Merrimack County Court Records Search

Merrimack County sits at the geographic and political center of New Hampshire, with its county seat in Concord — the state capital. The county’s court system processes thousands of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters each year across multiple courthouses. Whether you need to verify a criminal disposition, pull a civil judgment, check the status of a divorce filing, or locate a probate estate, understanding which office holds the records and how to request them will save considerable time.

Residents and attorneys searching for court records in New Hampshire can begin with official clerk offices, public-access terminals located inside courthouses, and several online lookup tools maintained by the state judiciary. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch website hosts case-search systems and procedural information covering every trial court in the state. For broader statewide inquiries, NewHampshireCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case data. The sections below detail the specific courts operating in Merrimack County, their contact information, applicable fees, and step-by-step guidance for obtaining records.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Merrimack County?

Merrimack County is served by the New Hampshire Superior Court and the New Hampshire Circuit Court system, which itself includes a District Division, a Family Division, and a Probate Division. Each division maintains its own case files, but the state judiciary provides centralized electronic tools that cover most of them.

Online Case Search

The fastest method is the judiciary’s Court Case Search portal. Users can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney across all New Hampshire trial courts. The system returns basic docket information, hearing dates, and case status. Note that certain sealed, confidential, and juvenile matters will not appear.

Courts Serving Merrimack County

Court	Address	Phone
Merrimack County Superior Court	163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301	(603) 224-8416
6th Circuit – District Division – Concord	32 Clinton Street, Concord, NH 03301	(603) 271-6400
6th Circuit – Family Division – Concord	32 Clinton Street, Concord, NH 03301	(603) 271-6400
6th Circuit – Probate Division – Concord	163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301	(603) 224-9589

General courthouse hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, though filing counters may stop accepting documents shortly before closing. Always confirm hours before visiting, as schedules can shift on holidays or during inclement weather.

In-Person and Mail Requests

Walk-in visitors may search case files at the clerk’s office of the appropriate court during business hours. Requests by mail should include the full case number (if known), names of the parties, the type of record sought, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and any applicable fee payment. Checks or money orders are typically made payable to the “State of New Hampshire – Clerk of Court”.

Steps to Look Up a Case

Identify which court has jurisdiction — Superior Court handles felonies and major civil matters; the Circuit Court’s District Division handles misdemeanors, violations, and small claims; the Family Division handles domestic-relations cases; and the Probate Division handles estates and guardianships.
Visit the Court Case Search tool and enter available details (name, case number, court location).
If the record does not appear online or you need certified copies, contact or visit the clerk’s office at the relevant courthouse.
Pay applicable copy or certification fees at the time of the request.

Are Court Records Public in Merrimack County?

New Hampshire follows a strong presumption of public access to court records. RSA 91-A, the state’s Right-to-Know Law, establishes that governmental records — including most court filings — are open for public inspection unless a specific statute, court rule, or court order restricts them.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has also adopted Rule 1.2 on Court Records Access, which lays out detailed policies on what is publicly accessible and what is confidential.

Generally Open Records

Criminal case dockets, charges, and dispositions
Civil complaints, answers, motions, and judgments
Divorce decrees (though certain financial affidavits may be sealed)
Probate filings, including wills admitted to probate
Court orders and opinions
Party names, case numbers, and hearing schedules

Restricted or Confidential Records

Juvenile delinquency proceedings (RSA 169-B:35)
Abuse and neglect cases (RSA 169-C)
Records sealed by court order
Mental health commitment proceedings
Adoption files
Financial affidavits filed in family cases (accessible only to the parties)
Grand jury proceedings
Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers, which must be redacted before filing under Supreme Court Rule 1.2(e)

Anyone may request public court records without stating a reason. The clerk may charge reasonable fees for copies. If a request is denied, the requester may petition the court or file a complaint under RSA 91-A.

Merrimack County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Merrimack County are split between two courts based on severity. The Superior Court in Concord handles all felony prosecutions, while the 6th Circuit – District Division adjudicates misdemeanors, violations, and preliminary felony arraignments.

Searching Criminal Records

Online: Use the judiciary’s Court Case Search to find criminal docket entries by defendant name or case number. Results include charge descriptions, hearing dates, and disposition data for most non-confidential cases.
In Person: Visit the clerk’s office at the appropriate court during regular hours. Public-access terminals may be available for self-service searching.
By Mail: Submit a written request to the clerk identifying the defendant, approximate case dates, and the records sought. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the applicable fee.

Criminal History Records

A statewide criminal history check is a separate process managed by the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police. Requests for a criminal record check require a completed authorization form and a fee. Name-based checks carry a different fee structure than fingerprint-based checks. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies often use this service rather than searching individual court dockets.

Arrest and Inmate Information

The Merrimack County Department of Corrections operates the county jail in Boscawen. Current inmate status may be available by contacting the facility:

Merrimack County Department of Corrections
Address: 325 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303
Phone: (603) 796-6800

Local police departments in Concord, Franklin, and other Merrimack County towns handle their own arrest logs, many of which are released under RSA 91-A.

Expungement and Annulment

New Hampshire uses the term “annulment” rather than expungement. Under RSA 651:5, individuals may petition to annul a criminal record after meeting waiting-period and eligibility requirements that vary by offense class. A successful annulment removes the record from public court files and the state criminal-history database. Petitions are filed in the court where the conviction occurred, and a filing fee applies.

