Divorce records in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, the court that issued the decree, and the state vital records office. HillsboroughNHCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. Beyond that resource, the circuit court clerk's office where the divorce was granted and the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration are the primary points of contact for obtaining official documents.
Hillsborough Divorce Records Search
In New Hampshire, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — Family Division. Hillsborough County is served by two family division locations: one in Manchester and one in Nashua. These courts maintain the official case files, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, parenting plans, custody orders, and related filings.
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch oversees all court records. The clerk's office at each family division location is responsible for maintaining and providing access to divorce case files. Separately, the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration maintains divorce certificates — summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the full case details.
The primary court location serving Hillsborough County is:
9th Circuit Court — Family Division (Manchester)
For cases filed in the southern part of the county:
9th Circuit Court — Family Division (Nashua)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Hillsborough
Understanding which office holds the record you need depends on what type of document you are looking for.
- Court case files — Divorce petitions, final decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and hearing transcripts are filed with the Circuit Court — Family Division clerk's office where the case was heard.
- Divorce certificates — After a divorce is granted, a record is also filed with the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration. This office issues divorce certificates, which are shorter summary documents confirming the divorce.
If you need the full divorce decree or any attached agreements, contact the court clerk directly. If you only need a certificate verifying the divorce took place, the state vital records office can help.
New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration
You can also request divorce certificates by mail. The New Hampshire Secretary of State — Vital Records website provides application forms and instructions. Town clerks in New Hampshire may also issue certified copies of vital records for events that occurred in their municipality, so it is worth checking with the local town clerk's office if the divorce was granted in a Hillsborough County town.
Keep in mind that some divorce records may have restricted access, particularly when cases involve minor children or sealed agreements. Ask the court clerk whether any portions of a specific case file are confidential before submitting a request.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Hillsborough
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified divorce certificate (Vital Records Administration) | $25.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of the same certificate (same order) | $15.00 each | Included with initial order |
| Court record copies (per page, from clerk's office) | $0.50 per page | Varies; typically 5–10 business days |
| Certified court document copy | $5.00 certification fee plus per-page copy cost | Varies by court workload |
| Walk-in requests at court clerk's office | Same per-page and certification fees | Often same day if records are available |