Rockingham County Court Records Search
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Rockingham County, located in southeastern New Hampshire, is one of the state’s most populated counties. Its court system handles thousands of cases each year across criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. The records generated by these proceedings—including dockets, motions, rulings, exhibits, and judgments—are maintained by court clerks at the Rockingham County Superior Court and the various divisions of the 10th Circuit Court. Whether someone needs documentation related to a pending dispute, a past judgment, or a background screening, understanding where and how to obtain these records is essential.
Residents and interested parties in New Hampshire can access court records through several channels. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch maintains a centralized website where court locations, forms, and contact details are published for every county. NewHampshireCourts.us may also help locate publicly available court case information. In-person requests can be made at any courthouse clerk’s office, while the statewide Case Access Portal provides an online lookup option for non-confidential case data from Superior Courts and Circuit Courts. The Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center offers electronic record searches by mail for those who need results covering multiple names or courts.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Rockingham County?
There are three principal methods for locating a Rockingham County court case: visiting the courthouse in person, submitting a request through the mail, or searching online.
In-Person Requests
Record seekers may visit the clerk’s office at the court where the case was filed. All Rockingham County courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can assist with locating records when provided with details such as the parties’ names, the case number, or the approximate filing date. Copy fees may apply.
Mail Requests
The Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center performs electronic records checks for five or more names across any New Hampshire trial court. To use this service:
- Complete the Record Research and Billing Form (NHJB-2798-DFS) for Superior Court, District Division, or Family Division records.
- Indicate the names to be searched and the specific court location (a separate form is needed for each court location).
- Enclose payment: $20 per search for the first five names, plus $5 for each additional name.
- Mail the completed form and payment to:
New Hampshire Judicial Branch Administrative Offices
Attention: Central Processing Center
1 Granite Place, Suite N400
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Requesters may include a self-addressed stamped envelope or opt to receive results by email. A guide explaining the process in detail is available through the Record Search instructions published by the Judicial Branch.
Online Searches
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal allows registered users to look up non-confidential cases from Rockingham County’s Superior Court and Circuit Court divisions at no cost. Registration is required before accessing case information. The portal generates case summaries drawn from the Judicial Branch’s case management system; these summaries are informational and not official court records, so users should verify critical details directly with the clerk’s office.
Are Court Records Public in Rockingham County?
New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A) establishes a general presumption that governmental records are accessible to the public. Court records in Rockingham County follow this principle, and most filings, rulings, and judgments can be inspected or copied upon request. However, certain categories of records are restricted from disclosure under RSA 91-A:5 and other statutes. Exempt records include:
- Grand and petit jury records
- Records protected by attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine
- Parole and pardon board records
- Records sealed by court order
- Cases involving minors or juveniles
- Documents containing sensitive personal information such as medical records, Social Security numbers, and certain financial data
Even when a record falls within an exempt category, the non-exempt portions may still be available after redaction of the confidential material. Requesters who are denied access to records may appeal to the court or submit a complaint to the relevant supervising authority.
Confidential case types—including certain juvenile, domestic violence, and mental health proceedings—are not available through the Case Access Portal or through the Central Processing Center’s electronic search service. Requests involving sealed records typically require a court order before any information can be released.
Rockingham County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Rockingham County are heard at the Rockingham County Superior Court and the District Divisions of the 10th Circuit Court, depending on the severity of the charges. The Superior Court handles felonies and cases requiring a jury trial, while the District Divisions adjudicate misdemeanors, violations, and other lesser offenses.
Searching Criminal Court Records
To obtain criminal case records from Rockingham County courts, requesters may:
- Visit the clerk’s office at the court where the case was heard and provide a case number or the names of the parties involved.
- Submit a Record Research and Billing Form by mail to the Central Processing Center (see the instructions in the lookup section above).
- Search the Case Access Portal for Superior Court criminal case summaries after registering for a free account.
Criminal History Checks Through the State Police
Formal criminal history records—distinct from court case files—are maintained and released by the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit. These background checks can be obtained in three ways:
- In person at the walk-in service counter:
33 Hazen Drive, Room 106A
Concord, NH 03305
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cash, check, money order, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) are accepted. - By mail by completing the Criminal Record Release Authorization form and mailing it with a $25 fee (check or money order payable to “State of New Hampshire – Criminal Records”) to the Criminal Records Unit at the address above.
- Online through the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Portal, which also allows users to schedule fingerprinting appointments.
Confidential criminal history records require the requester to submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID and have Section II of the application form notarized.
Local Law Enforcement
Arrest records and incident reports specific to Rockingham County may also be available from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office at (603) 679-2225. Availability of these records depends on the status of the investigation and applicable disclosure rules.
