Newly Purchased Vehicles

This section applies to both currently established residents and new residents, who have just purchased a vehicle. If the vehicle you purchased is year 1999 or older, please view the Title Exempt Vehicles page.

Vehicles Year 2000 or Newer

• If you bought the vehicle through a New Hampshire Dealer, you will need to bring the New Hampshire Title Application (form marked Town Clerk in red letters at the bottom) that was prepared in your name. You may also have a New Hampshire Title Application if you financed through a New Hampshire lending institution.
• If you bought the vehicle by private sale or through an out-of-state dealer bring either:
  
  • A title with assignments properly completed
  • Certificate of Origin (if the vehicle is a lease, please also bring the vehicle lease agreement)

If your vehicle was purchased through private sale or an out-of-state dealer and more than one owner has been listed on the title or certificate of origin, both owners will need to be present to sign the title application that our office will prepare.

In addition to this paperwork, you will also need:

• If you are transferring plates, please bring the current registration to your previous vehicle. If you can't find the current registration, you can purchase an Application for Copy of Registration (PDF) duplicate for $19. In order to do a transfer, the first owner from the previous vehicle must remain as the first owner on the new vehicle.
• Residency Requirements for Motor Vehicle Registrations (PDF), if you are a new resident or haven't registered a car in Lebanon in your name in the last 12 months
• Payment: Cash, Check, Debit or Credit (A processing fee of 2.79% with a minimum fee of $1.50 will be assessed on Debit and Credit Cards.) 
• Driver's License
• If you are not able to appear in person, a friend or family member can complete the transaction on your behalf. It is recommended that you contact our office prior to sending someone in, to ensure that the correct documentation is provided. In general, this designee will be asked to show photo identification at the time of the transaction, as well as one or more of the following: 

1. Permission to Register Form (PDF). On this form you will provide your vehicle information and indicate which plate type you would like to purchase. This form must be completed even if the person processing for you will appear as the second owner on the registration. This is because the first person on the registration is considered to be the owner of the license plates. Please note, you do not need to complete this form if you are transferring plates that have not yet expired.
2. Power of Attorney Form (PDF). This form only needs to be provided if our office will be preparing a NH Title Application. This form allows your designee to sign the NH Title Application on your behalf; it will not enable him or her to do anything else, such as sell, the vehicle.   

Processing During COVID 19

We are currently open to the public Monday through Thursday from 7:00AM to 5:00PM. Masks are required for service; we have masks available if needed. If you cannot wear a mask OR you do not wish to appear in-person due to concern of COVID 19, please use the following guidance:  

Please submit the documents listed below to our office either by email (cityclerk@lebanonnh.gov), by mail or by placing them in our green drop box located by the side entrance to City Hall. If you mail or place them in the drop box, please put them in an envelope marked City Clerk's Office and include your contact information. 

~ Front and back of Title OR front and back of Certificate of Origin OR NH Title Application 
~If leased, the vehicle lease agreement
~Proof of residency, if you are a new resident
~Prior registration if transferring plates OR indicate desired plate type in email
~Photo ID

Depending on your circumstances, we may contact you for additional information or documents. For example, used cars may come with multiple assignments and we will need those. 

When we receive your documents, we will place your transaction on hold and contact you with the amount due. We will then explain the process of submitting payment and original copies of the documents. Once the transactions are completed, your registration and plates will be mailed to you. Transactions can take up to a week to process so please plan accordingly. 

Additional Information

Registrations will be processed through the first owner's birth month. First time registrations cannot be issued for less than 5 months or more than 16 months. The first time is prorated. Renewals are done at twelve month intervals and are not prorated.

New residents have 60 days upon establishing residency to obtain a New Hampshire drivers license and register their vehicles.