To obtain an absentee ballot you must be on the voter checklist and complete an application. The absentee ballot application must be signed by the voter and include a mailing and Alton physical address, if different. Applications can be picked up at the Town Clerk’s office or you can mail a request that includes the above information.

When completed the ballot will be mailed or handed to the voter, nobody can pick a ballot up for another person. The completed ballot can be mailed to the Town Clerk’s office or brought back by the applicant. Absentee ballots will be accepted in person until 5:00 pm the night before an election or by mail on election day.

Birth Certificates are considered closed records. According to New Hampshire law "the applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in the requested record." You must be a member of the immediate family, guardian or legal representative. "Effective January 1, 2005 all individuals requesting a certified copy of a record (Pursuant to RSA 5 C-16) must present positive identification."

Birth records from 1935 to present are available at the Alton Town Clerk's office otherwise, go to the town where the birth occurred. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. You will need to show proof of identity such as a driver's license.

Death Certificates are considered closed records. According to New Hampshire law "the applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in the requested record." You must be a member of the immediate family, guardian or legal representative. "Effective January 1, 2005 all individuals requesting a certified copy of a record (Pursuant to RSA 5 C-16) must present positive identification."

Death records from 1965 to present are available at the Alton Town Clerk's office otherwise, go to the town where the event occurred. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. You will need to show proof of identity such as a driver's license.

Divorce records from 1979 to within 6 months from the present search date are available at the Alton Town Clerk’s office, otherwise, go to the court where the event occurred. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. You will need to show proof of identity such as a driver’s license.

Divorce records are considered closed records. According to New Hampshire law “the applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in the requested record.” You must be a member of the immediate family, guardian or legal representative. “Effective January 1, 2005 all individuals requesting a certified copy of a record (Pursuant to RSA 5 C-16) must present positive identification.”

Dog licenses are processed at the Town Clerk’s office. They expire every year on April 30th. A new dog license requires a rabies certificate and a neutering/spaying certificate, if applicable. The fees are:

Male/female | $10.00
Neutered/Spayed | $7.50
1st dog licensed to owner over 65 | $2.00

Renewals also require an updated rabies certificate and or neutering/spaying certificate, if applicable. New licenses are available after January 2nd . If you do not license your dog by April 30th you will be assessed a late fee of $1.00 per month after June 1st. Also, a civil forfeiture notice will be delivered to your residence by a police officer, which carries a $25.00 fine. Please notify us at 875-2101 if you no longer own your dog.

License renewals may be done by mail or on line by clicking on the purple dog at the top of the page. A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required if completed by mail. Send a check made payable to the “Town of Alton” in the correct amount with any updated certificates, which will be returned to you. If you have any questions, please call 875-2101.

Marriage Certificates are considered closed records. According to New Hampshire law "the applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in the requested record." You must be a member of the immediate family, guardian or legal representative. "Effective January 1, 2005 all individuals requesting a certified copy of a record (Pursuant to RSA 5 C -16) must present positive identification."

Marriage records from 1960 to present are available at the Alton Town Clerk's office otherwise, go to the town where you applied for the marriage license. A certified copy costs $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. You will need to show proof of identity such as a driver's license.

Marriage licenses can be obtained at any town clerk’s office in New Hampshire. Both applicants must appear before the town clerk to complete an application. You will need a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. An original, certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate is required, if applicable. There is a fee of $50.00. The license is valid for 90 days. Applicants must make an appointment to complete the marriage license process.

After the ceremony either applicant can apply for the marriage certificate. The cost is $15.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

** A PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSACTIONS **

NEW RESIDENTS FROM ANOTHER STATE

New residents to Alton from another state have 60 days to register their vehicle(s) and obtain a NH driver’s license. The registration process is done at the Town Clerk’s office in the Town Hall. The following documents are required:
• current driver’s license
• current registration
• vehicles 2000 and newer need an original title, not a photocopy
• if there are two owners listed on the title, both people must be present to sign the title application
• two documents with an Alton physical street and mailing address such as an electric bill, oil delivery receipt, renters receipt, lease agreement….
• Accepted forms of payment: cash, one check payable to the “Town of Alton”, credit or debit cards Please Note: There are additional fees to cover the cost of the credit/debit card fees -2.99% with a $2.50 minimum. These fees go directly to our third party processor and are not retained by the Town of Alton.

