About Merrimack County

County Seat Concord
Population 153,000 residents
Area 956 square miles
Established 1823

Merrimack County is located in the south-central region of New Hampshire, serving as one of the state's ten counties since its establishment in 1823. Merrimack County seat is Concord, which also is the state capital of New Hampshire. Merrimack County includes approximately 934 square miles and has a population of roughly 153,000 residents according to recent census estimates. Merrimack County is bordered by Belknap County to the north, Rockingham and Hillsborough counties to the south, Grafton County to the west, and Strafford County to the east. Major municipalities within Merrimack County include Concord, Franklin, Pembroke, Bow, Hooksett, Allenstown, and Henniker. The Merrimack River flows through Merrimack County, providing both historical significance and natural beauty. Notable landmarks include the New Hampshire State House in Concord, one of the oldest state capitols in continuous legislative use, and Canterbury Shaker Village, a preserved 18th-century religious community. Merrimack County Registry of Deeds, located at 163 North Main Street in Concord, maintains all land records for Merrimack County. Merrimack County Attorney's Office is situated at 163 North Main Street as well, while Merrimack County Superior Court operates from 163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301. Merrimack County's economy has historically centered on government administration due to Concord's role as the state capital, along with manufacturing, healthcare, and educational services.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Citizens may request arrest records by contacting the arresting agency directly or filing a written request with the specific police department.
  • Some departments require in-person requests and may charge copying fees as permitted under RSA 91-A:4.
163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond and bail process in New Hampshire allows for cash or surety bonds, and information on recently arrested individuals can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or the Department of Corrections.

Courts & Case Records

  • Remote access to case information requires registration and payment, with fees established by the New Hampshire Supreme Court Administrative Rules.
  • Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, payable to the Clerk of Court.
  • In-person records research is available during normal business hours at no charge for viewing, though copying fees apply.
  • Not all records are available online, particularly sealed cases, juvenile matters, and certain domestic violence records protected by statute.
163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
32 Clinton Street, Concord, NH 03301

Property & Public Records

  • Certified copies cost $10 for up to five pages and $1 for each additional page.
  • Recording fees at the Registry of Deeds are $10 for the first page and $4 for each additional page under RSA 478:17-g.
163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Certified copies of birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
  • Death certificates follow the same fee structure.
  • Marriage licenses are issued by the town or city clerk in the county where the ceremony will take place, with a fee of $50.
  • Processing time for vital records is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and immediate for walk-in requests if the record is readily available.
  • Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all vital record requests.
41 Green Street, Concord, NH 03301
71 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH 03301

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • This database includes formation documents, registered agents, annual report filings, and current status.
  • The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, located at 49 South Main Street, Suite 104, Concord, NH 03301, website at www.concordnhchamber.com, provides business resources and networking opportunities.
107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
41 Green Street handles business registrations and certain local licenses for businesses operating within the city. Professional and occupational licenses are issued by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification at 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Merrimack County, New Hampshire?
To search for someone recently arrested in Merrimack County, you can contact the Merrimack County Department of Corrections. They maintain an inmate lookup process that can be accessed by visiting their facility or calling their main office. They may provide an online inmate search tool on their official website where you can find information about recent arrests and current inmates.
Mugshots or booking photos in Merrimack County can be obtained from the Merrimack County Sheriff's Office. They may provide these records upon request, and some booking photos might be available through an online portal on their official website. It's important to note that access to these records may be subject to certain restrictions under New Hampshire law.
To obtain a criminal background check in Merrimack County, you should contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Criminal Records Unit. They handle background checks for the state, and you can request a check by submitting the appropriate forms and fees. Local police departments in Merrimack County may also assist with fingerprinting services required for the background check process.
You can look up sex offenders in Merrimack County by accessing the New Hampshire Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the New Hampshire Department of Safety and provides an online search tool where you can find information about registered sex offenders in the county. The registry includes details such as the offender's name, address, and offense.
Voter registration in Merrimack County is handled by your local city or town clerk's office, not at the county level. New Hampshire allows same-day voter registration at the polls, so you can register when you vote, though registering in advance with your clerk is recommended. You will need proof of identity, age, citizenship, and domicile (such as a driver's license, passport, or utility bill). Absentee ballot applications are available through your town clerk or at sos.nh.gov/elections and must be requested with a qualifying reason under New Hampshire law.
Property records in Merrimack County are maintained by the Merrimack County Registry of Deeds at 163 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301, phone (603) 228-0101. The Registry offers free online access to recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements at https://www.merrimackdeeds.com, with searchable records dating back to the 1800s. For property tax assessments and current valuations, contact the assessor's office in the specific municipality where the property is located. Most towns provide online property card access through their municipal websites.
Birth and death certificates in New Hampshire are maintained by the city or town clerk where the event occurred, as well as by the New Hampshire Division of Vital Records Administration at 71 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH 03301, phone (603) 271-4654. Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered at the same time. You can request records in person, by mail with proper identification and payment, or online through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks for mail requests, while in-person requests are often filled immediately if the record is readily available.
Business entity registrations in New Hampshire are maintained by the Secretary of State's office, not at the county level. You can search for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and trade names free of charge at https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/Account/LandingPage. Local business licenses and permits are issued by individual city and town clerks within Merrimack County, such as the Concord City Clerk at (603) 225-8500. Professional licenses are managed by the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification at (603) 271-2152, and building permits are handled by municipal planning and code enforcement departments.

Nearby Counties

Hillsborough County NH Rockingham County NH Strafford County NH Grafton County NH Belknap County NH Sullivan County NH