New Hampshire FOIA Laws

New Hampshire Right to Know Law

The New Hampshire Right to Know Law is a series of statutes designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of governmental bodies. Public records are any information created, accepted, or obtained by, or on behalf of, any public body.

The New Hampshire Right to Know Law indicates that all “citizens” have a right to access New Hampshire’s records. However the law does not specify whether it is citizens of New Hampshire or the United States. The only requirement for a statement of purpose is the release of statistical data sets that may contain personal information. This must be declared as a request for research. Exempted records may be released to other government agencies for use within only those agencies.Records released as statistical data sets can only be used for research and cannot be distributed to undeclared, non-research personnel. Allow five days for a response to record requests.

The New Hampshire Open Meetings law, which is included in the New Hampshire Right to Know Law, legislates the methods by which public meetings are conducted. Meetings are defined as all gatherings of a quorum of member of a public body for the purpose of deliberating and deciding public policy. If violated, the court can award attorney fees to either party or may void any action taken during a meeting in violation.

Right to Know Law R.S.A. Ch. 91-A

Exempt in records: Investigative files; parole and pardon board records; student records; and certain commercial/financial information.

Closed in meetings: Certain personnel matters, real estate meetings and pending litigation.

Visit, New Hampshire Sample FOIA Request, to view a sample FOIA request for the state.