Rockingham County, New Hampshire: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Rockingham County) in Brentwood. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $10,000. New Hampshire return time: 30 calendar days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,763. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listedNew Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Rockingham County)
CityBrentwood
Statewide filing feeCurrent court fee schedule
Small claims limit$10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only)
State deposit return deadline
  • 30 calendar days after from the termination of the tenancy.
Time limit to sue3 years
Deposit statuteN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 540-A:6 to 540-A:8

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $10,000 (Circuit Court District Division small claims only).

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Details of the return rules
New Hampshire statutory deadlines
When it appliesDeadlineStarts from
Deposit return30 daysfrom the termination of the tenancy

New Hampshire return rule: 30 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Rockingham County). Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

  1. The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
  2. The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
  3. The owner of record in the property records of Rockingham County.
  4. The New Hampshire business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. New Hampshire Secretary of State

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

  • Your lease.
  • Deposit receipt or payment record.
  • The demand letter and proof of delivery.
  • Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Check the New Hampshire filing procedure before you go.

Court forms

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Procedure source (medium confidence): Electronic Filing is mandatory in small claims cases at all district division locations. Self-represented litigants will use the program TurboCourt.

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Rockingham County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

BedroomsDeposit owedStatutory amountTotal illustrationLimit check
1$1,304$1,304$2,608Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
2$1,763$1,763$3,526Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
3$2,037$2,037$4,074Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim
4$2,498$2,498$4,996Fits under the $10,000 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Rockingham County compare with other New Hampshire counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,763: rank 1 of 15 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 21.4% of households rent in Rockingham County.

Rockingham County two-bedroom rent $1,763, rank 1 of 15 counties
Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
CountyMedian gross rent
Rockingham$1,763
Rockingham County$1,763
Hillsborough$1,629
Hillsborough County$1,629
Strafford$1,549
Strafford County$1,549

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 15 of 15 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Rockingham County

  • Portsmouth

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

  • New Hampshire Legal Assistance: Free civil legal advice and representation for eligible low-income residents and older adults, including eviction defense and other housing matters. Applications go through 603 Legal Aid at the listed number.
  • 603 Legal Aid: Free civil legal advice, representation and referrals for eligible New Hampshire residents; centralized intake for legal aid, including housing problems.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Rockingham County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Rockingham County?

New Hampshire Circuit Court, District Division - Small Claims (Rockingham County) is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.

What's next?