Merrimack County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Merrimack County is handled at two levels. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over civil actions, including tort claims, contract disputes, equity matters, and cases exceeding the small-claims monetary threshold. The 6th Circuit – District Division hears landlord-tenant disputes, small claims (up to $10,000), and other civil matters within its statutory jurisdiction.

How to Search Civil Records

Start with the online Court Case Search; enter the party name or case number and select “Merrimack” as the county.
For older or archived cases not yet digitized, contact the clerk’s office at the relevant court.
To obtain certified copies of judgments, motions, or other filings, submit a request to the clerk and pay the per-page copying fee plus any certification fee.

Filing Fees (Superior Court)

Civil filing fees in New Hampshire Superior Court are set by RSA 490:26-a and related statutes. Below are common fees — confirm current amounts with the clerk before filing:

Entry fee for civil actions: $280
Small claims filing (District Division): varies, starting around $70–$100 depending on the amount in controversy
Certified copy: $10 per document
Standard photocopy: $0.50 per page
Appeal from District Court to Superior Court: additional filing fee applies

Payments may be made by cash, check, or money order at the clerk’s counter. Credit card acceptance varies by location; contact the court to verify accepted methods.

Court Forms

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch publishes downloadable court forms for civil actions, including small-claims statements, motions, and subpoena templates. Completing the correct form before visiting the courthouse streamlines the filing process.

Property and Land Records

Civil judgments can create liens against real property. The Merrimack County Registry of Deeds maintains land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments. The registry’s office is located at:

Merrimack County Registry of Deeds
Address: 163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 228-0101

Many deed records are searchable online through the registry’s electronic index. Recording fees and copy charges are posted at the registry.

Merrimack County Family Court Records

Family-law matters in Merrimack County are adjudicated by the 6th Circuit – Family Division at the Clinton Street courthouse in Concord. This division has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, parenting plans, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, guardianship of minors, and termination of parental rights.

Types of Family Records

Divorce and Legal Separation: Petitions, temporary orders, parenting plans, final decrees, and property settlement agreements. Financial affidavits are generally confidential and available only to the parties and the court.
Domestic Violence: Protective order petitions and orders are filed here. There is no filing fee for domestic violence petitions under RSA 173-B.
Child Support: The New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families administers child-support enforcement, but modification and contempt actions are filed through the Family Division.
Guardianship of Minors: Petitions to appoint a guardian for a minor child are heard in Family Division, distinct from adult guardianships handled in Probate Division.

Searching Family Records

Some family case information is available through the Court Case Search, though access to underlying documents is more limited than in civil or criminal cases. Sealed and confidential filings — including financial affidavits, home study reports, and Guardian ad Litem reports — are not publicly accessible. In-person review may require a motion to the court demonstrating a legitimate interest.

Marriage Licenses and Vital Records

Marriage licenses in New Hampshire are issued by the town or city clerk where the ceremony will take place, not by the court. However, the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration issues certified copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates. Fees include:

Certified copy of a marriage certificate: $15 (first copy); $10 each additional copy ordered at the same time
Certified copy of a divorce record: $15 / $10
Certified copy of a birth certificate: $15 / $10
Certified copy of a death certificate: $15 / $10

Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through an online ordering system maintained by the Division of Vital Records.

Contact Information

6th Circuit – Family Division – Concord
Address: 32 Clinton Street, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-6400
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Merrimack County Probate Court Records

Probate matters are handled by the 6th Circuit – Probate Division, which sits at the North Main Street courthouse in Concord. This division oversees the administration of estates, the probate of wills, trust disputes, adult guardianships, conservatorships, name changes, and adoption finalizations.

Common Probate Proceedings

Estate Administration: When a Merrimack County resident dies, the executor or administrator files a petition to open probate. If a valid will exists, it is admitted to probate and becomes a public record. Intestate estates follow distribution rules under RSA 561.
Small Estate Affidavit: For estates valued below the statutory threshold, an affidavit process may be available under RSA 553:32, allowing heirs to claim assets without full probate administration.
Guardianship and Conservatorship: Petitions for guardianship over an incapacitated adult or conservatorship over an adult’s estate are filed in Probate Division. The court appoints a Guardian ad Litem to investigate and report. Annual accountings are required of guardians and conservators.
Adoption: Adoption petitions are filed in Probate Division. Adoption records are permanently sealed under New Hampshire law and are not publicly accessible.

How to Search Probate Records

Use the Court Case Search portal and select the Merrimack County Probate Division. Enter the estate name, case number, or party name.
For documents not available online, visit the Probate Division clerk’s office or submit a written request.
Wills that have been admitted to probate are public documents and may be reviewed at the clerk’s counter or copied for a fee.

Probate Fees

Filing fees for probate matters are established by RSA 490:26-a and court administrative orders. Common fees include:

Petition to open estate: filing fee varies based on estate value
Guardianship petition: filing fee applies
Certified copies: $10 per document
Photocopy fee: $0.50 per page

Fee amounts can change with legislative updates, so verifying current costs with the Probate Division clerk before filing is recommended.

Probate Forms

The Judicial Branch maintains an extensive set of downloadable probate forms covering estate inventories, accountings, fiduciary appointments, guardian reports, and more. Completing the appropriate form in advance helps avoid delays at the filing counter.

Contact Information

6th Circuit – Probate Division – Concord
Address: 163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 224-9589
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Individuals uncertain about which court division handles their matter can call the Merrimack County Superior Court at (603) 224-8416 or the Circuit Court at (603) 271-6400 for guidance. Clerks can direct callers to the correct division and explain what information is needed to begin a records search.