How do I file a NH Right-to-Know request?
Transparency is a cornerstone of effective local governance, and in New Hampshire, the Right-to-Know law (RSA 91-A) empowers citizens to access public records and ensure their government remains accountable. Whether you are researching a specific town project, tracking school board decisions, or simply exercising your right to be informed, navigating the formal request process can sometimes feel daunting. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap for successfully filing a Right-to-Know request—from your initial search for existing public information to following up on your formal submission—to help you obtain the information you need with confidence.
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Generally speaking, all New Hampshire government records are open to the public under the Right-to-Know law. There are some exceptions, such as personnel records.
Many government records are already publicly available online. Try browsing your town website, ask your local library, or view YouTube recordings of meetings.
If you are unable to find the information you are looking for through public searches, it is time to identify the individual within an organization keeping the records you seek. For example, your school superintendent is responsible for information about public schools. Your town administrator is responsible for town business. Many police departments have public information officers. State agencies often have a public information officer. This is the person with whom you will file a Right-to-Know request.
Be specific about the records you are seeking, including:
- The record type (e.g. meeting packets, emails between staff and elected officials about a building plan, seminar training PowerPoint, etc.)
- The format of the record(s) (e.g. spreadsheet, physical document, emails or text messages, recording, etc.)
- Date range
Keep in mind that officials are not required to create records, compile data, or answer questions – they only must share records that already exist.
Officials may also charge you the actual cost of providing copies, although they cannot charge a fee for the request in-and-of-itself. There are also limits on how much officials can charge for copies of electronic records. You may avoid a fee if you ask to inspect a record rather than get a copy.
If you ask politely and the information is already public, officials may provide you with that information without the need to file a Right-to-Know request. If you come in immediately with a formal Right-to-Know request, public officials may feel defensive and therefore slow down the process by holding back some information, checking with a lawyer, and so on.
If your polite ask is answered with a “no,” it’s time to file a formal Right-to-Know request.
There is no required format for a Right-to-Know request. However, some officials may request a written Right-to-Know request by email or snail-mail for their records. Ask the town office or state agency if they have a records request form. Filing a written Right-to-Know request will likely help your request move forward.
Right to Know NH offers a template of the text you might use to write a Right-to-Know request. Be specific about the information you are seeking, as outlined in step 3 above. Clearly state you are filing a Right-to-Know request under state law, RSA 91-A.
Make sure to include your information for receiving the records, such as a phone number or address. However, officials cannot require you to provide your personal information. You also do not need to provide a reason you are seeking information. If an official asks for a reason, it’s up to you whether to share. Some officials may ask because they want to understand which records are most helpful to you. However, some officials may dislike your reason for asking and look for reasons to deny or delay your request.
Under state law, officials have five business days to respond to a Right-to-Know request. However, a “response” is not the same thing as producing records. An official response can simply state the time needed to fulfill the request. Officials may also deny a Right-to-Know request, although they must provide a reason for that denial.
If officials say it will take them an excessive amount of time to fulfill your request or deny your request, and you believe they are violating state law, you may have a court case on your hands.
In recent years, New Hampshire created the Office of the Right-to-Know Ombudsman to help resolve complaints about Right-to-Know laws without filing a petition in Superior Court. However, in 2025 the Legislature defunded the Office.
The New Hampshire Legislature frequently debates changes to the Right-to-Know Law. Browse the latest bills on our Government Process and Transparency topic page.
You can also find many Right-to-Know resources on the Right to Know NH website.
