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Vehicle Registration:

New Resident Requirements:

New New Hampshire residents must obtain a New Hampshire Drivers License and Automobile Registration within 60 days (RSA 261:45 & 263:35).

I have just moved to Claremont from another state. What do I need to bring with me to register my cars?

You should bring the following with you to the City Clerk’s Office :

Proof of Claremont Residency such as a Lease Agreement, rent receipt, Utility Bill, etc. Current out of state registration and ORIGINAL TITLE if you hold the title to your vehicle. If you do not hold the title to your vehicle, we will need the full name and address of the lien holder and/or leasing company
Mileage at time of purchase.
The date you purchased the vehicle

I have just moved to Claremont from another town in New Hampshire. Do I need to change my address on my registration and drivers license?

You will need to provide proof of Claremont residency to have your address changed on your license and registration here at the City Clerk’s Office. You will need to complete a Record Change Request Form. Click here to access the Record Change Request Form.

If I move out of state prior to the expiration of my registration, do I receive a refund for the unused portion?

No, the State of New Hampshire nor the City of Claremont provides a refund if you move.

I just bought a new car, what do I need to bring with me to register it?

Please note that a title is a legal document and is required to be completed accurately and in its entirety by the SELLER in order for us to process your transaction.

If you purchased your car from a New Hampshire dealership, you will need the blue title application marked “Town Clerk’s Copy.”
If the vehicle that you purchased is newer than the current year, you will need to bring in the vehicle window sticker showing the price, as we will not have access to the MSRP.
If you purchased your vehicle out of state, you will need to bring the original title or certificate of origin.
If you purchased your vehicle through a private sale, you will need to bring the original title which has been correctly assigned to you by the SELLER.
If you have purchased a vehicle that is more than 15 years old, you will need a bill of sale, and one of these 3 items:

An original title;

A previous NH registration for that vehicle; or

A verification of the vehicle identification number. ( Form available at: nh.gov; State DMV office or City Clerk’s office).

How do I transfer my license plates from my old car to my new car?

You will need to provide us with the current unexpired registration for the old vehicle, and the paperwork from the dealer or seller on the new vehicle. License plates are solely owned by the first person listed on the registration and can only be transferred and any credit applied to a registration that again reflects the same individual as the first person on the registration. If there is a leasing company involved, you can transfer your plates as long as the lessee is the same as the owner of the plates.

What do I need to register or renew a current registration for a vehicle? What should I bring with me to process this transaction?

You will need to provide us with the current registration or the renewal notice. Pursuant to the State of New Hampshire Privacy Act Law, Records and Certifications RSA 260:14, if you are unable to provide your vehicle information to us, we cannot “fill in the blanks” and provide it for you.

What do I need to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license?

Driver's licenses are obtained through any office of the State’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The Concord DMV Office can be reached at 603-227-4000; phone numbers for local DMV offices are not available for the public.

Driver's licensing can be done Monday through Friday at the Claremont DMV.

You will need to produce the following documents to secure your drivers license:

An original or certified copy of your birth certificate or passport – these documents must be in your current name; if not, then the legal document indicating your name change must be presented; and
A current valid out-of-state drivers license; and
Proof of residency.

Can I get any plate type at the City office?

The City of Claremont CAN issue regular NH license plates, Moose plates, vanity plates/initial plates , motorcycle plates, trailer plates, vanity antique plates, vanity motorcycle plates, vanity trailer plates, vanity Moose plates, Agricultural, Farm and Tractor plates.

The City CANNOT issue regular antique plates, veteran plates of any kind, commercial plates, Pearl Harbor plates, Purple Heart plates, moped plates, dirt bike plates, Handicap plates, apportioned plates, or State Park Plates. These plates can be obtained through the State of New Hampshire DMV Offices. Please call the State DMV at 603-227-4030 for questions regarding these types of plates.

What type of payment does the City of Claremont accept?

The City of Claremont accepts cash, certified bank checks, cashiers’ checks, personal checks (starter checks not accepted), or a money order. At this time, we are not able to accept debit or credit cards for payment.

Vital Records

How to Request a Certified Copy of Birth, Death, Divorce or Marriage Record:

The City Clerk’s Office issues certified copies of birth, death and marriage records to immediate family members by blood or marriage** for events that occurred in Claremont, New Hampshire. Access to vital records can also be given to an individual who has a direct and tangible interest as defined by New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules He-P7009.01 (per RSA 541-A).

