Car owners must obtain two new registration plates in New Hampshire after they purchase a new or used vehicle in the state. Otherwise, drivers may choose to transfer car registration plates from one vehicle to another, thus avoiding the need to obtain new license plates. In any case, all plates must display DMV license plate registration decals, which drivers must renew during their vehicle’s registration renewal period.

As a general rule, vehicle owners must get a license plate in NH through the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which offers various types of car tags. This division is also responsible for other services, such as renewing registration credentials or replacing lost, stolen or damaged license plates. If you wish to discover how to get a license plate in the state, as well as when you must renew your registration materials, read the following sections.

Types of License Plates in New Hampshire

When vehicle owners need to get New Hampshire car registration plates for their recently-acquired vehicles, the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides them with several different options to choose from. A DMV license plate may be issued as a standard passenger plate, decal plate, vanity plate, veteran tag, conservation tag, state park plate, conversation park plate or motorcycle plate. Additional DMV car tags include temporary plates such as the dealer 20-day temporary plate, private sale 20-day tag, in-transit 20-day temporary plate and the new resident 60-day temporary plate.

How to Apply for a License Plate in New Hampshire

After purchasing a vehicle, drivers must purchase temporary car registration tags and apply for new plates through the New Hampshire DMV. In general, dealerships provide buyers with a temporary DMV license plate. However, if drivers purchase a vehicle in a private sale, they must obtain a temporary tag from a DMV office.

In any case, drivers must apply for new registration plates in person regardless of whether they purchase the vehicle from a dealership or private party. During the DMV car tag application process, drivers must submit the following information:

• The vehicle’s title certificate or a copy of the title application
• The vehicle’s title, title application from the lienholder or a certificate of origin if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealership
• Proof of state residency
• Acceptable payment method for registration and plate fees

After applying for NH car registration tags and submitting all of the required documentation, vehicle owners may need to complete an additional portion of the registration process in person at a DMV office. However, certain clerk’s offices may be able to complete the entire registration process for an additional fee.

If you need to get a license plate on a title-exempt vehicle, you must submit the vehicle’s bill of sale alongside a title certificate, registration card or an appropriate application form. Moreover, you must provide proof of state residency.

How to Renew License Plate Tags in New Hampshire

Car owners must renew a license plate before their vehicle’s registration credentials expire. As a reminder of car registration renewals, the New Hampshire DMV sends vehicle owners a renewal notice in the mail. As such, drivers must apply for a license plate renewal in person at a clerk’s office, where they can submit permit fees and present their vehicle’s current registration card. If car owners cannot submit the vehicle’s registration card, they may submit the vehicle’s registration renewal notice.

After renewing license plate materials at a town clerk’s office, drivers may need to proceed to a local DMV office to complete the state portion of the renewal process. In some cases, however, the clerk’s office may be able to complete the entire renewal process for an additional fee.

How to Replace License Plates in New Hampshire

Vehicle owners must replace license plate credentials as soon as they sustain significant damages, become illegible or disappear. When replacing license plate stickers or tags, drivers must complete an application form and submit it in person at any municipal agent office or DMV registration office. During the process of how to replace license plate credentials, car owners must submit an acceptable payment method for requesting the service. Overall, if you need replacement tags due to the fact that your license plates were stolen from you, you must obtain a new license plate number.

Furthermore, you may replace your car tags at any time if you wish to obtain a new type of license plate. To do so, you must still complete an application form and pay all of the applicable registration and new plate fees.

How to Transfer License Plates in New Hampshire

Instead of obtaining new registration plates for a recently-acquired vehicle, you may transfer your old car tags to the new vehicle. In order to transfer New Hampshire car registration tags from one vehicle to another, you must complete the following steps:

• Visit a local clerk’s office and submit the current registration card for the plates you wish to transfer
• Submit proof of ownership for the new vehicle

On the other hand, if you are transferring your NH DMV license plates after the death of your spouse, you must submit your vehicle’s title certificate and/or lienholder information along with the death certificate of your spouse.

New Hampshire License Plate Fees

A standard plate manufacturing fee of $8 will be charged when you first register a vehicle in New Hampshire. The cost of obtaining license plates in New Hampshire also includes general registration fees, state fees and town/city fees. Furthermore, the fees for new plates vary according to each type of vehicle and type of license plate. For example, if you are interested in vanity plates, you will be charged an additional $40 fee.

License Plate Lookups in New Hampshire

Before getting license plates in NH and registering a used vehicle with the DMV, you can perform an online license plate lookup to learn more about the vehicle you plan to purchase. New Hampshire DMV license plate lookups can provide you with detailed information about the vehicle’s history, including its overall performance, previous owners, manufacturer, collision history and safety recall data.

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