Criminal records in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, are maintained by the state court system, local law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. HillsboroughNHCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the New Hampshire Circuit Court system, the Hillsborough County Superior Court, local police departments, and the New Hampshire Department of Safety's criminal records unit.
How to Search Criminal Records in Hillsborough
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Hillsborough County:
Online Search
- HillsboroughNHCourt.us — Start here to search publicly available court record information for Hillsborough County criminal cases.
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Case Look-up — The New Hampshire Judicial Branch offers an online case look-up tool through its website. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name for cases in the Circuit Court and Superior Court.
- Federal Cases (PACER) — For federal criminal cases filed in Hillsborough County, use the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire's case file access page. Criminal cases filed after January 1, 2005, are maintained electronically. You can also look up the court through the PACER CM/ECF system for the New Hampshire District Court.
- Police Arrest Logs — Some local departments publish arrest logs. For example, the Manchester Police Department publishes arrest detail listings that include names, dates, and charges.
In Person
- Visit the Hillsborough County Superior Court clerk's office in Manchester or Nashua to access case files and use public terminals.
- The Circuit Court locations in Hillsborough County (Manchester, Nashua, Milford, Goffstown, and Merrimack) also allow in-person record review.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the clerk of the relevant court with the defendant's full name, date of birth, and any known case numbers.
- For a statewide criminal history record, submit a request to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Criminal Records Unit. A fingerprint-based check requires submission of a completed fingerprint card.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court look-up)
- Case number (if known)
- Court location (Superior Court or Circuit Court division)
Search Hillsborough Criminal Cases by Case Number
New Hampshire uses a structured case number format that identifies the court, case type, and filing year. A typical case number looks like this:
- Court prefix — Identifies the court location (e.g., "216" for Hillsborough County Superior Court – Northern District in Manchester, or "226" for the Southern District in Nashua).
- Case type code — A letter or letters indicating the type of case. For criminal matters, common codes include "CR" for criminal cases.
- Year — The two- or four-digit year the case was filed.
- Sequence number — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year.
For example, a case number like 216-2024-CR-00123 would indicate a criminal case filed in the Hillsborough County Superior Court – Northern District in 2024. When searching by case number through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's online look-up tool, enter the full number exactly as it appears on court documents for the most accurate results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Hillsborough
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) section under which the defendant is charged (e.g., RSA 637:3 for theft). |
| Severity | Felony (Class A or Class B), Misdemeanor (Class A or Class B), or Violation. Class A felonies carry the most severe penalties. |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during trial. The docket will reflect both original and amended charges. |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open and awaiting resolution. |
| Active | Proceedings are underway; hearings or motions are scheduled. |
| Disposed | The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.). |
| Closed | All obligations — including sentencing, fines, and probation — have been completed. |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
- Probable Cause / Preliminary Hearing — A judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case management, potential plea agreements, and motions.
- Trial — Bench trial or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing — The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review Hearing — A follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted of the charge. |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The charge was dropped by the court or prosecution. |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecution chose not to pursue the charge. |
| Nolo Contendere | The defendant did not contest the charge (treated similarly to a guilty plea for sentencing). |
| Annulled | Under RSA 651:5, the record has been annulled and is generally no longer publicly accessible. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Hillsborough
Certified copies of criminal case records can be obtained from the clerk's office at the court where the case was filed. Hillsborough County has two Superior Court locations:
Hillsborough County Superior Court – Northern DistrictHow to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the clerk's office and request copies at the counter. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request with the case number, defendant name, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment (check or money order payable to the court).
Statewide Criminal History Check
For a complete New Hampshire criminal history record (not limited to one court), contact:
New Hampshire State Police – Criminal Records UnitYou will need to submit a completed Criminal Record Release Authorization Form along with valid identification. Fingerprint-based background checks require a completed fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission through an approved vendor.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Hillsborough
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.50 | Standard uncertified copies from the clerk's office. |
| Certification fee | $5.00 per document | Added to the per-page copy cost for certified copies. |
| Criminal record check (name-based, State Police) | $25.00 | Per RSA 106-B:14; payable to NH State Police. |
| Criminal record check (fingerprint-based, State Police) | $25.00 state + FBI fee | FBI fee is additional; total varies. Required for certain employment and licensing checks. |
| PACER federal case access | $0.10 per page | Capped at $3.00 per document. Free access may be available at federal courthouse terminals. |
Processing Times
- In-person court copies — Usually available the same day if the case file is on-site.
- Mail requests to the court — Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume.
- State Police name-based check — Generally processed within 5–10 business days.
- Fingerprint-based background check — May take 2–4 weeks when the FBI component is included.
Fees are set by statute under RSA 499:18 (court copies) and RSA 106-B:14 (criminal records checks). Contact the relevant office to confirm current fees before submitting payment.