Coos County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Coos County in 2026
Members of the public seeking public records in Coos County, New Hampshire, may access a range of government documents through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. CoosRecords.org provides a directory of publicly available information that may assist individuals in locating relevant records. Coos County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.
Records that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: Members of the public may search property records and deeds through the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration and through the Coos County Registry of Deeds online portal. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides online access to certain court case information. Some records require account registration prior to access.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Coos County Registry of Deeds or the Coos County Superior Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for case lookups.
Coos County Registry of Deeds
55 School Street, Suite 103
Lancaster, NH 03584
(603) 788-2392
Coos County Registry of Deeds
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requester's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the time period covered. Under RSA 91-A:4, the custodial agency must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
- Coos County Registry of Deeds: (603) 788-2392
- Coos County Superior Court Clerk: (603) 788-4900
What Are Public Records in Coos County?
Public records in Coos County are defined under New Hampshire RSA 91-A:1-a as any information created, accepted, or obtained by a government body in the course of its official business. This definition encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by county and municipal offices.
The following record types are currently maintained by Coos County departments:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds and mortgages | Registry of Deeds |
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate) | Superior Court / Probate Court Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | NH Division of Vital Records Administration |
| Tax assessment records | Town/City Assessing Offices |
| Business licenses and permits | Town Clerk offices |
| Voting and election records | Town Clerk offices |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commission Office |
| Law enforcement records | NH State Police / Local Departments |
| Land use and zoning records | Municipal Planning Offices |
The Coos County government maintains administrative records, budget documents, and commission meeting minutes through the County Commission Office. Vital records for events occurring in New Hampshire are maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration.
Is Coos County an Open Records County?
Coos County operates in full compliance with New Hampshire's open records statute, the Right-to-Know Law, RSA Chapter 91-A. Under this law, all government records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
As stated by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, "The purpose of the Right-to-Know Law is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people." This principle applies to all county-level agencies and offices operating within Coos County.
The law requires that public bodies make records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. Coos County does not maintain a separate county-specific open records ordinance; the state statute governs all access requests. The New Hampshire Attorney General's Right-to-Know Law overview provides additional guidance on the application of RSA 91-A to county and municipal agencies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Coos County?
Current fees for public records in Coos County vary by record type and the office maintaining the records. The following fee structure reflects standard charges at principal county offices:
Registry of Deeds:
- Recording fees: $10.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page
- Certified copies of recorded documents: $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
Superior Court:
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus $0.50 per page
Vital Records (NH Division of Vital Records):
- Certified birth, death, or marriage certificate: $15.00 per copy
General Copy Fees: Under RSA 91-A:4, IV, agencies may charge the actual cost of providing copies, which at present is not to exceed $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies at many offices. Fees for electronic records are limited to the actual cost of production.
Accepted payment methods at the Registry of Deeds include cash, check, and money order. The Superior Court accepts cash and check. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests, though indigent individuals may petition the court for fee waivers in certain judicial proceedings.
Does Coos County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Coos County pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, which requires government bodies to allow members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect records without cost is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which fees may apply.
Free access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch online portal: Members of the public may search court case information at no cost through the New Hampshire courts case lookup system.
- Registry of Deeds public terminals: In-person inspection of recorded land documents is available at no charge at the Coos County Registry of Deeds public access terminal during office hours.
- NH Division of Vital Records: Individuals may verify the existence of vital records at no cost, though certified copies carry a fee.
- County Commission records: Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are available for free inspection through the Coos County official website.
Who Can Request Public Records in Coos County?
Any person may request public records in Coos County under RSA 91-A:4. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Non-residents of New Hampshire retain the same right of access as state residents.
Requesters are not required to:
- Provide identification (for most records)
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, certified copies of vital records are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, as governed by RSA 5-C:100. Individuals requesting their own records follow the same process as any other requester, though they may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted to third parties.
Law enforcement records, including arrest logs and incident reports, are subject to review by the custodial agency prior to release, and portions may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation.
What Records Are Confidential in Coos County?
Not all government records in Coos County are subject to public disclosure. RSA 91-A:5 enumerates specific categories of records exempt from the Right-to-Know Law. The following records are currently withheld from public access under state law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings are confidential under RSA 169-B.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records that would compromise an active investigation are exempt.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed pursuant to RSA 170-B.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential under RSA 169-C.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt except where disclosure is required by law or the employee consents.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
As noted by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, "The exemptions to the Right-to-Know Law are to be construed narrowly, and the burden is on the governmental body to demonstrate that a record falls within an exemption." Agencies must release any non-exempt portions of a document after redacting exempt material.
Coos County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Coos County Registry of Deeds
55 School Street, Suite 103
Lancaster, NH 03584
(603) 788-2392
Coos County Registry of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Coos County Superior Court Clerk's Office
55 School Street
Lancaster, NH 03584
(603) 788-4900
New Hampshire Superior Court – Coos County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Coos County Commission Office
55 School Street
Lancaster, NH 03584
(603) 788-2392
Coos County Commission
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration
71 South Fruit Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-4651
NH Division of Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM