New Hampshire Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

New Hampshire State Police — Criminal Records Unit

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • New Hampshire criminal history records are maintained by the State Police Criminal Records Unit.
   • In person ($25): Visit the Division of State Police at 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03303. Payment accepted by cash, credit card, check, or money order payable to "State of New Hampshire — Criminal Records."
   • By mail ($25): Request an application by contacting the Criminal Records Unit at criminalrecordunit@dos.nh.gov or (603) 223-3867. Submit the completed form with $25 payment.
   • Online: Access the Criminal Records Portal at services.dos.nh.gov/chri/cpo/ for certain request types.
   • Results are provided as a New Hampshire State Police Criminal History Record Dissemination Document — a standardized format replacing older stamped forms.

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • In-person requests may be processed while you wait, depending on volume.
   • Mail-in requests take 3 to 7 business days after receipt.
   • If results require additional review before dissemination, expect up to one week with an email notification when ready.
   • Your report will confirm your New Hampshire criminal history or state that no record exists.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Submit your background check to the New Hampshire Secretary of State for an apostille.
   • In person: Visit the Secretary of State's office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., for same-day processing.
   • By mail: Send the document with a $10 check payable to the Secretary of State, a completed Request Form (available at sos.nh.gov), and a self-addressed, pre-paid return envelope. Mail processing takes approximately 7 business days.
   • The apostille fee is $10 per document. Expedited service is $35 per apostille.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • Upload your apostilled background check to EcuadorTranslations.com for certified Spanish translation.
   • Cost: $150 per document ($130 each for 3 or more documents).
   • Turnaround: 3 business days. Your translation is certified and notarized, ready for submission to Ecuador immigration.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• New Hampshire uses a standardized "Criminal History Record Dissemination Document" format — this is the official record accepted for apostille.
• If bringing 10 or more documents for in-person apostille processing, an additional expedited fee of $25 applies per 10 documents.
• Both the State Police and Secretary of State offices are located in Concord, making it possible to complete the background check and apostille in the same trip.
• Contact the Criminal Records Unit at criminalrecordunit@dos.nh.gov or (603) 223-3867 for current processing estimates.

Sources and verification