Grafton County Public Records /Grafton County Court Records

Grafton County Court Records

What Is Grafton County Court Records

Court records in Grafton County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records constitute a comprehensive archive of judicial activities as defined under New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law RSA 91-A. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.

Court records are distinct from other public records maintained by government agencies:

Court records: Document judicial proceedings and decisions
Property records: Document land ownership and transfers
Vital records: Document births, deaths, marriages, and divorces

In Grafton County, several courts maintain official records:

New Hampshire Superior Court - Grafton County
New Hampshire Circuit Court - District Division
New Hampshire Circuit Court - Family Division
New Hampshire Circuit Court - Probate Division

These courts handle various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations. Pursuant to New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 12, court records are maintained to ensure transparency in judicial proceedings while balancing privacy concerns in certain sensitive cases.

Are Court Records Public In Grafton County

Court records in Grafton County are generally public pursuant to New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law RSA 91-A and the constitutional principle of open courts. This statute establishes that government records, including court records, shall be available to the public for inspection and copying.

The following court records are typically accessible to the public:

Civil case files (with certain exceptions)
Criminal case files (post-charging)
Judgments and orders
Docket sheets
Hearing schedules

It is important to note the distinction between federal and state court records. Records from the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire are governed by federal rules, while Grafton County state court records follow New Hampshire state law and court rules.

However, certain records may be sealed or redacted under New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 12, which governs public access to court records. These exceptions typically include:

Juvenile cases
Adoption proceedings
Mental health proceedings
Certain family court matters
Cases sealed by judicial order

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch has established specific policies regarding public access to court records that balance transparency with privacy concerns and the administration of justice.

How To Find Court Records in Grafton County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Grafton County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides multiple avenues for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse where the case was filed
Complete a record request form specifying the case information
Present valid identification
Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies)

Mail Requests:

Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk
Include case number, party names, and filing date if known
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
Include payment for copy fees

Online Access:

Utilize the New Hampshire e-Court Case Access Portal
Register for an account if accessing non-public case information
Search by case number, party name, or filing date

For criminal record checks, the New Hampshire Department of Safety provides a centralized criminal history record check service.

When requesting records, individuals should provide as much identifying information as possible, including:

Full case number
Complete names of parties involved
Approximate date of filing or case disposition
Type of case (civil, criminal, family, etc.)

Pursuant to § 91-A:4 of the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, public agencies must make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours.

How To Look Up Court Records in Grafton County Online?

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch offers digital access to court records through several online portals. These systems allow for remote searching of case information without visiting a courthouse:

New Hampshire e-Court Case Access Portal:

Access at New Hampshire Judicial Branch website
Search for cases by party name, case number, or filing date
View basic case information, including docket entries and scheduled hearings
Access to certain documents may require registration and fees

New Hampshire Public Case Access:

Provides limited information on cases without registration
Includes case type, filing date, party names, and hearing dates
Does not include access to filed documents

United States District Court - District of New Hampshire:

Federal court records available through PACER
Registration required with fees charged per page viewed
Provides access to federal cases filed in New Hampshire

To conduct an online search:

Select the appropriate court system (state or federal)
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
Review search results to identify the correct case
Access available information or documents according to system permissions
Pay any applicable fees for document access or downloads

The level of detail available online varies by case type and court. Pursuant to § 91-A:4 of the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests.

How To Search Grafton County Court Records for Free?

New Hampshire law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in § 91-A:4 of the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law. While copying fees may apply, viewing records is free of charge.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit the clerk's office at the appropriate courthouse
Request to view specific case files
No fee for inspection (only for copies)

New Hampshire Public Case Access:

Basic case information available without registration
Includes party names, case types, and hearing dates
No charge for basic searches

Public Access Terminals:

Available at courthouse locations
Provide more comprehensive access than remote online systems
No charge for use

Grafton County Superior Court:
North Haverhill Courthouse
3785 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH 03774
Phone: (855) 212-1234
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - District Division - Lebanon:
38 Centerra Parkway
Lebanon, NH 03766
Phone: (855) 212-1234
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

While basic case information is available for free, there may be fees for:

Copies of documents ($0.50 per page)
Certified copies ($5.00 per document plus copy fees)
Research assistance for records older than 10 years

What's Included in a Grafton County Court Record?

Court records in Grafton County contain various documents depending on the case type and stage of proceedings. A comprehensive court record typically includes:

Case Initiation Documents:

Complaints or petitions
Summonses
Indictments or informations (in criminal cases)
Filing fee information

Procedural Documents:

Motions and responses
Briefs and memoranda
Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
Notices of hearings
Subpoenas
Witness lists

Evidentiary Materials:

Exhibits admitted into evidence
Affidavits
Depositions (when filed)
Expert reports

Court-Generated Documents:

Docket sheets listing all case activities
Court orders and judgments
Hearing and trial transcripts
Findings of fact and conclusions of law
Jury instructions (in jury trials)

Case Disposition Documents:

Final judgments
Settlement agreements (when filed)
Dismissal orders
Sentencing documents (in criminal cases)
Probation terms and conditions

Post-Judgment Documents:

Appeals notices
Execution documents
Satisfaction of judgment notices
Probation reports (in criminal cases)

Pursuant to New Hampshire Supreme Court Rule 12, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including:

Social Security numbers
Financial account numbers
Names of minor children in certain cases
Dates of birth
Home addresses in specific case types

How Long Does Grafton County Keep Court Records?

