How to Fill Out New Hampshire DMV Vehicle Bill of Sale (w/Examples) + FAQs

A New Hampshire vehicle bill of sale is the written record that proves a car, truck, motorcycle, or trailer changed hands from a seller to a buyer, and the buyer uses it as proof of ownership when registering the vehicle at the town or city clerk’s office. The state does not force one single mandatory form on private sellers, but the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles accepts a standard bill of sale, and it also publishes the official Report of Sale or Transfer of a Non-Titled Vehicle (Form TDMV 22A) for older, title-exempt vehicles.

Getting this paper right matters more than most people think. New Hampshire law gives a buyer only 20 days to apply for a title and register a purchased vehicle, and roughly 1 in 7 private-sale registrations get delayed at the clerk’s counter because of a missing signature, a wrong VIN, or a blank odometer line. A clean bill of sale keeps you out of that line a second time.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

  • 🧾 What a New Hampshire bill of sale is, who must sign it, and which version applies to your vehicle’s model year
  • ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, with the exact wording to write in each box
  • 👥 Three real-world examples that follow named buyers and sellers through the whole form
  • 🏛️ Where to file, what fees to expect, and why New Hampshire charges no sales tax on the sale
  • 🚫 The most common mistakes that get a registration rejected, and how to avoid every one of them

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

A bill of sale is a legal receipt. It records that a specific person sold a specific vehicle to another specific person on a specific date for a specific price. In New Hampshire, the buyer carries this document to the town or city clerk and uses it to prove ownership and to register the vehicle. The seller keeps a signed copy as proof that they no longer own the car and are no longer responsible for it.

Not every vehicle uses the same path. New Hampshire generally requires a title for vehicles with a model year of 2000 or newer. For those vehicles, the signed title is the main proof of ownership, and the bill of sale rides along as a supporting paper. Vehicles older than model year 1999 are title-exempt, and for those the bill of sale becomes the star of the show, often paired with the official Form TDMV 22A Report of Sale or Transfer of a Non-Titled Vehicle.

The form is required under New Hampshire’s motor vehicle laws found in RSA Title XXI, the chapters that govern titles, registration, and the transfer of ownership. The plain-English meaning of these statutes is simple: you cannot legally register a vehicle you cannot prove you own. The consequence of ignoring this rule is that the clerk turns you away, and you cannot get plates. A common misconception is that a handshake and cash are enough; in reality, without paper, the state treats the vehicle as if it never changed hands.

Who must complete it? Both the seller and the buyer. The seller fills in the vehicle and price details and signs to release ownership. The buyer signs to accept it. Dealers use their own paperwork, but for private party sales between two people, the bill of sale is the backbone of the whole transfer.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything before you sit down to write. A bill of sale takes ten minutes when you have your facts ready and an hour of phone calls when you do not. The clerk will not accept a form with blanks or guesses, so collect each item below first.

  • The vehicle title (model year 2000+). This is the primary proof of ownership, and without the seller’s signature on it, the buyer cannot get a title in their own name.
  • Current or expired registration (for title-exempt vehicles). This stands in for a title on pre-1999 vehicles, and missing it means you may need a VIN verification instead.
  • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code ties the paper to the exact car, and one wrong digit can void the whole transfer.
  • The odometer reading. Federal and state rules require this disclosure on most vehicles, and a blank reading triggers a hold at the counter.
  • Full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller. The names must match each party’s ID, or the clerk cannot verify who is who.
  • The agreed sale price and date of sale. The date starts your 20-day registration clock, and the price sets the record even though New Hampshire charges no sales tax.
  • A valid driver’s license for the buyer. The clerk checks this against the names on the form, and a mismatch stops the process.
  • Proof of New Hampshire residency. Towns register their own residents, so an out-of-town address sends you to the wrong clerk.
  • Form TDMV 12 Odometer Disclosure Statement, if your vehicle is under 16,000 pounds and less than 10 years old. Skipping it when required makes the bill of sale incomplete.
  • A Power of Attorney (Form TDMV 23), if someone other than the owner signs. Without it, a third party has no legal authority to transfer the vehicle.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

You have a few good options for getting a bill of sale in New Hampshire, and all of them are free or close to it. The state does not charge for the form itself.

