Licensing
How New Hampshire Licenses Private Investigators
New Hampshire regulates investigators under RSA Chapter 106-F and the Department of Safety's Saf-C 2200 rules. Licenses are issued by the Commissioner of Safety and handled by the State Police Permits and Licensing Unit in Concord. RSA 106-F:3 bars anyone from running a private investigative agency, or working for one, without first obtaining a license from the commissioner.
There are two layers to check. The agency must hold its own license, and each investigator and employee needs an individual license. Applicants disclose criminal history and prior discipline, and investigators must meet experience or education standards. The licensing page does not describe a public online lookup, so a client should get both license numbers and confirm them with the unit directly.
Courts
How New Hampshire Courts Are Organized
New Hampshire's trial courts are state courts. The Superior Court sits in each of the ten counties, with two locations in Hillsborough County, and hears felonies and larger civil cases, including jury trials. The Circuit Court has three divisions: the District Division for misdemeanors, landlord-tenant and smaller civil claims, the Family Division for divorce, parenting and support, and the Probate Division for wills, trusts and guardianships. Circuit Court locations serve towns around each county.
Communities
New Hampshire Communities With a Private Investigator Page
Every New Hampshire community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).
| Community | County | Population (2024 est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Hillsborough County | 116,386 |
| Nashua | Hillsborough County | 91,851 |
| Concord | Merrimack County | 44,674 |
| Derry | Rockingham County | 34,062 |
| Dover | Strafford County | 33,909 |
| Rochester | Strafford County | 33,598 |
| Salem | Rockingham County | 31,673 |
| Merrimack | Hillsborough County | 29,367 |
| Londonderry | Rockingham County | 27,101 |
| Hudson | Hillsborough County | 25,787 |
| Bedford | Hillsborough County | 23,856 |
| Keene | Cheshire County | 23,036 |
| Portsmouth | Rockingham County | 22,938 |
| Goffstown | Hillsborough County | 18,488 |
| Laconia | Belknap County | 17,310 |
| Milford | Hillsborough County | 16,530 |
| Hampton | Rockingham County | 16,448 |
| Windham | Rockingham County | 16,208 |
| Exeter | Rockingham County | 16,205 |
| Lebanon | Grafton County | 15,389 |
| Hooksett | Merrimack County | 15,377 |
| Durham | Strafford County | 15,270 |
| Pelham | Hillsborough County | 14,685 |
| Claremont | Sullivan County | 13,105 |
| Somersworth | Strafford County | 12,218 |
| Hanover | Grafton County | 12,005 |
| Amherst | Hillsborough County | 11,914 |
| Raymond | Rockingham County | 11,012 |
| Conway | Carroll County | 10,296 |
| Barrington | Strafford County | 9,629 |
| Newmarket | Rockingham County | 9,528 |
| Berlin | Coos County | 9,248 |
| Weare | Hillsborough County | 9,220 |
| Hampstead | Rockingham County | 9,156 |
| Franklin | Merrimack County | 8,823 |
| Hollis | Hillsborough County | 8,746 |
| Litchfield | Hillsborough County | 8,554 |
| Seabrook | Rockingham County | 8,432 |
| Bow | Merrimack County | 8,397 |
| Gilford | Belknap County | 7,886 |
| Plaistow | Rockingham County | 7,871 |
| Epping | Rockingham County | 7,797 |
| Stratham | Rockingham County | 7,757 |
| Pembroke | Merrimack County | 7,567 |
| Swanzey | Cheshire County | 7,463 |
| Belmont | Belknap County | 7,428 |
| Atkinson | Rockingham County | 7,355 |
| Meredith | Belknap County | 6,829 |
| Farmington | Strafford County | 6,806 |
| Sandown | Rockingham County | 6,719 |
| Wolfeboro | Carroll County | 6,625 |
| Plymouth | Grafton County | 6,621 |
| Rindge | Cheshire County | 6,543 |
| Peterborough | Hillsborough County | 6,433 |
| Newport | Sullivan County | 6,418 |
| Kingston | Rockingham County | 6,293 |
| Henniker | Merrimack County | 6,267 |
| Auburn | Rockingham County | 6,263 |
| New Boston | Hillsborough County | 6,219 |
| Hopkinton | Merrimack County | 6,146 |
| Hillsborough | Hillsborough County | 6,089 |
| Alton | Belknap County | 6,051 |
| Littleton | Grafton County | 6,032 |
