Anyone looking for courts in New Hampshire will find a simpler structure than in many states. There is one statewide judicial system, run by the state, with courthouses spread across all ten counties. Our directory lists 44 court locations in 33 cities, from Manchester and Nashua in the south to Colebrook, Lancaster, and Berlin in the North Country. This page explains how those locations fit together, which one handles which kind of problem, and how to prepare before you travel.

How the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Is Organized

Every court in the state belongs to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch. The Supreme Court in Concord sits at the top. It has five justices and hears appeals from the trial courts. Judges at every level are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Executive Council. Voters do not elect them, and judges must retire at age 70.

Below the Supreme Court are two trial-court systems, and most residents deal with one of them:

Many entries in our listings still carry the older name, such as Exeter District Court (listed at 10 Route 125 in Brentwood), Derry District Court, or Franklin District Court. Locals still use those names. They generally refer to the Circuit Court's District Division at that address. A single building often hosts more than one division, but not always, so a short phone call can save a wasted trip.

Because the system is statewide, the basic rules and forms are largely the same whether you file in Nashua or Colebrook. That consistency helps people who move or who live far from the courthouse where a case began. Fees, forms, and local scheduling details still vary, so verify them with the clerk.

Which New Hampshire Court Handles Your Problem

Choosing the wrong courthouse is the most common early mistake. Use this list as a starting point:

Criminal cases often begin in the District Division and move to Superior Court if the charge is a felony. Felony indictments come from a grand jury, a group of residents who decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed.

Some common errands never reach a courtroom. Marriage licenses come from a city or town clerk, not from a court. Vehicle registrations and many records requests also go through municipal or state offices. If you are unsure, call the clerk's office at the nearest listing. Clerks can explain procedures and deadlines, but they cannot give legal advice.

Southern Cities Versus the North Country: How Access Differs

The map of court locations mirrors the state's population. The southern tier is dense, and the north is wide and quiet.

Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Merrimack Counties

Hillsborough County holds the state's two largest cities. Manchester District Court on Amherst Street and Nashua District Court on Walnut Street handle heavy caseloads, and the county's Superior Court operates in both cities through northern and southern districts. Goffstown District Court on Mast Road serves the nearby suburbs. Rockingham County has eight listings, including Brentwood, home to two listings on Route 125, Derry District Court on Manning Street, and Candia District Court on Raymond Road. In Merrimack County, Concord District Court on Clinton Street serves the capital, while Franklin, Henniker, and Hooksett each have their own District Court locations.

In these busy areas, expect lines at security and crowded dockets. Arrive at least thirty minutes early, allow time to park, and confirm your courtroom before you leave home.

Grafton, Coos, and Carroll Counties

The north looks different. Coos County is the state's northernmost county, with listings in Berlin, Colebrook, and Lancaster and long drives between them. Grafton County locations include Haverhill District Court on Dartmouth College Highway, Littleton District Court on Main Street, and Lebanon District Court on Centerra Parkway in the Upper Valley. Carroll County has Carroll County Court in Ossipee and a North Carroll County location on East Conway Road in Conway. Winter storms can close roads and delay hearings, so check for closure notices on the morning of your appearance and keep the clerk's number handy.

Seacoast, Lakes, and Monadnock Regions

Elsewhere, Strafford County is served by Dover District Court on Saint Thomas Street and Durham District Court on Main Street. Laconia District Court on Academy Street serves the Lakes Region in Belknap County. Cheshire County Court in Keene and Jaffrey Peterborough District Court on Peterborough Street cover the Monadnock area. Newport District Court on Main Street and Claremont District Court on Tremont Street serve Sullivan County. Smaller courthouses may schedule certain hearing types on particular days rather than every weekday, so ask the clerk when yours is heard.

Preparing for a New Hampshire Courthouse Visit

A few habits prevent most problems:

Phone numbers in our listings are the fastest way to confirm hours and filing rules. A few entries, such as Berlin District Court at 220 Main Street, have no phone number in our data. For those, check the Judicial Branch website or ask a nearby court for current contact details.

If you cannot afford an attorney, several resources exist. New Hampshire Legal Assistance offers free help to eligible low-income residents in civil matters. The New Hampshire Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. The Judicial Branch website offers forms, self-help guides, and case information. Use them before your hearing, not after.

Courts in New Hampshire operate under a unified state judicial system that handles everything from traffic infractions and small claims disputes to major felony trials and civil litigation. The New Hampshire Supreme Court serves as the highest state court with authority over all state court matters.

