Selling a Car in New Hampshire

Selling a car in New Hampshire requires you to present the Certificate of Title and notify the state of the sale.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
If you’re selling a car in New Hampshire, you only need the vehicle’s Certificate of Title. If your vehicle is title-exempt, then you must provide a bill of sale. You should also notify the state of the sale when it is completed.
There are some legal responsibilities you must carry out if you are selling your vehicle privately in New Hampshire. Each state has its requirements and rules to ensure legal transfer of ownership, and failing to comply could lead to complications.
Selling a car in New Hampshire can be fairly straightforward, but the
car insurance
comparison and broker app,
Jerry
, has compiled a general guideline for you.

What you need to sell a car in New Hampshire

To sell your car privately in New Hampshire, you don’t need much, but you must ensure all the necessary forms and information are presented at the time of sale. The DMV requires the following documentation to transfer ownership:
  • Properly assigned Certificate of Title
  • Bill of Sale for title-exempt vehicles
  • Certificate of registration
  • Odometer reading
  • Date of sale
  • Resolved liens if applicable

Getting a pre-sale inspection

The state of New Hampshire does not require the seller to complete any vehicle inspections prior to a private sale. However, the buyer may pay for an inspection performed by a third-party auto mechanic that you both agree on. 
The buyer will be responsible for a safety inspection within ten days of registering their purchased vehicle. Vehicles must also undergo an annual inspection no later than ten days after the end of the new owner’s birth month. 
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Documenting the sale

Once you have found a buyer, a bill of sale (TDMV 22A) is only required if you are selling a title-exempt vehicle such as:
  • Vehicles from the model year 1999 or older
  • Boats
  • Mopeds
  • Mobile homes
  • Self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle
  • Snowmobiles
  • Trailers with a gross weight of under 3,001 pounds
  • Vehicles moved solely by animal power
If you are to complete a bill of sale, it must include the following information:
  • Year and make of the vehicle
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • Odometer statement
  • Printed legal name and address of the seller and buyer
  • Signature of seller and buyer
Your current or expired New Hampshire certificate of registration or a valid NH or out-of-state certificate of title will also be required to be presented with the bill of sale.
For vehicle model years 1999 or older, you will need to complete a Verification of Vehicle Identification form. Once the forms are complete, keep a copy of the bill of sale to document that the ownership was transferred.

Signing the title over

Since the certificate of title is the main document required to privately sell your vehicle, you must get a replacement New Hampshire title if yours is lost, stolen, or badly damaged. 
The buyer and sellers need to complete the ownership transfer on the reverse side of the title and must include the buyer’s name, address, the current odometer reading, and the signatures of the seller and buyer.

Reporting the sale

After the sale, you need to notify the State of New Hampshire of the change in vehicle ownership so that you are not liable for the costs of abandoning a vehicle. This can be done by applying for a new title or new registration for the vehicle or notifying the state that you’ve sold the vehicle.

Finding affordable car insurance 

The final step after the sale is to cancel your car insurance so that you’re not insuring a car you no longer own. You can use the car insurance broker app,
Jerry
, to help you handle cancellations right from your phone or web browser. Not only that, but if you need a new insurance policy for another vehicle, Jerry can find you the best quotes from more than 50 top providers and complete all the paperwork for you.
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FAQs

Edmunds
and
Kelley Blue Book
have many used cars listed on their site and you can use those prices as a reference point for your sale price. A fair price will vary based on your vehicle model and trim, model year, and condition.
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