New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form
A New Hampshire motor vehicle bill of sale form depicts a car transfer from one person to another. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) established the template and certified it for residential use. Individuals carrying out transactions must complete it to verify the purchase and change ownership. Retaining the document allows both parties to authenticate the sale, revisit the car’s details, and review the other person’s contact information.
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What is a New Hampshire Car Bill of Sale?
A New Hampshire bill of sale informs the reader how and when a vehicle transaction occurred. The document requires the home locations and signatures of the buyer and seller. By providing this information, both parties confirm they transferred the title. In addition, the buyer’s signature indicates that they agreed to the listed terms and accepted the automobile “as-is.” The person filling out the bill of sale must also include the car’s year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer, body type, and number of cylinders.
What are the Buyer’s Tasks?
Apprehensive buyers make the most knowledgeable and realistic car purchases. Therefore, individuals should research vehicles before buying to prevent scams and poor decisions. New Hampshire has standard rules for residents when obtaining a car through a private party or dealership. Owners must refer to these regulations during and after the sale of the automobile.
Private Party
The buyer must receive a signed title from the seller to obtain ownership. However, the seller does not need to provide the document if the vehicle is “title exempt.” A car’s model year (i.e., 1999 or older) often excludes them from standard titling procedures.
When transferring possession of a title-exempt vehicle, the seller must give the buyer a completed and signed bill of sale. In addition, they must provide a registration certificate (current or expired) or a valid title (New Hampshire or out-of-state).
After obtaining the bill of sale and registration or title, the buyer brings the information to their town or city clerk’s office. The new owner may or may not be required to show proof of a VIN verification (TDMV 19A). Once they have the necessary forms, they submit the documentation and pay the fees to receive a title and registration in their name.
New Hampshire Dealership
The dealership handles title applications for the customer and sends the information to the DMV with the $25 payment. Upon finalizing the deal, the salesperson gives the buyer a blue carbon copy of the title. Then, the new owner must bring the blue title to their town or city clerk’s office for registration.
Out-of-State Dealership
Out-of-state dealerships cannot carry out the title application process for New Hampshire residents. Instead, the dealer must give the buyer the Certificate of Origin or title upon the sale.
The buyer must bring the Certificate of Origin or title to their town or city clerk’s office to register and title the vehicle in New Hampshire. Per state law, the owner may have to submit a VIN verification (TDMV 19A).
What are the Seller’s Tasks?
The seller must provide the buyer with the finalized and signed title when transferring possession. This law does not apply if the state considers the car tax-exempt. Under these circumstances, the merchant must give the new owner a completed bill of sale and the registration or title.
When the buyer submits the title and registration to the clerk’s office, the seller automatically releases their liability. However, the previous owner should always notify the state of the transfer. This step becomes essential if the purchaser does not submit the required documentation. In this case, the seller remains liable for the vehicle, even if the person who bought the car abandoned it. They would also be responsible for damages, parking fines, or other penalties caused by the driver.
How to Register a Car in New Hampshire (5 Steps)
New residents have sixty (60) days to register their vehicle in New Hampshire. In the meantime, they must have a temporary registration sticker to display.
Before registration, the owner must obtain car insurance and the title and ensure the vehicle passes the inspection and emissions testing. Individuals cannot legally operate automobiles without this information.
Step 1 – Insurance
New Hampshire does not require residents to have a car insurance plan. However, if they do not have a policy, they must be able to prove their ability to meet the financial responsibility requirements if they assume fault in an accident.
When carrying out this process, the eligible individual files paperwork with the New Hampshire Department of Safety and submits payment. After doing so, they obtain a receipt from the state treasurer, which they must use to verify that their deposit meets the minimum liability insurance requirements.
Due to the complexity of the procedure, most residents opt for a vehicle insurance policy. Individuals must choose a reputable, authorized provider and retain the proof of the plan via physical or electronic means. The coverage must include at least $25,000 for the bodily injury or death of one (1) person, $50,000 for the bodily injury or death of two (2) or more persons, and $25,000 for each incident of property damage.
