New Hampshire Divorce Records

Finding Divorce Records in New Hampshire - The granting of divorces in New Hampsire is regulated by each individual state. Therefore, the divorce records are maintained in the state where the divorce was filed and finalized. Typically, divorce records can usually be found at the Prothonotary Office in the local county courthouse. Smaller courthouses may not have an office of this type, but the divorce records will still be stored at the county courthouse.

All requests for certified copies of divorce records should be made at the county level. Several states may also keep a file of divorce records at the state repository if they have one. However, the copies obtained from the state repository will not be certified.

Basic facts and information about the divorced couple is included in the divorce records. Typically, the husband�s full name, the wife�s full name including her maiden name, and the name of the county where the divorce took place will be at the top of the document. The recorded filing date of the divorce, the actual date of the finalized divorce, and a certificate number for identification purposes is included.

Some states might include the number of children under the age of eighteen at the time the divorce was filed. This information is requested when you request an official copy to assist in the search.

Providing information that is not requested will not help the search, except in the case of genealogical searches where little information is available. The requests for divorce records that contain the greatest amount of the requested information will generate the quickest results. With a genealogical search, any information may eventually lead to the information needed to locate the proper files.

Divorce records are filed by the husband�s name. Therefore, the search for any divorce records usually begins with the husband�s name. If the name of the county where the divorce was filed isn�t known, you can begin your search for the records in any one of three initial ways.

You can begin the search at the state repository. Once you have located the information that you need, such as county and you may then continue your search at the county level.
You can conduct a search one county at a time. In states that have numerous counties, this will take quite a bit of time. Each county will also request a fee for the search.
You can conduct a search on past and current spouses of the person for whom you want the records. A search of this type will produce a list of the names and accompanying addresses. Once you have the addresses, you can get the county location and continue your search. At least with this method, you know how many counties to search.

Usually it takes between two to ten days to conduct the typical search for current records. Factors that might influence this are: the size of the county courthouse, the number of available staff members to conduct the search, the time of year (some times are busier), and the amount of information that is provided. A nominal fee of five to twenty dollars is requested to recover the cost of materials and time.

Follow the guidelines here to produce a more efficient search.

1. Print or type each name and address clearly to avoid confusion. This includes the full name of both the husband and the wife. The maiden name should be included for the wife.
2. Keep your request brief and to the point.
3. Limit your request to one document.
4. Include the full names of the individuals, including nicknames and alternate spellings that may have been used.
5. Include the full address of the individual at the time of the divorce, including street, city or town, and state. If you know the county in which the divorce took place, include that as well.
6. Include the date that the divorce was finalized. If you do not have this piece of information available, include a time frame for the search. Generally, it is best to specify a short span of years for an unknown year search. You can always expand the number of years that you search, and a shorter span will lead to a shorter search. You can expect to pay an additional fee for searches such as this that require more effort.
7. Include contact information where you can be reached in the event that more information is required. Include a daytime telephone number, as well as, an evening telephone number. You may also include a fax number or an e-mail address.
8. You should include your relationship to the individual�s listed in your search request.
9. You should include the purpose of your request.
10. Print your name clearly and sign your request. Some states may also require additional identifying information on you as well, including a driver�s license number.
11. Include a SASE, or self addressed stamped envelope with your request for a speedier delivery.
12. Include the date that you mail your request with your correspondence.

A list of the local county courthouses for New Hampshire is provided below in alphabetical order.

Addresses for New Hampshire county courthouses (in alphabetical order by county):

State of New Hampshire
Bureau of Vital Records
Registration/Certification
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Telephone: (800) 852-3345 Ext 4651
or in NH - (603) 271-4651
Fax: (603) 271-3447

Belknap County
Belknap County Clerk
P.O. Box 578
Laconia, NH 03247-0578
Telephone: (603) 524-3570

Carroll County
Carroll Probate Court
Administration Building
Ossipee, NH 03864
Telephone: (603) 539-4123

Cheshire County
Cheshire County Clerk
12 Court Street
Keene, NH 03431-3402
Telephone: (603) 352-6902

Coos County
Coos County Clerk
Main Street
Lancaster, NH 03584
Telephone: (603) 788-4900

Grafton County
Grafton County Court House
RR1, Box 65F
North Haverhill, NH 03774-9708
Telephone: (603) 787-6944

Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Clerk
19 Temple Street
Nashua, NH 03060-3444
Telephone: (603) 882-9471

Merrimack County
Merrimack County Clerk
163 N. Main St.
Concord, NH 03301-5068
Telephone: (603) 225-5501

Rockingham County
Rockingham County Register of Deeds
Rte 125
Brentwood, NH 03830
Telephone: (603) 642-5526

Stratford County
Stratford County Clerk
P.O. Box 799
Dover, NH 03821-0799
Telephone: (603) 742-3065

Sullivan County
Sullivan County Clerk
22 Main St.
Newport, NH 03773-0045
Telephone: (603) 863-3450
 

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