Motor Vehicles FAQs

Motor Vehicle FAQs

How early can I register my vehicle?

You can register your vehicle/trailer as early as 4 months ahead of time (1 month ahead on-line).

BIRTH MONTH…

REGISTER AS EARLY AS…

January

October

February

November

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December

April

January

May

February

June

March

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April

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June

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I’d like to get vanity plates for my vehicle. How do I do that? 

Please click here to obtain information on the Vanity Plate procedure. 
Click here for the Vanity Plate application.


I just moved to Hampton Falls, what do I need to prove my residency so I can register my vehicle?

You will need to fill out the New Resident form (found here).

AND

You will need to bring ONE of the following:

  • If you own the home, please bring a current utility bill (electricity, cable, gas, etc) that has your name and the Hampton Falls address on it OR
  • If you rent, please bring a copy of your rental agreement OR
  • If you are living with a parent, etc please bring a SIGNED & NOTARIZED letter from the PROPERTY OWNER (not a roommate) where you are living, stating that you do, in fact, live at that specific address.

If you choose to bring a letter written by the home owner, the letter MUST include: 

  • your name, the current date, AND
  • specific address, AND
  • the fact that you live there, AND
  • the dates you moved into the home
  • the Owner’s printed name AND signature AND
  • the Owner's signature MUST BE NOTARIZED

What do I need to bring with me to register my vehicle?

When registering NEW (brand new OR new-to-you) vehicle

Transferring Plates:

  • When purchased through a dealer, you will need the ORIGINAL registration from your previously registered vehicle AND the title application with TOWN CLERK COPY (printed at the bottom of form).
  • When purchased through private sale, you will need the ORIGINAL registration from your previously registered vehicle AND the completed title for the model 2000 or newer car.
  • If the vehicle is 1999 or older, you will need the ORIGINAL registration from your previously registered vehicle, a bill of sale is required (print one here: NH BILL OF SALE), ALONG WITH ONE of the following documents:
           * VIN verification (print one here): VIN VERIFICATION FORM #TDMV 19AOR
           * Title/Certificate of Origin OR
           * ORIGINAL previous registration for the vehicle you purchased

New Plates:

  • When purchasing through a dealer you need to bring the title application with TOWN CLERK COPY** (printed in red at the bottom of form) and you will pay for a set of new plates with registration.
  • When purchasing via private sale, a completed title for the 2000 or newer vehicle.
  • If the vehicle is 1999 or older, a bill of sale is required (print one here: NH BILL OF SALE), along with one of the following documents:
  • VIN verification (print one here: VIN VERIFICATION FORM #TDMV 19AOR
  • Title/Certificate of Origin OR
  • Previous registration

IN ADDITION to the above, you must bring the following:

  • A photo I.D. (in order for us to hand you a registration you must provide a photo I.D.)
  • Cash, check, or credit/debit card (there is a 2.95% charge by the bank to process cards)

*** As of January 1, 2015, per RSA 261:3, titles will be required for ALL vehicles with a model year 2000 and newer. Example: If it is the year 2050, and you have a model year 2000 vehicle that you are selling, you are required to provide the buyer with a title. If you are the purchaser, you MUST have the title when registering said vehicle, and purchase a new title in your name. This will be in effect permanently. ***

When renewing your registration:
Bring one of the following:

  • Previous registration OR
  • Renewal notice the Town sent OR
  • License plate number (which is also on each of the two documents mentioned above. 
  • A photo I.D. (in order for us to hand you a registration you must provide a photo I.D.)
  • Cash, check, or credit/debit card. (there is a 2.95% charge by the bank to process cards)
    If you would like to renew your vehicles online, please use the Tab "Motor Vehicle Online Renewals".

 


I am new to New Hampshire. When do I have to change my license and registration?

261:45 Resident of State

Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 261:44, when a nonresident has established a bona fide residency in this state, said resident shall have a maximum of 60 days from the date his residency was established in which to register his vehicle in New Hampshire.

[RSA 261:45 effective January 1, 2016; see also RSA 261:45 set out above.]

261:45 Obligation to Register Vehicle

  1. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 261:44, when a nonresident has established a bona fide residency in this state, said resident shall have a maximum of 60 days from the date of his or her residency in which to register his or her vehicle or vehicles in New Hampshire.
  2. When a nonresident business entity has established a place of business in this state and principally garages or regularly keeps overnight in this state a vehicle or vehicles owned by or leased to the business entity for conducting intrastate commerce in New Hampshire, the business entity shall be considered domiciled in New Hampshire and shall have a maximum of 60 days from the date of establishing such domicile in which to register the vehicle or vehicles with division or with an apportioned registration through the international registration plan. The director may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to procedures for such registration.

Source. RSA 260:39-a. 1979, 135:1. 1981, 146:1; 479:2, eff. Jan. 1, 1982. 2015, 111:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016


How do I get New Hampshire State Parks Plates?

For information on NH State Parks Plates, and how to obtain them, please click here.


Can Someone Else Renew My Vehicle Registration For Me?

Yes, absolutely. Just make sure they have your current registration or plate number and photo ID.
They will be asked to confirm the vehicle information.
They will not be allowed to sign your registration but you can do that when you receive it from your "courier".