Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?
Drivers in New Hampshire will only be able torenew car registration on state level if they have already finished the process on the town or city level.

You will not be allowed to go directly to do the second stage of the process. If applicable for your residence, a good option that you might want to use at this point is authorizing municipal agents to take care of the state procedure as well.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Can somebody else renew my registration for me?
If you want to check how to proceed when you are renewing car registration you should get in touch with your local city clerk or tax collector directly to check if their municipal system allows for you to renew car registration online or via mail.

If this is an option, then someone else can take care to complete the process for you. This does not, however, absolve you from the obligation to sign any required documents. Check specific requirements at the DMV office in your city or town of residence.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Do boats need to be registered?
If you decide to buy a boat in New Hampshire, or if you have moved and want to ride your car or boat legally, not only will you have to get car registration but you must also register your boat.

To register your vessel, complete and submit the following set of documents to DMV in person, to authorized boat agents or mail them to the office in Concord:

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?
Car registration replacement can be done alone without filing a police report.

However, if you wish to be properly protected, it is recommended that you use your right to file a report and save yourself unnecessary difficulties that may arise of having your car registration document misused.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?
No, in New Hampshire it is not required to return your license plate if you no longer live in the state.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?
If your car registration has been damaged, get in touch with the DMV office in your town of residence first, to check the municipal requirements for damaged registrations.

Pay attention that, if you want to obtain duplicate license plates, you must surrender the old ones before you complete the car registration replacement procedure.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?
There is no compulsory responsibility to get your motorized scooter registered on state level in New Hampshire.

Depending on the car registration requirements that are adopted by your local town or city though, there may be different rules that apply to scooter or moped registration.

Get in touch with your local DMV office to see if any rules apply. In this way you will also be able to fully enjoy longer scooter rides and drive it safely on out-of-town journeys.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?
Getting vehicle registration in New Hampshire is always under the condition of having your motor vehicle inspected for smog emissions.

The initial smog inspection must be done within 10 days of vehicle registration and renewed every year ten days before your birthday date. New owners must also redo the smog inspection within ten days of completing car registration in their name.

Smog inspection is done at licensed locations or car dealers and may cost between $20 and $50 per vehicle.

More information: Vehicle Emissions Testing in New Hampshire

How can I renew my vehicle registration?
Renewing car registration in New Hampshire must be done in two stages to comply with both municipal and state requirements.

To renew expired car registration, visit your local NH DMV office in person or mail the renewal application and the supporting documents there. To complete the procedure required on state level you must first finish everything related to the local municipality requirements.

To renew vehicle registrationif you are out of state, prepare the following documents and mail them the NH DMV four months before the expiry date:

  • Renewal notice
  • Old registration certificate
  • Money order or check with the required fees
  • Note giving authorization to finish the state procedure
  • Out-of-town address

Local municipal laws may have different fees and it is hence advisable that you check them at DMV locations before you apply.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

How can I transfer my registration to another state?
When you are moving from state to state and want to start the procedure to legally drive your vehicle, getting car registration in the current state is a prerequisite.

States across the country have various regulations on car registration. Make sure to check the new state requirements well in advance to optimally utilize your administration time.

When you are leaving New Hampshire, it may be wise to see if there are any specific requirements on municipal and on state level. There is no need to surrender the old license plates to DMV.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?
When you register vehicle and you want to apply for the privilege of getting disability placards in New Hampshire, you will need to complete and sign Application for Walking Disability Privileges and have it signed by an authorized medical examiner who must put brief description of the disability.

You can get either get temporary license plates valid for six months or permanent license plates valid for up to five years and can do so by applying in person at a NH DMV office or mailing in the required documentation to:

NH Department of SafetyDMV – Registration23 Hazen DriveConcord NH 03305

The DMV in New Hampshire provides four different types of placards, which depend on the disability qualification, including:

  • Permanent hanging placards
  • Walking disability plates
  • Dependent transportation
  • Qualifying organization from the private or the public sector

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?
Filing a police report in the event that your New Hampshire car registration has been stolen is not mandatory, however, it is recommended for you to do so considering it will serve as a better protection for your vehicle and your driving record.

If you have had your car registration stolen, along with the car registration replacement, you may want to contact the nearest law enforcement officer and submit a police report for the document that has been stolen.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?
To apply for acar registration replacement, visit any DMV office in new Hampshire.

Before you apply for car registration copy, you will need to decide whether you will also require plates and if you will want a certified or a non-certified copy of the car registration.

Once you prepare your application package with the appropriate documentation and fees, you can submit it to any DMV office for non-certified copies, and to the Concord officefor certified copies only.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

How do I obtain car registration?
In order to apply for car registration in New Hampshire, you must go through two different stages:
  • City or town level
  • State level

To get car registration at DMV New Hampshire, you will first need to submit the car title and a proof of residency to the nearby DMV office at your town of residence.

The required steps that you will need to take and the specific documents that you will need to provide in support to your car registration application depend on whether the vehicle is bought:

  • From a New Hampshire car dealer.
  • From an out-of-state car dealer.
  • In a private sale.
  • In a private sale and it is title-exempt.

The car registration is complete when a state agent finishes the second stage. Note that certain town or city agents may have state authorization and may be able to provide the second-stage service with an additional fee.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?
In New Hampshire, there is no explicitly defined additional fee that will be asked from the applicant, but you might want to contact the DMV office in your town or city to confirm extra expenses that may be put upon you in case of delays.

Pay attention though that the car registration is a document that will enable you to drive legally on state territory and that you may not be able to drive or apply for other vehicle-related documents without holding a valid car registration.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?
Personalized plates are under special conditions for issuance in New Hampshire. When you intend to get duplicate car registration for special plates you should first check town or city requirements for replacing car registration.

