NH · Warrant guide
Is there an online warrant search in New Hampshire?
No — New Hampshire has no public online warrant search. Here’s how to find out.
Last verified 2026-07-23Coverage No online searchJurisdiction New Hampshire
Why there’s no single online search
New Hampshire has no statewide public 'active warrant' search, and public remote access to court case records is limited.
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch does not offer a general public online case-search or warrant-status lookup for the public to enter a name and see whether a warrant is active.
To confirm a warrant, contact the clerk of the specific court that would have issued it, or the local police department or county sheriff.
How to find out if you have a warrant in New Hampshire
Warrants are issued by courts and served by sheriffs — so the surest way to confirm one is to ask the source directly. Work down this list.
-
Contact the clerk of the specific New Hampshire court where the case is pending
Most criminal, traffic, and violation matters begin in the Circuit Court (District Division); felonies are handled in the Superior Court. Contact the clerk of the court in the town/county where your charge or citation was filed to ask whether an active bench/failure-to-appear warrant exists and to learn any bail amount or court date.
Open official site -
Contact the local police department or county sheriff that would have sought the warrant
In New Hampshire, local police departments and county sheriffs hold and serve warrants. Ask the department or sheriff's records staff whether a warrant is outstanding for you.
Open official site -
Request your own New Hampshire criminal record from the State Police Criminal Records Unit
The New Hampshire State Police, within the Department of Safety, operate the Criminal Records Unit, which processes personal criminal-history record requests. This returns criminal history, not a live warrant search. Use the State Police page for the current request form and process.
Open official site
Types of warrants in New Hampshire
Not every warrant means the same thing. These are the common types.
- Bench warrant / failure-to-appear
- FTA) warrant — issued by a judge when a person misses a required court date or does not comply with a court order
- Arrest warrant
- probable-cause) — issued on a sworn showing of probable cause that a person committed an offense
- Search warrant — authorizes law enforcement to search a specified place or person
What happens if a warrant is ignored
A warrant does not expire on its own; it stays active until the court recalls it or you are arrested on it.
You can be taken into custody during any routine contact with law enforcement, such as a traffic stop.
A bench/failure-to-appear warrant can lead to an additional failure-to-appear charge, and for unresolved motor-vehicle matters your driving privileges may be affected in some circumstances.
Any bail already posted may be forfeited.
What you can do
Procedural steps only — no outcome is predicted.
Verify the warrant directly with the court that issued it (the clerk of the Circuit Court or Superior Court in the issuing jurisdiction).
Confirm the exact case, the charge, any bail or bond amount, and whether a court date is set.
Gather your identification and case details.
Consider resolving it promptly rather than waiting for an arrest — options can include appearing before the court, asking the court to recall or quash the warrant, or arranging to surrender on your own schedule.
Your rights. You have the right to talk to a lawyer about your situation, and if you cannot afford one, you can ask the court about a public defender.
Common questions about warrants in New Hampshire
Is there an online warrant search in New Hampshire?
No public online warrant search exists in New Hampshire. Here’s how to find out through the court or sheriff.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in New Hampshire?
Contact the clerk of the court that issued the warrant or the county sheriff’s records or warrant division. Contact the clerk of the specific New Hampshire court where the case is pending; Contact the local police department or county sheriff that would have sought the warrant; Request your own New Hampshire criminal record from the State Police Criminal Records Unit.
What happens if a warrant is ignored in New Hampshire?
A warrant does not expire on its own; it stays active until the court recalls it or you are arrested on it. You can be taken into custody during any routine contact with law enforcement, such as a traffic stop. A bench/failure-to-appear warrant can lead to an additional failure-to-appear charge, and for unresolved motor-vehicle matters your driving privileges may be affected in some circumstances. Any bail already posted may be forfeited.
What should I do about a warrant in New Hampshire?
Verify the warrant directly with the court that issued it (the clerk of the Circuit Court or Superior Court in the issuing jurisdiction). Confirm the exact case, the charge, any bail or bond amount, and whether a court date is set. Gather your identification and case details. Consider resolving it promptly rather than waiting for an arrest — options can include appearing before the court, asking the court to recall or quash the warrant, or arranging to surrender on your own schedule.
Sources & official links
Everything on this page links out to official government sources. We don’t store or search records.
Last verified 2026-07-23 · 2 official sources