How To Cancel Vehicle Registration Online in New Hampshire in 2026
New Hampshire does not provide an online system or mail-in option for canceling vehicle registration. Registration cancellation must be completed through in-person visits to New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch offices throughout the state.
The Division of Motor Vehicles, operating under the Department of Safety, administers all vehicle registration matters, including cancellations. Canceling your registration removes the legal authorization for your vehicle to operate on New Hampshire roadways and requires the physical return of license plates to the DMV.
When Registration Cancellation May Be Needed
Vehicle owners in New Hampshire may need to cancel their registration under various circumstances:
- Completing a private sale or dealership transaction of your vehicle
- Donating your vehicle to a charitable organization or transferring ownership to a family member
- Establishing permanent residency in a different state
- Returning a leased vehicle upon completion of the lease agreement
- Taking your vehicle to a salvage yard or scrap facility for disposal
- Receiving a total loss determination from your insurance carrier
- Filing a stolen vehicle report with law enforcement without subsequent recovery
- Maintaining a vehicle in long-term storage without active insurance coverage
- Transferring vehicle ownership through probate or estate administration
- Withdrawing a vehicle from active use permanently
In-Person Processing at DMV Branch Office
Registration cancellation may be completed at any DMV branch office throughout New Hampshire during regular business hours. In-person processing provides immediate completion and same-day documentation.
Required Materials:
- Current registration certificate
- Valid driver's license or state-issued photo identification
- Vehicle identification number
Processing Steps:
Present your required documentation to a DMV representative at the service counter. The representative will process your cancellation request in the system and issue a Registration Cancellation Confirmation immediately. This confirmation serves as official documentation of your cancellation date for insurance carriers and refund applications.
License Plate Return:
New Hampshire does not require the return of license plates to the DMV. Instead, previous owners are given the option to destroy the plates, keep the plates, or transfer the plates if they plan to register another vehicle in their name.
Petition for Refund of Registration Fees
New Hampshire does not issue refunds for unused portions of a registration, as renewals are for a 12-month period. This means that you will not receive a prorated refund for the time remaining on the cancelled registration.
However, an exemption may be given following RSA 261:95. A full refund of the registration fee may be issued when a vehicle owner or the owner’s surviving spouse surrenders the license plates with an affidavit certifying the plates were never used. This is provided that the director confirms the plates remained unused and the return occurs within 90 days from the purchase date.
Governing Laws and Regulations
New Hampshire vehicle registration cancellation procedures are established through state statutes administered by the Department of Safety:
- RSA 261 establishes the governing rules and regulations on certificates of title and registration of vehicles
Government Agencies
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles
23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles
DMV Branch Offices in Major Cities
Registration cancellation may be completed in person at any DMV branch office during regular business hours. The following full-service locations are available throughout New Hampshire:
Concord DMV
23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Concord DMV
Manchester DMV
377 S Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Manchester DMV
Nashua DMV
110 Broad St, Nashua, NH 03064
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Nashua DMV
Keene DMV
149 Emerald St, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Keene DMV
Salem DMV
154 Main St, Salem, NH 03079
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Salem DMV
Epping DMV
315 Calef Hwy, Epping, NH 03042
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Epping DMV
Tamworth DMV
1864 White Mountain Hwy, Tamworth, NH 03886
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Tamworth DMV
Gorham DMV
491 Main St, Gorham, NH 03581
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Gorham DMV
Milford DMV
4 Meadowbrook Dr, Milford, NH 03055
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Milford DMV
Dover DMV
50 Boston Harbor Rd, Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: Dover DMV
