Strafford County Court Records Search
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Strafford County sits in the southeastern corner of New Hampshire and is home to more than 130,000 residents across the cities of Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth and multiple smaller towns. The county’s court system is split between a Superior Court, which handles major civil and criminal trials, and a multi-division Circuit Court that covers district (misdemeanor and traffic), family, and probate matters. All courts in the county operate under the umbrella of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, and most are housed either at the William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building on County Farm Road in Dover or at the circuit court facility on St. Thomas Street in Dover, with additional courtrooms in Rochester.
New Hampshire provides several avenues for locating court records, including clerk’s offices at each courthouse, public-access computer terminals, and the Judicial Branch’s statewide online tools. The Case Access Portal operated by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch allows registered users to view electronically filed cases from both the Superior Court and certain Circuit Court divisions. NewHampshireCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case information across the state’s trial courts. For bulk or multi-name searches, the Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center accepts formal record-check requests by mail or in person.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Strafford County?
There are several ways to search for court records in Strafford County, depending on whether you need a quick index lookup, a certified document, or a multi-name background search.
Online Case Access Portal
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch maintains a free Case Access Portal for viewing electronically filed cases. To use it:
- Visit the portal at odypa.nhecourt.us.
- Register for an account or log in.
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney name.
- Select a case from the results to view its status, hearing schedule, parties, and available documents.
The portal covers non-confidential Superior Court criminal and civil cases along with certain Circuit Court matters such as civil actions, small claims, name changes, and estate cases. Not all filed documents are viewable online, and confidential cases are excluded.
In-Person Access
Walk-in visitors may review case files at any Strafford County courthouse during business hours. If you already know the case number, there is no search fee — simply ask the clerk’s office to pull the file. All courthouses are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Formal Record Checks Through the Central Processing Center
For multi-name searches (five or more names) or when a case number is not available, the Judicial Branch’s Central Processing Center performs electronic record checks and returns “case summaries” generated from the case management system. Two forms govern these requests:
- Record Research and Billing Form (NHJB-2798-DFS) — for Superior Court and Circuit Court (District and Family Division) searches
- Probate Estate Administration Records Research and Payment Form (NHJB-2941-P) — for Circuit Court Probate Division searches
Record-check fees:
| Search Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic search (per name, per court) | $6.50 |
| Manual search (cases before 1992, per name) | $6.50 |
| Manual search exceeding one hour | Additional charges apply |
Checks are payable to “NHJB Central Processing Center”. Completed forms and payment may be mailed or delivered to:
NHJB Administrative Offices
Attention: Central Processing Center
1 Granite Place, Suite N400
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Drop-off requests are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Case summaries are informational only and do not constitute the official court record. Certain categories of requesters — including law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, parties to their own case, and military recruiters — are typically exempt from the search fee.
Strafford County Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strafford County Superior Court | 259 County Farm Rd, Suite 301, Dover, NH 03820 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – District Division – Dover | 25 St. Thomas St, Dover, NH 03820 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – District Division – Rochester | 76 North Main St, Rochester, NH 03867 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – Probate Division – Dover | 259 County Farm Rd, Suite 203, Dover, NH 03820 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – Family Division – Dover | 25 St. Thomas St, Dover, NH 03820 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – Family Division – Rochester (at Grimes Building) | 259 County Farm Rd, Suite 302, Dover, NH 03820 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 7th Circuit – Family Division – Rochester | 76 North Main St, Rochester, NH 03867 | (855) 212-1234 | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
For callers outside the United States and Canada, use (603) 415-0162.
Are Court Records Public in Strafford County?
New Hampshire law establishes a presumption that all court records are open to public inspection. The Judicial Branch’s Guidelines for Public Access to Court Records explicitly state that this policy is grounded in the public’s constitutional right of access under the New Hampshire Constitution.