The official source is the NH DMV forms page, where you can download Form TDMV 22A for non-titled vehicles and Form TDMV 12 for odometer disclosure. These are the versions clerks know on sight, so they carry the least risk of rejection. If your vehicle is title-exempt, start here.

For a titled vehicle (model year 2000+), a generic bill of sale is acceptable as long as it captures the required details. Many New Hampshire towns post their own template; for example, the City of Laconia and the Town of Webster host downloadable PDF versions. Reputable legal-form sites such as eForms also provide a fill-in New Hampshire template.

A nuance worth knowing: the form name matters less than the content. New Hampshire cares that the document names the parties, describes the vehicle, states the price and date, and carries both signatures. A common misconception is that you must use a state-issued form for every sale. In truth, for titled vehicles a clean handwritten bill of sale on plain paper works, while title-exempt vehicles benefit from the official TDMV 22A. Cite the revision date printed in the bottom corner of any official form to confirm you have the current version before you fill it out.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the New Hampshire Bill of Sale Line by Line

Work through the form from top to bottom. Each field below gets its own walkthrough. Use blue or black ink, print clearly in capital letters, and never leave a required box blank. If a field does not apply, write N/A rather than leaving it empty, because a blank box looks like an oversight to a clerk.

Field 1: Date of Sale

This field asks for the calendar date the vehicle actually changed hands. It is the day money and keys traded, not the day you wrote the form.

To answer it, write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format using two digits for the month and day and four for the year. Do not use words for the month.

For example, Sarah Connor sells her sedan on the sixth of June, so she writes 06/06/2026 in the date box.

A nuance comes up with gifts and delayed handoffs. If you sign the paper one day but deliver the car the next, use the date the buyer takes possession, because that is when ownership truly transfers.

A common mistake is backdating the sale to dodge the 20-day registration window. The direct consequence is that the clerk reads the older date and may charge you a late penalty, or worse, flags the form as altered.

A misconception people hold is that the sale date does not matter much. In reality, it starts the legal clock for titling and registration, so it is one of the most important entries on the page.

Field 2: Seller’s Full Legal Name and Address

This field asks who is selling the vehicle. It wants the seller’s complete legal name and current mailing address.

To answer it, print the seller’s first, middle, and last name exactly as it appears on their driver’s license, followed by the street address, city, state, and ZIP code.

For example, John A. Smith of 14 Pine Street, Concord, NH 03301 writes his name and address on the seller line.

A nuance arises when two people co-own the vehicle. If the title lists two names joined by and, both owners must be named here and both must sign, or the transfer is incomplete.

A common mistake is using a nickname like Johnny instead of the legal name. The direct consequence is that the clerk cannot match the bill of sale to the title and the signed-over ownership chain breaks.

A misconception is that a P.O. Box is fine for everything. While a P.O. Box can serve as a mailing address, the clerk may still want a physical residence address, so list both if you have them.

Field 3: Buyer’s Full Legal Name and Address

This field asks who is buying the vehicle. It captures the new owner’s legal name and address, which become the registered owner information.

To answer it, print the buyer’s full legal name and complete address the same way you did for the seller. The name here should match the buyer’s driver’s license and the future registration.

For example, Maria Lopez of 27 Elm Avenue, Nashua, NH 03060 enters her details on the buyer line.

A nuance shows up with joint buyers. If a married couple buys together, decide whether the title will read and or or, because and requires both signatures for any future sale while or lets either person act alone.

A common mistake is listing the buyer’s old out-of-state address. The direct consequence is the buyer ends up at the wrong town clerk, since New Hampshire towns only register their own residents.

A misconception is that the buyer’s information is optional because the seller is the one releasing the car. In truth, the buyer’s name on this line is what lets them register the vehicle in their own name.

Field 4: Vehicle Year, Make, and Model

This field asks for the basic identity of the vehicle. It wants the model year, the manufacturer, and the model name.

To answer it, write the four-digit model year, then the make, then the model, exactly as they appear on the title or registration. Do not abbreviate the make if you can avoid it.

