Motor Vehicle Registration - resident new to NH

Residents New to New Hampshire:

If you are a new resident to the state you must obtain a New Hampshire Driver’s license and Automobile registration (plates) within 60 days of moving into the State. (NH RSA 261:45 & NH RSA 263:35)

You will begin the registration process at the Town Clerk’s office. It is required that you bring in proof of identification such as a driver’s license and two (2) proofs of residency such as a current utility bill, closing statement on a purchased home, lease agreement, payroll check, etc.

For vehicles with a model year 2000 and newer, you will need to bring your out-of-state title to the Town Clerk's office where your New Hampshire title application and registration forms will be prepared.

If your title is being held a New Hampshire lienholder you must have your lienholder prepare a NH Title application which you will bring into the Town Clerk's office to register the vehicle.

If your title is being held by an out-of-state lienholder, bring your current registration to the Town Clerk's office along with the current mileage of the vehicle and the exact name and address of the lienholder. A title application will be prepared by the Town Clerk's office, which will be forwarded to the New Hampshire Title Bureau. The Title Bureau will swap a New Hampshire Title for the foreign state title with your lienholder. You will not be able to register your vehicle until you receive a letter from the Title Bureau informing you that the title swap has occurred. An exception to this transaction is made when your current registration and/or your automobile insurance will expire within 20 days of the day you come into the office. A sixty-day registration can be issued in this circumstance, giving the State of New Hampshire time to obtain the foreign title from your lienholder.

Vehicles with a model year 1999 or older are not titled in New Hampshire: therefore, you will need to bring the out-of-state title OR the current registration along with a completed VIN Verification Form 19A (available at the Town Clerk’s office or on-line at the State DMV website) to obtain a New Hampshire registration.

At the Town Clerk's office, you will pay a motor vehicle permit fee based on the original manufacture’s price of the vehicle. A state registration fee based on the weight of the vehicle will be paid, at which time you will receive your plates.  Fees are prorated from the time of registration until the owner’s next birth month.

You may obtain an estimate of fees by using the EReg program, and clicking on the green “Get an Estimate” link once in the application.

Vehicle permit fee rates are established by State law.  

Current year and next year’s models: $18.00 per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price
Models one year old: $15.00 per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price
Models two years old: $12.00 per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price
Models three years old: $9.00 per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price
Models four years old: $6.00 per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price
Models five years old and older: per thousand of the original manufacturer’s list price

State registration fees (most vehicles):

0-3000 pounds gross vehicle weight $31.20
3001 – 5000 pounds gross vehicle weight $43.20
5001 -8000 pounds gross vehicle weight $55.20