Moving to New Hampshire: a checklist for your first 60 days

What do I need to do after moving to New Hampshire?

• Within 60 days: register your vehicles in NH, starting at your town or city clerk.
• Within 60 days: get a New Hampshire driver's license if you drive here.
• Before the next election: register to vote with your town or city clerk.
• At tax time: check what your old state expects for the year you moved.
• When you buy: learn your town's tax rate and billing schedule, and test the well and inspect the septic if the home has them.

How long do I have to get an NH driver's license?

The NH Division of Motor Vehicles says a person who makes New Hampshire their home and drives here must get a New Hampshire driver's license within 60 days. Drivers 18 and older can transfer an out-of-state license by making an appointment at a DMV office. Town clerks warn that without an NH license in time, you may not be able to renew your registration as a resident.

How do I register my car in New Hampshire?

New residents must register their vehicles within 60 days (RSA 261:45). Registration starts at your town or city clerk, not the DMV. Bring proof of where you live, such as a lease, deed or recent utility bill, and your title. If a lender holds the title, bring your current registration and the lender's name and address.

At the clerk you pay the town's permit fee, which is based on the vehicle's original list price, and then the state registration fee, which many clerks can also collect, and you get your plates. Ask your clerk which documents they want before you go.

How do I register to vote in New Hampshire?

Register with your town or city clerk, or at a session of the supervisors of the checklist. You'll need to show proof of your identity, age, U.S. citizenship and domicile, meaning the address where you live. New Hampshire also allows registration at the polls on election day. The Secretary of State's page lists the documents that count.

Does New Hampshire tax my income?

New Hampshire has no income tax on wages, and its Interest and Dividends Tax was repealed for tax periods beginning after December 31, 2024. The state you're leaving may still expect a part-year return for the year you move, and Massachusetts still taxes wages for work done in Massachusetts. A tax professional can confirm your situation. The MA vs NH taxes calculator gives a quick comparison.

How do NH property tax bills work for new owners?

Towns fund most local services with property tax, quoted per $1,000 of assessed valueAssessed value The value a New Hampshire town assigns to a property for tax purposes. Your property tax is based on it, not on the purchase price. See the full glossary×, and many bill twice a year. On most loans your share is collected monthly in escrow. At closing, the current bill is split between you and the seller by the days each of you owns the home.

Use the NH property tax calculator to compare towns, and see property tax relief for credits and exemptions you may qualify for.

What should I check on an NH home that I might not check elsewhere?

Many New Hampshire homes outside town centers have a private well and septic system, which the owner is responsible for. Test the well water and have the septic inspected before you buy, and consider a radon test. The well and septic guide and the radon and arsenic guide explain what to ask for.

Moving from Massachusetts? The Massachusetts to NH guide covers taxes, towns near the border and buying before you sell.