Arrests.org NH – Public Arrest, Inmate & Mugshot Records

Arrests.org NH functions as a primary entry point for people who need to view New Hampshire arrest records. A single, central database for every detention in the state does not exist. You must search specific locations based on where police detained the person. New Hampshire splits custody data between state prisons and county jails. State prisons hold people with long sentences. County jails hold people waiting for court or serving short terms. You need to know which agency made the arrest to locate the correct files.

This page details every method to locate a person in custody, view mugshots, and check criminal history in New Hampshire. You will learn how to check the ten county jails, the state prison system, and the sex offender registry. We also cover the steps to post bail and how to clean a record through annulment. Follow these steps to locate the data you need.

New Hampshire Custody Systems: State Prison vs. County Jail

New Hampshire separates its correction system into two levels. Knowing the difference saves time. If you search the wrong system, you will find no results.

State Prisons (NHDOC): The New Hampshire Department of Corrections manages these facilities. They house inmates convicted of felonies with sentences longer than one year. The state operates three major prisons. You can search for these inmates using a central online tool.

County Jails (Houses of Correction): Each of the ten counties operates a jail. These facilities hold people arrested recently, those waiting for trial, and inmates serving sentences of less than one year. County jails rarely share data with the state system. Most county jails do not have an online search tool. You often must call them directly.

How to Identify Where a Person is Held

Ask these questions to narrow your search:

• Did the arrest happen recently? If police arrested the person in the last few days, check the county jail in that region.
• Is the person awaiting trial? Pre-trial detainees stay in county jails.
• Was the person convicted of a serious crime? Felons with long sentences go to state prison.
• Which police department made the arrest? Local police take suspects to the county jail. State troopers may take them to a county jail or a state facility depending on the warrant.

New Hampshire Department of Corrections Inmate Search

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) offers a digital locator for state prisoners. This tool covers inmates in the New Hampshire State Prison for Men, the New Hampshire Correctional Facility for Women, and the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility.

Steps to Use the NHDOC Locator

Follow this sequence to view state inmate data:

• Go to the official NHDOC Inmate Locator page.
• Type the inmate’s last name. You can also add the first name to filter results.
• If you know the inmate ID number, enter it for a direct match.
• Review the list of names that appear.
• Select the correct name to view the full file.

The report includes the inmate’s current location, the maximum release date, and the parole eligibility date. It also lists the specific docket numbers for their convictions. This tool does not show people held in county jails.

County Jail Arrest Search: A County-by-County Breakdown

Most arrests in New Hampshire lead to a stay in a county jail. Each county has a Sheriff’s Office and a Department of Corrections. The Sheriff handles warrants and arrests. The Department of Corrections runs the jail. Procedures vary by location.

Belknap County

Belknap County covers Laconia and surrounding towns. The county does not publish an online booking log.

Sheriff’s Office: The Sheriff executes warrants and civil processes. They can confirm if an active warrant exists.

Correctional Facility: The Belknap County Department of Corrections holds inmates. To verify if someone is here, you must call the intake desk. Staff will confirm custody status and bail amounts. They will not give details about the case over the phone, only custody facts.

Carroll County

Carroll County serves the Ossipee area. This facility also lacks an online search portal.

Search Method: Call the Carroll County Department of Corrections directly. Ask for the booking officer. Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject. The officer can tell you if the person is in the facility and when they might go to court.

Cheshire County

Cheshire County includes Keene. The jail is in Westmoreland. This county strictly protects inmate data and does not put rosters on the web.

Verification Steps: Contact the Cheshire County Department of Corrections by phone. You can inquire about visitation rules and bail. If you need police reports, you must contact the specific police department that made the arrest, such as the Keene Police Department.

Coos County

Coos County covers the northern tip of the state. The jail is in West Stewartstown.

Inmate Location: The Coos County Department of Corrections manages the jail. It is a small facility. Phone verification is the only option. The Sheriff’s Office in Lancaster handles warrants but does not run the jail. Call the jail directly for booking data.

Grafton County

Grafton County includes Lebanon and Plymouth. The correctional facility is in North Haverhill.

How to Check: Dial the main number for the Grafton County Department of Corrections. Select the option for the booking room. Officers can verify if a person is present. They can also explain how to put money on an inmate’s account.

Hillsborough County

Hillsborough is the most populated county, covering Manchester and Nashua. It has the largest jail, often called Valley Street Jail.

Search Protocol: The Hillsborough County Department of Corrections does not have a searchable website. Due to the high volume of arrests in Manchester and Nashua, the phone lines stay busy. Call the booking department to check for new arrests. You need the correct spelling of the name. The Sheriff’s Office is separate and handles prisoner transport.

Merrimack County

Merrimack County includes Concord, the state capital. The jail is in Boscawen.

