What are Merrimack County Public Records?
Pursuant to the New Hampshire Right to Know Law, Merrimack County public records are also referred to as governmental records. They include any information generated, collected, or received by or for any public entity in furtherance of an official function. They include all forms of written communication or information, either in paper or electronic format, obtained by a public body for an official function. The following records and documents are however exempted from public viewing:
- Records relating to internal personnel practices
- Medical, welfare, library user, and videotape sales or rental records
- Confidential, commercial, or financial information and any other records whose disclosure would be an invasion of privacy
- Notes or materials made for personal use, including notes and materials made prior to, during, or after a public proceeding
- Preliminary drafts, notes, and memoranda, and other documents not in their final form and not disclosed, circulated, or available to a quorum of a public body
- Some law enforcement files (but not all)
- Written legal advice
Merrimack County Crime Statistics
The New Hampshire State Police’s Uniform Crime Report Unit (UCR) collects, maintains, and publishes crime data from all counties in the state. The agency's latest crime reports show that Merrimack County recorded 225 violent crimes and 1,876 property crimes in 2017. Compared to the agency’s 2013 crime data, violent and property crime rates declined in Merrimack County by 3.8% and 29.7% respectively.
A detailed look at the county’s 2017 crime statistics shows that local law enforcement agencies recorded two homicides, 46 rapes, 32 robberies, and 145 aggravated assaults. In the same year, the county saw 297 burglaries, 1,481 larcenies, and 98 motor vehicle thefts.
A five-year analysis of crime trends in the county between 2017 and 2013 indicates a 200% increase in homicide rate while robbery and motor vehicle theft rates rose by 14.3% and 30.7% respectively. In the same period, rape (2.1%), aggravated assaults (8.8%), burglary (41.7%), and larceny (29%) fell.
Are Merrimack County Criminal Records Public?
Merrimack County criminal records are partly open. The state of New Hampshire maintains two types of criminal records: public criminal conviction history records and confidential criminal history information. Access to confidential criminal history information is restricted to only the record owner and select law enforcement agencies. As the central repository for criminal history information in the state, the New Hampshire State Police provides Merrimack criminal records. The agency accepts mail and in-person requests and charges $25 for each criminal history request. To request these records, download and complete the Criminal Record Authorization Form. Attach a copy of a valid ID and submit in person or by mail to:
Central Repository for Criminal Records
33 Hazen Drive
Room 106A
Concord, NH 03305
(603) 223-3867
Enclose a check or money order for the required fee when making a mail-request. Individuals making in-person requests can pay the appropriate fees in cash or by credit card. The Criminal Records Unit is open to the public from Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Where a criminal history report is to be released to a third party, notarization of the third-party’s signature is required.
How to Obtain Merrimack County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office provides copies of Merrimack County arrest records, police reports, and incident reports. To obtain a copy of an incident report, visit any of the two locations of the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office:
Main Office:
333 Daniel Webster Highway
Boscawen, NH 03303
(603) 796-6600
Concord Satellite Office
163 North Main Street
Concord (located in the former Superior Court House Building)
(603) 225-5583, extension 117
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Merrimack County?
The Justice Information Bureau (JIB) of the New Hampshire Department of Safety maintains the registration database of sex offenders living in all counties in the state. The database is available to the public online as the New Hampshire Sex Offender/Offender Against Children Registry. Use the search tool provided on this website to locate registered sex offenders living in Merrimack County by name, zip code, or street address.
How to Find Merrimack County Inmate Records?
The Merrimack County Department of Corrections operates the Merrimack County Jail. This is the primary correctional facility in the county. To locate an inmate or find information about an arrest, visit or call the correctional facility using (603) 796-3600.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Merrimack County Jail?
To visit an inmate in the Merrimack County Jail, contact the Department of Corrections at the jail facility. The jail is located at:
Merrimack County Jail
314 Daniel Webster Highway
Boscawen, NH 03303
(603) 796-3600
Court Records
Merrimack County courts include a Superior Court and District Court Divisions. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters. It handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court and offers jury trials. Merrimack County Circuit Court has three divisions: District Division, Probate Division, and Family Division.
Location of Courts in Merrimack County
Merrimack County Superior Court
Merrimack County Superior Court
163 North Main Street
P.O. Box 2880
Concord, NH 03302
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County Circuit Court District Divisions
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court District Division - Concord
32 Clinton Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court District Division - Franklin
7 Hancock Terrace
Franklin, NH 03235
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court District Division - Hooksett
101 Merrimack Street
Hooksett, NH 03106
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court District Division -Hillsborough
15 Antrim Road
Box 3
Hillsborough, NH 03244
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County Circuit Court Probate Division
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court Probate Division
163 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County Circuit Court Family Division
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court Family Division - Concord
32 Clinton Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court Family Division - Franklin
7 Hancock Terrace
Franklin, NH 03235
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court Family Division - Hillsborough
15 Antrim Road
Box 3
Hillsborough, NH 03244
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Merrimack County 6th Circuit Court Family Division - Hooksett
101 Merrimack Street
Hooksett, NH 03106
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Are Merrimack County Court Records Public?