**Definition of Immediate Family: Mother, Father, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, great-grandmother, great-grandfather, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or any spouse of divorced or legally separated person or person whose former marriage has been annulled. It shall not include cousins.

The following records can be obtained from any City/Town office in New Hampshire:

Birth: 1984-Present

Death: 1990-Present

Marriage: 1989-Present

Divorce: 1990**--within 6 months from present date

**Divorce records prior to 1990, please contact the courthouse where your divorce took place

Births, deaths and marriages occurring in New Hampshire prior to the above mentioned dates need to be obtained at the City/Town Office where the event occurred. (NOTE: in case of marriage records-they are maintained in the town/city where the license was issued, NOT where the marriage took place).

A $15.00 fee applies for the issuance of one certified copy of a vital record; additional copies of the same record purchased at the same time are $10.00 each. Please be aware that New Hampshire law requires that a nonrefundable search fee of $15.00 be collected for each record requested. If the record is located and you meet eligibility requirements, you will be issued the requested number of certified copies of that record. Vital Records may be requested in person at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours or by mail. When requesting by mail please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please note that a valid photo ID is required in order to process your request. Check or money order made payable to: City of Claremont. Requests should be mailed to: City Clerk's Office, 58 Opera House Square, Claremont, N.H. 03743

Please click on the appropriate link to print the application form to request a vital record from our office:

Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate

Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate

Instructions for Changing your Name after Marriage

Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate

Application for Copy of Divorce Decree

List of Justice of the Peace

How to Apply for a Marriage License- click to open this link

Property Taxes

The property tax year in the State of New Hampshire is April l through March 31 of the following calendar year.

Property Taxes:

The City of Claremont issues property tax bills semi-annually in June and November. Bills are due in 30 days. It is the responsibility of the property owner to notify the Assessing Department in the event they do not receive the original bill, so that a duplicate bill can be issued timely to avoid late charges. All property tax bills unpaid are subject to interest of 12% per annum.

If you are elderly, disabled, blind, a veteran or veteran’s spouse you may be eligible for a taxexemption, creditor deferral. For detailed information contact the Assessing Department. Tele: 603-542-7004.

Water/Sewer Taxes:

Water and Sewer bills are issued semi-annually in February and August. The bills are due in 30 days. The bills are calculated from the meter readings taken at the individual properties. Unpaid bills are subject to interest of 12% per annum.

DOG LICENSING

WHICH DOGS MUST BE LICENSED?

State of New Hampshire RSA 466:1 requires that every owner or keeper of a dog four months old or older shall annually cause it to be registered, numbered, described, and licensed for one year in the city or town in which the dog is kept. Regardless of when the license is obtained, the license shall be effective from May 1st of each year to April 30th of the subsequent year.

WHAT DO I NEED TO LICENSE MY DOG?

State law requires that before a license is issued, the owner or keeper of a dog must furnish proof to the town or city clerk that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

In addition, if the dog has been spayed or neutered, the owner or keeper needs to furnish the town or city with the proper documentation.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Puppy (ages 4-7 months)	$7.50
Altered Animal	$7.50
Unaltered Animal	$10.00
Senior Citizen Owner (65 or older) First dog only	$3.00
Group License (5 or more dogs same owner)	$20.00
Late Fee per Month	$1.00
Civil Forfeiture-Unlicensed Dog	$25.00
Dog Release Fee	$25.00

HOW DO I LICENSE MY DOG?

You can register your dog in person at the City Clerk's Office, 58 Opera House Square, Monday - Friday, 9:00am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-5:00pm excluding holidays; or you can register by mail by sending a copy of the rabies certificate, spaying/neutered certificate (if applicable) and the appropriate fee to our office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T LICENSE MY DOG?

Failure to license your dog is a violation of State law. In addition to the annual license fee you will be charged a late fee of $1.00 per month, per dog for each month (or part of month) after June 1st. A civil forfeiture fee will also be assessed in the amount of $25.00, which is payable within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the notice of failure to register your dog(s). If the forfeiture fee is not paid within that time, a summons to appear in court shall be issued in accordance with State law requirements.

I NO LONGER OWN MY DOG, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Contact the City Clerk's Office at 542-7003 or email us at cityclerk@claremontnh.com. We will then update your record so that you do not receive any future notices.

I HAVE MOVED OUT OF CLAREMONT, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Contact the City Clerk's Office at 542-7003 or email us at cityclerk@claremontnh.com. We will then update your record so that you do not receive any future notices.

WHAT IS A DOG RELEASE FEE?

Dogs are required by law to be restrained at all times. Any dog found running at large shall be restrained or impounded and the owner required to pay a release fee of $25.00.

