A New Hampshire vehicle registration is documentation that allows NH residents to legally operate their vehicles on the roadways of New Hampshire. This single document also connects Granite State residents to the vehicles they own.
All residents of New Hampshire must register their vehicle with the New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to legally drive on the state roads. When residents of this state are registering the vehicle for the first time, the town clerk will also submit the paperwork to get residents a New Hampshire title for their vehicle(s).
Registering a Vehicle in New Hampshire
New to New Hampshire?
Once an individual becomes a resident of New Hampshire, they have 60 days to register their vehicle and obtain a New Hampshire driver’s license. Residents of this state are considered a resident once they purchase, lease, or rent a place to live in the state.
The registration and titling of the vehicle will take place at the same time. The town clerk will take care of the city and state parts of the registration and titling.
To register a vehicle in New Hampshire, residents need to go to the town clerk’s office and:
- Submit the out-of-state title and registration.
If your vehicle is leased, provide:
- The lease agreement.
- The lienholder’s name and address.
NH residents may apply for a temporary license plate, which is valid for 20 days, to use while the town clerk gets the title information from the lienholder. Please see “Vehicle License Plates” below for more information on temporary plates.
- Show proof of residency (lease or mortgage agreement, utility bills, etc.). The DMV provides a list of acceptable documents.
- Pay all applicable fees (see Vehicle Registration Fees below).
The state and city fees will be collected as different transactions, so residents will need to make out separate checks, money orders, or credit card payments. The town clerk will then prepare the paperwork required to register the vehicle(s).
Registering a Vehicle in New Hampshire
Residents of New Hampshire can register their vehicle with one trip to the town clerk’s office. The process may be slightly different depending on whether the vehicle was purchased at a car dealership, through a private party, or if the resident is leasing the vehicle.
Vehicles Purchased from a New Hampshire Dealership
After an NH resident purchases a vehicle from a dealership in the state, the dealer will issue a temporary license plate that is valid for 20 days to give them time to register their vehicle. Granite State residents must complete their registration within this period of 20 days.
To register a vehicle, NH residents can go to the town clerk’s office and submit:
- The vehicle title, or the blue pages of the title application.
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for new vehicles.
- Lienholder information, if required.
- Proof of residency (bank statement, lease or mortgage agreement, driver’s license, etc.).
- Payment for registration fees (see Vehicle Registration Fees below).
The state and city fees will be collected as different transactions, so residents need to make out separate checks, money orders, or credit card payments.
Vehicles Purchased from an Out-of-State Dealership
New Hampshire residents who purchase their vehicle from a dealership outside of New Hampshire need to ask the dealer before they leave whether they may obtain a temporary license plate to bring the vehicle into NH.
Once individuals arrive in New Hampshire, they can go to the town clerk’s office and submit:
- The title from the dealership, or the title application from a New Hampshire lienholder.
- The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, for new vehicles.
- Proof of residency (paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, etc.).
- Payment for all fees (please see “Vehicle Registration Fees” below).
City and state fees are collected as different transactions, so be prepared to make separate payments for each.
Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party
When purchasing a used vehicle through a private transaction with an individual seller, NH residents may first obtain a 20-day temporary license plate from their local DMV office for $10. This plate will make it legal to drive the vehicle from the seller’s location to the county clerk’s office for registration.
Please see “NH License Plates” below for details on this temporary registration.
To register a vehicle, go to the town clerk’s office and submit:
- The vehicle title properly signed over from the seller to the buyer (the NH resident).
- Proof of NH residency (utility bill, paycheck, rent or mortgage agreement, etc.). Please refer to the DMV’s list of acceptable documents.
- An Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TDMV 12).
- Payment for all applicable fees.
Please note that state and city fees are different transactions, so bring appropriate payment for each.
Residents of New Hampshire who have purchased a vehicle from a private party in New Hampshire with the intention to bring the vehicle out of state to register it elsewhere may apply for a temporary 20-day in-transit registration in order to legally drive to your final destination. Go to the closest DMV office to apply.
Vehicle Registration Fees
New Hampshire charges state fees and city fees, with state fees based upon the weight of the vehicle. When an NH resident pays the fees, they must have a separate check, money order, or credit card transaction for each.
State Fees of New Hampshire:
- 0 to 3000 lbs.: $31.20.
- 3001 t0 5000 lbs.: $43.20.
- 5001 to 8000 lbs.: $55.20.
- 8001 to 73,280 lbs.: $.96 per 100 lbs.
City Fees:
- Passenger vehicles and trucks: $3.
- Heavy vehicles and buses: $5.
- Motorcycles, recreational/farm vehicles, and trailers: $2.
Other New Hampshire Vehicle Registration Fees:
- Initial license plate fee: one-time fee of $8.
- Duplicate car registration: $15.
- Temporary 20 days registration: $10.
NH Safety and Emissions Inspections
Vehicles in New Hampshire are not required to have an emissions inspection prior to registering. Residents of this state must get a safety and emissions inspection within 10 days of registering the vehicle with the town clerk’s office.