Step 2 – Inspection & Emissions
Vehicles in New Hampshire must have a safety inspection completed within ten (10) days of registration. Owners must have the car reinspected yearly, no more than ten (10) days after the last day of their birth month. Antique vehicles must have an annual inspection in April. If ownership changes, the buyer must have an inspection completed in their name within ten (10) days of registration. This regulation applies even if the original inspection has not expired.
Vehicles with a model year less than twenty (20) years old must receive an inspection and an emissions/onboard diagnostics (OBD) test. The OBD test ensures that the car’s digital system can detect emissions issues as they happen.
State-licensed inspection stations and authorized New Hampshire automobile dealers can inspect and OBD test vehicles. However, not all mechanics have this authorization. As a result, the state requires stations to post a notice on their storefront if they can carry out the inspection. Residents should check for this authentication before testing at the specified location.
New Hampshire does not have a set inspection price, although stations usually charge between $20 and $50 per vehicle. If the car passes, the business electronically sends the inspection information to the DMV and gives the owner a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). The driver also receives an inspection sticker, which remains valid for the duration of the registration.
Step 3 – Title
The title document, issued by the DMV, verifies ownership and contains loan information. Residents obtain a New Hampshire title after 1) purchasing a new vehicle, 2) receiving ownership of a car, and 3) registering their automobile in the state for the first time. It must have the owner’s name and address and the vehicle’s make, body type, model year, VIN, title number, and lienholder details (if applicable).
The owner must always receive the title unless they have an exempt vehicle. They must safely store the document so that it does not become lost and others do not steal it. Only one title can be valid at a time, meaning that the original becomes null when a duplicate is processed. The owner does not renew the title as it remains with them for as long as they possess it and the named car.
The dealership handles titling if the buyer purchases the car from a business. If they carry out a private sale, they must bring the previous title to their town or city clerk’s office and submit it upon registration. The clerk sends the documents to the DMV, where the state approves or denies the request. If accepted, a representative sends the new title to the owner or lienholder within forty (40) to fifty (50) days if approved.
If the owner loses, destroys, or has the original title stolen, they can apply for a duplicate. Lienholders and New Hampshire licensed dealers can also apply upon request. The person sending the information must complete an application, provide a check or money order for $25, and send a lien release (if applicable). Once the DMV receives and approves the paperwork, they send the duplicate title to the vehicle owner within five (5) to ten (10) days.
Step 4 – Registration
Registration must occur within sixty (60) days of bringing a vehicle into New Hampshire. Incoming dwellers must establish residency before registering their car with the state.
The state has a two (2) part process for automobile registrations. First, they must register with the town or city clerk’s office. Next, they must carry out the state transaction. Clerks can complete both parties if they are municipal agents of the state. The registrar must pay the standard registration rate, $8 for the plates, and any additional fees.
New Hampshire dealers carry out the title application process and provide the customer with a blue copy. The buyer must bring the blue copy and proof of residency (if applicable) to their town or city clerk’s office to receive the permanent copy.
Out-of-state dealers cannot apply for the title on the client’s behalf. Therefore, they must give the purchaser the title or the New Hampshire title application from the lienholder and the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO). The resident must bring this information with proof of residency to their local office to apply for their official title and registration.
After completing a private sale, the buyer must bring the assigned title certificate from the seller to their town or city clerk’s office with proof of residency. If the vehicle does not need a title (i.e., title-exempt), the new owner must present 1) a bill of sale, 2) proof of the VIN, 3) the current or previous registration, 4) a completed VIN verification form, and 5) proof of residency.
If the buyer loses, destroys, or damages the registration, they can apply for a duplicate by completing a Copy of Registration Form and paying $15 to a DMV office.
Step 5 – Renew
New Hampshire residents must renew their registration yearly. It expires at midnight on the last day of the owner’s birth month. However, this regulation does not apply to leased or business-owned vehicles. Individuals can check the expiration date on their registration or their license plate’s decal sticker.
Renewal can occur up to four (4) months ahead of time. The registrar must bring their current registration or renewal notice to their town or city clerk’s office and pay the fees. Specific locations allow online or mail registrations instead; therefore, the resident should consult with the office for more information.
| Mailing Address: |
| NH Dept. of Safety DMV – Title 23 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03305 |