New Resident to New Hampshire

Yes. The terms “domicile” and “residence” are equivalent. Even though RSA 21:6-a and RSA 654:1 contain different words, they convey the same basic concept. When a person makes a town or ward in New Hampshire his or her principal place of physical presence to the exclusion of all other places, that person has established a domicile/residence.

You make a town or ward in New Hampshire your principal place of physical presence to the exclusion of all other places. Your actions in New Hampshire reveal your intent to make a place in New Hampshire your domicile/residence. Such actions include, but are not limited to, purchasing or leasing a principal (i.e. primary) house or apartment, obtaining a resident vehicle registration, placing dependent children in a publicly funded school, registering to vote, paying taxes applicable only to residents, etc. RSA 21:6; RSA 21:6-a; RSA 259:23; RSA 654:1. For College/University students seeking to establish a domicile/residence in New Hampshire, please see below for more information. See RSA 654:1, I-a.

Yes. A person who establishes a domicile/residence in New Hampshire and drives in New Hampshire must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license within 60 days of establishing his or her domicile/residence. See: RSA 21:6; RSA 21:6-a; RSA 263:1; and RSA 263:35. Your actions in New Hampshire reveal your intent to make a place in New Hampshire your domicile/residence. Such actions include, but are not limited to, purchasing or leasing a principal (i.e., primary) house or apartment, obtaining a resident vehicle registration, placing dependent children in a publicly funded school, registering to vote, paying taxes applicable only to residents, etc. RSA 21:6; RSA 21:6-a; RSA 259:23; RSA 654:1.

For information on what satisfies proof of domicile/residence for the purposes of obtaining a Driver License, please see the list of required documents for US Citizens to obtain a REAL ID compliant or non-compliant Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card.

For frequently asked questions regarding how to register to vote in New Hampshire please see: Registering to Vote in New Hampshire. For examples of documents showing actions recognized in law as establishing a domicile/residence, see page 2 of: Registering to Vote in New Hampshire.

Yes. A person who establishes domicile/residence in New Hampshire and owns a vehicle used in New Hampshire must register the vehicle in New Hampshire within 60 days of establishing his or her domicile/residence. RSA 261:45. You may register your vehicle with your local town or city officials. The fee for vehicle registration is in part for the use of the town or city where the owner resides. See: RSA 261:153; RSA 261:165. These funds are available to help cover the costs of maintaining roads. Registering a car you own and use in New Hampshire, in part, is paying your share of road maintenance costs.

Your actions in New Hampshire reveal your intent to make a place in New Hampshire your domicile/residence. Such actions include, but are not limited to, purchasing or leasing a principal (i.e. primary) house or apartment, obtaining a resident vehicle registration, placing dependent children in a publicly funded school, registering to vote, paying taxes applicable only to residents, etc. RSA 21:6; RSA 21:6-a; RSA 259:23; RSA 654:1.

No. A person who establishes a domicile/residence in New Hampshire and does not drive in New Hampshire is not required to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license. RSA 259:24; RSA 259:25; RSA 263:1; RSA 263:35.

No. Only the owner of a motor vehicle can register that vehicle. A nonresident owner of a motor vehicle has no obligation to register his or her vehicle in New Hampshire.

No. To vote you must be:

• 18 years of age or older on election day;
• A United States Citizen;
• Domiciled in the town or city ward where you plan to vote.
  (RSA 654:1)

You should bring proof of these qualifications to register. If you do not have proof or forgot to bring proof, then you can sign an affidavit attesting to any of these qualifications.

No one can be denied the right to register to vote or vote for being out of compliance with the requirements of the motor vehicle code.

Yes. In New Hampshire, a person attending College/University, or any other institution of learning, may register to vote and vote in the town or ward where he or she has established his or her domicile/residence while attending school. RSA 654:1.

New Hampshire law explicitly recognizes campus housing, including a dorm room, as a lawful domicile. RSA 654:1, I-a. A useful list of documents you may use to register to vote can be found at page 2 of: Registering to Vote in New Hampshire.

A student residing off campus, who establishes a domicile/residence in New Hampshire, may only register to vote in the town or ward where he or she resides. RSA 654:1.

No. Anyone registering to vote in New Hampshire is indicating that he or she has established a domicile/residence here. A person who establishes a domicile/residence in New Hampshire and does not drive in New Hampshire is not required to obtain a New Hampshire driver’s license. RSA 259:24; RSA 259:25; RSA 263:1; RSA 263:35.

Yes. The Division of Motor Vehicles accepts proof of such residence in order to register your vehicle and/or to obtain a driver's license. A list of other documents that may be used as proof of residence can be reviewed on our list of required documents to obtain a REAL ID compliant or non-compliant Driver License or Non-Driver ID.

RSA 21:6; RSA 259:88; RSA 263:5-e.

Any person who already holds a New Hampshire driver's license or has a vehicle registered in New Hampshire has a duty to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of a change to his or her domicile/residence or his or her mailing address. RSA 263:9

To register a vehicle owned by you, you must bring the title, along with proof of residency, to the town or city clerk's office where you reside.

If the vehicle is leased, if there is a lienholder or if the vehicle is title-exempt, submit the following to the town or city office where you reside:

• The out-of-state registration.
• Lease agreement, if applicable.
• Lienholder's name and address.
• Proof of residency.

Registration fees differ for each vehicle. Contact your town or city office.

Yes. All vehicles must be safety inspected by an Official Authorized Inspection Station. Antique vehicles (vehicles 40 years old or older) are inspected biennially. Vehicles that are newer than 1996 must be emissions inspected (RSA 266:1).

Title applications are prepared by a New Hampshire city or town clerk or a New Hampshire licensed dealer or a lending institution.

Contact the city or town clerk where you reside (town or city office).

All first time New Hampshire license applicants who are US Citizens and who hold a valid out-of-state driver's license may go to any DMV office and must bring proof of your identity and your NH residency for the type of driver license or non-driver identification card you are applying for (REAL ID compliant, or non-compliant and also must complete an Application For Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (DSMV 450).

If applying for a Commercial Driver License, complete an Application For Commercial Driver License (DSMV 312).

All first time New Hampshire driver license applicants holding Visas, permanent resident cards, refugees, asylees and employment authorization card holders (EAD), must apply at:

NH Dept. of Safety
DMV - Driver Licensing
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Telephone: (603) 227-4000

A person will not receive a New Hampshire driver license unless he/she surrenders to the NH DMV all valid driver licenses in his/her possession issued to him/her by any other state or jurisdiction (RSA 263:4).

All applicants will receive a 60-day paper temporary. The permanent license or non-driver identification card will be mailed to the applicant within 60 days.