For example, Tom Riley sells a 2015 Toyota Camry, so he writes 2015 TOYOTA CAMRY across the year, make, and model boxes.

A nuance applies to trailers, boats, and motorcycles, which still need this section filled in even though people forget they count as vehicles for transfer purposes.

A common mistake is writing the wrong model year, often confusing it with the year purchased. The direct consequence is a mismatch with the title that can stall the registration while the clerk sorts out which record is correct.

A misconception is that color or trim level belongs here. The clerk wants color elsewhere on the registration paperwork, so keep this field to year, make, and model only.

Field 5: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This field asks for the unique 17-character code stamped on the vehicle. The VIN is the vehicle’s fingerprint and the single most important identifier on the form.

To answer it, copy the VIN exactly from the title or the driver-side dashboard plate, character by character, in capital letters. Double-check every digit, because the VIN contains no letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with numbers.

For example, Maria Lopez copies 1HGCM82633A004352 from the title into the VIN box.

A nuance applies to pre-1981 vehicles, which may have fewer than 17 characters. Write the full number as it appears, however long or short, and the clerk will verify it.

A common mistake is transposing two characters or misreading a 5 as an S. The direct consequence is that the registration is tied to the wrong vehicle, which can take weeks to untangle and may require a VIN verification (Form TDMV 19A).

A misconception is that the VIN on the registration is good enough. Always pull it from the title or the car itself, because an old registration can carry a typo that you would simply copy forward.

Field 6: Odometer Reading

This field asks for the exact mileage showing on the dashboard at the moment of sale. Federal law requires this disclosure to prevent odometer fraud.

To answer it, write the mileage as whole miles with no tenths and no commas. Then mark whether the reading reflects actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage.

For example, John A. Smith reads 87,452 on the dash and writes 87452 in the odometer box, then checks the actual mileage option.

A nuance applies to vehicles that are 10 years old or older or weigh more than 16,000 pounds, which are exempt from odometer disclosure. For those, you may write EXEMPT.

A common mistake is rounding the mileage or guessing. The direct consequence is a false odometer statement, which is a federal offense and can void the sale and expose the seller to penalties.

A misconception is that a digital odometer reading does not need disclosure. It does; you must still record the exact number the screen shows at the time of transfer.

Field 7: Sale Price

This field asks how much the buyer paid for the vehicle. It records the agreed dollar amount in U.S. currency.

To answer it, write the full price in numbers, such as $8,500.00. For a gift, write $0 or GIFT so the record is honest about the nature of the transfer.

For example, Tom Riley sells his Camry for eight thousand five hundred dollars and writes $8,500.00 in the price box.

A nuance is the family or gift transfer. New Hampshire charges no state sales tax on vehicles, so writing the true price or $0 will not create a tax bill, but you should still state it accurately.

A common mistake is writing a fake low price to look good. The direct consequence in a no-sales-tax state is that you gain nothing and create a false document that could undercut an insurance or warranty claim later.

A misconception is that price does not matter because there is no sales tax. While that is true for tax, the price still matters for proof of value in disputes, total-loss claims, and the legal record of the deal.

Field 8: Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TDMV 12)

This field, often a separate attached form, asks both parties to certify the mileage in a stand-alone document. It is required for vehicles under 16,000 pounds and less than 10 years old.

To answer it, complete Form TDMV 12 with the same mileage you wrote on the bill of sale, and have both seller and buyer sign it.

For example, Maria Lopez and John A. Smith both sign a TDMV 12 showing 87452 miles to match their bill of sale.

A nuance is that the mileage on TDMV 12 must match the bill of sale exactly. Two different numbers on two papers will get both rejected.

A common mistake is skipping this form entirely on a newer car. The direct consequence is an incomplete file at the counter and a second trip to finish the disclosure.

A misconception is that the bill of sale’s odometer line replaces TDMV 12. For qualifying vehicles, the clerk wants the dedicated form too, not just the line item.

Field 9: Seller’s Signature and Date

This field asks the seller to sign and date the form, certifying that everything above is true and that they release ownership. The signature is what makes the document legally binding on the seller.

