CHESHIRE COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Cheshire County Public Records?

Cheshire County public records are materials in digital or physical format maintained, received, cataloged, or corrected by a public agency in relation to a public business or activity. Public documents in the custody of public agencies may exist as books, videotapes, photographs, memoranda, notes, drafts, symbols, architecture plans, audio files, emails, and SMS. Although public records are accessible to interested public members, certain information is redacted or withheld from the public. Most times, this information is redacted to protect the privacy of all concerned persons in a public document. Under the New Hampshire Right-To-Know Law, these documents are exempted or redacted from public view:

• Public records pertaining to anti-terrorism measures;
• Personal notes or drafts that do not have an official purpose;
• Preliminary notes, drafts, and memoranda, and other documents not in their final form, and not disclosed to a public agency;
• Personal data containing information, such as social security numbers, credit or debit card account numbers, and driver's licenses;
• Information revealing the identity of a law enforcement employee;
• Complaints of misconduct filed against an employee of the Florida Department of Management Services;
• Security protocol and strategies utilized in a government-owned building or structure;
• Trade secrets and negotiations involving public agencies;
• Security protocol and strategy for government-owned buildings;
• Attorney-client communication;
• Information on crime witnesses, complainants, or victims;
• Audit working papers;
• Location of archeological sites and endangered species;
• Drafts and preliminary notes of policy-making documents;
• Information on pending litigation;
• Information on an ongoing investigation;
• Personal identifying information, such as social security number and driver's license;
• Data about competition or bidding;
• Location of archeological sites and information on endangered species;
• Confidential vital records, such as death and birth records;
• Information about student records.

Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:

• The address of the requestor
• A case number or file number (if known)
• The location of the document or person involved
• The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
• The last known or current address of the registrant.

Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.

Cheshire County Crime Statistics

The Cheshire County Sheriff's Office is responsible for collating crime reports from all the local law enforcement agencies in the county. Furthermore, it creates a unified crime statistics from all these collated reports. Interested record seekers can find Cheshire County crime statistics on the FBI UCR website. According to the FBI UCR website, Cheshire County recorded 22 index crimes in 2019, including six violent crimes and 16 property crimes. The listed index crimes on the report includes: three rapes, one robbery, two aggravated assaults, eight burglaries, five larceny-thefts, and three motor vehicle thefts.

Are Cheshire County Criminal Records Public?

Per the Cheshire County Right-To-Know Law, not all Cheshire County criminal records are accessible or open to the public. The state law prevents the disclosure of criminal records that contain:

• Information on juvenile crimes;
• Information on crime victims, witnesses, and complainants;
• Information on expunged or sealed criminal offenses.

The Clerk of the Cheshire County Superior Court oversees the recording of criminal records within the county. Persons or entities can obtain these records in-person at:

Cheshire County Superior Court
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

The Clerk of the Cheshire County Superior Court attends to in-person requests for criminal records on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. To 4:00 p.m.

Likewise, the New Hampshire State Police Department, via the Criminal Records Department, provides access to Cheshire County criminal records. Note that the Criminal Records Department allows only the record bearer to obtain a complete criminal record, while third-party requesters can only obtain redacted copies or non-confidential criminal records from the Criminal Records Department. Requesters may receive copies of criminal records via mail or in-person requests. Persons interested in accessing copies of Cheshire County criminal records in-person may visit the:

Criminal Records Unit
Room 106A
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

Requesters should note that the Criminal Records Department is open for in-person requests from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Requesters can also obtain copies of Cheshire County criminal records via mail orders. Most importantly, record subjects must provide at least one of the following when requesting criminal records via mail - Justice of the Peace, Seal, Signature, and Date, or Notary Public. However, third-party requesters do not require a letter of notarization when requesting non-confidential criminal records.

To order copies of criminal records, requesters must follow these steps:

1. Download and fill out the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form;
2. Attach a $25 fee as a money order or check payable to the New Hampshire - Criminal Records;
3. Include a photocopy of a valid photo ID;
4. Send the aforementioned documents to the:

Criminal Records Unit
Room 106A
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

Private or public not-for-profit agencies and organizations are eligible for a reduced-fee form policy. Under the Administrative Rule Saf-C 5703:07 Fee Exemption, requesters who satisfy this criterion are allowed to pay a reduced fee of $10 per criminal record request. Requesters who fall under this category must download and fill out the reduced fee request form.

How to Obtain Cheshire Police Reports and Arrest Records

Interested persons or entities can obtain Cheshire County police reports and arrest records from local or state law enforcement agencies. The Cheshire County Sheriff's Office is the local custodian for all police reports and arrest records created within the state. Furthermore, the Sheriff's Office issues copies of these records to interested applicants. To obtain the public records, requesters must visit the County Sheriff's Office at:

12 Court Street
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-4238

Furthermore, record seekers can find police reports and arrest records at the local law enforcement agency overseeing the region where the event occurred.

