Rockingham County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Rockingham County?

Public records in Rockingham County, New Hampshire are defined as government-created or maintained documents that are accessible to the public pursuant to the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes that government records shall be available to the public for inspection and copying to ensure transparency in governmental proceedings.

Rockingham County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Rockingham County Superior Court and Circuit Courts
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Registry of Deeds
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation from County Commissioner meetings, advisory boards, and committees
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning decisions, and building permits

The Rockingham County Registry of Deeds maintains property records, while the Rockingham County Clerk's Office oversees many administrative records. Court records are maintained by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch facilities in the county.

Is Rockingham County an Open Records County?

Rockingham County adheres to New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law, which establishes the presumption that government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Under RSA 91-A:4, "Every citizen has the right to inspect all governmental records in the possession, custody, or control of such public bodies or agencies."

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this law to favor disclosure and transparency. In the landmark case of Union Leader Corp. v. City of Nashua (1998), the court established that the Right-to-Know Law should be construed "with a view to providing the utmost information in order to best effectuate the statutory and constitutional objective of facilitating access to all public documents."

Rockingham County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state transparency requirements, including:

• Maintaining public access terminals for record searches
• Publishing meeting notices and minutes in accordance with RSA 91-A:2
• Providing reasonable accommodation for record inspection during business hours
• Establishing clear procedures for requesting copies of records

The county also complies with New Hampshire's open meeting laws, ensuring that governmental proceedings are conducted openly and that citizens have the opportunity to observe the conduct of public business.

How to Find Public Records in Rockingham County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Rockingham County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain documents. The county currently provides multiple access points for different record types:

For property records:

1. Visit the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds website
2. Use the online search portal for property records dating back to 1629
3. Create a free account to access basic search functions
4. Pay applicable fees for document copies or certified records

For court records:

1. Access the New Hampshire Judicial Branch electronic case access system
2. Visit the courthouse in person at the Rockingham County Superior Court
3. Submit a written request for specific case documents
4. Pay required fees for copies of court documents

For vital records:

1. Contact the Rockingham County Division of Vital Records Administration
2. Complete the appropriate application form for the requested record
3. Provide required identification and proof of eligibility
4. Submit payment for the certified copy

For county administrative records:

1. Submit a written request to the Rockingham County Commissioners Office
2. Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
3. Allow up to five business days for a response as required by state law
4. Arrange for inspection or copying of approved records

Many records are currently available through online portals, reducing the need for in-person visits. However, certain sensitive or older records may still require direct contact with the appropriate department.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Rockingham County?

Rockingham County assesses fees for public records in accordance with RSA 91-A:4(IV), which permits charging "the actual cost of providing the copy." Current fee structures vary by record type and department:

For Registry of Deeds documents:

• $2.00 per page for standard copies
• $5.00 for certified copies of recorded documents
• $1.00 per page for self-service copies
• $25.00 for standard property record searches conducted by staff

For Court Records:

• $0.50 per page for standard copies
• $5.00 for certified copies of court documents
• $25.00 for record searches requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time

For Vital Records:

• $15.00 for the first certified copy of a vital record
• $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
• $25.00 for expedited service

For General Administrative Records:

• $0.25 per standard black and white page
• $0.50 per color copy page
• $5.00 per CD/DVD for electronic records
• Staff research time may be charged at actual cost for requests requiring extensive time

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for most departments. Some online services may require credit card payment exclusively.

The county may waive fees when disclosure primarily benefits the general public, as determined by the custodian of records. Additionally, no fees are charged for inspection of records when copies are not requested.

Does Rockingham County Have Free Public Records?

Rockingham County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under RSA 91-A:4(IV), "No fee shall be charged for the inspection or delivery, without copying, of governmental records, whether in paper, electronic, or other form."

Free record access options currently include:

• In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record during regular business hours
• Online access to County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas through the county website
• Basic property record searches through the Registry of Deeds online portal
• Public terminal access at the Registry of Deeds for property record searches
• Viewing of court dockets through public terminals at courthouse locations
• Access to county budget documents and financial reports online
• Inspection of voter checklists at the town clerk's office

The Rockingham County Registry of Deeds offers free basic search capabilities, though downloading document images requires payment. Similarly, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides free case information searches, but obtaining copies of documents incurs fees.

While inspection is free, requestors seeking copies of records should anticipate paying the established fees outlined in the previous section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Rockingham County?

Under New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law, RSA 91-A:4, "Every citizen has the right to inspect all governmental records." The New Hampshire Supreme Court has interpreted "citizen" broadly to include:

• Any individual, regardless of residency status
• Business entities
• Media organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies

Requestors generally are not required to:

• Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
• State the purpose of their request
• Explain how they intend to use the information
• Be New Hampshire residents

However, specific record types may have additional restrictions:

• Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require the requestor to demonstrate a "direct and tangible interest" as defined in RSA 5-C:9
• Certain court records may be sealed or restricted by court order
• Records containing confidential information may require proof of identity or legal authorization

For requests involving one's own records, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. When requesting records about another individual, additional documentation may be necessary to establish legal authority or legitimate interest.

The county may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request, but cannot deny a request based on a refusal to provide such information unless it is necessary to determine eligibility for specific restricted records.

What Records Are Confidential in Rockingham County?

Certain records in Rockingham County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to RSA 91-A:5 and other state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

• Records pertaining to grand jury proceedings
• Juvenile court records and police reports involving minors
• Records of ongoing law enforcement investigations that would impede proceedings
• Personal school records of students, protected under FERPA
• Medical records protected under HIPAA
• Personnel files and internal personnel practices
• Confidential commercial or financial information
• Test questions, scoring keys, and examination data
• Records pertaining to welfare and public assistance
• Library user records, including borrowing history
• Records pertaining to emergency functions and security measures
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Sealed adoption records
• Records whose disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy
• Preliminary drafts and notes not in final form
• Certain email communications between officials

Additionally, RSA 106-B:14 restricts access to certain law enforcement records, while RSA 169-B:35 protects juvenile records.

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Rockingham County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by law. The county applies a balancing test when privacy interests are at stake, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy rights, as established in Lamy v. N.H. Public Utilities Commission (1988).

Rockingham County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Rockingham County Registry of Deeds
10 Route 125
Brentwood, NH 03833
(603) 642-5526
Rockingham County Registry of Deeds

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays

Rockingham County Commissioners Office
119 North Road
Brentwood, NH 03833
(603) 679-9350
Rockingham County Commissioners

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Closed on federal and state holidays

Rockingham County Superior Court
Rockingham County Courthouse
95 Islington Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(855) 212-1234
Rockingham County Superior Court

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays

Rockingham County Probate Court
10 Route 125
Brentwood, NH 03833
(855) 212-1234
Rockingham County Probate Court

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays

Lookup Public Records in Rockingham County

Access to Case Files - U.S. District Court - NH