Applying for Legal Aid
603 Legal Aid gives free legal services to people who qualify. If you do not qualify, you may still be able to get help for a reduced fee or from a lawyer who can help you with parts of your case for free. 603 Legal Aid screens applicants, provides advice over the telephone, makes referrals to private attorney volunteers, and makes referrals to other programs.
Please be advised; for the time being over the phone intakes are not available on Fridays with staff working exclusively on online applications.
Apply by phone: (603) 224-3333 Call center hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM.
After you apply:
We may set up a phone appointment to give you free legal advice over the phone. Our lawyers and advocates may prepare you to represent yourself or may be able to represent you.
We may refer your case to a private attorney volunteer.
We may send your case to another legal aid or volunteer attorney program that handles your type of case. That program will call you back.
We keep your information confidential even if you do not qualify for our services.
When we call you, our number will show up on caller ID as a call from Concord, NH.
Quick Questions
If you have a quick question and you do not want to apply for legal services,
Call Lawline between 6 PM and 8 PM the second Wednesday of every month at 1-800-868-1212. Volunteer lawyers give the public free legal information over the phone.
go to NH FREE Legal Answers to post your legal question and receive free legal advice from volunteer lawyers on the website through confidential email. NH FREE Legal Answers is a service for low-income New Hampshire residents who need legal information or advice about non-criminal legal problems.
603 Legal Aid's team of client intake specialists are fluent in Spanish, French and Portuguese. They can also connect applicants with translators for additional languages, including sign language.
Applying for Someone Else
Most of the time, the person with the legal issue must complete the application or phone us. Usually, we cannot give legal advice to someone who is applying for someone else.
Prisoners
Prisoners may apply and will be referred to another resource on a case-by-case basis.
Even if you do not qualify for legal aid, depending on your income, you may be able to get a lawyer to help with all or part of your case, and you can get legal information over the phone that is free to everyone.
Find a lawyer
If you are sure you do not qualify for free legal aid, or if you want to sue someone, contact the New Hampshire Bar Association. Depending on your income:
If you can afford to pay a lawyer call the Lawyer Referral Service at 603-229-0002.
If you have a low income but make too much to qualify for free legal services, try the Modest Means Legal Program at 603-715-3290. If you qualify, you will pay for services at a lower cost.
Unbundled services
One way to save money is to hire a lawyer to handle part of your case. This is called “unbundled services” or “limited representation.” Sometimes, you can do most of the work yourself and hire a lawyer to help you with things you cannot do. Such services may include drafting a motion, reviewing an agreement or attending one specific hearing, rather than handling your whole case.
Find lawyers who do unbundled services by contacting the Lawyer Referral Service (603) 229-0002 or the clerk’s office at the court 1 (855) 212-1234.
Free legal information by phone
Anyone can get free legal information over the phone. Call Lawline at 1 (800) 868-1212 between 6 PM and 8 PM the second Wednesday of every month to speak to a volunteer lawyer.
Other places to get help
If your problem is not in New Hampshire, find a program to help you.