Divorce records in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county registrar's office, and the state vital records office. RockinghamNHCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the court clerk's office where the decision was made directly or order a divorce certificate through the NH Division of Vital Records Administration. For federal cases, electronic documents are stored in the PACER system.
Rockingham Divorce Records Search
In New Hampshire, divorce cases are handled at the Circuit Court — Family Division level. It is the office of this court that keeps the original court documents: divorce decree, property division agreements, child custody orders, and related motions.
Separately from the court, divorce certificates are issued by the NH Division of Vital Records Administration. This is a shorter document that confirms the fact of divorce without details of property or custody arrangements.
The main office of Rockingham County coordinates administrative matters, but divorce records are kept by the court or the state bureau.
10th Circuit Court — Family Division (Brentwood)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Rockingham
The structure of filing divorce cases in New Hampshire differs from many other states. There is no separate "family court" as an independent instance — cases are considered by the Family Division as part of the Circuit Court.
- Circuit Court — Family Division accepts divorce petitions, issues decisions, and keeps the complete court file: decree, settlement agreement, parenting plan, and all interim orders.
- NH Division of Vital Records Administration receives notifications of each divorce and issues official certificates (vital record certificates). Records have been kept since 1808.
If you need a full copy of the court decision with all attachments, contact the Circuit Court office. If a certificate confirming the fact and date of divorce is sufficient, order it from Vital Records.
NH Division of Vital Records Administration
For cases filed in different cities of Rockingham County, the court may also sit in other locations — for example, in Derry or Salem. Check with the office where your case is stored. Salem Office can also assist with directing the request.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Rockingham
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court) | $0.50 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified court copy | $5.00 per document | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate (Vital Records — certified certificate) | $25.00 | 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Records database (search fee, included in certificate price) | Included in $25.00 | — |
| Expedited processing through Vital Records | Additional $5.00 + courier delivery cost | 1–2 weeks |