Last Update: September 16, 2026

Change Information on Vehicle Registration in Hawaii

Hawaii does not use a single statewide motor vehicle office for registration changes. Vehicle registration is administered by each county, so changes to registration information are handled through the county director of finance or the county motor vehicle office that maintains the records, with title-related changes processed through the same county system.

Hawaii Vehicle Registration Changes that Commonly Require Action

Hawaii vehicle records commonly require action when the county registration or title record no longer reflects the current information. Common events include:

• a mailing address change on the registration record
• a move from one Hawaii county to another, which affects the county where the vehicle must be registered at the next renewal
• a transfer of ownership after a sale, gift, or other transfer
• a vehicle brought into Hawaii from another state
• a legal name change affecting the owner information shown on county title and registration records
• a record error or typographical error in the registration or ownership documents
• a need for a replacement registration certificate showing corrected information

Where to File a Hawaii Vehicle Registration Change

The Hawaii Department of Transportation Highways states that vehicle registration is managed by each county government. State law also provides that an owner applies for registration with the county director of finance where the vehicle is to be operated under HRS §286-41.

That county-based structure means routine registration changes are filed locally:

• City and County of Honolulu: through the Department of Customer Services motor vehicle registration system
• County of Hawaiʻi: through Vehicle Registration and Licensing
• County of Maui: through the Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
• County of Kauaʻi: through the Division of Motor Vehicles

If the change also affects title or ownership, the filing is still made through the county system, but it is handled as a title-and-registration transaction rather than only a registration update.

Hawaii Address Changes on Vehicle Registration

Address changes are handled by county offices, and the official county sources do not describe a single statewide filing form for all 4 counties.

City And County Of Honolulu

Honolulu directs the registered owner to complete a Notice of Change of Address within 30 days of the move. The county accepts the form by email, by mail, or in person at a satellite city hall. Honolulu also states that the driver's license address must be updated separately. The county offers a duplicate motor vehicle registration certificate at no cost for those needing an updated printed certificate with the corrected address.

County Of Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi County provides a dedicated change address on registration page. For a record-only change, the county requires the form VRL-MVR511 Notice of Change of Address within 30 days of the address change. If the printed certificate of registration must also be updated, the county requires the address form and an application for duplicate registration, with a $5 fee for the duplicate.

County Of Maui

Maui County states on its registration change of address page that residents are strongly encouraged to notify the Motor Vehicle Licensing office within 30 days of a mailing address change. Maui also publishes a county change-of-address form for the motor vehicle record and notes that a driver's license address change is separate.

County Of Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi states on its registration renewal and address guidance that residents are strongly encouraged to notify the Motor Vehicle Licensing office within 30 days of a mailing address change. The county's notice of change of address may be mailed, emailed, placed in the drop box, or processed in person by appointment.

Hawaii Name Changes and Title-Linked Corrections

In Hawaii, a legal name change can affect both the registration record and the title record because the county application and county vehicle record identify the owner by name and address. The statewide registration statute requires that the registration application include the owner's name and address and that county title-and-registration transactions be processed through the same local offices that maintain the vehicle record.

• Honolulu processes title-related transactions through its motor vehicle title and registration offices
• Hawaiʻi County processes title and registration work through Vehicle Registration and Licensing
• Maui County processes title and ownership transactions through the Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
• Kauaʻi processes title and ownership matters through the Division of Motor Vehicles

When a legal name change affects the ownership record, the county title record should be updated to keep the registration and title records consistent.

Correcting Incorrect Information on a Hawaii Registration Record

Hawaii distinguishes between a correction to the registration record and a title-linked ownership change.

For registration-only corrections, county practice controls the process:

• Honolulu states that once an address is updated, a duplicate registration certificate may be obtained at no cost if a printed certificate is needed with the corrected address.
• Hawaiʻi County separates a record-only address update from a record and printed registration update on its address-change page.
• Maui County handles registration corrections through its county motor vehicle licensing system and related county forms.
• Kauaʻi lists replacement registration services within its county motor vehicle division.

When the issue involves the ownership record, seller notice, endorsed title, or transfer of interest, the matter is handled as a transfer transaction. Under HRS §286-52, the transferee must forward the endorsed certificate of ownership to the county director of finance, and the director then registers the vehicle and issues a new certificate of registration and certificate of ownership.

The county ownership-transfer pages show how this works in practice:

• Honolulu requires the seller's notice of transfer to be properly filed as part of the vehicle ownership transfer process, and the buyer to submit the endorsed certificate of title and current certificate of registration.
• Hawaiʻi County's ownership transfer page requires submission of the endorsed certificate of title, the current certificate of registration, and the current safety inspection certificate.
• Maui County's buyer transfer instructions and seller transfer instructions distinguish the buyer filing from the seller's notice of transfer.
• Kauaʻi's ownership transfer page provides separate steps for the seller and the buyer.

Hawaii Deadlines for Vehicle Registration Changes

Hawaii's official statutes and county procedures establish several deadlines relevant to registration changes:

• Address changes
  • Honolulu instructs filing the address change within 30 days.
  • Hawaiʻi County requires its address-change form within 30 days for a record-only update.
  • Maui County strongly encourages notice within 30 days.
  • Kauaʻi strongly encourages notice within 30 days.
• Ownership transfers
  • Under HRS §286-52, the transferee must submit the endorsed ownership certificate within 30 calendar days after transfer.
  • If the recorded lien holder does not have an office in Hawaii, the statutory period is 60 days.
  • A seller other than a dealer must give notice of transfer to the county director of finance within 10 days.
• County transfer procedures
  • Hawaiʻi County states that the transfer documents must be submitted within 30 days, and the seller must mail the notice of transfer within 10 days.
  • Maui County states that the buyer must submit transfer documents within 30 days, while the seller must mail the notice of transfer within 10 days.
  • Kauaʻi states that the buyer must submit transfer documents within 30 days, while the seller must submit the notice of transfer within 10 days.
  • Honolulu's ownership-transfer process also requires the seller's notice of transfer to be properly filed as part of the county transaction.
• Insurance and safety inspection requirements tied to registration
  • Hawaii's registration statute states that proof of insurance is not required as a condition of initial registration under HRS §286-41.
  • However, county procedures tie registration renewals and ownership transfers to current safety inspection records. Vehicles in all counties must have a valid Hawaii State Certificate of Safety Inspection for ownership transfers and registrations.
  • Some counties, including Kauaʻi, require proof of Hawaii motor vehicle insurance to obtain the periodic motor vehicle inspection certificate used in registration transactions.
  • Honolulu states that vehicles on Oahu must have a valid registration, certificate of title, and State of Hawaii safety inspection certificate.

How Much Does It Cost To Change Vehicle Registration Details in Hawaii?

Contact Information

City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services
Satellite City Hall and Motor Vehicle Registration Services, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 768-4325
Official Website: Department of Customer Services Motor Vehicle Registration

County of Hawaiʻi Vehicle Registration and Licensing
101 Pauahi St., Suite 5, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8351
Official Website: Vehicle Registration and Licensing

County of Maui Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
110 Alaʻihi St., Suite 101, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: (808) 270-7363
Official Website: Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing

County of Kauaʻi Department of Finance Division of Motor Vehicles
4444 Rice Street, Suite A480, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4242
Official Website: Division of Motor Vehicles