Open records requests in New Hampshire

How the New Hampshire Right to Know Law works

New Hampshire's Right to Know Law (RSA Chapter 91-A) provides every person the right to inspect and copy public records of governmental bodies in the state. The law covers all state agencies, municipalities, counties, school districts, and other public bodies, and applies to all three branches of state government. Agencies must respond within five business days; if records cannot be provided within that period, the agency must acknowledge the request and provide a timeline. New Hampshire's Attorney General's office provides guidance, and disputes may be appealed to superior court.

A court finding of wrongful withholding entitles the requester to mandatory attorney's fees, making New Hampshire's enforcement provisions relatively favorable to requesters. Common exemptions include personnel records, attorney-client privileged materials, certain law enforcement records, and records whose disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy. The "Right to Know" framing reflects a philosophical emphasis on the citizen's affirmative entitlement to government information.