To answer it, the seller signs in ink and writes the date of signing next to the signature. Co-owners listed with and must each sign here.

For example, John A. Smith signs his name and writes 06/06/2026 beside it on the seller signature line.

A nuance involves a Power of Attorney. If an agent signs for the seller, they sign their own name followed by as attorney-in-fact for John A. Smith and attach Form TDMV 23.

A common mistake is forgetting the date next to the signature. The direct consequence is the clerk cannot confirm when ownership released, which can reopen the question of who owed registration or tolls.

A misconception is that New Hampshire requires notarization. For most private vehicle bills of sale, no notary is required, though notarizing adds an extra layer of proof if you want it.

Field 10: Buyer’s Signature and Date

This field asks the buyer to sign and date the form, accepting the vehicle and the terms. It closes the loop on the transfer.

To answer it, the buyer signs in ink and writes the date. All listed buyers joined by and must sign.

For example, Maria Lopez signs her name and writes 06/06/2026 on the buyer signature line.

A nuance is that the buyer’s signature date should match or follow the seller’s date, never precede it, since you cannot accept a car before it is offered.

A common mistake is the buyer leaving this blank because they think only the seller needs to sign. The direct consequence is that the form is one-sided and the clerk may not treat the transfer as complete.

A misconception is that signing the bill of sale registers the car. It does not; signing only records the sale, and the buyer must still take the form to the clerk within 20 days.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

The three patterns below are the most common New Hampshire private transfers. Each follows one named buyer through the form so you can see what real entries look like.

Scenario 1: Private sale of a titled 2018 sedan between two NH residents. Maria Lopez buys a 2018 Honda Accord from John Smith for $14,000 in Nashua.

Form Section What Maria Enters
Date of Sale 06/06/2026
Seller Name and Address John A. Smith, 14 Pine Street, Concord, NH 03301
Buyer Name and Address Maria Lopez, 27 Elm Avenue, Nashua, NH 03060
Year / Make / Model 2018 HONDA ACCORD
VIN 1HGCV1F30JA012345
Odometer Reading 42,310 (actual mileage)
Sale Price $14,000.00
Odometer Form TDMV 12 Attached and signed by both
Seller Signature John A. Smith, 06/06/2026
Buyer Signature Maria Lopez, 06/06/2026

Scenario 2: Title-exempt 1995 pickup sold using Form TDMV 22A. Tom Riley buys a 1995 Ford F-150 from a neighbor for $3,200 in Laconia.

Form Section What Tom Enters
Date of Sale 06/01/2026
Seller Name and Address Karen Boyd, 8 Lake Road, Laconia, NH 03246
Buyer Name and Address Tom Riley, 12 Hill Street, Laconia, NH 03246
Year / Make / Model 1995 FORD F-150
VIN 1FTEF15N4SLA67890
Odometer Reading EXEMPT (over 10 years old)
Sale Price $3,200.00
Proof of Ownership Prior registration attached (title-exempt)
Seller Signature Karen Boyd, 06/01/2026
Buyer Signature Tom Riley, 06/01/2026

Scenario 3: Family gift transfer from parent to child. Sarah Connor gives her 2016 Subaru Outback to her son Jake for $0 in Manchester.

Form Section What Jake Enters
Date of Sale 05/30/2026
Seller Name and Address Sarah Connor, 5 Oak Lane, Manchester, NH 03103
Buyer Name and Address Jake Connor, 5 Oak Lane, Manchester, NH 03103
Year / Make / Model 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK
VIN 4S4BSANC1G3201234
Odometer Reading 68,905 (actual mileage)
Sale Price $0 (GIFT)
Odometer Form TDMV 12 Attached and signed by both
Seller Signature Sarah Connor, 05/30/2026
Buyer Signature Jake Connor, 05/30/2026

How to File the Completed Form

In New Hampshire, you do not mail the bill of sale to a central DMV office to “file” it. Instead, the buyer takes it, along with the title and other documents, to register the vehicle. Registration in New Hampshire happens in two stages: first at your town or city clerk, then often at a state DMV substation for the title.

