Sheriff's Office
Address: 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, North Haverhill, NH 03774
Phone: (603) 787-2111
Fax: (603) 787-2005
The Sheriff's Office may hold arrest-related records and can be contacted for local incident inquiries. Public access to specific arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the case and applicable exemptions under RSA 91-A.
Grafton County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Grafton County are filed in either the Superior Court or the District Division of the 2nd Circuit Court, depending on the nature and dollar amount of the claim. The Superior Court handles general civil actions, including larger monetary claims, property title disputes, and writs of habeas corpus. The District Division adjudicates civil disputes within its jurisdictional limits, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims.
Filing Fees — Superior Court (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint (general) | $325.00 |
| Cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party claim | $325.00 |
| Landlord/tenant action (RSA 540 series) | $290.00 |
| Motion to reopen civil action (post-judgment) | $195.00 |
| Wage claim decision (including writ of execution) | $165.00 |
| Writ of execution | $40.00 |
| Motion for ex parte attachment | $40.00 |
| Reissued summons | $25.00 |
| Motion for periodic payments | $25.00 |
The complete fee schedule is set out in Superior Court Rule 201.
Filing Fees — Circuit Court District Division (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint | $350.00 |
| Small claims ($5,000 or less) | $105.00 |
| Small claims ($5,001–$10,000) | $155.00 |
The maximum small claims amount in New Hampshire is $10,000. Small claims cases can be filed electronically through TurboCourt, and electronic filing is mandatory for these cases under court rule.
Obtaining Civil Court Records
Civil case records are searchable through the Case Access Portal and at courthouse public terminals. Request copies in writing or in person at the clerk's office of the court where the case was filed. Standard photocopies cost $0.50 per page; certified copies are $10.00. Record search fees are $6.50 per name.
Grafton County Family Court Records
Family-law matters in Grafton County are handled by the Family Division of the 2nd Circuit Court, which operates out of four locations: Lebanon, Littleton, Haverhill, and Plymouth. The Family Division has jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, parenting plans, domestic violence protection orders, legal name changes, adoption, paternity, and emancipation of minors.
Family Division Locations
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Lebanon | 38 Centerra Pkwy, Lebanon, NH 03766 |
| Littleton | 134 Main St, Littleton, NH 03561 |
| Haverhill | 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, Box 9, North Haverhill, NH 03774 |
| Plymouth | 26 Green St, Plymouth, NH 03264 |
All locations share the same phone number — (855) 212-1234 — and are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Jurisdiction is determined by the town where the parties reside.
Filing Fees for Family Cases (Effective July 1, 2025)
The divorce petition filing fee in the Circuit Court Family Division is $250.00. A certified copy of a divorce decree — including the agreement and any related orders such as a QDRO — costs $25.00. Filing fees for custody motions, support modifications, and name changes are set out in the Circuit Court fee schedule published by the Judicial Branch.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case docket information is available through the Judicial Branch Case Access Portal. Keep in mind that certain family-law records carry heightened confidentiality protections. Adoption records, juvenile proceedings, and sealed domestic-violence materials are not accessible to the general public. Court orders sealing specific documents in a family case limit access to the parties, their attorneys, and individuals with a court-approved interest.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates and licenses are maintained at the local town or city clerk's office where the license was issued. Certified copies can also be obtained from the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration by submitting a completed Certificate Application, a photocopy of a valid photo ID, and a $15.00 fee ($10.00 for additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time). Mail applications to:
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration / Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2455
Marriage records are private for 50 years from the date of the event and are accessible only to persons named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and those who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest, under RSA 5-C:102.
Divorce Records
Divorce certificates can be obtained from the Division of Vital Records Administration using the same application process and $15.00 fee. Court case files for divorce proceedings are available through the Circuit Court clerk's office where the case was filed.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records have been filed with town clerks in New Hampshire since the colonial era and are confidential documents. Only the person named on the certificate, a parent, legal guardian, or qualifying heir may request a certified copy. Death records are similarly restricted for 50 years. Both types of record can be obtained through the local town clerk or the Division of Vital Records Administration for $15.00 per certified copy. A valid photo ID is required under RSA 5-C:102, VI.
Grafton County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the 2nd Circuit Court handles estates, trusts, wills, adult guardianships, conservatorships, involuntary mental-health treatment, and minor guardianships. The division is located at the Grafton County Courthouse complex.
Probate Division Contact
2nd Circuit Court Probate Division
Address: 3785 Dartmouth College Hwy, Box 3, North Haverhill, NH 03774
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Probate Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates, trusts, adult guardianships, and other cases | $305.00 |
| Petition for guardianship of a minor (estate only or person and estate) | $305.00 |
| Small claims in probate ($5,000 or less) | $105.00 |
| Small claims in probate ($5,001–$10,000) | $155.00 |
Small-claims cases filed in the Probate Division must be submitted in paper format — electronic filing is not accepted for these matters. The full Probate Division fee schedule is on the Judicial Branch forms and fees page.
E-Filing
Probate Division e-filing is available for estates, guardianship, and name-change cases at all Probate Division locations. E-filing is conducted through the TurboCourt platform, and the 3% electronic payment surcharge applies to credit and debit card transactions processed through this system.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records that don't contain juvenile information, sealed materials, or personally identifiable information exempt under RSA 91-A are generally public. Search case information through the Case Access Portal. In-person and mail-in requests are accepted at the Probate Division in North Haverhill. Certified copies cost $10.00; standard photocopies are $0.50 per page.
Probate Division forms — including petitions for estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and accounts — are available on the Judicial Branch website. Court staff can provide forms and general procedural information, but cannot offer legal advice.
Property Records
Property records are not part of the court system, but they're often needed alongside estate and probate matters. The Grafton County Register of Deeds maintains all property transaction records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The office is at 3855 Dartmouth College Hwy, North Haverhill, NH 03774, and can be reached at (603) 787-6921. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Property records can also be searched online through the Grafton County Registry portal.