You have 10 days to get your vehicle inspected after the registration is completed.

A New Hampshire driver’s license can be acquired at any licensing office. Please call (603) 227-4020 for further information.

NEW RESIDENTS FROM ANOTHER TOWN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

You have 30 days to notify the state in writing of your new address per RSA 261:55.

Vehicle registrations for new residents from another town in New Hampshire are due in your renewal month. You need to bring:
• current driver’s license
• current registration
• two documents with an Alton physical street and mailing address such as an electric bill, oil delivery receipt, renters receipt, lease agreement…
• Accepted forms of payment: cash, one check payable to the “Town of Alton”, credit or debit cards Please Note: There are additional fees to cover the cost of the credit/debit card fees-2.99% with a $2.50 minimum. These fees go directly to our third party processor and are not retained by the Town of Alton.

REGISTERING A NEW VEHICLE

When registering a new vehicle bring the appropriate paperwork to the Town Clerk’s office along with your photo ID. We can issue passenger, motorcycle, vanity, trailer, moose, agriculture, tractor and farm plates to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 26,001 pounds. You must complete your registration at the NH Department of Motor Vehicles in Concord or a substation to obtain construction, veterans, commercial or antique plates.
• 2000 model year or newer needs an original certificate of origin or an original title or a title application obtained from a NH dealership or lending institution.
• 1999 model year or older needs a bill of sale and a copy of a previous NH registration, a NH or out of state title or a VIN verification form (see Verification of Vehicle Identification)
You have 10 days to get your vehicle inspected after the registration is completed.

TRANSFERRING A REGISTRATION

You may transfer your current registration to a new vehicle. The first name on the old registration must be the first name on the new registration. You will need the same paperwork as registering a new vehicle. Your current registration is also required.

RENEWALS

Renewal letters are sent out via regular postal mail or email service on a monthly basis as a courtesy. When renewing a vehicle in the office your photo I.D. is required. You must also bring your current registration or the renewal notice and cash or one check made payable to the “Town of Alton”. Credit or debit cards are accepted. You may also renew on line by clicking on the E-Reg car at the top of the home page of this website or by mail. If by mail, a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a copy of the renewal letter with the registrants’ signature and date of birth or the current registration is required.

Please Note: There are additional fees to cover the cost of the credit/debit card fees - 2.99% with a $2.50 minimum. These fees go directly to our third party processor and are not retained by the Town of Alton.

The Tax Collector is responsible for the collection of taxes, including property, current use, timber and excavation taxes. The tax year runs from April 1 to March 31. Property owners are billed on a semi-annual basis. The first bill is mailed the end of May and is due approximately the first week of July. The amount of the first bill is 1/2 of the previous years tax. The second bill is based on the property assessment as of April 1 of the current year, multiplied by the tax rate, which is set by the state of New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration in the fall of each year. Depending on when the tax rate is set, the due date of the second bill will vary. The second bill is due 30 days from the date the last bill is mailed.

According to state law, bills are sent to the address of the last known owner. The tax assessor's office updates its records according to transfers received from the Belknap County Registry of Deeds on a monthly basis. If you recently purchased property your attorney or closing company should have checked the status of taxes due. However, it is your responsibility as the owner to make sure they are paid and to advise us of your mailing address in writing.

Tax bills may be paid at the town hall by check, cash or credit card during the Tax Collector's regularly scheduled hours. You may also pay or find tax information by using our on-line service. Just go to the top of the page and click on the purple “Property Taxes” box and follow the prompts. If you mail your payment and want a receipt, you must include the entire bill and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment and your receipt will be mailed to you.

Any information or questions regarding tax billing, liens and deeding, please call the office. We'd be happy to answer any concerns you may have.

Please note: There are additional fees to cover the cost of the credit/debit card fees – 2.99% with a $2.50 minimum. These fees go directly to our third-party processor and are not retained by the Town of Alton.

Verification of VIN

The VIN verification form or TDMV 19A can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office. You will need a TDMV 19A when you wish to register any vehicle with a model year 1999 or older and you cannot get a previous NH registration or a NH or out of state title. You will also need this form when you are registering a homemade trailer.

The form must be completed by a NH law enforcement officer, an authorized NH licensed auto dealer or an authorized NH inspection station. Remember, if you get a 20-day plate have the TDMV 19A completed before the plate expires as the vehicles VIN # must be verified by one of the above-listed agencies before it can be registered.