Merrimack County, New Hampshire court records are available through several channels. MerrimackCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official court resources, court clerk offices, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings. For federal cases, the PACER system is used.
Merrimack Court System & Jurisdictions
New Hampshire does not have county courts in the traditional sense — instead, there is a unified Circuit Court system divided into three divisions. These divisions serve Merrimack County.
- District Division — handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims (up to $10,000), and domestic violence cases.
- Superior Court — the only court in the state that conducts jury trials. It hears serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil cases, and appeals from the District Division.
- Probate Division — deals with estate matters, guardianships, name changes, and trusts. Each county has its own Probate Court.
- Family Division — divorce, child support, adoption, and juvenile cases.
Merrimack County Superior Court and the 6th Circuit – District Division are located in Concord, the county seat. Federal cases related to the county are heard by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.
Merrimack Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use several options.
- Online state court calendar. The New Hampshire court system publishes hearing schedules through the NH Circuit Court portal. There you can find the date, time, courtroom number, and judge's name.
- Public terminals. In the Merrimack County Superior Court building, there are computers for self-search. A clerk will assist if you encounter difficulties.
- Phone inquiry. Call the court clerk's office — an operator can confirm the date and time of a specific hearing.
For federal cases, the schedule is available through the U.S. District Court's case file access system. Note: calendars are updated daily, so check the information the day before the scheduled session.
How to Get a Copy of a Merrimack Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types — regular and certified. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature; it is required for official procedures, such as filing in another court or government agency. A regular copy is suitable for review.
Ways to obtain
- In person. Visit the Merrimack County Superior Court clerk's office. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. Some documents can be viewed through the state's electronic court system. Federal cases — through PACER (registration required, $0.10 per page).
Address for mail requests and in-person visits:
Records of birth, death, marriage, and divorce are stored separately — in the city clerk's office. For example, Concord residents can contact the City of Concord Vital Records Department.
Merrimack Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amounts are determined by the rules of the New Hampshire court system. Below are the approximate rates applicable to state courts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification of copy | $5.00 per document |
| Record search by clerk | Free or up to $10.00 depending on complexity |
| Copy via PACER (federal cases) | $0.10 per page |
Courts accept payment by check, money order, and in some cases, credit cards. Not all clerk's offices accept cash — check in advance. Make checks payable to "Clerk of Court."
Cases involving minors, adoptions, and certain family matters are usually closed to public access. Sealed cases are issued only by court order. If you are unsure whether a specific record is available, ask the clerk — they will explain the restrictions for your case.
Current information on fees and record availability can also be checked at MerrimackCourt.us.