Registering and titling a vehicle in New Hampshire: new residents, purchases and renewals

How New Hampshire's two-part registration works through your town or city clerk and the state DMV, what to bring after a dealer or private purchase, the 60-day rule for new residents, renewals, titles, temporary plates and inspections.

Guide · New Hampshire · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In New Hampshire, vehicle titles and the state part of registration are handled by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), part of the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Every registration, though, starts with your town or city clerk. This guide explains that two-part process, what to bring after buying a vehicle or moving to the state, and how renewals, titles and plates work.

A two-part process

The DMV calls registration a two-part process. With the exception of mopeds, every vehicle starts at the town or city clerk where you live. The clerk confirms your residency and collects the town or city fees. The DMV says it cannot process a registration until the town fees are paid.

The second part is the state transaction. Many town and city clerks are Municipal Agents of the state and can complete the state part as well, for an additional fee. If you have your title, or the vehicle is exempt from titling, you may be able to finish the whole registration at the clerk's office. Otherwise the state part is done through a DMV drop box or at a DMV office appointment.

Fees are owed to both the town or city and the state. The DMV points to state law for the amounts (RSA 261:141 for state fees and RSA 261:153 for town and city fees). It also adds an $8 plate fee the first time you order plates. For the exact amount for your vehicle, contact your town or city office.

After buying a vehicle

What you take to your town or city clerk depends on where you bought the vehicle:

• New Hampshire dealer: the certificate of title or the blue copies of your title application, plus proof of residency if the clerk asks for it.
• Out-of-state dealer: the title from the dealer, or the New Hampshire title application from your lienholder. For a brand-new vehicle, the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is required.
• Private sale: a properly assigned title certificate.
• Title-exempt vehicle bought privately: a proper bill of sale and proof of the VIN. Proof of the VIN can be the title, a previous New Hampshire registration or a VIN Verification form.

Temporary plates

If you buy from a New Hampshire dealer, the dealer provides a 20-day temporary plate if the vehicle is safe for the road. You must get permanent plates through your town and the state within those 20 days. For a private sale, or a purchase from an out-of-state dealer that does not offer temporary plates, the DMV issues a 20-day plate for $20. You can get it through a drop box or an appointment at some DMV offices. Bring:

• A copy of the signed title or a bill of sale
• Your license or ID
• The fee

Titles

A new New Hampshire title application can only be prepared by a New Hampshire town or city clerk, a licensed New Hampshire dealer or a lienholder. You apply for a title when you buy a vehicle, when you move here with a vehicle titled in another state, and when an owner is added or removed.

The DMV says the new title is sent to the owner or lienholder within 40 to 50 calendar days. If you lose a title, the current owner can apply for a duplicate with form TDMV 18 and a $35 check or money order. Drop it off at most DMV offices or mail it to the DMV's title office in Concord.

Moving to New Hampshire

If you set up residence in New Hampshire and own a vehicle you use here, the DMV says you must register it within 60 days. You bring the title and proof of residency to the town or city clerk where you live. If the vehicle is leased, has a lienholder or is title-exempt, bring:

• The out-of-state registration
• The lease agreement, if any
• The lienholder's name and address
• Proof of residency

If a lienholder holds your title, contact your town or city clerk. For a vehicle with an out-of-state loan or lease, the DMV's registration page refers you to its temporary plate page.

Renewing a registration

Take your current registration or renewal notice to your town or city to pay the permit fees first. Most towns can also complete the state part for a small fee. The DMV suggests asking your town or city clerk or tax collector whether they offer online or mail renewal.

If the town has already taken its part, you can put the state portion in a DMV drop box along with the completed town portion and a copy of your license. If you are temporarily out of state, you can mail your renewal notice and payment to your town within four months before the expiration date.

Inspections and emissions

The DMV's new-resident page says all vehicles must have a safety inspection and that vehicles newer than 1996 also need an emissions inspection. The DMV's Inspections & Emissions page has a later update, dated February 13, 2026. It says the state inspection program is suspended until further notice and inspection stickers are not being issued. It also says drivers must still make sure their vehicles are safe to operate and that the situation may change, so check that page for the current status.

Plates and replacements

The standard passenger plate carries the "Old Man of the Mountain" design. Vanity and other special plates cost extra. You can move a plate from your current vehicle to a newly purchased one at your town or city clerk. Transfer credit applies only if the primary owner's name stays the same. Once the plates move, the old vehicle is no longer registered.

Lost or stolen plates and decals can be replaced at your town or city clerk with form RDMV 125. A lost registration certificate can be replaced at any DMV office with form RDMV 110. The DMV lists a $20 fee for that.

For license questions, see the New Hampshire driver license and ID card guide. To book a DMV office visit, see the New Hampshire DMV visit guide and the New Hampshire DMV office list.