Payday loans in New Hampshire: the rules and your way out

New Hampshire's rules, line by line

Largest loan

A payday loan lender may not cause any person to be obligated to it at any time in a principal amount of more than $500 (RSA 399-A:17, VI).

Shortest term

7 days. The agreed maturity date must be at least 7 days after the loan is made (RSA 399-A:17, III(e)).

Longest term

30 days. Maturity no more than 30 days after the loan is made; after maturity, interest may not accrue at more than 6 percent per year (RSA 399-A:17, III(e)).

Fee or rate cap

"The annual percentage rate for payday loans shall not exceed 36 percent." "Payday loans shall incur interest only. No other charges or fees shall apply to or be collected on payday loans." (RSA 399-A:17, I-II). Charging more than allowed, except by bona fide error, makes the loan void, with no right to collect any principal or charges (RSA 399-A:15, V; see also 399-A:23, VIII).

Renewals and rollovers

Prohibited. "A payday loan lender shall not refinance, renew, or extend any loan." (RSA 399-A:17, VII).

Waiting period between loans

60 days. A lender may not make a payday loan to a borrower who has, or within the previous 60 days had, an outstanding payday or title loan; the borrower must certify this under oath (RSA 399-A:17, XIX).

Loans at once

One. No loan to a borrower with any outstanding payday or title loan (RSA 399-A:17, XIX); no more than one loan at a time to increase charges (399-A:17, VIII); no more than one check as security at a time (399-A:17, V).

Payment plan if you cannot pay

No statutory extended payment plan for payday loans found in RSA 399-A. Borrowers may make partial payments of at least $50 at any time before maturity without charge (RSA 399-A:17, XVIII).

State loan database

No statewide loan database found in RSA 399-A; the 60-day rule relies on the borrower's sworn statement (RSA 399-A:17, XIX).

Limits on collection

Lender may not threaten or cause criminal proceedings if a check given as security is dishonored (RSA 399-A:17, X). No fees other than interest on payday loans (399-A:17, II; 399-A:15, XI). No security other than a check payable to the lender (399-A:17, XI); no post-dated checks (399-A:17, IX). No power of attorney or confession of judgment, no suits outside New Hampshire, no waiver of rights (399-A:17, IV; 399-A:15, VI). Unlicensed lenders or lenders violating 399-A:15-19 cannot recover any finance, delinquency or collection charge (399-A:23, II).

Other rights

Right to cancel by close of business the next business day by repaying the amount advanced (RSA 399-A:17, III(f); 399-A:15, XVIII). Right to prepay in full or in part (399-A:17, III(g)); partial payments of $50 or more with signed receipts (399-A:17, XVIII). Lender must give a plain-language pamphlet with a Banking Department toll-free complaint number (399-A:17, XVI), and every loan contract must say the consumer may file a complaint with the commissioner (399-A:15, XIV). Licensees must respond to complaints within set deadlines (399-A:12). Holder of the check takes it subject to the borrower's claims and defenses (399-A:17, XV).

If you are behind on a payday loan in New Hampshire

1. Check whether the loan was legal to make. New Hampshire does not allow payday loans at typical payday prices. If a lender charged more than the state's limit, report it to the New Hampshire Banking Department, Consumer Credit Division through its complaint page.
2. Stop the automatic withdrawals if they are emptying your account. You can revoke the lender's permission to debit your account and tell your bank. How to do it.
3. Look at a credit union payday alternative loan. Federal credit unions can lend $200 to $2,000 at much lower cost. How they work.
4. Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor. A counselor can look at all your bills, not just this one. How to find a real one.

Check a lender, or report one

• Check whether a lender is licensed in New Hampshire
• File a complaint with the New Hampshire Banking Department, Consumer Credit Division
• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Sources

• RSA Chapter 399-A, Regulation of Small Loans, Title Loans, and Payday Loans, read 2026-10-24
• NH Banking Department, Consumer Complaints, read 2026-10-24
• NH Banking Department, License verification, read 2026-10-24

This page summarizes the law; it is not legal advice. Laws change, and the statute and regulator control. If something here is out of date, write to hello@paydayloan.help.