New Hampshire Boat, RV & Powersports Guide

Private-party title transfer, registration, lien search, sales tax, and USCG documentation rules for New Hampshire.

Title Required

❌ No

Registration only

Bill of Sale

✅ Required

For all transfers

Sales Tax

None

On boat purchases

State Agency

Official Site ↗

Title & Registration in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not issue titles for recreational boats. Instead, vessels are registered with the state. The registration certificate and bill of sale serve as proof of ownership.

New Hampshire has no sales tax and does not title boats. Register with NH Fish & Game within 60 days.

Lien Search in New Hampshire

Before completing any private-party purchase, run a lien search to confirm the vessel has no outstanding loans or encumbrances.

New Hampshire Official Lien Search ↗

For USCG-documented vessels, also search the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC).

Bill of Sale Requirements

New Hampshire requires a bill of sale to transfer title. Your bill of sale should include:

Hull Identification Number (HIN) or VIN
Make, model, and year of the vessel
Full legal names and addresses of buyer and seller
Purchase price and date of sale
Odometer reading (motorhomes/RVs)
Signatures of both parties
Notarization if required by New Hampshire

Sales Tax on Boats & Powersports in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has no state sales tax on boat or powersports purchases. This makes it a popular state for large vessel transactions.

USCG Documentation in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's short Atlantic coastline means some vessels are USCG documented. The state does not title boats.

USCG-documented vessels carry a Certificate of Documentation (COD) issued by the National Vessel Documentation Center. This is recognized internationally and is preferred by lenders for boats over 26 ft. Even with USCG documentation, New Hampshire may still require state registration for operation on in-state waters.

Apply for USCG Documentation →