Annulment Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
Criminal record annulment • Public records guide
Annulment of Criminal Records: How to Search Cases, File a Petition and Verify an Order
Trying to find out whether a criminal record was annulled—or how to request an annulment? The correct answer depends on where the case was filed, what happened in court, and the state’s laws.
New Hampshire specifically uses the legal term annulment of criminal records under RSA 651:5. Other states commonly use record sealing, expungement or set-aside procedures instead.
Reviewed against official New Hampshire court, legislative and federal consumer-protection sources: October 16, 2026.
Start here
What Does Annulment of Criminal Records Mean?
Criminal record annulment is a legal process that changes how qualifying arrest, conviction and sentencing records are treated. In New Hampshire, the statutory authority is RSA 651:5, which allows qualifying records to be annulled through the court or through specified statutory processes.
An annulment can restrict public access to court and criminal-history information and provide legal relief under the applicable statute. It does not guarantee that all historical references, newspaper coverage, third-party archives or legally retained law-enforcement information vanish.
Annulment
New Hampshire’s named statutory process for qualifying criminal arrests, convictions and sentences.
Expungement
In many jurisdictions, a procedure to clear or restrict specified criminal records. Its legal effects vary.
Sealing
Usually restricts public access while maintaining records for certain authorized uses, as defined by local law.
Find the underlying case
How to Search Criminal Cases Before Requesting Annulment
Most people need the original case number, court, charge and final disposition before they can determine the correct relief procedure. Start with the court where the charge was resolved rather than searching an unrelated national people-search directory.
- Identify the state and filing court.
Check arrest paperwork, a court notice, disposition or sentence. If the case was in New Hampshire, use the New Hampshire Judicial Branch resources. Elsewhere, use the appropriate state court system.
- Locate the original docket information.
Ask the court clerk for the case number, case title, filing date and final outcome when this information is lawfully available.
- Request the actual disposition.
Confirm whether charges resulted in dismissal, acquittal, a conviction subsequently vacated, or another final result. These outcomes can carry different annulment rules.
- Record sentence-completion dates.
For conviction-based petitions, eligibility may depend on when fines, probation, restitution and other sentence requirements were completed.
- Check whether relief may already apply.
Some cases are subject to statutory automatic annulment provisions. Ask the court or state repository to confirm the applicable rules rather than filing unnecessarily.
- Keep your research private and accurate.
Use records belonging to the correct person, do not misidentify a name match and do not attempt to circumvent sealed-record restrictions.
New Hampshire-specific process
How to Petition for Annulment of Criminal Records in New Hampshire
New Hampshire courts provide official annulment forms and instructions. RSA 651:5 governs ordinary criminal-record annulment, with additional specialized provisions for certain circumstances. This is the most directly relevant U.S. statutory framework for the exact phrase “annulment of criminal records.”
- Review RSA 651:5 and related provisions.
Identify the charge, its final disposition, date and sentence. Different categories have different eligibility and waiting-period requirements.
- Choose the correct court form.
From the official New Hampshire Law Library annulment guide, use the District Division form resources or follow the Superior Court criminal forms link and search for “annulment.”
- Determine whether a petition is needed.
For specified nonconviction outcomes disposed of on or after January 1, 2019, New Hampshire law provides automatic annulment rules. Other outcomes may require a petition, and special rules apply to some cases.
- Complete the petition.
Enter the correct docket, charges, disposition and identifying information. Verify whether a separate petition is required for each court or case.
- Check fees and waiver eligibility.
Do not assume every petition costs the same. Court filing charges, investigation fees and state police record-correction fees have separate statutory rules and exceptions.
- Submit the petition to the appropriate court.
Use that court’s required filing method. New Hampshire Superior Court offers electronic filing instructions for petitions in existing criminal cases.
- Respond to any court requirements.
A prosecutor may have an opportunity to respond. The court may conduct a hearing or decide eligible matters under the applicable procedure.
- Preserve the order and verify updates.
If relief is granted, keep a copy of the order or certificate and follow the court or state police instructions concerning record updates.