Finding Inmates: Contact the Merrimack County Department of Corrections. They can provide the bail amount and the next court date. Since the State Prison is also in Concord, make sure you are calling the county jail if the person was just arrested. State prisons do not take fresh arrests directly from the street.

Rockingham County

Rockingham County serves the seacoast and southern border towns like Brentwood and Portsmouth.

Records Check: The Rockingham County Department of Corrections operates the jail. You must call for inmate data. The Sheriff’s Office is in the same complex but maintains separate records for warrants. This county processes many arrests, so have the subject’s date of birth ready to speed up the check.

Strafford County

Strafford County covers Dover and Rochester. The jail is in Dover.

Lookup Process: Call the Strafford County Department of Corrections. Ask for the shift supervisor or booking officer. They can confirm if a person is in custody. They can also tell you if the person has been released on bail.

Sullivan County

Sullivan County serves Newport and Claremont. The jail is in Unity.

Contacting the Jail: The Sullivan County Department of Corrections is the point of contact. Phone inquiries are required. The Sheriff’s Office in Newport can assist with questions about civil warrants but not jail roster data.

New Hampshire Warrant Search Procedures

A warrant allows law enforcement to arrest a person. Warrants are not always public record until police execute them. New Hampshire does not have a single “warrant list” for the public.

Types of Warrants

• Bench Warrant: A judge issues this when a person fails to appear in court. These are common.
• Arrest Warrant: Police obtain this when they have evidence a person committed a crime.
• Civil Warrant: Issued for failure to follow court orders in non-criminal cases, like unpaid child support.

How to Check for Warrants

Contact the Sheriff: The Sheriff’s Office in each county holds warrants. You can call and ask if there is a warrant for your arrest. Be aware that if you have a warrant, they will ask you to turn yourself in.

Contact the Court: The New Hampshire Judicial Branch manages case files. You can call the Clerk of Court in the specific district where you suspect a case exists. They can tell you if a bench warrant is active for failure to appear.

Bail Commissioners: If you have a warrant, you might be able to resolve it by seeing a Bail Commissioner or turning yourself in to a local police station. This is safer than waiting to be stopped while driving.

Bail and Release Procedures in NH

When police arrest someone, they may release them on “Personal Recognizance” (PR) bail. This means the person signs a promise to appear in court. No money is paid upfront. If the charge is serious, the court may set “Cash Bail.”

Posting Bail

If the court sets cash bail, you must pay the full amount to the jail or the court. New Hampshire also uses Bail Commissioners. These officials can set bail outside of court hours. To bail someone out:

• Call the jail to get the exact bail amount.
• Ask what forms of payment they accept (cash, certified check, money order).
• Go to the jail lobby or the local police station holding the person.
• Pay the fee. The person is released with a court date.

If you pay cash bail and the defendant shows up to court, the money is returned at the end of the case. If they run, the money is lost to the state.

Criminal History and Background Checks

A background check shows a person’s conviction history. The New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) Criminal Records Unit maintains this database. This is the only official source for a complete criminal history.

Requesting a Record

You can request your own record or a record for someone else if you have their notarized permission. Employers often use this system.

• Form: Download the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form from the NHSP website.
• Fee: The cost is typically $25.
• Submission: Mail the form to the NHSP Criminal Records Unit in Concord or drop it off in person.
• Results: The report lists convictions. It usually does not list arrests that did not end in a conviction unless you request your own full file.

Public access to detailed arrest logs without a conviction is limited under the Right-to-Know law. While arrest logs at police stations are public, the central state database only releases conviction data to the general public.

New Hampshire Sex Offender Registry

The state monitors individuals convicted of sex crimes. The Department of Safety maintains a public registry. This tool helps communities stay safe.

Searching the Registry

You can search by name, town, or zip code. The results show:

• The offender’s photograph.
• Current address.
• Conviction details.
• Physical description.

This registry separates offenders into tiers based on risk. Tier III offenders are on the public list for life. Tier I and II may have different reporting rules. Use this tool to check your neighborhood.

Probation and Parole Status

People released from prison often report to a Probation or Parole Officer. Probation is a sentence instead of prison. Parole is early release from prison.

To check if someone is on probation or parole, contact the nearest NHDOC Field Office. The state is divided into districts. The central NHDOC office can direct you to the correct field officer. The online inmate locator sometimes lists parole status if the person is still under state supervision.

Expunging Criminal Records (Annulment)

New Hampshire uses the term “annulment” rather than expungement. An annulled record is treated as if it never happened. Police and courts seal the file. The public cannot see it.

Eligibility for Annulment

You cannot annul a record immediately. You must wait a specific time after you finish your sentence and pay all fines. The waiting period depends on the crime:

• Violation: 1 year.
• Misdemeanor A: 3 years.
• Misdemeanor B: 1 year.
• Felony: 5 to 10 years, depending on the severity.
• Violent Crimes: Some cannot be annulled.