| Brookline | Hillsborough County | 5,815 |
| Loudon | Merrimack County | 5,740 |
| Rye | Rockingham County | 5,663 |
| Jaffrey | Cheshire County | 5,549 |
| Wakefield | Carroll County | 5,508 |
| Nottingham | Rockingham County | 5,469 |
| New Ipswich | Hillsborough County | 5,405 |
| Chester | Rockingham County | 5,322 |
| Moultonborough | Carroll County | 5,243 |
| Northfield | Merrimack County | 5,066 |
| Barnstead | Belknap County | 5,036 |
| Epsom | Merrimack County | 5,020 |
| Deerfield | Rockingham County | 4,983 |
| Charlestown | Sullivan County | 4,919 |
| Fremont | Rockingham County | 4,899 |
| Newton | Rockingham County | 4,843 |
| Brentwood | Rockingham County | 4,787 |
| Allenstown | Merrimack County | 4,765 |
| Northwood | Rockingham County | 4,702 |
| Danville | Rockingham County | 4,625 |
| Haverhill | Grafton County | 4,620 |
| Ossipee | Carroll County | 4,608 |
| Lee | Strafford County | 4,586 |
| Milton | Strafford County | 4,572 |
| North Hampton | Rockingham County | 4,539 |
| Enfield | Grafton County | 4,482 |
| New London | Merrimack County | 4,460 |
| Strafford | Strafford County | 4,339 |
| Winchester | Cheshire County | 4,255 |
| Candia | Rockingham County | 4,218 |
| Boscawen | Merrimack County | 4,153 |
| Pittsfield | Merrimack County | 4,142 |
| Greenland | Rockingham County | 4,126 |
| Tilton | Belknap County | 4,116 |
| Gilmanton | Belknap County | 4,072 |
| Hinsdale | Cheshire County | 4,027 |
| Wilton | Hillsborough County | 3,985 |
| Canaan | Grafton County | 3,820 |
| Walpole | Cheshire County | 3,717 |
| Chesterfield | Cheshire County | 3,660 |
| Grantham | Sullivan County | 3,483 |
| Sunapee | Sullivan County | 3,459 |
| Campton | Grafton County | 3,434 |
| Bartlett | Carroll County | 3,323 |
| Bristol | Grafton County | 3,276 |
| Lancaster | Coos County | 3,212 |
| Dunbarton | Merrimack County | 3,186 |
| Sanbornton | Belknap County | 3,057 |
Read the full New Hampshire investigator guide
Neighboring states: Maine · Massachusetts · Vermont
How this service works
Investigator Consulting in New Hampshire
Delator Group is a private investigation firm licensed in Tennessee and headquartered in Nashville. In New Hampshire, Delator Group is not licensed as a private investigator or private investigative agency and does not perform, supervise or direct investigations. We review requests and refer them to independent investigators who hold the license New Hampshire requires. Those investigators contract with clients directly, set their own fees and are responsible for the work. Delator Group may receive compensation from participating investigators for referrals.
FAQ
Questions About Finding an Investigator in New Hampshire
Which New Hampshire communities have their own page?
Every incorporated New Hampshire city, town or village with more than 3,000 residents, plus every township or town government of that size, has its own page here, 111 in all. Smaller places are covered by the nearest page and the statewide guide.
Is Delator Group licensed in New Hampshire?
No. In New Hampshire, Delator Group provides investigator consulting and referral only. Investigations are performed by independently licensed New Hampshire investigators who contract with you directly.
Who licenses private investigators in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit, under RSA Chapter 106-F (license requirement in RSA 106-F:3); rules Saf-C 2200. A private investigative agency needs a license from the Commissioner of Safety under RSA 106-F:3, and each person employed by a licensed agency needs an individual license before starting work.
How do I check an investigator's New Hampshire license?
Ask for the agency and individual license numbers and confirm them with the State Police Permits and Licensing Unit in Concord.
Is New Hampshire a one-party or two-party consent state?
New Hampshire is an all-party consent state. Under RSA 570-A:2, intercepting a phone call or in-person conversation without the consent of all parties can be a felony, and even recording with one party's consent is generally a misdemeanor. Get everyone's consent, and ask an attorney before relying on any recording.