Sullivan County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Sullivan County in 2026
SullivanCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Sullivan County, New Hampshire. Members of the public seeking records such as property deeds, court filings, vital records, and tax assessments may locate relevant data through this resource. Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- Meeting minutes and government agendas
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
Records in Sullivan County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The New Hampshire Court System's online case lookup provides access to civil and criminal case information. Property records and deeds are maintained by the Sullivan County Registry of Deeds, which offers an online search portal through the county's official website. Some records require registration or a fee to access in full.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Sullivan County Registry of Deeds or the Sullivan County Superior Court to inspect records in person. The Registry of Deeds is located at 22 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail, including the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and any applicable fees. Under New Hampshire law, agencies are required to respond to requests within five business days.
Phone/Email: The Sullivan County Registry of Deeds may be reached by phone at (603) 863-2110. The Sullivan County Superior Court can be contacted at (603) 863-3450.
What Are Public Records in Sullivan County?
Public records in Sullivan County are defined under New Hampshire RSA § 91-A, the Right-to-Know Law, as governmental records made or maintained by any public body or public agency. The following record types are available to the public:
- Court records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch
- Property records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Sullivan County Registry of Deeds
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration
- Business records: Licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations maintained by the New Hampshire Secretary of State
- Tax records: Property tax bills and assessment records maintained by municipal assessing offices within Sullivan County
- Voting and election records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the New Hampshire Secretary of State
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Records of county commission and board meetings maintained by the Sullivan County Administrator's Office
- Budget and financial documents: County financial reports and budget documents available through the county government
- Law enforcement records: Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted, maintained by local police departments and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records: Permits and zoning decisions maintained by municipal planning and zoning boards
Is Sullivan County an Open Records County?
Sullivan County follows New Hampshire's statewide open records framework. Under RSA § 91-A, the Right-to-Know Law, all governmental records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The law applies to all public bodies and agencies operating within the state, including county-level offices in Sullivan County.
As stated in the New Hampshire Attorney General's guidance on the Right-to-Know Law: "The purpose of RSA 91-A 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."
The law requires that public bodies allow inspection of records promptly and without unreasonable delay. Sullivan County offices are obligated to comply with these provisions. The New Hampshire Attorney General's Right-to-Know Law overview provides additional guidance on how the law is applied across state and county agencies.
No county-specific ordinance supersedes the state Right-to-Know Law. All Sullivan County departments operate under the same statutory framework applicable statewide.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sullivan County?
Current fees for public records in Sullivan County vary by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under RSA § 91-A:4, agencies may charge fees for copies of records, but inspection of records must be permitted without charge.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25–$1.00 (varies by office) |
| Certified copies of vital records | $15.00 per copy |
| Registry of Deeds document copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified deed copies | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification |
| Electronic records | Varies by office |
- Inspection fees: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records.
- Copy fees: Paper copies are charged per page; rates vary by department.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records are available through the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration at $15.00 per certified copy.
- Electronic format fees: Some offices provide electronic copies at reduced or no cost; requesters should confirm with the specific office.
- Search fees: New Hampshire law does not authorize agencies to charge search fees for standard public records requests.
Accepted payment methods at most Sullivan County offices include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance varies by office.
Does Sullivan County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Sullivan County. RSA § 91-A requires that members of the public be permitted to inspect governmental records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection is free, obtaining physical or electronic copies may involve fees as described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- The New Hampshire Court System's case lookup tool allows free online access to court case information.
- The New Hampshire Secretary of State's QuickStart portal provides free access to business entity records.
- The New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration allows individuals to verify certain vital record information online at no cost.
- Municipal assessing offices within Sullivan County permit free in-person inspection of property tax and assessment records.
Members of the public may inspect records at the Sullivan County Registry of Deeds and other county offices without charge during posted business hours.
Who Can Request Public Records in Sullivan County?
Any person may request public records in Sullivan County. Under New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law, there is no residency requirement, and requesters are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most record types. This applies equally to residents and non-residents of New Hampshire.
Specific provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents have the same right of access as residents.
- Identification: Not required for general public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification when releasing records that contain sensitive personal information.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a reason for most public records requests.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as adoption records, juvenile court records, and sealed court files, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as vital records or court records, may be required to provide proof of identity to verify eligibility.
The New Hampshire Attorney General's office provides guidance on the rights of requesters under the Right-to-Know Law.
What Records Are Confidential in Sullivan County?
Certain records maintained by Sullivan County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. RSA § 91-A:5 enumerates specific categories of records that are not subject to public inspection, including:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under New Hampshire law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personal identifiers are protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under New Hampshire law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Division for Children, Youth and Families are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public employee information.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records related to the security of public facilities are exempt from disclosure.
As noted in the New Hampshire Attorney General's guidance: "The exemptions in RSA 91-A:5 are to be construed narrowly, and the burden is on the public body to demonstrate that a record falls within an exemption."
Sullivan County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Sullivan County Registry of Deeds 22 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773 (603) 863-2110 Sullivan County Registry of Deeds
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Sullivan County Superior Court 22 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773 (603) 863-3450 New Hampshire Judicial Branch – Sullivan County Superior Court
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sullivan County Sheriff's Office 22 Main Street, Newport, NH 03773 (603) 863-4200 Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration 71 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-4650 New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
New Hampshire Secretary of State – Business Services Division 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-3246 New Hampshire Secretary of State
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM