Hawaii Title Transfer
Transferring a Hawaii vehicle title is a county transaction, handled at the same motor vehicle office that issues registration and plates. The seller signs the back of the existing certificate of title, the buyer files at the county counter within 30 days, and the county issues a fresh title and registration in the buyer's name. Each of Hawaii's four counties — Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai — uses the same statewide title form set under Hawaii DOT standards.
Seller's responsibilities
When you sell a Hawaii-titled vehicle:
- Sign the back of the certificate of title in the seller section, including printed name and date.
- Complete the odometer disclosure on the title (federal requirement for vehicles less than 20 model years old).
- Provide a Bill of Sale showing buyer name, seller name, VIN, sale price, and date.
- Remove the license plates from the vehicle (Hawaii plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle, unless transferred at the counter).
- Notify the county of the sale within 10 days using the county's Notice of Transfer form to release seller liability.
- Cancel insurance only after confirming the buyer has registered the vehicle.
Buyer's responsibilities
The buyer files the title transfer at the county motor vehicle office where they live, within 30 days of purchase. Bring:
- The signed certificate of title from the seller (front and back complete).
- Bill of Sale showing the purchase price.
- A current Hawaii safety inspection certificate.
- Proof of Hawaii no-fault insurance in the buyer's name.
- Application for Certificate of Ownership (county-issued title application).
- Hawaii driver's license matching the buyer's name and address.
- Lien release if a previous loan has been paid off.
- Payment of the title fee (varies by county, generally $5-$15) plus the registration fee.
Transfer fees
Hawaii county title fees vary slightly by county but generally fall in the $5 to $15 range. Honolulu currently charges $5 for the title alone. The buyer also pays the prorated registration and county weight tax for the rest of the cycle, plus any unpaid late penalties from the seller. The county also adds a small notice-of-transfer fee paid by the seller to release liability. See Hawaii car registration for the registration fee structure.
The 30-day rule
The buyer has 30 days to file the title transfer at their county office. After 30 days, the county adds a late penalty to the title and registration fees and may require a fresh safety inspection. If a sale is filed more than a year late, the buyer may have to demonstrate continuous custody of the vehicle through receipts, insurance records, and registration receipts, which is difficult — file on time.
Buying from a Hawaii dealer
A Hawaii-licensed dealer typically handles the title and registration paperwork on the buyer's behalf, collects the fees, and files with the county directly. The buyer leaves with a temporary registration; the permanent title and plate are mailed in 4-8 weeks. The dealer is responsible for ensuring the title is clear and the inspection is current. If the buyer financed through the dealer, the lender is named as the lienholder on the new title.
Vehicle from out of state
If the buyer is bringing the vehicle from outside Hawaii, the process is treated as a fresh registration rather than a Hawaii-to-Hawaii transfer. See Hawaii vehicle registration for documents and procedures. Out-of-state titles must be surrendered to the county, and a Hawaii safety inspection has to be completed before plates are issued.
Family transfers and gifts
A vehicle gifted between family members is still recorded as a transfer at the county office. The Bill of Sale shows the gift price (often $0 or $1 nominal), and the title is reissued in the new owner's name. Hawaii does not waive the title fee for family transfers, but GET is generally not collected on documented family gifts. See Hawaii title replacement if the original title has been lost.