Motor Vehicles
Important Update: Motor Vehicle Fee Increase – NH House Bill 2
Please be advised that State Motor Vehicle fees will increase effectively on January 1, 2026.
To take advantage of the current lower rates that are on the renewal notice that were mailed out, please follow the renewal deadlines below:
- By Mail: Your registration renewal payment must be received no later than December 30, 2025.
- In Person: You must visit our office on or before December 31, 2025.
- Online: Pay by 8:00 PM December 30th, 2025
- Registration can be renewed, up to 4 months early in the town office.
In-Person Registration & Renewals
NH RSA HB 391 requires a current photo identification be presented to the Town Clerk for ALL Motor Vehicle transactions.
Bow is the 100th customer to join E-Reg for online renewals! If you wish to save time, renew your registration online: Motor Vehicle Renewals!
"One Check" DMV Renewals Have Arrived in Bow!
The office of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector has implemented the "single check" system. Only one check, payable to the "Town of Bow," is now necessary to register your vehicle. You no longer need to write a separate check to the State of NH-DMV.
Walk-in Registration Renewals
Motor vehicle registrations, title applications, transfers, and license plates (passenger, trailer, conservation and vanity plates) can be issued by the town, under most circumstances. After completing the town portion of the registration at Bow, specialty plates, e.g. antique, veteran, handicapped etc., are issued by the DMV at the Hazen Drive facility or any DMV Substation. The Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles website has answers to many frequently asked questions and links to forms and new resident information.
Renewals by Mail
Save time and renew by mail! As a courtesy, renewal notices are usually sent out in the middle of the month before your registration expires. Please remember to include:
- A self-addressed stamped envelope;
- Your renewal form or copy of all applicable NH registrations; and,
- A check payable to the "TOWN OF BOW."
"Fleet" Renewals
Save time ... drop off your paperwork and payment to expedite your renewals. If you have a large number of vehicles to renew, please notify the office at 603-233-3980 to arrange for the best time drop off your renewals.
Easy Estimates
Shopping for a new (to you) cars and want to compare registration costs? In response to customer demand for a convenient method to get quotes for both new (to you) vehicles and upcoming renewals, E-Reg has been added to our systems in order to provide these much needed services. Visit the Vehicle Estimates website to get your estimate.
Transfers
If you are transferring plates from a sold vehicle to a new (to you) vehicle, in addition to your title papers, please remember to provide the old car's original current registration. Transfers cannot be completed without this registration. If you have misplaced your registration, you will need to complete an Application for Copy of a Registration (Form RDMV 110). There is a $18 fee for the registration copy.
Titles
The New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles Title Bureau website has the answer to many title questions.
Forms
The New Hampshire Department of Safety - Division of Motor Vehicles has many forms available online.
New Residents
Welcome to Bow! If you have moved from out of state, please check the information available at the Department of Safety website. To estimate fees, you can use Bow's online estimator.
If you have moved from another town or city in New Hampshire, state law requires the DMV be notified within 30 days of a change of address. Change of Address forms must be submitted in person at any DMV office; at the Town Clerk's Office (with proof of residency, for example please click on the link below); or through the mail to the DMV Concord office.
PROOF OF RESIDENCY
Boats
Boat Registration Renewals:
If your boat was previously registered in the State of New Hampshire, a renewal registration will be mailed to you, which you may bring to the Town Clerk's office for completion and payment of fees. There is a $5.00 boat agent fee to renew your boat with the town. By renewing your boat here, all local fees are kept in Bow for the town's use. If you mail your renewal to the State, the state retains the local fees.
All boat registrations expire on December 31st of the current year.
New Boat Purchase:
You will need to present a bill of sale signed by both the seller and purchaser. The bill of sale must containing all pertinent information on the boat; i.e. hull identification number, model year, make, type of fuel, length, etc. A boat registration will be completed based upon this information. Fees for the Town and State will be collected based on the year, make and length of the boat.
Ohrv's
Off Highway Recreational Vehicles (OHRV's - e.g. snowmobiles, trail bikes, and ATV's) are not registered at the Town. OHRV's can be registered at the NH Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord or at any New Hampshire OHRV Agent.