The Guidelines on Records Subject to Inspection explain that the right of access must be weighed against nondisclosure interests established by the federal or state constitution or by statute. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the following categories are not open to public inspection:
- Juvenile cases — delinquency, CHINS (Children in Need of Services), abuse/neglect, termination of parental rights
- Adoption records
- Pending or denied applications for search or arrest warrants
- Grand jury records
- Applications for wiretaps and resulting orders
- Any record required to be confidential by statute, rule, or court order
Before sealing a record, the court must determine whether a reasonable alternative exists and must use the least restrictive means to accomplish the purpose. Once sealed, a record is not open to public inspection except by subsequent court order. Sealed and confidential files are maintained in a separate section of the court files, accessible only by the court and clerk’s staff.
Superior Court Rule 13B provides additional procedures for confidential documents and confidential information in civil proceedings. Any person not otherwise entitled to access may file a motion or petition to gain access to a sealed or confidential court record.
Strafford County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Strafford County are divided between two courts based on severity. The Superior Court handles all felonies — including drug offenses, burglary, theft, and aggravated felonious sexual assault — as well as misdemeanor appeals from the Circuit Court. The 7th Circuit Court’s District Division processes misdemeanors, violations, and traffic offenses at its Dover and Rochester locations.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal case dockets can be searched through the Case Access Portal by entering the defendant’s name, case number, or attorney name and selecting the appropriate Strafford County court. The portal displays case status, charges, hearing dates, and parties. For document copies or information on cases not available online, contact the clerk’s office at the court where the case was filed.
New Hampshire State Police Criminal History Checks
The New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit compiles and maintains statewide criminal history information. There are several ways to obtain a criminal record check:
- Online: Use the NH Criminal Conviction Check portal for publicly available conviction data.
- In person: Visit the State Police headquarters at 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106A, Concord, NH. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- By mail: Download the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and mail it with payment to 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.
The fee is $25.00 per request, payable to “State of NH – Criminal Records”. Cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted; credit cards are only accepted at the public counter, not with mailed requests. A reduced fee of $10.00 applies for qualified nonprofit volunteers working with the elderly, disabled, or children.
For requests requiring both a New Hampshire and FBI criminal history check (common for licensing and employment), the fee is $47.00 ($20.00 for volunteers), and fingerprints are required.
Annulment of Criminal Records
New Hampshire uses the term “annulment” rather than “expungement”. RSA 651:5 governs the annulment of criminal records. Annulled records are removed from the public criminal history, though the process requires a petition to the court and is discretionary. Not all offenses are eligible for annulment.
Strafford County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Strafford County is handled primarily by the Strafford County Superior Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases where the damages sought exceed $25,000. Civil cases with claims of $1,500 or more may also be filed in the Superior Court. The Circuit Court’s District Division handles small claims and certain lower-value civil matters.
Types of civil cases heard at the Superior Court include negligence, contract disputes, real property rights, equity cases seeking injunctive relief, administrative appeals from zoning and planning boards, and disputes involving real estate titles and contract enforcement.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are searchable through the Case Access Portal by party name, case number, or attorney. Non-confidential cases from both the Superior Court and Circuit Court (District Division) appear in the portal. For cases not available electronically or for certified copies of documents, contact:
Strafford County Superior Court
Clerk: Kimberly T. Myers
259 County Farm Road, Suite 301
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234
7th Circuit – District Division – Dover
25 St. Thomas St, Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Written requests for civil record copies may also be submitted by mail to the appropriate court. Include the case number (if known), party names, and a description of the documents needed. Fees for copy services apply; contact the clerk’s office for current pricing.
Property Records
Property-related documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens are maintained by the Strafford County Registry of Deeds, not the courts. The Registry is located at 259 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for recorded documents, with an additional $1.00 for certification. Plans cost $3.00 per sheet to scale from the original or $2.00 per sheet for a reduced-scale copy.
