Title Transfers

The vehicle title proves you own the vehicle. When you register your vehicle in New Hampshire you must show the town clerk or Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) substation the vehicle title.

When you buy or sell a motor vehicle you will need to transfer the ownership. In addition to the Bill of Sale you may be able to just sign over the title or if you buy it from a dealership you will be given copies of the title application.

Dealership Sale

Licensed vehicle dealers will complete the paperwork for transferring the ownership over to you. The title application, along with a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin, is mailed to the Title Bureau with a small filing fee―usually just $25. A few copies of the title application are given to you and one is for the town clerk to use when registering your newly purchased vehicle.

Any lender or lienholder will be noted on the title application and the original title will be mailed to the lienholder in one to seven days. It is a good idea to check with your bank or lender to be sure they get the original title.

Private Sale

Many title transfers occur between two people in a private party sale. Of course you will still want to get a Bill of Sale along with the assigned title. In a private sale the original title is needed to transfer the ownership to you. On the reverse side of the vehicle title is a section for assigning the vehicle over to a buyer. Be sure the correct section is completed in full.

If you make a mistake on the title assignment, don't worry―you can use the Voided Assignment Letter available online using the free Adobe Reader and a TDMV 17A (obtained directly from the Title Bureau) to correct the mistake.

When you register your newly acquired vehicle the town clerk will use the assigned title to complete a title application. The title application will be mailed to DMV Headquarters and a new title, with you as owner, will be mailed to you, or the lender, in one to seven days.

Lienholder Release

If you borrowed the money to buy your vehicle the lienholder will probably want to keep the title. After some time, however, you will pay off the loan and own the vehicle free and clear. When you are done paying the debt your lender will mail you the title with a release by lienholder.

Once released and returned to you, the title is like any other NH vehicle title. When you transfer the title to a buyer at some future date you will assign the title to them by completing that section on the back of the original title.

If you want to sell the vehicle while you still owe on it, the Release of Lien form will have to be completed. Of course, you'll have to pay off the remainder of the loan before the bank gives you a release.

Title-Exempt Vehicles

Maybe your grandmother left you her antique car or perhaps you restored a 1943 Ford Pickup Truck. Some vehicles just don't have titles and the state isn't going to issue titles on these exempt vehicles, unless you want to title an antique vehicle; vehicles 15 years of age or older are title-exempt.

Transferring a title on a title exempt vehicle may require some extra paperwork. Again the Title Bureau is concerned with ownership and theft; yet, proving ownership on a title-exempt vehicle can be tricky.

In New Hampshire, we use a Verification of Vehicle Identification form to match the vehicle with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Follow the instructions carefully and be sure you have this form with you when your register the title-exempt vehicle.

Custom-built cars are not automatically title exempt. What qualifies the car as title exempt is the age of the vehicle; custom built cars may have several ages based on the amount of restoration performed.

Joint Tenancy

Titles are usually assigned to a person or corporation. In New Hampshire, your spouse is automatically part owner of any vehicle you hold title to. For many reasons two people may want to own a car together, but what if they aren't married or incorporated?

When the title is assigned and the title application completed, the new owners can both be listed. The two names need to be connected in this fashion: "George Poplar OR Janice Thread."

Holding the title with two listed owners allows either owner to keep the ownership rights if the other dies.

Transferring a vehicle title is important to support the Title Bureau in their mission to prevent vehicle theft and fraud. Lenders are usually helpful in transferring a title as long as they get paid in full before the title is released. Many lenders already work closely with licensed dealers and can complete a title transfer easily and quickly.

Town clerks are a great resource when it comes to title transfers and vehicle registrations. Many municipalities are online with the DMV and are trained in the paperwork required to title and register vehicles in New Hampshire.

Changing Your Name

If you need to change your name on your vehicle's title due to marriage, divorce, or court order, simply submit a Certification of Name Change. If you have questions, call (603) 271-3111.

Adding or Deleting a Name

All involved parties must sign the back of the title. Drop this off with the local town clerk, who will then complete a retitle application and send it to the DMV. Your new title should arrive in the mail within seven days.

Transferring a Title in the Event of Death

Surviving Spouse or Joint Owner

You will need to submit:

• A copy of the death certificate.

• The vehicle's title.

• Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable. This form cannot be downloaded.

• Appropriate fees.

Owner Transfer via Will

If you receive vehicle ownership through a will, you need to submit:

• The vehicle's title as assigned by the executor of the will.

• A copy of the court certificate recognizing the executor of the will.

• Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable. This form cannot be downloaded.

• Appropriate fees.

Owner Transfer Without a Will

If you've been granted vehicle ownership through a probate court, you must submit:

• Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable. This form cannot be downloaded.

• The vehicle's title.

• A copy of the court certificate recognizing the administrator of the deceased's estate.

• A certified copy of the probate court's decision to award you vehicle ownership.

• Appropriate fees.

Gift Transfer

This is treated like a regular title transfer. Simply complete all of the information on the back of the title and drop it off with your town clerk, who will process the title application and send it to the DMV. Your new title should arrive in the mail within seven days.

Title Restrictions?

Anyone, regardless of age, may own a title without holding a driver's license. However, a vehicle cannot be registered unless the owner is 16 or older.