Vehicle Registration

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If you are a new resident in New Hampshire, you must register your vehicles within 60 days of moving to the State unless the state you came from has a lesser regulation (Massachusetts allows only 30 days, Florida only 10 days.) Proof of identity and proof of residency in Stoddard are required.  A "non-resident" registering a vehicle and/or trailer in NH must "garage" their vehicle and/or trailer in NH 365 days per year.

Titled Vehicles: Any vehicle manufactured in 2000, or later, must be titled in New Hampshire in order to be registered. If the vehicle is purchased from a NH dealer, the dealer will prepare a title application for the new or used vehicle and will provide a Town Clerk's copy (usually on blue or white paper) which you present when coming into the office to register your vehicle. New vehicles purchased out-of-state must include a certificate of origin, which is surrendered to the Town Clerk in place of a title. Vehicles purchased out-right (with no lien) must have an existing title, completed and signed on the back side, which is surrendered to the Town Clerk. The cost to apply for a new vehicle title is $25.00, payable to NH-DMV and a fee of $3.00, payable to the Town of Stoddard.

Information the State of NH requires to process a new registration:

1. A bill of sale from previous owner containing the following information:

a) The date of the sale

b) A description of the vehicle including the Make, Model, VIN - Vehicle Identification Number, Model year, Year of manufacturer, Body type, Number of cylinders

c) Name and address of purchaser and

d) Signature and address of seller.

- If the previous owner was a vehicle dealer, a temporary registration certificate or an application for a certificate of title is required.

Exempt Vehicles: A vehicle or trailer (3,000 pounds or less) which is year 2000 or older is NOT required to have a title. In order to do the initial registration of an exempt vehicle, a bill of sale is required.  In addition, verification of the "vehicle identification number" (VIN) is required such as a previous issued NH registration (or copy), the former owner's title (or copy) or a completed TDMV 19-A form. This form can be downloaded from the NH Dept. of Motor Vehicle website or be obtained at the Town Clerk's office. 

New Registration: Vehicle owners in New Hampshire pay two registration fees: one to the Town of Stoddard which is based on the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) value of the vehicle when new, and one to the State, based upon the weight of the vehicle and the type of plate issued. The Town Clerk can do the State portion of the registration and collect the State fees for automobiles, motorcycles, trailers and trucks with a gross weight of 80,000 pounds or less. If a vehicle is over 80,000 pounds, the State portion must be processed at a NH DMV sub-station after the Town portion has been paid.

Transferring Plates:  A plate from a vehicle registered in the owner(s) name may be transferred to another vehicle registered in the same owner(s) name by paying the appropriate fees. The State of NH requires that the old registration be surrendered to the Town Clerk at the time of the transfer. If the owner does not have the original copy of the registration at the time of the transfer, a duplicate copy will need to be purchased before the transfer can be completed.  Credit for the months remaining on your old registration will be applied, if any.  Lease-to-own and own-to-lease vehicle transfers can also be completed at the Town Clerk's Office.

Temporary Plates:  When ordering a pate that has been lost or mutilated, a Certificate of Temporary Plate Use form (DDMV 316) must be completed. Forms are available at the Town Clerk's office.

Renewals:  Vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the owner's birth month. Vehicle registration must be renewed annually, during the owner's birthday month. The owner will receive a notice of expiration by mail, the month prior to the birthday month. Vehicle registration renewals can be completed online, in-person or by mail (by sending the proper fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Cash and checks are accepted. Credit/Debit cards are not accepted at this time.

Early Renewals: Vehicles may be registered up to four months prior to the expiration of the registration.

Leased Vehicles: The registration of a leased vehicle expires during the month which corresponds with the name of the leasing company, not the owner's birth month.

Seasonal Residents:  Owning a vacation home does not qualify one as a resident, however, a property owner can register a vehicle with "non-resident" status. When doing so, the vehicle must be garaged in New Hampshire and used only in New Hampshire.

Inspections: All registered vehicles must be inspected by the end of the expiration month. There is a 10-day grace period into the following month. Inspections must be done with a current registration, either after registration renewal or up to three months prior to renewal of the registration. Vehicles registered for the first time by an owner, must be inspected within ten days of the registration date.

Drivers license renewals:  Drivers licenses expire every five years on the owner's birthday and must be renewed at the NH Dept. of Motor Vehicles or any sub-station. 

Boat Registrations and Renewals (decals): To obtain a boat registration or renew one, please bring all pertinent paperwork related to the boat or current registration to the Stoddard Town Clerk's office. Refer to Boat Registration tab for details.