How To Transfer a Car Title in New Hampshire 2026

When ownership of a vehicle changes in New Hampshire, the seller must sign the Certificate of Title over to the buyer at the time of the sale, following RSA 261:14. The buyer is then required to apply for a new New Hampshire Certificate of Title by registering the vehicle through the town or city clerk's office in the municipality where they reside.

Title applications are not submitted directly to the DMV — they must be prepared by an authorized agent (a town/city clerk, a licensed New Hampshire dealer, or a lienholder) and forwarded to the Division of Motor Vehicles for processing. A 20-day temporary plate is available for vehicles purchased through a private sale, providing the buyer a window to operate the vehicle while full registration is completed.

New Hampshire does not require a certificate of title for vehicles of model year 1999 or older; those transactions follow a separate title-exempt procedure.

Required Documents for Title Transfer in New Hampshire

The documents below apply to a standard private-party sale of a titled vehicle. Additional forms may be required for out-of-state purchases, transfers involving a lien, or vehicles subject to VIN verification.

Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in New Hampshire

Step 1: Inspect the Title and Confirm Lien Status

Before the transaction proceeds, the buyer must examine the Certificate of Title to verify that the seller's printed name matches their government-issued identification exactly. If two owners appear on the title joined by "AND," both must sign the reverse to release ownership; if joined by "OR," one signature is sufficient.

Any lien notation on the face of the title must be fully satisfied before the sale. The lienholder must provide a completed Lien Release (TDMV 20A) before the vehicle can change hands. Buyers are also advised to confirm the vehicle's title status in advance, as model year 1999 or older vehicles are title-exempt and follow a different transfer process.

Step 2: Complete the Title Assignment at the Time of Sale

Under RSA 261:14, the seller is required to endorse the Certificate of Title to the buyer at the time of the transaction. On the reverse side of the title, the seller must enter:

• Buyer's full legal name and address
• Current odometer reading at the time of sale
• Date of sale
• Seller's signature, written exactly as the name appears on the face of the title

The buyer must sign the title in the designated buyer signature section as well. Any erasure or use of correction fluid voids the document entirely. Once the title is signed over, it must be delivered to the buyer, and the seller may not retain it.

Step 3: Obtain a 20-Day Temporary Plate (If Needed)

Buyers who need to drive the vehicle before completing full registration may apply for a 20-day temporary plate through a DMV Drop Box service or a DMV office. To request the plate, submit the following:

• A photocopy of the signed title (front and back) — or a Bill of Sale that includes the VIN, sale date, vehicle description, and both parties' signatures and addresses
• A photocopy of a current driver's license or non-driver ID
• A $20.00 fee (check or money order payable to "State of NH-DMV")

Out-of-state residents purchasing a vehicle in New Hampshire through a private sale may be eligible for an In-Transit plate; contact the DMV at (603) 227-4030 for eligibility guidance.

Step 4: Visit the Town or City Clerk's Office to Register and Apply for Title

Registering a vehicle in New Hampshire is a two-part process that begins at the town or city clerk's office in the buyer's municipality of residence. The clerk determines residency, collects local permit fees, and — when acting as a municipal agent of the state — may complete the state portion of the registration in the same visit. Bring the following to the clerk's office:

• The properly assigned Certificate of Title (original)
• Proof of New Hampshire residency
• Government-issued photo identification
• Lien Release TDMV 20A (if the title reflected a security interest)
• VIN Verification form TDMV 19A (if required for the vehicle type)

The town/city clerk prepares the New Hampshire Title Application, a controlled document not available for public completion, and forwards it to the Division of Motor Vehicles along with the $35.00 title fee.

Step 5: Pay All Required Fees

Vehicle registration in New Hampshire involves fees owed to both the municipality and the state. State registration fees are set by RSA 261:141 and are calculated based on the vehicle's weight. Town and city permit fees are determined independently by each municipality. The table below lists the standard title and registration fees applicable at the time of application.

Step 6: Receive the New Certificate of Title

After the town/city clerk forwards the completed title application to the Division of Motor Vehicles, the DMV processes the request and mails the new New Hampshire Certificate of Title directly to the vehicle owner — or to the lienholder if a security interest is recorded — within 40 to 50 calendar days of receipt.

Contact Information

NH Division of Motor Vehicles
23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 227-4000
Official Website: NH Division of Motor Vehicles