A New Hampshire car title is a legal document issued by the DMV to show ownership of a vehicle. The state requires an auto title on all motor vehicles that meet certain requirements. Generally, an NH vehicle title is required for all light passenger cars and trucks that have a model year of 1999 or younger. The New Hampshire DMV Bureau of Title and Anti-Theft manages all car title applications and supervises the process through a network of Town and City Clerks.

The state fully participates in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to protect its citizens from car title fraud by connecting with other state DMVs to track car thefts and illegal sales. Car owners only have 20 days following their purchase to obtain new car title documentation, so understanding the process is imperative. For more information on how to get car title documents, and help to understand the difference between titling and car registration, continue reading the sections below.

Where to Apply for a Car Title in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, the best place for getting car title documents is at the DMV headquarters located in Concord at 23 Hazen Drive. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this location directly processes new and used car title applications and other requests related to motor vehicle services.

If it is inconvenient to drive to Concord, you may apply for a title for car ownership at one of the satellite DMV locations at your local town or county clerk’s office. After your DMV car title application is prepared by the clerk, it will be sent to the main title bureau for processing. In some cases, a certified car dealer or lien holder will initiate your vehicle title application and deliver it to the title bureau on your behalf.

The New Hampshire Auto Title Application

Drivers who need to get car title documents must complete Form TDMV 23A, Application for Certificate of Title and be prepared to pay the associated DMV fees. As part of your car title process, you will have to obtain a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection to ensure that the number matches the vehicle being titled. VIN Verification Form TDMV 19A is required to get car title approval on abandoned vehicles, US government vehicles, antique cars and vehicles from foreign nations, including Canada.

Often referred to as a pink slip because titles used to be printed on pink paper, current NH car titles feature raised green ink on a tan background. You should receive your new certificate of title in the mail within 30 to 50 calendar days from the date of application, unless you have a lien holder on the vehicle. In that case, the DMV will send the new car title to the bank or other financial institution holding the lien.

Documents You Must Provide When Applying for a New Car Title in New Hampshire

In addition to a completed Form TDMV 23A, drivers getting a new or used car title must show the clerk their valid NH driver license. Unlike most states, NH does not have a mandatory insurance law, so no proof of insurance is required for car title applicants unless they have a record of DWI offenses. If available, you must turn in the seller’s certificate of title to ensure that only one title with the current owner’s name is in force at any given time.

What is a New Hampshire car registration?

A car registration is a state-issued document that proves a vehicle’s owner has met all the safety requirements to legally drive on statewide and national roadways. New Hampshire vehicle registration is a two-part process that begins at the town or city level when the applicant visits their town/city clerk or tax collector.

After completing the local auto registration transaction, the application is sent to the state DMV for finalization. In some locations, the town or city clerk is authorized to complete both DMV car registration steps simultaneously because he or she is also a municipal agent of the state. As with car titles, drivers must get car registration processed within 20 days of taking ownership of a vehicle.

What is the difference between a car title and a vehicle registration in New Hampshire?

In the most basic terms, a New Hampshire car registration permit allows drivers to operate a vehicle within the state while a car title provides proof of ownership. A new car registration certificate is issued annually and drivers must pay renewal fees when they are due to maintain legal registration status. Unlike motor vehicle registration, a vehicle will only have one certificate of title valid for the entire length of time that you own the vehicle.

Titles also show the chain of vehicle ownership while your car registration only shows that you have met the state’s standards for safe vehicle operation. Although they are hard to counterfeit, a certificate of title should always be treated like any other important document and stored in a safe deposit box or other secure location. Conversely, an NH car registration certificate should always be carried inside the vehicle if needed for verification purposes during a traffic stop.

Car Title Costs in New Hampshire

The standard fee for a Certificate of Title for a new or used vehicle in New Hampshire is $25.00

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