New Hampshire DMV Services

📅 Deadlines

• After buying or acquiring a vehicle, you must apply for a New Hampshire title and register the vehicle within 20 days of the sale.
• If you’re a new resident, you generally have 60 days after moving to New Hampshire to register your out‑of‑state vehicle.

🪪 1. Title Requirements (Proof of Ownership)

🚗 Vehicles That Require a Title

• New Hampshire generally **requires a title for vehicles with model years 2000 and newer.

📘 From a Dealership

• If you buy from a NH dealer, the dealer completes and sends the title application (Form TDMV 23A) to the DMV for you and gives you a blue copy of the application to take to your town/city clerk for registration.

👤 From a Private Seller

• Bring the signed title from the seller. Both buyer and seller must sign in the appropriate places and include the odometer reading (if applicable).
• If the car is exempt from needing a title (e.g., model year older than 1999), you can use:
  • a bill of sale, AND
  • a current or expired registration or
  • a VIN verification form (TDMV 19A)
    as proof of ownership instead.

🌍 Out‑of‑State Vehicle

• Bring the out‑of‑state title with you. The town/city clerk will start the NH title application when you register.
• A VIN verification may be required if the title doesn’t clearly show the VIN or for certain vehicles (e.g., outside U.S., antique, or missing registration).

🔎 2. Inspections

• In New Hampshire, you must obtain a vehicle safety inspection after registration. The required inspections include:
  • Annual safety inspection for most vehicles, and
  • Emissions inspection for certain model years/areas (older standards).

Note: Some recent proposals attempted to change inspection requirements, but as of early 2026, traditional inspections remain required.

💵 3. Taxes 

• New Hampshire does not have a general state sales tax, so there’s usually no sales tax charged when titling or registering a car..)

🧠 4. Special Situations & Notes 

🚙 Older Vehicles (Title Exempt)

• Vehicles older than model year 1999 are generally exempt from titling (though they still must be registered). You can use a bill of sale, previous registration, or VIN verification to register these automobiles.

🏡 New Residents

• New residents must register their vehicles and obtain New Hampshire titles within 60 days of establishing residency.

🔄 Temporary Plates

• If necessary, you may be able to get a temporary 20‑day plate from an NH DMV location to legally drive the vehicle before completing registration.

🧠 Quick Checklist 

✔ Original title or MCO
✔ Original odometer
✔ Bill of Sale or Purchase order
✔ Copy of contract
✔ Copy of Driver’s License or EIN/FEIN number
✔ Copy of Insurance
✔ Power of attorney
✔ Vehicle color
✔ Fees