Eligibility and timing
New Hampshire Annulment Waiting Periods and Special Rules
Waiting periods are not calculated simply from the arrest date. For many convictions, the clock begins after all sentence requirements are completed. The exact statutory subsection, offense type, conviction date and exceptions must be checked.
| Record category | General statutory treatment | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying dismissal or acquittal, disposed of on/after Jan. 1, 2019 | Automatic annulment is provided by RSA 651:5, II-a, generally after the prescribed 30-day period or applicable appeal resolution. | All charges from the arrest and appeal circumstances matter; check the statutory text. |
| Certain earlier dismissals or acquittals | Petition may be available without an ordinary post-conviction waiting period. | Check subsection II and the court instructions. |
| Ordinary qualifying violations | Often one year under the applicable statutory subsection. | Enhanced-penalty and other exceptions apply. |
| Class B misdemeanor | Commonly two years under RSA 651:5. | Specific categories and conviction dates can change the process. |
| Class A misdemeanor | Commonly three years under the general rule. | Certain offenses have longer periods or other restrictions. |
| Class B felony | Commonly five years under the ordinary rule. | Some statutes provide different periods or bars. |
| Class A felony | Commonly ten years under the ordinary rule. | Certain serious offenses may be ineligible. |
| DWI offenses | Special restrictions and waiting rules. | Read RSA 265-A:21 and the relevant RSA 651:5 provisions. |
| Qualifying older marijuana-possession offenses | A specialized annulment provision exists under RSA 651:5-b. | It covers specified offenses occurring before September 16, 2017 and the statutory quantity limit. |
Change scheduled for January 1, 2027
As of October 16, 2026, RSA 651:5 includes text scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, concerning filing fees for certain petitions related to qualifying nonconviction outcomes. Do not treat a future effective provision as already operative. Check the current version of the law when filing.
Check Effective Statutory Language ↗Costs and documentation
How Much Does Criminal Record Annulment Cost?
New Hampshire’s process can involve more than one charge, but not every petitioner pays every fee. Filing fees, investigation fees and state police record-update charges are separate.
| Potential cost | What the law or instructions say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing charge | The New Hampshire Superior Court’s published e-filing instructions identify a $125 Petition to Annul filing code. | Confirm the applicable current court fee and any waiver or exception. |
| Corrections investigation | RSA 651:5 provides for a $100 investigation fee in applicable matters, subject to statutory exceptions. | Check whether the investigation and fee apply to your case. |
| State police correction | RSA 651:5 provides for a $100 fee for eligible successful petitioners to update criminal history, subject to exceptions and waivers. | Review the order, statutory exemptions and indigency procedures. |
| Other states | There is no uniform nationwide annulment filing fee. | Find the official court form and current local fee schedule. |
The Superior Court document referenced is a historical e-filing instruction; verify today’s filing charge before submitting. Special proceedings and statutory waivers can differ.
Choose the relevant process
Criminal Record Annulment and Expungement Route Finder
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Beyond New Hampshire
Annulment, Expungement and Sealing in Other U.S. States
Most U.S. states do not use “annulment of criminal records” as the principal name for their general criminal-record-clearing process. Searching the wrong legal term can lead to marriage-annulment forms or irrelevant court services.
Expungement or expunction
Common wording in many states. Look up “[state] expungement criminal record” on the state courts’ official website and read which dispositions qualify.
Sealing or limited access
Some states restrict public access while retaining records for authorized law-enforcement, court or licensing purposes.
Set-aside or vacatur
A jurisdiction may allow a conviction to be set aside or vacated. This is not necessarily the same as destroying or sealing the related records.
Automatic record clearing
Some states provide automatic relief for qualifying offenses, sometimes called Clean Slate. Automatic eligibility rules and processing times vary.
How to find the correct state process
- Open USA.gov’s official state government directory.
- Select the state where the criminal case was filed.
- Find that state’s judicial branch or court self-help website.
- Search the official website for expungement, sealing, set-aside or record clearance.
- Read the eligibility conditions, then locate the relevant petition or automatic-relief rules.
- Contact the original court for case-specific record requests and certified orders.
After a decision
How to Verify That a Criminal Record Was Annulled
Once relief has been granted, verification is different from ordinary public record lookup. In New Hampshire, RSA 651:5 governs the effect of an annulment order, sealing of court records and notification to relevant agencies. The court may retain records that are not open to the general public.
- Keep the court’s order or certificate.
Use the official document you were issued as the primary confirmation that the court granted annulment.
- Identify exactly which charges were covered.
A criminal case may involve more than one charge or arrest. Do not assume relief for one count covers every record.
- Ask about state police updates.
Follow the relevant agency’s authorized process to verify that its criminal-history records reflect the order.
- Review background reports when you are entitled to them.
