New to Merrimack, NH: a newcomer's checklist

Get your NH driver's license and register your car

New Hampshire gives new residents 60 days after moving into the state to get NH plates and an NH driver's license (RSA 261:45 and RSA 263:35); licenses are handled by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles. Merrimack recommends registering your car first, then getting your license. Registration starts at the Town Clerk's office, and the town asks for:

• ID, such as your driver's license, and two proofs of your Merrimack address, such as a lease, a utility bill showing the service address, an NH auto insurance policy, a bank statement, a payroll check or a federal tax return.
• For a 2000 or newer vehicle, the out-of-state title (and the lease agreement if it's leased).
• If a lender holds the title, your current registration plus the lienholder's name and address; the town prepares an NH title application and the NH Title Bureau requests the title from your lender.

The office takes cash, personal checks, money orders and cards (card fees apply).

• Registering as a new NH resident · Town Clerk / Tax Collector · NH DMV

Property tax bills

Merrimack's 2025 total rate is $22.11 per $1,000 of assessed value (NH DRA). The town's Assessing Department lists a 2025 equalization ratio of 67.9%, and the town did a town-wide value update for 2026, aimed at bringing assessments to 100% of market value as of April 1, 2026, so check your new assessment on the town's database. Bills go out twice a year, due July 1 and December 1. If you bought after April 1, the town asks you to contact the Tax Collector for a duplicate bill if the seller didn't forward it. Bills can be viewed and paid on the NH Tax Kiosk. If your mortgage company pays through escrow, forward any bill to them.

• Property taxes · Pay or view tax bills (NH Tax Kiosk) · Assessing Department · Merrimack property taxes and records

Trash and recycling (transfer station)

Merrimack does not offer curbside trash pickup; household trash and recycling go to the Transfer Station and Recycling Facility on Fearon Road (off Lawrence Road). Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday; summer hours starting in April keep it open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Recycling is single stream, so no sorting is needed. Residents need a residential decal, free from the scale house or the Public Works office in the Town Hall basement: bring your NH driver's license and vehicle registration (plus proof of residency if the addresses don't match). Decals are replaced every January. Some items, such as tires, electronics and appliances with Freon, carry a fee. Phone 603-424-2604.

• Solid Waste Division · Transfer station and recycling guide

Water and sewer

Town sewer is billed by the town: homes on town sewer pay a flat annual fee that's added to the July and December tax bills. Water is not a town service: the town's payments page sends water customers to the Merrimack Village District (MVD) Water Works. Ask whether a home is on MVD water or a private well, and on town sewer or septic, before you buy.

• Sewer billing and rates · Merrimack Village District Water Works · Well and septic guide

Dog license

Dogs 4 months and older must be licensed every year (RSA 466:1). Merrimack licenses run May 1 to April 30; bring a current rabies certificate (and a spay/neuter certificate if it applies). You can license at the Town Clerk's office, by mail, or renew online.

• Dog licenses · Online payments

Library card

Merrimack Public Library: the town's library link goes to the library's own website.

• Merrimack Public Library

Registering to vote

Register in person at the Town Clerk's office during business hours, or at the polls on an election day. Bring proof of identity, age, citizenship and domicile. Applications taken at the office go to the Supervisors of the Checklist for approval at one of their public sessions. Merrimack votes at two polling places, Merrimack High School (38 McElwain Street) and Merrimack Middle School (31 Madeline Bennett Lane); the town posts a voting map. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Elections and voting · NH Secretary of State

Schools

Merrimack's public schools are run by the Merrimack School District (SAU 26); new-student registration starts with the school your child will attend, and the steps are on the district's website.

• Merrimack School District: student registration

Building or renovating

New projects, additions and remodels need permits, filed online through the town's portal; Merrimack's Building Division is at Fire and Rescue headquarters, 432 Daniel Webster Highway (603-420-1730).

• Building Division

Your first year as a homeowner

• Escrow: if your lender pays your taxes and insurance, your first escrow review usually comes about a year after closing. A tax change, or a new assessment after the 2026 value update, can change the payment; Tom can explain any escrow letter.
• Abatement: if your assessment looks too high, the application is generally due by March 1 after the year's final tax bill (RSA 76:16); the town posts its 2026 abatement application on the Assessing pages.
• Keep your closing documents: they speed up any future refinance.

Buying, refinancing or settled in Merrimack? Tom MacDonald lives just across the river in Litchfield and is glad to help. Tom MacDonald, Loan Officer, Elite Mortgage Group · NMLS #2748687 · Company NMLS #2502308MBR.