Obtaining a Duplicate New Hampshire Car Registration
If the registration certificate has been lost or damaged, NH residents may apply for a replacement by going to a local DMV office and:
- Submitting a completed Application for Copy of Registration (Form RDMV110).
- Paying the $15 fee.
NH residents need to make sure they have the proper form of payment to pay all necessary fees.
New Hampshire License Plates
Residents of New Hampshire will receive their license plates when they register their vehicle, unless they order vanity or specialized plates that are not available at the town clerk’s office.
Temporary License Plates
NH residents may need to get a temporary license plate to operate their vehicle in New Hampshire while they wait for their vehicle registration.
Dealer 20-Day Plate
New Hampshire dealerships may issue a 20-day temporary plate when they purchase a vehicle from them. The temporary plate allows NH residents to drive the vehicle for the purpose of registering it with the town clerk’s office.
Private Sale 20-Day Plate
NH residents who are buying a vehicle from a private party can get a 20-day temporary license plate from the town clerk’s office to use while they are registering the vehicle. To do so:
- Show proof of identity (the DMV includes a list of acceptable documents).
- Submit the bill of sale that includes:
- Legal names of both buyer and seller.
- Signatures of buyers and sellers.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Description of vehicle (make, model, year, etc.)
- Pay the $10 fee.
In-Transit 20-Day Plate
Individuals who are not a resident of the state of New Hampshire, but are purchasing a vehicle from a New Hampshire resident, may apply for a 20-day in-transit temporary license plate to drive the vehicle back to their home state. To apply, the individual must:
- Show proof of identity.
- Have a properly completed title.
- Provide a bill of sale that includes:
- Legal names and signatures of the seller and buyer.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Description of vehicle (year, make, model, etc.).
- Pay the $10 fee.
New Resident 60-Day Plate
New residents of New Hampshire whose vehicles carry loans from out-of-state lienholders can apply for a 20-day temporary license plate to use while they wait for the town clerk’s office to receive the New Hampshire vehicle registration information from the lienholder. Leased vehicles can also apply for this temporary license plate.
Motorcycle Registration in New Hampshire
Before NH residents can legally ride their motorcycle on New Hampshire roads, they must register it with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). On this page, New Hampshire residents will learn about motorcycle registration for new NH residents AND current residents who recently bought a bike.
Residents New to New Hampshire
After establishing New Hampshire residency, new residents of this state have 60 days to register their motorcycle with the DMV. Head to a town or city clerk’s office with:
- The motorcycle’s current title and registration.
For leased motorcycles, NH residents will also need to bring:
- Their lease agreement.
- The lienholder’s name and address.
- Acceptable proof of NH residency.
- Payment for the $15 registration fee PLUS any other applicable fees.
New Hampshire residents will then need to complete a safety inspection within 10 days of their motorcycle’s registration date.
Registering Your NH Motorcycle
The process for registering a motorcycle with the NH Division of Motor Vehicles differs depending on whether the resident purchased the bike from a dealership OR from a private seller.
Dealership Purchases
When NH residents purchase a motorcycle at a New Hampshire dealership, the dealership will issue you temporary license plates that are valid for 20 days. The temporary license plate gives residents time to apply for their permanent registration and plates.
To register a dealership-purchased motorcycle, visit a city or town clerk’s office with:
- The motorcycle’s certificate of title OR the blue copies of your title application.
- If applicable, a copy of the lease agreement AND the lienholder’s name and address.
- Acceptable proof of residency.
- The $15 motorcycle registration fee, plus any other applicable fees.
Even though NH residents aren’t required to show proof of motorcycle insurance to register their bike, having some form of coverage will provide peace of mind and protection for the wallet.
NOTE: New Hampshire residents need to complete a safety inspection on their motorcycle within 10 days of its registration date.
Private Purchases
After buying a motorcycle from a private seller, NH residents should consider applying for temporary license plates, so they can legally ride while completing the process for permanent motorcycle registration. Temporary motorcycle registration permits are valid for 20 days and can be obtained by presenting the following items at your local DMV office:
- The acceptable paperwork to prove your identity.
- A completed bill of sale.
- Payment for the $10 fee.
To officially register a motorcycle with the DMV, take the following items to a city or town clerk’s office:
- The completed and signed title.
- Provide an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TDMV 12) if the title doesn’t have space to record the mileage.
- The required proof of NH residency.
- Payment for the $15 base motorcycle registration fee AND any other applicable fees.
NH residents need to have their motorcycle inspected within 10 days of its registration date.
NH Motorcycle Registration Fees
Before residents pay NH state fees for initial motorcycle registration, they must pay all city or town fees, which can vary. Residents of New Hampshire can contact the clerk’s office in their city or town of residence for details on what fees they may owe.
NH residents may then pay the required state fees when they register their motorcycle with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles:
- Motorcycle registration: $15.
- Antique motorcycles: $2.40.
- Temporary registration: $10 (Private seller only).
- License plate: $8.
- City fee (motorcycles): $2.
- Motorcycle inspections/emissions: Ranges from $20 to $50.