The Annulment Process

• Get Your Record: Request your criminal history from the State Police to see exactly what is on file.
• File a Petition: Submit a Petition to Annul to the court where you were convicted.
• Pay Fees: The court charges a filing fee. The Department of Corrections also charges a fee to investigate.
• Investigation: The Department of Corrections checks if you have any new crimes.
• Decision: A judge reviews the request. If approved, the court orders the record annulled.

Inmate Communication and Money

Once you locate an inmate, you may want to speak with them or send funds. Rules differ between state and county facilities.

Phone Calls

Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They must call you collect or use a prepaid account. Most NH facilities use a third-party service like GTL or Securus. You must set up an account and add money to receive calls.

Sending Mail

All mail is opened and inspected for contraband. Do not send cash, stamps, or polaroid photos. Use plain white envelopes. Address the letter with the inmate’s full name and ID number.

Inmate Accounts

Inmates need money for the commissary to buy soap, snacks, and paper. You can deposit money online through the jail’s contracted service provider or use a kiosk in the jail lobby. Money orders are also accepted by mail at some locations.

Legal Rights and Public Records Laws

The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A) guarantees public access to government records. This includes police blotters and arrest logs. Police stations must keep a daily log of arrests available for public view. This log includes the name of the person arrested, the charge, and the time of arrest.

However, investigative files are exempt. You cannot see the detective’s notes or witness statements while a case is active. Mugshots are generally considered part of the arrest record, but some departments withhold them to protect the privacy of the accused unless there is a specific public safety need.

Official Contact Data for NH Corrections

Use the table below to contact the correct agency. Always call before going to a facility.

Official Links:
NH Department of Corrections: www.nh.gov/nhdoc
NH Judicial Branch: www.courts.nh.gov
NH State Police Criminal Records: www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common questions about locating recent arrest information in New Hampshire. It explains where arrest records originate, how quickly details become available, and which sources provide the most accurate results. The focus stays on practical steps, local law enforcement roles, and realistic expectations about record timing, helping readers act with clarity before reviewing the questions below.

How do I find out if someone was arrested in NH last night?

To find a recent arrest, you must contact the county jail in the area where the incident occurred. State prisons do not hold people who were just arrested. Determine which town the police department serves and which county that town is in. Then, call the booking department of that county’s Department of Corrections. Ask the officer if the person is on the roster. Online databases often lag by days, so a phone call is the fastest method for new arrests.

Can I see NH mugshots online for free?

New Hampshire does not have a central, free website that displays all mugshots. While some third-party sites scrape data, they are often incomplete or outdated. Local police departments may post arrest logs with photos on their social media pages, but this is not mandatory. To see an official mugshot, you usually need to visit the police station and request to view the arrest log or file a formal Right-to-Know request, though access to photos can still be restricted based on the department’s policy.

Does New Hampshire have a 24-hour hold for arrests?

There is no automatic 24-hour hold law in New Hampshire. However, if a person cannot pay bail or if a Bail Commissioner determines they are a danger to the community, they can be held until they see a judge. This court hearing must happen quickly, usually within 24 to 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. If arrested on a Friday night, the person might stay in jail until Monday morning for their arraignment.

How do I remove my arrest record from the internet?

Removing a record from the internet is difficult because third-party sites copy data quickly. However, you can clear your official legal record through annulment. Once a court annuls your record, you can send that court order to data brokers and websites demanding they remove the content. Many reputable background check companies will update their files to reflect the annulment, but you may need to contact each website individually to get the pages taken down.

What is the difference between a Bail Commissioner and a Judge?

A Bail Commissioner is an official who can set bail when the court is closed. If you are arrested at night, the police call a Bail Commissioner to decide your release conditions. They charge a fee (usually $40) for this service. A Judge reviews bail during court hours. If you cannot afford the bail set by the Commissioner, you stay in jail until you see a Judge, who has the power to lower the amount or release you on personal recognizance.

Are juvenile arrest records public in NH?

Juvenile records are strictly confidential in New Hampshire. The public cannot view files for individuals under 18. These records do not appear on standard background checks. Police and courts keep them sealed to protect the minor’s future. Only the juvenile, their parents, lawyers, and court officials can view these documents. In rare cases involving very violent crimes, a judge may allow a juvenile to be tried as an adult, which could make those specific proceedings public.

How do I check for an active warrant without getting arrested?

Checking for a warrant carries a risk. If you call the police and give your name, and a warrant exists, they will know where you are. The safest way is to have a lawyer call on your behalf. A lawyer can check the status without revealing your location. You can also check with the Clerk of Court for bench warrants related to missed court dates. If you go to the police station to check, bring bail money, as you may be taken into custody immediately if a warrant is found.