Merrimack County court records are presumed to be open to the public, except where the record is exempted by law or court order. Merrimack court records are maintained by the Clerk of each court and are available for inspection at the Clerk’s Offices. Requests for certified court records must be submitted in writing with the appropriate fee. All courts in the county have the same toll-free number: (855) 212-1234.
Can you look up a Merrimack County Court Case Online?
The public can access limited case information of Merrimack County court records on the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Case Access Portal. This online access portal provides case information on non-confidential case types like civil, criminal, small claims, and estate matters.
How to Obtain Merrimack County Civil Court Case Records?
To request the Merrimack County civil court case records of the Superior Court and the District and Family Divisions of the Circuit Court, complete the Record Research and Billing Form - NHJB-2798-DFS. For the Circuit Court Probate Division, use the form NHJB-2941-P. It costs $10 for an electronic search of fewer than ten names while there is a $25 search fee when there are more than 10 names. Requests requiring extensive electronic/computer searches taking up more than one hour cost $25 per additional. Manual searches cost $25 per hour and are based on this hourly rate and not the number of names per request. Mail the completed form and a check for the appropriate fee to:
New Hampshire Judicial Branch Administrative Offices Attention
Central Processing Center 1 Granite Place
Suite N400
Concord, NH 03301
Members of the public can also request court records in person. The office is open from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Plain copies of court records are provided at 50 cents per page while certified copies cost $5 per document.
How to Obtain Merrimack County Criminal Court Records?
To obtain copies of Merrimack County criminal court records of the Superior Court and the District Division of the Circuit Court, fill out the Record Research and Billing Form - NHJB-2798-DFS. Electronic searches of less than ten names cost $10. Where there are more than 10 names, there is a $25 search fee. Requests that need extensive electronic/computer searches of more than one hour cost $25. Manual searches cost $25 per hour and this is charged on an hourly basis and not the number of names per request. The filled-out form should be mailed with a check for the appropriate fee to:
New Hampshire Judicial Branch Administrative Offices Attention
Central Processing Center 1 Granite Place
Suite N400
Concord, NH 03301
In-person requests for court records can be made from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Plain copies of court records cost 50 cents per page while certified copies cost $5 per document.
What are Merrimack County Vital Records?
Merrimack County vital records are official documents that contain information about the occurrence of life events within the county. These records include marriage, birth, divorce, and death. Birth, marriage, and death records can be retrieved from the Town Clerks in Merrimack County, where the vital event was registered. The New Hampshire Department of State Division of Vital Records Administration (DVRA) also provides interested persons with access to all vital records of Merrimack County, and other counties in the state.
Where and How to Obtain Merrimack County Divorce Records?
Merrimack County divorce records are provided by the DVRA of the New Hampshire Department of State. The Division maintains divorce records from 1808 to the present and provides each certified copy at $15. To request copies of a divorce record, an applicant should complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record. This completed form should be submitted with a check for the fee and submitted to:
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Enclose a copy of a government-issued photo ID and a self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope in the mail-in request. It is also possible to make a walk-in request at the office anytime between Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Copies of Merrimack County divorce records are also available at the City/Town Clerk office in each of the cities and towns in the county. The Town Clerks provide local divorce records from 1979 to within six months from the present date. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce record from this source, visit the Town Clerk Office in the municipality where the divorce was finalized. Take along a completed Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record, a copy of a valid ID, and the processing fee.
Where and How to Get Public Merrimack County Marriage Records?
Merrimack County marriage records are provided by both the DVRA and local City and Town Clerks. The marriage records available with the DVRA are from 1652 to the present. Requesters should fill out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record to apply for copies of Merrimack County marriage certificates at either the DVRA or a local City or Town Clerk Office. Submit the filled-out form along with a copy of a valid ID and the appropriate fee by mail or in-person to the Town Clerks’ Office or to the Vital Records Administration Division at:
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Where and How to Find Merrimack County Birth Records?
Merrimack County birth records are in the custody of both the Division of Vital Records Administration and local City and Town Clerks in Merrimack County. The DVRA has Merrimack County birth certificates from 1631 to the present. To obtain copies of Merrimack County birth records from either the DVRA or a local City or Town Clerk Office, interested persons must complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record. The completed form, along with a copy of a valid ID and the appropriate fee, should be submitted by mail or in-person to the Town Clerks’ Office or to the DVRA’s address below:
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2410
Where and How to Find Merrimack County Death Records?
Copies of Merrimack County death records are available with both the DVRA and local City and Town Clerks in Merrimack County. Death records available with the DVRA include records from 1654 to the present. Applications can be made for Merrimack County death certificates by filling out the Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record. The filled-out form, as well as payment and a copy of a valid ID, can be submitted to the DVRA or a Town Clerk Office by mail or in person. The DVRA’s address is below:
NH Department of State
Division of Vital Records Administration
Registration/Certification
9 Ratification Way
Concord, NH 03301-2410
