New Hampshire Warrant Search

A warrant search is a process of querying a law enforcement agency in New Hampshire to release warrant information about a person. Most law enforcement agencies have warrant information in their databases, and copies of such are stored in their Record Units. This allows for disseminating warrant records online, by phone, email, or in person during normal business hours. Warrant records are public in NH to promote public safety. Warrant searches help individuals know if they are wanted for a crime or violated a court order.

New Hampshire maintains a centralized warrant search database that the public may query for warrant information. Additionally, individuals can conduct warrant searches at local courts, City/Town Police Departments, and County Sheriff’s Office/Department. Alternatively, warrant searches can be performed through aggregate third-party websites).

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge authorizing a law enforcement officer to search premises, make an arrest, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice. Judges issue different types of warrants to police officers. Common types of warrants in the NH are arrest, bench, search, and administrative inspection (N.H. Rev. Stat. §595-B) warrants.

Are Warrants Public Record in New Hampshire?

Yes. The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law considers warrant records public. Therefore, everyone can inspect or obtain copies of warrant records maintained by any state or local law enforcement agency. Warrant information like a mugshot, full name, offenses, case and warrant number, current disposition, eye and hair color, height, weight, issue date, sex, race, warrant location, and date of birth is open to the public. Requests for warrant records must be made during the regular or business hours of the agency. However, juvenile and unexecuted search warrants are not public records in New Hampshire.

How Do I Look Up Warrants in New Hampshire?

There are several third-party vendors that provide access to warrant information through their online databases. The search criteria are usually by first and last names. Clicking the search button will lead users to basic warrant information of everyone with the searched name. Most third-party vendors charge between $2.95 and $4.95 for a 7-day unlimited access. A monthly subscription fee costs between $19.95 and $24.95. Note that not all information on third-party sites is accurate and reliable. Therefore, ensure that such information is verified with those provided by government sources.

What is a Search Warrant in New Hampshire?

Individuals seeking search warrants in New Hampshire must appear before a court or justice to give a written statement under oath. The written statement must contain facts, information, and circumstances upon which such person relies to establish probable cause for the warrant issuance. Oral statements must support the written statements. The judge will retain the written statement and take notes or transcribe the oral statements.

Any justice, associate justice, or special justice of the municipal, district, or superior courts can issue a search warrant to officers to search for and seize any property that:

• Has contrabands (N.H. Rev. Stat. §595-A:1)
• Is stolen, embezzled, or fraudulently obtained.
• Has evidence of the crime specified in the search warrant.
• Is designed for use or intended to be used to commit a criminal offense.

Per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 595-A:3, The search warrant must contain the name of the court, county, executing officer’s office, judge’s name, witness’ names, and time of executing the search warrant. It also contains a command to search the premise, person, or item and date of issuance. The missing judge must return the written states, notes, or transcripts to the court where the search warrant is to be returned within 3 days after the issuance of the warrant. Upon executing the search warrant. The law enforcement officer must return the search warrant to the court. The judge must also file the written statement and the notes or transcript supporting the warrant with the court.

• Are Search Warrants Public Records in New Hampshire

  Yes, search warrants are public in New Hampshire (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 595-A:4). All executed search warrants, the written statement under oath, and the notes or transcript are public documents unless otherwise ordered by a court of record.

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Search Warrant in New Hampshire?

  There is no specific timeframe for getting a search warrant in New Hampshire. However, officers can get a warrant as quickly as possible if they electronically submit an emergency search warrant. It should take about a few minutes to hours if probable cause is established by the judge.

• How Long Does a Search Warrant Last

  According to N.H. Rev. Stat. §595-A:7, a search warrant lasts 7 days from the date of issuance. The executing officer must return the search warrant to the court before the deadline. Any warrant not executed before the deadline is considered void.

What is a Bench Warrant in New Hampshire?

Per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 597:37, a court in New Hampshire will issue a bench warrant for the arrest of a person when they fail to appear before the court. This warrant is executed when the person is arrested and brought before the court.

What is an Arrest Warrant in New Hampshire?

Per N.H. Rev. Stat. §592-A:8, a justice of the peace or the circuit court can issue an arrest warrant when a complaint has been filed, stating that an offense has been committed by a person. The warrant will be directed to the county sheriff, their deputy, or any town constable or police officer. The executing law enforcement officer of the arrest warrant can arrest the suspect at any time and place (N.H. Rev. Stat. § 594:7).

How to Check if You Have a Warrant in New Hampshire

Anyone can always visit any law enforcement agency to check if they have a warrant issued in their name. However, such visits must be during normal business hours. The requester must have a valid ID and be ready to provide basic information to facilitate the search. Other ways of finding warrants in NH are by phone and email. For example, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division receives warrant requests by phone at (603) 796-6644 or email at warrants@merrimacksheriff.net.

Individuals can also request their criminal history records by mail or in person from the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit. This service costs $25.00, payable by Cash, check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. A valid Valid photo identification is required to process the request.

Can You Check Warrants Online in New Hampshire?

Yes, Individuals can check warrants online in New Hampshire. Most county sheriff's departments in the state publish warrant information for wanted persons on their Facebook page. A typical example is the Belknap County Sheriff's Department. However, few County Sheriff's Departments, like the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office, publish warrant information on their websites.

How To Find Out If You Have a Warrant for Free

New Hampshire provides different methods of finding warrant records to its citizens. Below are some specific ways a person can find out if they have a warrant in the state:

• Search the warrant search portals provided by City Police Departments, County Sheriff’s Offices, and the State Police.
• Visit the issuing court in person during normal business hours
• Visit, call, or email local police departments or county sheriff’s office during business hours.

How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant Online For Free in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire government provides statewide warrant information to members of the public online at no cost. To use this service, individuals must visit the State Police's official website. Click the “Criminal Offenders” menu at the top bar and locate the Warrants - Non-compliant Offenders Search link. Conduct a search by first name, last name, county, city, or zip.

Alternatively, record seekers can find out about someone's warrant information at local law enforcement agency databases for free. A typical example is the Manchester Police Department, which provides a Warrant Log accessible to members of the public with charges.

There are no limitations to conducting a warrant search in New Hampshire. However, the state provides limitations on using warrant information retrieved from their databases.

How Long Does a Warrant Stay Active in New Hampshire?

Arrest and bench warrants do not expire in New Hampshire. They only become invalid when the subject of the warrant is arrested or appears in court. However, search and administrative inspection warrants expire within 7 days.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Federal Warrant?

There are several options that can be used to check for federal warrants. However, not all options are available to the public. For example, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) provides warrant information to authorized individuals through the Warrant Information System (WIN). The USMS also has a Fugitives List that members of the public can review to know if they have warrants issued in their names. Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes a Fugitives List on its website.