Court records in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, can be searched through several channels. CheshireCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's online tools, by visiting the clerk's office at the courthouse in Keene, or by using public access terminals available on-site. For federal matters, the U.S. District Court for New Hampshire maintains its own electronic filing system.
Cheshire Court System & Jurisdictions
New Hampshire reorganized its trial courts into a unified system under the Circuit Court, which handles most case types at the county level. In Cheshire County, the court that serves residents is the 8th Circuit Court – Keene, located at the Cheshire County Superior Courthouse complex.
Cheshire County Superior Court
The Superior Court is New Hampshire's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases (including those exceeding $25,000)
- Equity matters and injunctions
- Appeals from the Circuit Court
8th Circuit Court – Keene (District Division)
The Circuit Court – District Division handles a broad range of matters:
- Misdemeanor and violation-level criminal cases
- Civil cases up to $25,000
- Small claims (up to $10,000)
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Protective orders (domestic violence and stalking)
8th Circuit Court – Keene (Family Division)
Family Division cases include:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Parenting plans and child custody
- Child support and modification
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Juvenile delinquency and child protection (CHINS)
8th Circuit Court – Keene (Probate Division)
The Probate Division manages:
- Estate administration and will contests
- Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
- Trusts
- Name changes
Traffic violations are generally processed through the District Division of the Circuit Court. If you are unsure which division holds your case, contact the clerk's office or search by party name through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's Court Case Lookup tool.
Federal cases originating in Cheshire County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire in Concord.
Cheshire Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's or upcoming court hearings in Cheshire County, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch publishes daily court calendars online.
- Visit the NH Court Calendars page on the Judicial Branch website.
- Select the court location (Keene) and the division (Superior, District, Family, or Probate).
- Choose the date range — you can view today's schedule, tomorrow's, or hearings for the current week.
Calendars typically list the case number, party names, hearing type, courtroom assignment, and scheduled time. They are updated each business day. If you need information about a specific hearing that is not listed online, call the clerk's office at the courthouse directly.
For law enforcement activity logs rather than court calendars, the Cheshire County Sheriff's Office posts dispatch logs, and the City of Keene publishes police logs separately.
How to Get a Copy of a Cheshire Court Document
Court documents in Cheshire County can be obtained as either certified or uncertified copies. Certified copies carry an official court seal and clerk signature, which you may need for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings in another jurisdiction. Uncertified copies are plain reproductions without the seal.
Methods for Requesting Copies
- In person: Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse in Keene during business hours. Bring the case number or enough identifying details (party names, approximate filing date) so staff can locate the file. You can review the file and request copies on the spot.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office with the case number, document description, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.
- Online: Some case documents are viewable through the NH Judicial Branch's Court Case Lookup. However, downloading or printing certified copies typically still requires an in-person or mail request.
Clerk of Court Mailing Address
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency files
- Abuse and neglect proceedings
- Adoption records
- Records subject to a court-issued confidentiality order
If you are unsure whether a record is available, ask the clerk before submitting payment.
For land-related filings such as deeds, mortgages, and liens, contact the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds. For vital records like birth, death, and marriage certificates, the City of Keene City Clerk or the NH Division of Vital Records Administration can assist.
Cheshire Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in New Hampshire are set by Supreme Court Rule 59 and the Judicial Branch's administrative fee schedule. The following table reflects standard fees that apply at Cheshire County courthouses. Confirm current amounts with the clerk's office, as fees may be updated periodically.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page, uncertified) | $0.50 |
| Certification of document | $5.00 per document |
| Search of court records (per name/case) | No charge for basic lookups at the counter; complex searches may incur staff time fees |
| Exemplified copy (for use in another state) | $10.00 |
| Appeal filing fee (Superior Court) | Varies by case type |
| Audio recording copy of hearing | $10.00 per CD/recording |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, and in some locations credit/debit cards are accepted.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "State of New Hampshire – Judicial Branch."
For federal case documents, PACER charges $0.10 per page with a per-document cap of $3.00. PACER fees are billed quarterly and waived if charges total less than $30 in a quarter.
If you need help identifying the correct court or locating a specific docket, CheshireCourt.us provides a convenient starting point for searching publicly available Cheshire County case information.