Boat Registration & Licenses in New Hampshire
All boat registration applications are administered through the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Continue reading for all the information NH residents need to register their vessel AND to learn about the qualifications needed to legally operate boats on NH waters.
NH Vessels That Must Be Registered
In New Hampshire, residents of this state are required to register:
- All motorized vessels, regardless of size.
- Sailboats and sailboards 12 ft or longer.
NH residents DO NOT need to register:
- Sailboat and sailboards less than 12 ft in length.
- Non-motorized kayaks and canoes.
- Any U.S. government vessel.
- Any vessel registered in another state operating in New Hampshire waters for 30 consecutive days or less.
Residents of New Hampshire can call the DMV’s boat registration section at (603) 227-4030 if they’re still not sure whether their vessel requires registration.
Boat Registration in New Hampshire
BEFORE turning in a registration application, NH residents need to double-check to make sure their vessel has a valid hull identification number (HIN). If the boat is missing a HIN, residents of this state need to head to their local law enforcement office to have it inspected. A New Hampshire law enforcement officer will need to fill out a Verification of Vessel Identification (Form RDMV690) for NH residents; do not lose this form!
To register a boat in New Hampshire, start by collecting the following items:
- A completed Boat Registration (Form DSMV 157A).
- If applicable, your Verification of Vessel Identification (Form RDMV690).
- A valid photo ID.
- Proof of ownership (such as a bill of sale or dealer sales receipt).
- Payment for the applicable vessel registration fees
- New-Hampshire-Boat-Registration-Fees.
NH residents can then complete their registration application by submitting the items above:
- In-person at a local NH Division of Motor Vehicles office OR with an authorized NH boat agent.
- By mail to:
NH Department of Safety
DMV—Boat Registrations
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
New Hampshire boat registrations are valid untilDecember 31st of each year, regardless of when residents choose to register the vessel. Therefore, it’s best to register watercraft towards the beginning of the calendar year. For example, for NH residents who register their boat on December 1st, the registration will only be valid for 30 days (and then they’ll need to renew their boat registration).
New Hampshire Boat Registration Fees
The fees residents of this state must pay to register their boat with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles are as follows:
Original and renewal vessel registration (based on the length of your boat):
- 16 ft or less: $24.
- 16.1 to 21 ft: $34.
- 21.1 to 30 ft: $52.
- 30.1 to 45 ft: $72.
- 45.1 ft and longer: $92.
Additional registration fees for:
- Lake restoration and preservation (all registrations): $9.50.
- Fish and Game Department search and rescue fund (all registrations): $1.
- Registering with an authorized boat agent: $5.
- Public boat access fund (all registrations): $5.
- Vessels using tidal or coastal waters: $2.
- Boat fee: Varies according to the type and age of your watercraft—refer to the DMV’s boat fee schedule for specifics.
Duplicate registration:
- Card: $15.
- Decal: $3.
NH Boat Renewals & Replacements
New Hampshire boat registrations expire on December 31st of every year, regardless of when residents of this state registered; the NH Division of Motor Vehicles will mail a renewal notice before the registration expires.
NH residents can renew their vessel registration by providing your renewal notice AND the appropriate renewal fees (as indicated on the renewal notice):
- In-person (privately-owned vessels ONLY) at your local DMV office branch OR at an authorized boat agent’s office.
- By mail to:
NH Department of Safety
DMV—Boat Registrations
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
New Hampshire residents who lose or did not receive their renewal notice can submit their previous registration card AND a completed Boat Registration (Form DSMV 157A) in its place.
Replace Lost Registration
To replace a boat registration certificate OR decal, NH residents will need the following items:
- A completed:
- Application for a Copy of a Registration (Form RDMV110) for a duplicate certificate.
- Application for Replacement Boat Decals (Form RDMV 415) for duplicate decals.
- Your current boat registration certificate will need to accompany the application for replacement decals.
- The necessary replacement registration card/decals fees.
Submit the required items above:
- In-person at any New Hampshire DMV agency.
- By mail to:
DMV
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
New Hampshire Boater Requirements
In New Hampshire, the Department of Safety imposes the following age-based boating restrictions:
- Boaters who are at least 16 years old and want to operate a vessel with 25 HP or more, must hold a boater education certificate.
- Boaters who are younger than 16 years old and want to operate a motorboat with 25 HP or more must be accompanied by a supervising adult who’s at least 18 years old AND holds a boater education certificate.
To earn a boater education certificate, New Hampshire residents need to complete a New Hampshire boating education course AND pass a proctored exam.
Residents of this state can choose to take a boating safety course:
- Online with the approved providers listed on the Department of Safety’s boating education page.
- In the classroom at a time and location that is convenient.
Remember, residents of New Hampshire need to sign up to take the final exam in person after completing an online course.
Accepted Forms of Payment
The New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payment:
- Cash (counter/in-person transaction ONLY)
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- MasterCard
- VISA
- American Express
- Personal check
- Money order
- Traveler’s check
All checks and money orders must be made payable to “State of NH – DMV”. NH residents need to ensure they have the proper form of payment before heading to the nearest DMV location.