Alternatively, the New Hampshire State Police Department provides access to a statewide repository of arrest records and reports. Requesters choose to obtain copies of Cheshire County arrest records and police reports via email or mail requests. For the email request option, record seekers must send a request via email at SPHeadquarters@dos.nh.gov. The request must contain the record subject's names, date and location where the arrest or event occurred, and the purpose of the request. On the other hand, record seekers can obtain Cheshire County police reports and arrest records via a written statement to the:

State Police Headquarters
C/O Police Report Request - Director's Office
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305.

The written request must contain the following information:

• Name of the record subject.
• The record subject's date of birth.
• Location and date of arrest.
• The arresting agency (if known).
• The requester's full name.
• The requester's contact address.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Cheshire County

Public members can find information on sex offenders residing in Cheshire County using the New Hampshire Department of Safety's online database. The record custodian provides information on all sex-related crimes committed by offenders in the Cheshire County. To access Cheshire County sex offender information, record seekers must input the offender's first name and last name, and location into the corresponding slots and click "Search". Furthermore, the online database also allows requesters to search for non-compliant or absconded criminal sex offenders by using the offender's first, middle, and last name, city, and county.

How to Find Cheshire County Inmate Records

Cheshire County inmate records and information are accessible to the public via the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. The inmate locator features inmate sentencing details, such as charges and bonds. In addition, it provides information on inmates' physical identifying information, such as height, age, sex, weight, and race. To access this information on the inmate locator, record seekers must input the inmate's last and first name into the search boxes.

How Do I Visit an Inmate in Cheshire County Jail?

The Cheshire County Jail enables both onsite and remote video visitation for all interested visitors. To use the remote video visitation, visitors must schedule an appointment on the Securus website at least 24 hours before the visitation time. Professional and non-professional visitors using the onsite visitation option must schedule an appointment online or in-person at the Cheshire County Jail. Once the visitation appointment is approved, requesters can visit inmates at:

Cheshire County Department of Corrections
825 Marlboro Road
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 903-1600

Furthermore, visitors can visit the facility for visitation during the following timeframes:

• Morning Hours 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
• Afternoon Hours 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Evening Hours 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Visitors are only eligible for one visit per day.

Cheshire County Court Records

Cheshire County court records are under the purview of the Clerk of the Cheshire County Superior Court. As the record custodian of all court records, the Clerk of the Superior Court issues copies of non-confidential Court records to interested public members. Through the Clerk of the Superior Court, record seekers may access court records, such as administrative court records, traffic records, domestic relations records, civil records, and criminal records.

Location of All Courts in Cheshire County

Cheshire County Superior Court
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Cheshire County 8th Circuit Court District Division - Jaffrey
84 Peterborough Street
Jaffrey, NH 03452
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Cheshire County 8th Circuit Court District Division - Keene
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Cheshire County 8th Circuit Court Probate Division
33 Winter Street Suite 1
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

Are Cheshire County Court Records Public?

Per the New Hampshire Right-To-Know Law, only non-confidential court records are accessible to the public. The clerks of the courts in Cheshire County can redact or withhold certain court information classified as confidential under the Right-To-Know Law. For example, court documents containing information on crime victims, juvenile offenders, child adoption cases, and civil harassment cases, are mostly exempt from public access.

Can You Look Up a Cheshire County Court Record Online?

The US District Court District of New Hampshire maintains an online database of all criminal court cases filed after January 1, 2005, and civil cases filed after June 1, 2004. Persons or entities seeking to access the online records must create a PACER account online or call (800) 676-6856. In contrast, persons with a PACER account can access the documents by logging into their account.

How to Obtain Cheshire County Civil Court Records

Public members can obtain Cheshire County civil court case records by sending a request in-person or via mail to the Clerk of the Cheshire County Supreme Court. The Clerk of the Supreme Court maintains records of all civil court cases in the county courts. To obtain civil court documents via mail, record seekers must send a written request to the Clerk of the Supreme Court at:

Cheshire County Superior Court
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

The written request must include the record bearer's names or business names, the date when the court case occurred, court case number, and the purpose of the request. Alternatively, Cheshire County civil court case records are accessible online. The District Court of New Hampshire has an online database for all court records generated within the state. Note that the website provides access to civil court records filed after June 1, 2004. Persons or entities seeking to access the online records must create a PACER account online or call (800) 676-6856. In contrast, persons with a PACER account can access the documents by sign-in into their account.

