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What types of advice can the Clerk's Office personnel give?
How does an attorney obtain a certificate of good standing?
Where can I obtain a copy of the Local Rules?
What forms of payment are acceptable?
What are the phone numbers for the state court?
Are all records in the Clerk's Office public information?

Q: What types of advice can the Clerk's Office personnel give?

Clerk's Office staff cannot give "legal advice" or "practice law" as they are prohibited under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 955. Therefore, Clerk's Office personnel cannot:

• Explain the meaning of a specific rule
• Make an interpretation of case law
• Explain the result of taking or not taking an action in a case
• Answer whether jurisdiction is proper in a case
• Answer whether a complaint properly presents a claim
• Provide advice on the best procedure to accomplish a particular objective

Clerk's Office staff CAN provide procedural information such as:

• Instructions on how to execute a task (e.g. number of copies, use of forms etc.)
• Provide information as to compliance with this Court's policies

Q: How does an attorney obtain a certificate of good standing?

Please request the certificate from the Bar Admissions Clerk. The fee for a certificate is $15.

Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the Local Rules?

Copies of the Local Rules for the District of New Hampshire may be downloaded from the Rules section of this web site. A book version is also available from the Clerk's Office for $4.50, plus postage if mailed.

Q: What forms of payment are acceptable?

Money orders, firm checks, cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Diners Club are all acceptable forms of payment. Checks should be made payable to: Clerk, US District Court. Personal checks are accepted ONLY as payment of fees for admission to the bar, from sole practitioners (lawyers) for any purpose, and for fines personally assessed against litigants.

Q: What are the phone numbers for the state court?

Source of information on all state courts: http://www.state.nh.us, then choose the Judicial subsection.

Q: Are all records in the Clerk's Office public information?

See Local Rule 83.11 regarding filings, orders and docket entries.

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