Voter Registrations and Elections

Registering to vote allows you to participate in the local, school, state and federal election process. The City of Claremont has three voting wards and the polls are open from 8:00am to 7:00pm on Election Day, November 6, 2012. You can register to vote anytime at the Central Collections Office, the day of the election at the polls, or at the supervisors of the checklist meeting. The supervisors meetings are advertised in the local paper.

Please Bring:
Proof of Residency Required Along With One of the Following:

Birth Certificate
Passport
Military ID

(If you are unable to present one of these documents, you must complete an affidavit of citizenship form. If you are a naturalized citizen your must present your citizenship/ naturalization papers.)

Ward Voter Locations:

Ward 1- Claremont Middle School – 107 South Street

Ward 2- Claremont Middle School – 107 South Street

Ward 3 – Disnard Elementary School – 160 Hanover Street

Next Election:

State General Election – November 6, 2012

Transfer Station Tickets

The transfer station is open Saturdays and Tuesdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Claremont residents can purchase transfer station tickets at the Central Collections Office or Golden Cross Ambulance 1 Lincoln Heights ( 542-2244) . These punch cards are used to bring rubbish to the landfill. The Claremont Transfer Station does not accept construction and demolition material from commercial haulers and vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight over 19,000 lbs. These materials can be taken to GDS, Inc., Newport, New Hampshire .

Fees for Use of the Claremont Transfer Station:

No charge for Recycled Items

Cardboard, Mixed Paper, Mixed Containers

$3.00 per bag of rubbish

Up to the equivalent of a 30 gallon bag, not weighing more than 30 lbs.

The following is a list of typical items that are received at the Transfer Station and is a guide for the cost to dispose of such items. The Transfer Station Operator will make a determination within the guidelines below for items and volumes of materials that are not specifically listed. Please see the Transfer Station Operator if you have questions or need assistance.

Household Item Fees:

Fee	Items
$20.00 each	Propane Tanks Over 20 lbs.
$15.00 each	Appliances (Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers, Dryers, Stoves, Air Conditioners, Humidifiers, Hot Water Tanks)
$15.00 each	Upholstered Furniture (Couches, Chairs, Recliners)
$10.00 each	Bed Springs, Mattresses, Televisions, Computer Monitors, Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Tubs
$5.00 each	Bicycles, Grills (no tank), Propane tanks (up to 20 lbs), Lawn Chairs, Vacuum Cleaners, Computer Systems (less monitors), Fluorescent Tubes (up to three per package)

Tires:

Fee	Items
$6.00 each	Up to and including 16"
$15.00 each	17" to 24"

Household Construction / Demolition Waste Fees (Pickup Trucks Only):

Fee	Items
$225.00	Full Size Pickup Truck (6 to 8 foot body loaded to the rails)
$150.00	Compact Pickup Truck (loaded to the rails)

Class III Metal Fees (Residential Waste Only):

Fee	Items
$25.00	Full Size Pickup Truck (6 to 8 foot body loaded to the rails)
$15.00	Compact Pickup Truck (loaded to the rails)
$5.00 each	Individual Items – Complete Exhaust Systems/ 55 Gallon Drums
$3.00 each	Individual Items – Tire Rims, Mufflers, Catalytic Converters
$1.00 each	Individual Items – Small Containers (up to 5 gallons)

Brush / Clean Wood Fees (Less than 5” Diameter and Less Than 6’ Long):

Fee	Items
$15.00	Full Size Pickup Truck (6 to 8 foot body loaded to the rails)
$10.00	Compact Pickup Truck (loaded to the rails)

Liens

IRS Liens:
If any person liable to pay any tax neglects or refuses to pay the same after demand, the amount shall be a lien in favor of the United States upon all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, belonging to such person.

These liens are recorded in the office of the City Clerk/Central Collections.

Medical Assistance – Old Age Related Liens:
The State of New Hampshire files a medical assistance/old age lien with the city or town where the recipient was a resident. (RSA 167:14 and 167:16). Under the law the Register of Deeds and the City Clerk shall keep the record of such notices without charge and enter an acknowledgment of satisfaction upon the written request from the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Hospital Liens:
Every town or city clerk shall, at the expense of the city, provide a recording system to be called the Hospital Lien in which shall be entered the name of the injured person, firm or corporation alleged to be liable for the injuries, the date of the accident and name of the hospital or institution making the claim. The clerk shall index the same and be paid $15.00 by the lien claimant for such filing. RSA 448-A:4.