How To Transfer a Car Title in Hawaii 2026
Hawaii does not operate a centralized state Department of Motor Vehicles; vehicle titling and registration are administered by each county's Director of Finance, as noted by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Under HRS § 286-52, both the transferor and the transferee must sign the certificate of ownership, and the transferee must forward the endorsed certificate to the county Director of Finance within 30 calendar days of the transfer date. These requirements apply to all transfers — sales, gifts, inheritances, and transfers by legal order — across all four counties.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Hawaii
The documents listed below are required statewide. County-specific variations in fees, odometer thresholds, and forms are summarized in the comparison table that follows.
- Certificate of Title – original certificate endorsed by both parties in blue or black ink on the designated sections; no erasures, corrections, or alterations are permitted
- Last-Issued Certificate of Registration – the most recent registration certificate on record for the vehicle
- State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate – a current or temporary certificate from an authorized safety inspection station; this document is unique to Hawaii and mandatory in every county
- Valid Government-Issued Photo ID – driver's license, state-issued ID card, or U.S. passport for each person listed on the title
- Odometer Disclosure – recorded in the designated section of the certificate of title; federal law requires disclosure for all vehicle transfers of model year 2011 and newer for the first 20 years of the vehicle's life (through 2030)
- Notice of Transfer – the seller must detach this form from the top of the title and submit it to the applicable county Director of Finance within 10 days of the transfer date
- Lien Release – if a lienholder is recorded on the title, the lienholder must execute the release section on the reverse of the certificate before the transfer can be processed
- Letter of Authorization – required whenever the vehicle title is held in the name of a business entity; the letter must identify the authorized signatory and their authority
- Power of Attorney – applicable only when a designated representative executes the transfer on behalf of an owner who cannot be present
County-by-County Comparison
| Detail | Honolulu (Oahu) | Maui County | Hawaii County | Kauai County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $10 | $20 | $5 | $10 |
| Late Filing Penalty | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Odometer Disclosure Required | Model year 2011 and newer* | Model year 2011 and newer* | Model year 2011 and newer* | Model year 2011 and newer* |
| Seller Notice Deadline | Within 10 days | Within 10 days | Within 10 days | Within 10 days |
| Registration Renewal Triggered | Within 45 days of expiration | Within 45 days of expiration | Within 45 days of expiration | Within 45 days of expiration |
| Official County Resource | Honolulu CSD | Maui MVL – Buyer | Hawaii County VRL | Kauai MVR |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Hawaii
Step 1: Identify the Correct County and Gather All Documents
All title-transfer applications must be filed with the county in which the vehicle is currently registered, not the county of the buyer's residence. Before visiting any county office:
- Verify which county issued the vehicle's current registration
- Obtain the original Certificate of Title, the last Certificate of Registration, and a current or temporary Safety Inspection Certificate
- Confirm the title contains no unauthorized alterations, erasures, or corrections
- Prepare a Letter of Authorization if the vehicle is titled in a business name, or a Power of Attorney if a representative will act on behalf of an owner
Step 2: Seller Completes the Title Endorsement and Files the Notice of Transfer
Before delivering the certificate to the buyer, the seller must:
- Sign Section A on the front of the certificate using blue or black ink
- Enter the odometer reading in the applicable field (federal law requires disclosure for model year 2011 and newer vehicles)
- Ensure the lienholder signs Section B on the reverse if a lien is recorded on the title
- Detach the Notice of Transfer from the top portion of the certificate and mail it to the county Director of Finance within 10 days of the transfer date
- Provide the buyer with the endorsed Certificate of Title, the last Certificate of Registration, and a valid or temporary Safety Inspection Certificate
Sellers who file the Notice of Transfer are relieved of civil and criminal liability for the vehicle's subsequent operation once delivery to the buyer has been made.
Step 3: Buyer Executes the Buyer's Section of the Certificate
Upon receiving the endorsed certificate from the seller:
- Each buyer, or all co-buyers in joint-ownership transfers, signs Section D on the reverse side of the certificate
- If a new lienholder is financing the purchase, that lienholder completes Section E
- Business buyers must have an appropriate Letter of Authorization on file with the county office at the time of submission
Step 4: Confirm the Vehicle Has a Current Safety Inspection Certificate
A valid State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate must be presented with the transfer application at every county office. If the current certificate has expired or is about to expire:
- Arrange an inspection at a station listed through the Motor Vehicle Safety Office before visiting the county
- Temporary certificates are accepted in all four counties while a full certificate is being processed
- Vehicles previously registered out of state must pass a Hawaii safety inspection before the title transfer can be completed
Step 5: Submit the Complete Transfer Package at Your County Office
The full document package must be submitted in person at the motor vehicle office in the county where the vehicle is registered. Bring:
- Endorsed Certificate of Title (signed by both seller and buyer)
- Last-Issued Certificate of Registration
- Current or temporary Safety Inspection Certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for all parties
- Lien-release documentation, if a lien appears on the title
- Letter of Authorization, if the title is in a business name
- Power of Attorney, if applicable
Appointment or walk-in ticketing procedures vary by county; consult the applicable county office page before your visit.
Step 6: Pay the Transfer Fee and Any Registration Renewal
All fees are collected at the time of submission. If the vehicle's registration has expired or will expire within 45 days, the cost of registration renewal is calculated and assessed in the same transaction.
| Fee Category | Honolulu | Maui | Hawaii County | Kauai |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership Transfer Fee | $10 | $20 | $5 | $10 |
| Late Transfer Penalty | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Registration Renewal | Based on vehicle class | Based on vehicle class | Based on vehicle class | Based on vehicle class |
Step 7: Receive Your Certificate of Registration and Title Confirmation
Once the application is processed, the county Director of Finance will:
- Issue a new Certificate of Registration in the buyer's name, either at the office counter or by mail, depending on county procedure
- Update the title record in the county's database
- Provide a transaction receipt, which should be retained for your records
A printed Certificate of Title, if needed, may be requested separately from the applicable county office. Until the Director of Finance issues the new certificate of registration and certificate of ownership, the transfer is not considered legally complete under Hawaii law.
Contact Information
City and County of Honolulu – Department of Customer Services, Motor Vehicle Registration
1000 Uluohia St., Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 768-4325
Official Website: Honolulu Department of Customer Services
County of Maui – Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division
2264 Wells St., Suite 100, Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 270-7363
Official Website: County of Maui Motor Vehicle and Licensing
County of Hawai'i – Vehicle Registration and Licensing
101 Pauahi St., Suite 5, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8351
Official Website: County of Hawai'i Vehicle Registration and Licensing
County of Kauai – Division of Motor Vehicles
4444 Rice St., Suite 466, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4256
Official Website: County of Kauai Division of Motor Vehicles
