N.H. Rev. Stat. § 262:6
No motor vehicle shall be registered unless it shall have permanently cut, impressed, or embossed on some portion thereof a factory, serial, or vehicle identification number or mark. Any person who shall knowingly have in his possession any motor vehicle from which such number or mark shall have been removed, defaced, obliterated, or changed, shall forthwith file with the department a sworn statement giving the reason therefor, a description of the vehicle, and the source of his title. If satisfied as to the facts the director may grant permission to cut, impress, or emboss permanently into the motor of such vehicle a special identification number or mark which shall thereafter be deemed sufficient for the purpose of registration of such vehicle.
RSA 262:6
1931, 79:1. RL 116:5. RSA 260:7. 1981, 146:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1982.