How to Obtain Cheshire County Criminal Court Records

Public members can obtain Cheshire County criminal records from the Clerk of the Cheshire County Superior Court. The court documents are accessible to interested persons via mail or in-person orders. To get the documents in-person, record seekers must visit the Clerk of the Cheshire County Superior Court at:

Cheshire County Superior Court
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

For mailed requests, record seekers must send a written request to the Clerk of the Supreme Court at:

Cheshire County Superior Court
33 Winter Street
Suite 2
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (855) 212-1234

The written request must include the record bearer's names or business names, the date when the court case occurred, court case number, and the purpose of the request.

The New Hampshire Judicial District, via the online case management system, provides access to online copies of Manchester criminal court records from January 1, 2005, to the present. Requesters may obtain copies of Manchwst criminal court case records by registering or logging in to the PACER account.

What are Cheshire County Vital Records?

Cheshire County vital records are a documentation of all life events within the county. These life events may include birth, death, marriage, and divorce events. Furthermore, public agencies at the local and state level are responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to these vital records. For example, the Cheshire County Register of Deeds is the local custodian for divorce and marriage records. On the other hand, the New Hampshire Department of State, via the Division of Vital Records Administration, maintains a statewide repository of all vital records in Grafton County.

Where and How to Obtain Cheshire County Divorce Records

The Office of the City Clerks in Cheshire County are primarily responsible for generating records of all divorce events within their region. On a larger scale, the Cheshire County Register of Deeds maintains records of all divorce events documented by the City Clerks. Interested persons can obtain Cheshire County divorce records either from the City Clerk overseeing where the event occurred or from the County's Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds provides access to Cheshire County divorce records upon in-person requests.

Cheshire County Register of Deeds' Office
P.O. Box 584
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-0403
Fax: (603) 352-7678

On the other hand, the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) maintains and issues copies of Cheshire County divorce certificates or divorce decrees to interested persons. Furthermore, these documents are accessible via mail-in or in-person requests. To use the in-person request option, requesters must visit the DVRA in-person at:

Division of Vital Records Administration
N.H. Department of State
9 Ratification Way (formerly 71 South Fruit Street)
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Phone: (603) 271-4650

Persons interested in obtaining the record via mail, must follow these steps:

1. Print out and complete the NHJB-2205-F Request for Certified Copy of Divorce Decree or Vital Statistics
2. Include a $40 money order or check;
3. Attach a copy of a driver's license or any other photo identification;
4. Send the completed form to:

Division of Vital Records Administration
N.H. Department of State
9 Ratification Way (formerly 71 South Fruit Street)
Concord, NH 03301-2410.

Where and How to Get Cheshire County Marriage Records

The Cheshire County Register of Deeds provides countywide access to marriage records. Interested persons or entities can request certified copies of marriage certificate in-person at:

Cheshire County Register of Deeds' Office
P.O. Box 584
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-0403
Fax: (603) 352-7678

Alternatively, the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration provides online access to all marriage records in Cheshire County. The web-based portal provides information on Cheshire County marriage records created from 1995 to the present. To obtain Cheshire County marriage records on the portal, interested persons may sign up or sign-in to an existing account.

Where and How to Find Cheshire County Birth Records

The Cheshire County Register of Deeds' Office maintains records of all birth events. Since birth records contain confidential information, the County Register of Deeds may allow only the following persons to access the records:

• The registrant;
• Relatives of the registrant, excluding cousins;
• Stepparent;
• Legal guardian (must provide guardianship documents);
• A legally authorized individual or entity.

Eligible applicants can obtain Cheshire County birth certificates in-person at:

Cheshire County Register of Deeds' Office
P.O. Box 584
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-0403
Fax: (603) 352-7678

Likewise, the DVRA hosts an online database for all Cheshire County birth records. The web-based portal provides information on records created from 1995 to the present. To obtain Cheshire County birth records on the portal, interested persons may sign up or sign-in to an existing account.

Where and How to Find Cheshire County Death Records

Public members can obtain certified copies of death certificates from the Cheshire County Register of Deeds. Death records are confidential records and only the following applicants can access the records:

• Parent or step-parent of the deceased (a step-parent must provide a marriage certificate as proof of relationship with the deceased.
• Sibling or step-sibling
• Spouse;
• Ex-spouse;
• Grandparent or great-grandparent, grandchild or great-grandchild;
• Representative of the deceased's estate;

Eligible applicants can request and get copies of certified Cheshire County birth certificates from the Register of Deeds at:

Cheshire County Register of Deeds' Office
P.O. Box 584
Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-0403
Fax: (603) 352-7678

Alternatively, the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration provides online access to Cheshire County death records. The web-based portal provides information on records created from 1995 to the present. To obtain Cheshire County death records on the portal, interested persons may sign up or sign-in to an existing account.