Upon purchasing or selling a trailer in New Hampshire, you need a legal document to transfer ownership and register the vehicle. Certain trailers must be registered for use on New Hampshire roads [1] . Some trailers must have a title to transfer ownership, whereas others only require a New Hampshire trailer bill of sale.
Registering a Trailer in New Hampshire
Registering your trailer in New Hampshire requires a different process depending on the type of trailer and its use. Trailer weight also factors into the registration process, as trailers heavier than 3,001 pounds must be titled. Trailers less than 3,001 pounds are exempt from title requirements.
A trailer bill of sale in New Hampshire provides critical details you need to confirm your trailer purchase with your municipal clerk’s office. A utility trailer or camper that weighs less than 3,000 when fully loaded must have a New Hampshire trailer bill of sale to prove ownership.
The trailer bill of sale for your New Hampshire vehicle must include the following:
- The trailer’s vehicle identification number (VIN), if applicable
- A description of the trailer, including year, make, model, color, and body style
- Signatures and addresses of the buyer and seller
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in New Hampshire?
Registration documents for trailers in New Hampshire differ depending on your location and trailer details. New Hampshire requires registration on both the municipal and state level. Documents you will need to register your trailer in New Hampshire may include the following:
- Proof of residency
- Driver’s license or other identification
- Trailer title, if applicable
- Blue copies of your title application
- New Hampshire trailer bill of sale
- Proof of VIN, such as a VIN verification form
- Previous New Hampshire registration documents
If you purchased the trailer through a private sale, you could request a 20-day temporary plate using a photocopy of the New Hampshire trailer bill of sale, driver’s license or non-driver ID, and a $10 fee.
Trailer Registration Fees
NH RSA § 261:131 outlines the state registration fees for vehicles in New Hampshire. Fees may differ depending on the size and use of your trailer. Semi-trailers and utility trailers are calculated based on the trailer’s gross maximum weight.
Cities and towns within New Hampshire also charge permit fees for certain vehicles [2] .
For your first license plate order, you will also pay a plate fee of $8.00. This amount may change, so check with your local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to confirm the plate fee. Check with your city or town clerk’s office to learn which fees apply to your trailer registration.
Title for Trailer
NH RSA § 261.3 indicates that trailers weighing less than 3,001 pounds do not require a title. Trailers weighing over 3,001 pounds and heavy trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 18,000 must obtain a New Hampshire certificate of title. If you buy a trailer with an existing title, you must apply for a new title and turn the seller’s title into your local DMV.
New Hampshire Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a New Hampshire trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