Strafford County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 7th Circuit Court handles all family law matters originating in Strafford County. The Family Division operates out of three locations, with jurisdiction split geographically:
- Dover (25 St. Thomas St): Serves the cities of Dover and Somersworth and the towns of Durham, Rollinsford, Lee, and Madbury for all family case types.
- Rochester at Grimes Building (259 County Farm Rd, Suite 302, Dover): Handles divorce matters originating in Rochester, Barrington, Milton, New Durham, Farmington, Strafford, and Middleton.
- Rochester (76 North Main St): Handles adoptions, juvenile delinquency, CHINS, abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, guardianship of minors, and domestic violence matters for the same Rochester-area towns.
Case types managed by the Family Division include:
- Divorce and legal separation (including division of property, alimony, child custody)
- Parenting actions (custody and visitation between unmarried parents)
- Child support establishment and modification
- Domestic violence protective orders and restraining orders
- Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Juvenile matters (delinquency, CHINS, abuse/neglect, termination of parental rights)
- Adoptions
Family Division forms organized by case type — including divorce/parenting, domestic violence, guardianship, juvenile, and adoption forms — are available for download from the Judicial Branch website.
Access Restrictions
Family court records are subject to significant confidentiality restrictions. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and domestic violence records involving minors are generally not open to public inspection. Other family case files may contain sealed portions by court order.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the town or city clerk where the marriage was performed, not by the courts. For marriages that took place in the town of Strafford, contact the Strafford Town Clerk’s Office. Other towns and cities within Strafford County maintain their own marriage records.
Divorce decrees and records are maintained by the court that handled the case — typically the Family Division of the 7th Circuit Court. Contact the appropriate clerk’s office, provide the parties’ names and approximate date of divorce, and pay any applicable copy fees.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not court records but are frequently needed alongside family court proceedings. The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) maintains statewide vital records. Only individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” — such as immediate family members or legal representatives — may obtain certified copies. The fee is $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Birth records older than 100 years and death records older than 50 years are considered public.
Requests may be submitted:
- Online through the NH Vital Records ordering system
- By mail to: NH Division of Vital Records Administration, 9 Ratification Way, Concord, NH 03301-2455 (include the completed application, fee, and a photocopy of valid photo ID)
- In person at the DVRA office in Concord or at any local city or town clerk’s office
Strafford County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the 7th Circuit Court handles all probate matters for Strafford County. It is located at the William A. Grimes Justice & Administration Building:
7th Circuit – Probate Division – Dover
259 County Farm Road, Suite 203
Dover, NH 03820
Circuit Clerk: Cheryll Andrews
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Probate Division has jurisdiction over the following matter types:
- Estate administration — distribution of a deceased person’s assets, whether the person died with a will (testate) or without one (intestate)
- Trusts — creation, management, and termination
- Guardianships — appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships — management of financial affairs for protected persons
- Adoptions — finalization and related records
- Name changes — for both minors and adults
- Involuntary commitments — psychiatric commitment proceedings
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be viewed through the Case Access Portal for electronically filed estate cases. For older cases or matters not available online, visit the Probate Division clerk’s office in person during business hours.
Requesting Probate Records by Mail
Formal probate record requests should use the Probate Estate Administration Records Research and Payment Form (NHJB-2941-P). The search fee is $15.00, payable whether or not a record is found. Additional copies of the same record issued at the same time cost $10.00 each. Credit card transactions may incur additional processing fees. Mail the form and payment to the Central Processing Center at 1 Granite Place, Suite N400, Concord, NH 03301, or deliver it in person. Written requests sent directly to the Probate Division should include the case number (if known), the names of the parties, a description of the documents needed, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable fee.
Guardianship Background Checks
Guardianship petitions involving minors or incapacitated adults typically require a criminal background check on the proposed guardian. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides a specific Division of State Police Criminal Record Release Authorization Form for this purpose, which must be submitted as part of the guardianship filing. The $25.00 State Police fee applies, and the form may need to be filed electronically through the court’s e-filing system depending on the case.