In addition, when asking for personalized plates, you must:

  • Use the Application for Vanity Plates.
  • Follow name and character number requirements.
  • Carry extra fees for first-time issuance, for yearly expenses and for special design costs.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?
Although it is not the best practice to carry the car registration with you, you will not be at fault if you choose to do so. Take note that you might put yourself at greater risk for having it lost.

The best place to keep the vehicle registration is in your vehicle. You will be always prepared to present it for check-ups by law enforcement officers and avoid unwanted fines and penalties.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?
Duplicate car registration needs to be obtained in certain cases where you have had your old car registration:
  • Stolen.
  • Lost.
  • Damaged.
  • Destroyed.

In any such occasion, you will need to file for car registration replacement at the DMV office in your municipality.

What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?
Vehicle registration costs in new Hampshire are very varied and depend of the type of the vehicle, the municipality requirements, the age of the driver, whether temporary or permanent plates need to be issued and many other factors that are related to the personal or business circumstances of the vehicle registration applicant.

In essence, New Hampshire stipulates car registration costs that include:

  • State fees
  • Town/city fees
  • Flat fees
  • Prorated fees
  • Plates fees

Each of these characteristics has its own specially determined portion in the calculation of the registration fee. It is thus highly recommended that you contact a DMV office at your town or city to check the exact costs that will be put upon you to complete the registration on both municipal and state levels.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

What are the required fees to get replacement registration?
Duplicate car registration fees depend on whether you ask for any special license plates to be made or whether you only ask for car registration replacement.

Relevant fees may include:

  • $15 registration replacement fee
  • $8 duplicate license plates fee
  • Additional fees if any special plates are required

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

What are the required fees to renew my registration?
New Hampshire DMV offices have assigned a very wide range of car registration fees that result from the registration sovereignty they have on local level.

Fees also vary significantly for different types of vehicles inasmuch as few dollars. In addition, car registration renewal fees can be prorated and depend on the characteristics of each vehicle, especially vehicle weight.

To renew expired car registration, first make sure to get in touch with your local DMV office and ask for any details that may relate to your particular situation. Take into account both local and state fees.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?
To obtain a replacement car registration at DMV locations in New Hampshire, make sureyou submit the relevant form for your concrete request. When you apply, have in mind the checklist below and be prepared to present the following documents:
  • Registration and license plates replacement fees

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

What documents do I need to present to get new registration?
Going through the two-stage process of getting car registration in New Hampshire expects that you visit a DMV location in your vicinity and submit the set of documents that is required for the particular circumstances related to your vehicle:
  • If your vehicle is bought from a local dealer, you must provide:
    • A car title or blue copies of your car title application.
    • Proof of residency.
  • If your vehicle is bought from an out-of-state car dealer, you must provide:
    • A car title application from the lien-holder.
    • Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.
    • Proof of residency.
  • If your vehicle is bought in a private sale, you must provide:
    • A car title certificate.
    • Proof of residency.
  • If your vehicle is bought in a private sale and it is title-exempt, you must provide:
    • A Bill of Sale with detailed description of the vehicle and data for the buyer and the seller.
    • Proof of VIN (Verification of Vehicle Identification, car title or car registration).
    • Proof of residency.

Certain municipalities allow for or have established online registration systems. As towns in New Hampshire are fairly autonomous in their car registration regulations, you should get in touch with your local DMV authority to see if you city provides the option to register car online.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in New Hampshire

What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?
In support to the application, renewing car registration in New Hampshire asks from its applicants to submit the documents below:
  • Proof of residency
  • Renewal notice
  • Old registration certificate
  • Money order or check in amount of $15 and any locally appointed fees
  • Note giving authorization to finish the state procedure

When you start the car registration renewal in New Hampshire, you must go through a local municipal registration agent and through a state authorized agent.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?
DMV in New Hampshire provides temporary plates for its applicants for car registration renewal. The temporary license plates are valid between 20 and 60 days. Tags or stickers may be available in certain municipalities for additional small fees.

Depending on the type of the registration and the type of plates required, the applicants can get:

  • 20-day temporary plates from a dealer.
  • 20-day temporary plates from a private sale.
  • 20-day temporary plates when in-transit.
  • 60-day temporary plates as a new resident.

If it happens that you do not get your temporary plates on time, get in touch with the local DMV office to check how to get them as soon as possible and complete the car registration renewal procedure.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

When does my car registration expire?
Car registration expiry dates are usually defined annually. Certain municipalities base the criteria for car registration renewal on type of vehicle or to attribution to certain organizations.

You can additionally check your registration expiry date online if your local DMV office offers the option to renew car registration online.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Where can I find a local tax county collector office?
Car registration replacement is done first and foremost on local level and afterwards on state level.

To check the requirements for your place of residence, you may wish to address a local City Clerk or Tax Collector to help you with the information about the application and the fees that are locally requested. Municipal authorities will be able to direct you at the exact locations.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?
Replacing car registration is done using one or more of the three available forms, which are prearranged by DMV in New Hampshire.

The form required for your factual application depends on the type of copy you need and whether you ask for duplicate license plates. Required forms may include:

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?
Yes, much alike the usual practice of DMV offices across the country, the NH DMV will send you a car registration renewal notice via mail.

Renewals will be notified to you as soon as four months ahead of the actual expiry date. This is especially helpful for out-of-state renewals.

In case you do not get a renewal reminder it is advisable that you get in touch with the NH DMV and check what are the necessary steps you need to take to renew car registration.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire

Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?
Car registration is usually done on annual basis in New Hampshire. Expenses for renewing car registration though are connected to the anniversary of the car owner’s date of birth.

You can decide to apply to renew car registration at least four months ahead of time. That is normally the time when you get your renewal reminder notice.

For more information: How to Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire