Motor Vehicle Dealers - Used Vehicles Only
Required for used vehicle dealers in New Hampshire to obtain and maintain their dealer license, protecting consumers from fraudulent practices and ensuring compliance with state regulations.
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About This Bond
The Motor Vehicle Dealer bond is a surety bond required by the State of New Hampshire for businesses engaged in the sale of used motor vehicles. This bond ensures that licensed dealers operate in accordance with state laws and regulations governing the automotive retail industry.
Used vehicle dealers in New Hampshire must obtain this bond as part of their licensing requirements. The bond applies specifically to dealers who sell used vehicles and is mandatory for obtaining and maintaining a valid dealer license from the state.
The bond protects the State of New Hampshire and consumers who purchase vehicles from licensed dealers. It provides financial recourse if a dealer engages in fraudulent practices, fails to transfer titles properly, misrepresents vehicle conditions, or violates other provisions of New Hampshire's motor vehicle dealer regulations.
This bond requires a coverage amount of $25,000 and has a term length of one year. The bond is renewable annually, and dealers must maintain continuous coverage to keep their license in good standing with the state.
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At a glance
New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bond Key Facts
Governed by RSA 261:10.
The basics
What Is an Auto Dealer Bond in New Hampshire?
A bonded title in New Hampshire is a certificate of title the DMV issues after you file a vehicle title surety bond — financial protection backed by a surety company. New Hampshire uses it only in certain cases: when you cannot give the DMV enough proof that you own a titled vehicle, and the DMV director is not satisfied as to your ownership. State law calls this filing a bond under RSA 261:10.
Good to know - There is no dollar threshold. A bond applies only when the DMV director is not satisfied as to your ownership, and only for a vehicle New Hampshire titles. New Hampshire titles vehicles with a model year of 2000 or newer; vehicles model year 1999 and older are generally not titled (and so need no bond), except certain heavy trucks that must always be titled.
The bond protects any prior owner, lienholder, or later buyer if someone else turns out to have a claim on the vehicle. You file it together with your title application — it does not replace the application.
New Hampshire sets the bond at 1.5 times your vehicle's value, as decided by the DMV director, and the bond stays in effect for three years. If no valid claim is made in that time, the bond ends and you keep a clear title. New Hampshire also lets you post a cash deposit with the DMV instead of buying a surety bond.
A bond is not always needed. If you can document how you own the vehicle, the director issues the title without one. And if your vehicle has a model year of 1999 or older, New Hampshire usually does not title it at all — so you need neither a title nor a bond.
Qualification
What You Need to Qualify for a New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bond
Approval depends on your dealer license type, required coverage amount, and underwriting factors such as credit.
- Your vehicle is one New Hampshire titles — generally a model year of 2000 or newer (1999-and-older vehicles are titled only at the owner’s request, except certain heavy trucks that must always be titled).
- You cannot give the DMV enough documents to prove you own the vehicle and that there are no undisclosed liens (a lien is a lender’s legal claim on the vehicle).
- The NH DMV director is not satisfied as to your ownership and asks you to file a bond (or post a cash deposit) as a condition of issuing the title.
- The bond is issued by a company authorized to conduct surety business in New Hampshire, in the form the director prescribes.
Step by step
How to Get an Auto Dealer Bond in New Hampshire: Step by Step
Confirm your vehicle needs a title and a bond
New Hampshire only titles vehicles with a model year of 2000 or newer; vehicles 1999 and older are usually not titled at all, so they need no bond. A title surety bond comes up only when you cannot prove you own a titled vehicle and the DMV director is not satisfied as to ownership.
Start at your town or city clerk for the title application
Begin your registration at your town or city clerk’s office. The clerk prepares your Application for Certificate of Title (TDMV 23A). This form is not available online — you get it through the clerk.
Application for Certificate of Title (TDMV 23A)Get your VIN verified and gather your bill of sale
If the vehicle has no previous title, New Hampshire requires a Verification of Vehicle Identification (TDMV 19A). An NH authorized inspection station, NH dealer, or NH law enforcement officer checks the vehicle in person and confirms the VIN (the vehicle identification number). Bring a bill of sale too.
Verification of Vehicle Identification (TDMV 19A)Determine your bond amount and buy the bond
If the director is not satisfied as to ownership, the director sets your vehicle's value and requires a bond equal to 1.5 times that value (you may post a cash deposit instead). Buy the surety bond from a company authorized to conduct surety business in New Hampshire, in the form the director prescribes. Enter your vehicle value in the calculator above to estimate your premium.
Certificate of Title Surety BondFile your bond, application, and statement with the DMV
Submit your signed bond with the Application for Certificate of Title (TDMV 23A), a written statement explaining why you could not get the normal ownership documents, and the $35 title fee to the NH DMV Bureau of Title & Anti-Theft, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. The bond then stays in effect for three years.
Paperwork
New Hampshire Dealer Bond Forms & Documents
The main title application. Not available online — obtain it from your town or city clerk’s office.
Required when the vehicle has no previous title; completed in person by an NH inspection station, NH dealer, or NH law enforcement officer.
View formBill of sale used for a vehicle that was not previously titled.
View formFiled in the form prescribed by the DMV director and issued by a surety authorized in New Hampshire; a cash deposit may be posted instead (RSA 261:10).
Used when an existing New Hampshire title is lost, stolen, or destroyed (current owner or lienholder only); $35 fee.
View formYou'll also need
Cost
How New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bond Pricing Works
You do not pay the full bond amount. In New Hampshire, the bond must equal 1.5 times your vehicle's value, as set by the DMV director. You pay a premium, which is a smaller percentage of that bond amount.
Your premium depends on the bond amount and underwriting (the surety’s review of your application). Use the calculator above for an estimate; your final premium may vary. The $35 certificate of title fee is separate from the bond premium. New Hampshire also lets you post a cash deposit with the DMV instead of buying a bond.
Worked example
If the director values your vehicle at $6,000, the bond amount is 1.5x that, or $9,000. You pay only the premium on the $9,000 bond, not the full $9,000.
Filing
Filing Information
New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles — Bureau of Title & Anti-Theft
We prepare the issued bond and send you a copy for your records. Filing requirements vary by state, license type, carrier, and bond form.
(603) 227-4150FAQ
New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bond FAQ
Yes, in certain cases. Under RSA 261:10, if the DMV director is not satisfied that you own the vehicle, the director can issue a certificate of title only after you file a surety bond (or post a cash deposit). The bond equals 1.5 times the vehicle’s value.
The bond amount is 1.5 times your vehicle's value, as determined by the DMV director. You pay a premium — a percentage of that amount — not the full bond amount. Use the calculator above to estimate it.
By the DMV director. Under RSA 261:10, the bond must equal one and one-half times the value of the vehicle as determined by the director.
Three years. Under RSA 261:10, the bond is returned at the end of three years, or sooner if the vehicle is no longer registered in New Hampshire and you surrender the valid certificate of title.
Yes. RSA 261:10 lets you file the bond accompanied by a cash deposit with the department, instead of having the bond executed by a surety company. Ask the Bureau of Title & Anti-Theft how to post a deposit.
Maybe not. New Hampshire generally does not title vehicles with a model year of 1999 or older, so they usually need no title and no bond. Those vehicles can be titled only at the owner’s request (certain heavy trucks must always be titled).
With the DMV Bureau of Title & Anti-Theft, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. Submit the signed bond with your Application for Certificate of Title (TDMV 23A), a statement of the circumstances, and the $35 title fee. Call (603) 227-4150 with questions.
Only when you cannot give the DMV enough proof that you own a titled vehicle and the director is not satisfied as to ownership. If you can document ownership, the director issues the title without a bond.
Sources
Last verified 2026-06-23. Requirements change - confirm current details with New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles — Bureau of Title & Anti-Theft before you file. This page is informational and not legal advice.
FAQ
New Hampshire Auto Dealer Bond Questions
The cost of a New Hampshire auto dealer bond is usually a small percentage of the state-required bond amount. Your exact premium depends on the bond amount, license type, business details, and underwriting factors such as credit.
Many auto dealer bonds can be issued the same day after you complete the application. Larger bond amounts or applications that need underwriting review may take longer.
Requirements vary by license type, but most New Hampshire auto dealers need to complete a short application and purchase the bond amount required by the state before their license can be issued or renewed.
Often, yes. Many states have separate bond requirements for wholesale, retail, broker, or other dealer license types. Choose the bond that matches your New Hampshire license instructions.
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AutoDealersBond.com is operated by Insurance Services by Shield, a California and Texas licensed insurance agency (CA License #6018195, TX License #3446536). Insurance Services by Shield is not an insurance carrier and does not underwrite bonds or insurance policies. Bond and coverage availability, pricing, and issuance are subject to carrier underwriting approval, eligibility, applicable state requirements, and policy or bond terms. Availability varies by state.