In person at your town or city clerk. This is the main channel for the local portion of registration. Bring the bill of sale, the signed title (or prior registration for title-exempt vehicles), your driver’s license, and proof of residency. The clerk collects the municipal registration fee, which varies by town and vehicle weight and age, plus the state registration fee. Pay by cash, check, or card depending on the town, and keep your stamped receipt and registration certificate as proof of filing.

At a state DMV office for the title. For titled vehicles, you apply for the New Hampshire title through the NH DMV, with a title fee of $25. Some towns forward the title application for you; others send you to a DMV substation. Processing of the physical title takes several weeks, while your registration and plates are usually issued the same day at the clerk.

Remember the deadlines. You have 20 days from the date of sale to title and register a purchased vehicle, and new residents have 60 days to register an out-of-state vehicle. If you need to drive before finishing, ask a DMV office about a 20-day temporary plate. Keep a signed copy of everything you submit.

What Happens After You File

Once the clerk processes your paperwork, you walk out with a New Hampshire registration certificate and license plates the same day in most towns. The registration is your legal permission to drive the vehicle on public roads, and it must be renewed every year at your local clerk’s office.

The physical title arrives later. For titled vehicles, the state mails the new title showing you as owner within a few weeks. If there is a lienholder, such as a bank or credit union, the title is held or noted until the loan is paid off.

After registering, New Hampshire requires a safety inspection within a set period, performed at a licensed inspection station, and certain vehicles also need an emissions test. As of early 2026, these inspections remain required despite recent proposals to change them. The seller, meanwhile, should keep their signed copy of the bill of sale as proof they released the vehicle, which protects them if the buyer racks up tickets or tolls before transferring the registration.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each error below has stopped a real registration at the counter. Read them before you sign.

  • Leaving the VIN partly blank or with a typo. The registration ties to the wrong vehicle or none at all.
  • Skipping the odometer reading on a vehicle under 10 years old. The form is incomplete and the clerk rejects it.
  • Using a nickname instead of a legal name. The name will not match the title or ID, breaking the ownership chain.
  • Forgetting the seller’s signature. Without it, ownership never legally releases.
  • Forgetting the buyer’s signature. The transfer looks one-sided and may not count as complete.
  • Backdating the sale date. It can trigger late penalties or a fraud flag.
  • Writing a fake low sale price. It gains nothing in a no-sales-tax state and creates a false record.
  • Omitting one co-owner’s signature. A title joined by and needs every owner to sign.
  • Listing an out-of-state buyer address. It sends the buyer to the wrong clerk.
  • Missing the 20-day registration window. Late filing can mean penalties and extra hassle.
  • Skipping Form TDMV 12 when required. The odometer disclosure file is incomplete without it.
  • Assuming notarization is required and delaying for it. Most private sales need no notary, so do not stall.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Do print in clear capital letters so the clerk can read every character and avoid VIN errors.
  • Do match every name to a driver’s license so the ownership chain stays unbroken.
  • Do copy the VIN straight from the title or car to prevent a costly mismatch.
  • Do make two signed copies, one for the buyer and one for the seller, for mutual protection.
  • Do file within 20 days to avoid late penalties on registration.
  • Do attach Form TDMV 12 when the vehicle qualifies, so the disclosure is complete.

Don’ts

  • Don’t leave any required box blank; write N/A instead so it looks intentional.
  • Don’t write a false price; it helps nothing and creates a bad record.
  • Don’t backdate the sale; it can look like fraud to the clerk.
  • Don’t forget either signature; both parties must sign for a valid transfer.
  • Don’t use a P.O. Box alone if a physical address is also needed.
  • Don’t wait for a notary unless you choose to; most private sales do not require one.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most New Hampshire private buyers handle the bill of sale and registration themselves, but some prefer help from a title service or attorney for complex transfers.

Pros of filing on your own

  • It costs nothing extra beyond the state and town fees, so you keep more cash.
  • You control the timeline and can register the day you visit the clerk.
  • The form is short, so a standard sale takes only minutes to complete.
  • You learn the process and can repeat it easily for future vehicles.
  • No middleman means no risk of someone else mistyping your details.