Rockingham County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Rockingham County—including contract claims, personal injury lawsuits, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims—are filed and adjudicated at either the Superior Court or the appropriate Circuit Court District Division, depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Where to Obtain Civil Records
Civil case files are held by the clerk’s office at the court where the case was filed. The table below lists every District Division in Rockingham County where civil matters may be heard:
| Court Division | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| District Division – Brentwood | 10 Route 125, Brentwood, NH 03833 | (855) 212-1234 |
| District Division – Candia | 110 Raymond Rd., Candia, NH 03034 | (855) 212-1234 |
| District Division – Derry | 10 Courthouse Ln., Derry, NH 03038 | (855) 212-1234 |
| District Division – Hampton | 3 Timber Swamp Rd., Hampton, NH 03842 | (855) 212-1234 |
| District Division – Portsmouth | 111 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 | (855) 212-1234 |
| District Division – Salem | 35 Geremonty Dr., Salem, NH 03079 | (855) 212-1234 |
All divisions operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Callers outside the United States and Canada may reach any division at (603) 415-0162.
How to Request Civil Records
Requesters should identify the specific court where the civil case was heard and contact that office directly. Alternatively, the Central Processing Center will search multiple courts at once when the Record Research and Billing Form is submitted with the appropriate fee ($20 per search for the first five names, $5 per additional name). The Case Access Portal also provides online access to non-confidential civil case summaries from the Superior Court and Circuit Courts.
Rockingham County Family Court Records
Family-related cases in Rockingham County are handled by the Superior Court and the Family Divisions of the 10th Circuit Court. These matters encompass divorce, child custody, child support, parental rights, alimony, domestic violence protective orders, and other domestic proceedings.
Family Division Locations
Rockingham County has six Family Division courthouses:
- Brentwood – 10 Route 125, Brentwood, NH 03833 (Mailing: P.O. Box 1208, Kingston, NH 03848)
- Candia – 110 Raymond Rd., Candia, NH 03034
- Derry – 10 Courthouse Ln., Derry, NH 03038
- Hampton – 3 Timber Swamp Rd., Hampton, NH 03842
- Portsmouth – 111 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801
- Salem – 35 Geremonty Dr., Salem, NH 03079
All locations share the same Phone: (855) 212-1234 Complete addresses, jurisdiction details, and directions are available on the Rockingham County Family Divisions page of the Judicial Branch website.
Requesting Family Court Records
In-person requests can be made at the clerk’s office of the Family Division where the case was heard. Requesters should be prepared to provide party names and case numbers. Some family court records—particularly those involving minors, domestic violence, or sealed proceedings—may be restricted from public access.
Divorce Records
Copies of divorce decrees may be obtained directly from the Superior Court or Circuit Court Family Division that issued the decree. The Judicial Branch provides a Request for Certified Copy of Divorce Decree or Vital Statistics form for this purpose.
Marriage and Vital Records
New Hampshire treats marriage and divorce certificates as closed vital records for 50 years. During that period, only registrants, immediate family members, and individuals who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest may obtain copies. These records can be requested from the local town or city clerk where the event was registered or from the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA).
To order through the DVRA:
- Complete an Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record.
- Include a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
- Submit the form in person or by mail to:
New Hampshire Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2455 - Enclose payment of $15 (first copy, non-refundable search fee) plus $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
The DVRA can be reached at (603) 271-4650 or by emailing vitalrecords@sos.nh.gov. Marriage and divorce indexes can also be browsed online through the Vital Records Information Network Web Query tool.
Birth and death records follow similar restrictions—birth records are closed for 100 years and death records for 50. The same application form and fee structure apply. Requests should include acceptable proof of identity, and mailed requests should contain a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Rockingham County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Rockingham County are adjudicated by the 10th Circuit Probate Division located at the Rockingham County Courthouse in Brentwood. This division has jurisdiction over wills, estate administration, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, adoptions, name change petitions, powers of attorney for healthcare, living wills, and certain partition actions.
Probate Division Contact Information
10th Circuit – Probate Division – Brentwood
Address: 10 Route 125, Brentwood, NH 03833
Mailing: P.O. Box 789, Kingston, NH 03848
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How to Obtain Probate Records
Probate case files may be requested by visiting the Probate Division clerk’s office or by mailing a written request to the mailing address above with sufficient identifying information (decedent’s name, case number, or approximate date of filing).
For electronic searches across multiple names, the Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center accepts the Probate Estate Administration Records Research form. This form is specific to probate matters and is separate from the general Record Research and Billing Form used for District and Family Division records. The fee structure is the same: $20 per search for the first five names, plus $5 for each additional name. Completed forms and payment should be mailed to:
New Hampshire Judicial Branch Administrative Offices
Attention: Central Processing Center
1 Granite Place, Suite N400
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Some probate case summaries may also be accessible through the Case Access Portal for registered users. Because the portal provides informational summaries rather than certified copies, anyone who needs an official document for legal purposes should request it directly from the Probate Division clerk.
Searches on case information predating 1992 may require additional processing time, as older records may not be fully digitized in the Judicial Branch’s case management system.