How to Sell a Car Privately in New Hampshire
Selling your car yourself in New Hampshire comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- A New Hampshire title must be signed over to the buyer at the time of sale unless the vehicle is title exempt. dmv.nh.gov
- The transferring owner must sign an assignment and warranty of title to the buyer and mail or deliver the certificate and assignment to the buyer or the department. gc.nh.gov
- For a vehicle not bought from a dealer, the application and supporting documents must be mailed or delivered to the department within 20 days of the date of sale. gc.nh.gov
- The buyer goes to a town or city clerk's office to get a new title issued in their name and to register the vehicle. dmv.nh.gov
- Vehicles with a manufacturer's model year before 2000 are exempt from the certificate of title requirement, except heavy trucks over 18,000 pounds. gc.nh.gov
Bill of sale
- For title-exempt vehicles the seller must provide a properly executed Bill of Sale, plus a current or expired NH registration or a valid title. dmv.nh.gov
- A bill of sale used for a temporary plate must show the VIN, the date of sale, a vehicle description, and the signatures and addresses of the buyer and seller. dmv.nh.gov
Telling the state you sold the car
- An owner who has delivered the vehicle and completed the required transfer steps is not liable as owner for damages from the later driving of the vehicle. gc.nh.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- A $25 title fee applies, along with the appropriate registration fees. dmv.nh.gov
- New Hampshire has no general sales tax on goods purchased in the state. revenue.nh.gov
- A penalty equal to the transaction fee applies if the application is not delivered to the department within 20 days after the deadline (RSA 261:20). gc.nh.gov
Loans and liens
- When a lien is satisfied, the lienholder must execute a release and deliver the certificate within 10 days after demand and in any event within 30 days. gc.nh.gov
- If a lienholder holds the title, it must on the owner's or buyer's request give the title to the buyer or send it to the department after receiving the assignment, application and fee. gc.nh.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Before selling a vehicle whose title is marked salvage or rebuilt, the seller must disclose in writing that it is a salvage vehicle and why. gc.nh.gov
- A buyer of a vehicle with missing salvage disclosure may rescind the purchase within 3 business days after receiving a title showing salvage or rebuilt status. gc.nh.gov
- A VIN verification may be required when titling. dmv.nh.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in New Hampshire?
For title-exempt vehicles the seller must provide a properly executed Bill of Sale, plus a current or expired NH registration or a valid title. A bill of sale used for a temporary plate must show the VIN, the date of sale, a vehicle description, and the signatures and addresses of the buyer and seller.
Do I have to tell the state I sold my car in New Hampshire?
An owner who has delivered the vehicle and completed the required transfer steps is not liable as owner for damages from the later driving of the vehicle.
Official New Hampshire resources
- NH DMV: Purchasing or selling a titled vehicle
- NH DMV: Apply for a title
- NH DMV: Private sale 20-day temporary plate
- NH RSA Chapter 261: Certificates of title and registration
- NH RSA 261:14: Transfer by owner
- NH DRA: Does New Hampshire have a sales tax
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.