Title > Apply for a Title > New Title

A title is a secure document issued by the DMV which proves ownership of a motor vehicle. Whenever a vehicle is sold in New Hampshire that is not exempt, a New Hampshire title for that vehicle shall be given to the buyer at the time of the sale.

How to Apply for a New Title

An application for a new, New Hampshire title is completed either by a New Hampshire dealership at the time a vehicle is purchased or by a town/city clerk at the time a vehicle is registered. The dealership or clerk's office will forward the completed Title Application to the DMV for processing. Once the application is received at the DMV, a new title will be produced and sent directly to the vehicle owner or lienholder within ten (10) to twenty (20) business days.

New Hampshire requires a title to be mailed to the owner or lienholder (if applicable) unless the owner provides a notarized statement asking for the title to be mailed to a third party.

Where to Apply for a New Title

The application for a New Title is a controlled document that may only be prepared by one of the following authorized agents:

• New Hampshire Town/City Clerks.
• New Hampshire Licensed Automobile Dealers.
• New Hampshire Lienholders.

Customers must go through one of the authorized agents listed above for a new Title Application.

When to Apply for a New Title

Any time a vehicle is purchased new, changes ownership or is registered for the first time in New Hampshire, the owner shall apply for a New Hampshire title for that vehicle in his or her name. The following is a list of examples of times when a New Hampshire resident would apply for a new title:

• Moving to New Hampshire with a vehicle that is already registered and titled in another state.
• Purchasing a new or used vehicle from a New Hampshire dealer.
• Purchasing a new or used vehicle from an out-of-state dealer.
• Purchasing a used vehicle from a private party.
• Removing or adding an owner to a vehicle.
• Transferring ownership of a vehicle to another person.
• Refinancing.

New Title vs. Duplicate Title

There is an important difference between an application for a new Title and an application for a Duplicate Title. A Duplicate Title issued when the current owner of a vehicle needs another New Hampshire Title issued for a vehicle due to the original New Hampshire Title being lost, stolen or destroyed. A new Title is issued when a vehicle is first registered in New Hampshire or changes ownership. Only the agents listed above may process new Title applications and only the DMV offices in Concord and Nashua may process Duplicate Title applications.