Cons of filing on your own

  • You carry the risk of a rejected form if you miss a field.
  • Complex cases get tricky, such as out-of-state titles, liens, or inherited vehicles.
  • You make the trips yourself to both the clerk and possibly a DMV substation.
  • No one double-checks your VIN and odometer entries for you.
  • Mistakes cost time, since a rejected form means a second visit.

Comparison Tables Where Useful

The two tables below clear up the choices people get stuck on most.

Titled Vehicle vs. Title-Exempt Vehicle

Titled Vehicle (2000+) Title-Exempt Vehicle (pre-1999)
Signed title is main proof of ownership Bill of sale plus prior registration is proof
Bill of sale is a supporting document Form TDMV 22A often used as primary record
$25 state title fee applies No title needed, only registration
Odometer disclosure usually required Often odometer-exempt by age

Filing in Person vs. Using a Service

Filing in Person Using a Title Service
Free aside from state and town fees Adds a service fee
You make the trips yourself They handle the legwork
Best for simple private sales Best for liens or out-of-state titles
Same-day plates at the clerk May add processing time

Key Entities You Should Know

Several offices and forms interact with your bill of sale. The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues titles and sets registration rules statewide. Your town or city clerk handles the local registration and collects the municipal fee. The governing law lives in RSA Title XXI, New Hampshire’s motor vehicle statutes.

Three forms travel alongside the bill of sale. Form TDMV 22A is the Report of Sale or Transfer of a Non-Titled Vehicle. Form TDMV 12 is the Odometer Disclosure Statement for newer, lighter vehicles. Form TDMV 19A is the VIN verification used when a VIN cannot be confirmed from the title or registration, and Form TDMV 23 is the Power of Attorney used when someone signs on an owner’s behalf.

FAQs

Do I need a notary for a New Hampshire vehicle bill of sale?

No. Most private vehicle bills of sale in New Hampshire do not require notarization, though you may notarize one if you want extra proof of the signatures.

Does New Hampshire charge sales tax when I buy a car?

No. New Hampshire has no general state sales tax, so you will not pay sales tax when you register or title a vehicle, regardless of the price you write.

Do I write the seller’s nickname or legal name in the seller box?

No. Write the full legal name exactly as it appears on the seller’s driver’s license, because a nickname will not match the title and breaks the ownership chain.

Do I need Form TDMV 12 for a 12-year-old car?

No. Vehicles 10 years old or older are exempt from odometer disclosure, so you may write EXEMPT and skip the separate TDMV 12 form.

Do I put my old out-of-state address in the buyer box?

No. Use your New Hampshire address, because towns register only their own residents and an out-of-state address sends you to the wrong clerk.

Do I have to register the vehicle within a certain time?

Yes. You have 20 days from the date of sale to title and register a purchased vehicle, while new residents get 60 days to register an out-of-state car.

Do I need a title for a 1996 truck?

No. Vehicles older than model year 1999 are title-exempt, so you can use a bill of sale with a prior registration or VIN verification instead of a title.

Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?

Yes. Both parties must sign and date the bill of sale, because a one-sided form may not count as a completed transfer at the clerk’s office.

Do I write $0 if the car is a gift?

Yes. Write $0 or GIFT honestly, since New Hampshire has no sales tax and a false price creates a bad record with no benefit.

Do I need a Power of Attorney to sign for someone else?

Yes. If you sign on an owner’s behalf, you must attach Form TDMV 23 and sign as attorney-in-fact, or the clerk will not accept the transfer.

Do I keep a copy of the bill of sale after the sale?

Yes. Both parties should keep a signed copy, because it protects the seller from later tickets and gives the buyer backup proof of ownership.

Do digital odometers still need a disclosure?

Yes. You must record the exact mileage the digital screen shows at the time of sale for any qualifying vehicle, just as you would for an analog odometer.

Do I need a separate VIN verification form?

No. You only need Form TDMV 19A when the VIN cannot be confirmed from the title or registration, such as for antique or out-of-country vehicles.

Do I have to use the official state form for a 2020 car?

No. For titled vehicles you may use a generic bill of sale, as long as it lists the parties, the vehicle, the price, the date, and both signatures.