Courts locations are available in 33 cities across New Hampshire. They are spread across 10 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Haverhill, Keene, Concord, reflecting areas where county seats and urban centers house multiple court divisions to handle high caseloads.

Residents of New Hampshire should know which court has jurisdiction over their matter — whether it is a municipal, district, circuit, or superior court — before filing documents or appearing for a hearing.

Courts by Counties

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Residents of New Hampshire who need to access court services should identify the correct court for their matter, check the court's website for filing fees, forms, and procedures, and consider using the court's self-help resources if they are not represented by an attorney.

Browse Courts by county across New Hampshire to find the nearest location.

Court Services in Smaller New Hampshire Towns

New Hampshire is a state of small towns, and its court map reflects that. Of the 33 cities with listings, many have a single courthouse that serves several surrounding communities. Jaffrey Peterborough District Court, for example, takes its name from the two towns it covers. Newport and Claremont share Sullivan County's workload, and Haverhill, Littleton, and Lebanon do the same across Grafton County.

That arrangement means your courthouse is set by where an incident happened or where the parties live, not always by the nearest building. A traffic stop is usually handled by the court covering that town. A civil dispute is generally assigned by where the people or businesses involved are located. Check the notice you were given, or ask a clerk before you drive.

Town and city governments are separate from the courts. Local police departments and town clerks handle their own paperwork, while the court handles hearings and filings. County sheriffs, who are elected in each county, often serve court papers such as summonses. If a form asks you to deliver papers to another party, ask the clerk who is allowed to do it and how proof of delivery must be filed. Keep copies of everything, and write down the case number on every page you touch.

A New Hampshire traffic ticket is normally handled by the Circuit Court's District Division serving the town where the violation occurred. The ticket lists your options, which typically include pleading by mail or appearing on a set date. Read the deadline carefully, because missing it can lead to added penalties and license consequences through the state's Division of Motor Vehicles. If you want to contest the charge, call the court named on your ticket, such as Manchester District Court at 603-624-6510 or Concord District Court at 603-271-6400, and ask how to request a hearing. Keep a copy of everything you send or sign.

Small claims in New Hampshire go to the Circuit Court's District Division and cover disputes up to $10,000. Typical examples are unpaid bills, security deposit disputes, and property damage. The court is generally chosen by where the parties live or do business, so ask the clerk which location is correct. A dispute involving a Nashua business, for instance, may be handled through Nashua District Court at 25 Walnut Street. Filing fees depend on the claim, so confirm the current amount before you go. Gather receipts, contracts, photos, and written messages, and bring several copies to the hearing.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. A civil protective order is requested through the Circuit Court's Family Division, and emergency requests are usually reviewed quickly. A court location such as Dover District Court at 25 Saint Thomas Street or Laconia District Court at 26 Academy Street can direct you to the right desk. Advocates at local crisis centers can explain the process, help with safety planning, and often accompany you at no cost. Bring any photos, messages, or police reports you have. Ask the clerk what the court needs to arrange delivery of the order to the other person.

These matters belong to the Probate Division of the Circuit Court, which also handles adoptions. Probate filings are generally tied to the county where the person lives or lived, so a Rockingham County resident and a Coos County resident use different locations. Call a nearby Circuit Court listing, such as Haverhill District Court at 603-787-6626 or Newport District Court at 603-863-1832, to confirm where probate matters for your county are filed. Ask about required forms and fees. Estate cases can carry deadlines, so contact the court promptly after a death rather than waiting.

Yes. Self-representation is allowed in the state's trial courts, and many people handle small claims, landlord-tenant, and family matters without an attorney. The Judicial Branch website provides forms and plain-language guides, and clerks can explain procedure and deadlines. They cannot advise you on strategy or what to say. For help, contact New Hampshire Legal Assistance if you qualify as low-income, or the New Hampshire Bar Association's lawyer referral service. Criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel can ask the court to appoint one. For serious matters such as contested custody or a felony charge, even one consultation with a lawyer can protect your rights.

Coos, northern Grafton, and northern Carroll counties see heavy snow and long drives between towns. If your hearing is at Colebrook District Court (17 Bridge Street, 603-237-4229), Coos County Court in Lancaster (55 School Street, 603-788-4702), or Littleton District Court (134 Main Street, 603-444-7750), leave early and check road conditions. The Judicial Branch announces weather delays and closures online, but call the clerk if you are unsure. Never skip a hearing without contacting the court, because a missed appearance can lead to a default judgment or an arrest warrant. If you cannot travel safely, ask right away about rescheduling.