Obtain your own consumer background report through the reporting company’s disclosure procedures if you believe an obsolete or legally restricted record is being reported.
- Dispute incorrect reporting.
Provide the reporting company with appropriate proof of annulment and dispute inaccuracies under applicable consumer-reporting law.
- Consult the court about remaining problems.
If an authorized source appears not to have implemented the order, contact the record custodian or obtain qualified legal help.
Background check accuracy
What If an Annulled or Expunged Record Still Appears on a Background Check?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has addressed inaccurate background reports involving records that were sealed, expunged or otherwise legally restricted from public access. Consumer-reporting agencies must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s accuracy requirements.
If an employment or rental report includes a criminal record that should no longer be reported, obtain your copy of the report, identify the source of the information and submit a dispute to the reporting company. Include documentation where appropriate and preserve correspondence.
Troubleshooting
Common Criminal Record Annulment Problems and Solutions
| Situation | Possible reason | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot find a case online | Record may be sealed, annulled, archived or maintained outside the public portal. | Ask the appropriate court about authorized access; do not try to bypass restrictions. |
| Petition rejected as premature | Waiting period, sentence conditions or other eligibility requirements may not be satisfied. | Check completion dates and the applicable statutory subsection. |
| Dismissed case remains public | Processing delay, incorrect eligibility assumption or reporting problem. | Verify the disposition date and automatic annulment requirements with the court. |
| Multiple charges in one case | Different counts can carry different relief eligibility. | Review each count, disposition and sentence separately. |
| Background company reports old case | Company may have outdated or improperly restricted information. | Request your report, dispute inaccuracies and follow CFPB/FTC consumer-rights guidance. |
| Court granted relief but state record remains | Notification, processing, fee or record-identification issue. | Contact the court and authorized repository with the order or certificate. |
Frequently asked questions
Annulment of Criminal Records FAQs
1. What is annulment of criminal records?
It is a legal procedure that changes the status and accessibility of qualifying criminal records. New Hampshire specifically authorizes annulment under RSA 651:5, with legal consequences defined in that statute.
2. Which U.S. state uses annulment of criminal records?
New Hampshire explicitly uses the term in RSA 651:5. Other states commonly call related remedies expungement, sealing, set-aside or record clearance.
3. How do I search for an annulled criminal case?
Start by identifying the court and case number. If the case has been annulled and sealed, it may not appear in a public case search. Authorized verification may require the original court order or contact with the custodian.
4. Can dismissed charges be annulled automatically in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire law provides automatic annulment for qualifying dismissals, acquittals or nonprosecution outcomes disposed of on or after January 1, 2019, subject to statutory timing and other conditions. Review RSA 651:5, II-a.
5. How long must I wait to annul a New Hampshire conviction?
The period depends on the offense, conviction date, sentence completion and statutory exceptions. Ordinary qualifying misdemeanors and felonies have different general periods; some offenses have longer rules or are ineligible.
6. How much does a criminal record annulment cost?
Costs vary. New Hampshire may charge court filing, investigation or record-update fees, with specific statutory exceptions and waivers. Verify the current court schedule and RSA 651:5 before filing.
7. Does annulment permanently destroy every criminal record?
No. Its legal effects are defined by statute. Certain records can remain accessible to authorized authorities, and historical media coverage or third-party references may not automatically disappear.
8. Can a felony criminal record be annulled?
Some qualifying felonies may be eligible under New Hampshire law after applicable waiting periods, but specified offenses and circumstances can be ineligible. The offense classification alone does not determine the answer.
9. How do I know my record was successfully annulled?
Confirm that a court order or applicable statutory action granted relief. Preserve the court’s confirmation and follow authorized procedures to check criminal-history updates. A missing public search result is not sufficient proof.
10. What can I do if an annulled record appears on an employment background report?
Obtain a copy of the background report, identify the disputed entry and contact the reporting company to dispute the information. Sealed or expunged records may be restricted from consumer-reporting disclosures under applicable law.
Primary sources
Official Annulment, Court and Consumer Rights Resources
- New Hampshire RSA 651:5 — Annulment of Criminal Records
- New Hampshire RSA 651:5-b — Qualifying Marijuana Record Annulment
- New Hampshire Law Library — Annulment of Criminal Records
- New Hampshire Judicial Branch
- USA.gov — Find U.S. Courts
- USA.gov — Official State Governments
- CFPB — Fair Credit Reporting and Background Screening
- CFPB — Review Your Rental Background Check