Grafton County courts maintain records according to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Records Retention Schedule, which establishes standardized timeframes for preserving different types of court documents. These retention periods vary based on case type and document significance:

Criminal Cases:

Felony cases: Permanent retention for cases resulting in conviction
Misdemeanor cases: 20 years after case closure
Violation-level offenses: 10 years after case closure

Civil Cases:

General civil litigation: 20 years after final judgment
Small claims: 10 years after case closure
Landlord-tenant matters: 10 years after case closure

Family Cases:

Divorce records: Permanent retention
Child custody and support: Until youngest child reaches age 28
Domestic violence petitions: 20 years after case closure

Probate Cases:

Wills and estate administration: Permanent retention
Guardianships: 10 years after termination of guardianship
Adoptions: Permanent retention

Court-Generated Documents:

Docket sheets: Permanent retention
Judgment indices: Permanent retention
Court orders in significant cases: Permanent retention

Pursuant to § 490:26-a of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, the Supreme Court has authority to establish records retention schedules for all state courts. The court may authorize the disposal of records after the retention period expires, though historically significant cases are typically preserved permanently.

Digital preservation initiatives are currently underway to convert older paper records to electronic format, particularly for records with permanent retention requirements.

Types of Courts In Grafton County

Grafton County's court system operates as part of New Hampshire's unified court structure, with several court types serving different jurisdictional functions:

Grafton County Superior Court
3785 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH 03774
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - District Division - Lebanon
38 Centerra Parkway
Lebanon, NH 03766
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - District Division - Littleton
134 Main Street
Littleton, NH 03561
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - District Division - Plymouth
26 Green Street
Plymouth, NH 03264
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - Family Division - Lebanon
38 Centerra Parkway
Lebanon, NH 03766
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Circuit Court - Probate Division - Haverhill
3785 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH 03774
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

The New Hampshire court hierarchy progresses from Circuit Courts (District, Family, and Probate Divisions) to Superior Courts, then to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, which is the state's highest appellate authority. Federal cases are heard in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.

What Types of Cases Do Grafton County Courts Hear?

Grafton County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority:

Superior Court:

Felony criminal cases
Civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000
Equity matters (injunctions, specific performance)
Title disputes and real property cases
Appeals from administrative agency decisions
Jury trials in both civil and criminal matters

Circuit Court - District Division:

Misdemeanor and violation-level criminal cases
Civil cases with claims up to $25,000
Small claims (up to $10,000)
Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
Stalking and harassment petitions
Motor vehicle violations and DWI/DUI cases
Preliminary hearings in felony cases

Circuit Court - Family Division:

Divorce and legal separation
Child custody and visitation
Child support and alimony
Domestic violence protective orders
Juvenile delinquency proceedings
Child abuse and neglect cases
Termination of parental rights
Guardianship of minors

Circuit Court - Probate Division:

Wills and estate administration
Guardianships and conservatorships for incapacitated adults
Adoptions
Name changes
Involuntary commitment proceedings
Trust administration

Case assignment follows jurisdictional guidelines established by New Hampshire RSA 490-F, which defines the structure and authority of the state's unified court system. The Administrative Office of the Courts oversees case allocation and management across all court divisions.

How To Find a Court Docket In Grafton County

Court dockets in Grafton County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

Online Docket Access:

Visit the New Hampshire e-Court Case Access Portal
Search by case number, party name, or filing date
View basic docket information without registration
Create an account for enhanced access options

In-Person Docket Review:

Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case is filed
Request docket information by providing case number or party names
Review docket sheets on public access terminals
Request printed copies for a fee ($0.50 per page)

Telephone Inquiries:

Contact the appropriate court clerk's office
Provide case number or sufficient identifying information
Basic docket information may be provided by phone
Detailed information may require in-person or written requests

Written Requests:

Submit a written request to the court clerk
Include case number, party names, and specific information sought
Enclose payment for any copy fees
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for response

For upcoming court hearings, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website provides searchable court calendars by location, date, and case type.

Pursuant to § 91-A:4 of the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, docket information is generally public record, though access to certain case types may be restricted by statute or court rule.

Which Courts in Grafton County Are Not Courts of Record?

A "court not of record" refers to a judicial body that does not create or maintain verbatim transcripts of its proceedings and whose decisions typically have limited precedential value. In New Hampshire, the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record is established by RSA 490:26-c.

In Grafton County, the following courts are not courts of record:

Small Claims Sessions:

Operate within the Circuit Court - District Division
Handle civil claims up to $10,000
Proceedings are not transcribed verbatim
Simplified procedures without formal rules of evidence
Appeals are heard de novo (completely new hearing) in Superior Court

Violation-Level Offense Hearings:

Non-criminal violations heard in Circuit Court - District Division
Include minor traffic infractions and ordinance violations
No right to court-appointed counsel
No verbatim record of proceedings
Appeals to Superior Court are de novo

Administrative Hearings:

Conducted by various state agencies, not courts
Include driver's license hearings, welfare hearings, etc.
Not part of the judicial branch
Appeals from these hearings go to courts of record

All other courts in Grafton County are courts of record, including:

Superior Court
Circuit Court - District Division (for criminal misdemeanors)
Circuit Court - Family Division
Circuit Court - Probate Division

Courts of record maintain official transcripts or recordings of proceedings, and appeals from these courts are typically based on the record created in the original proceeding rather than through a completely new trial.

Lookup Court Records in Grafton County

Grafton County New Hampshire

Access to Case Files - U.S. District Court - NH