How to Gift a Car in Hawaii in 2026

In Hawaii, gifting a motor vehicle constitutes a transfer of ownership from one party to another without consideration or exchange of payment. The process operates through the same title transfer and registration system that governs all ownership changes, managed at the county level. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 286-52, when a vehicle owner transfers ownership to another party, notice of that transfer must be filed with the county motor vehicle registration office.

How Does Gifting a Car in Hawaii Work?

In Hawaii, vehicle ownership transfers, including gifts, are processed through the county division of motor vehicles where the vehicle is registered. Each of Hawaii's counties—Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai—manages its own vehicle registration system.

A gift transfer requires the current owner to complete their portion of the certificate of title by signing and dating the appropriate section on the front of the title. The owner must then file a Notice of Transfer with the motor vehicle office in their county within ten calendar days of the transfer date. Simultaneously, the recipient must complete their portion of the title on the reverse side, sign the application for registration, and submit all documents to the same county office within thirty days of acquiring the vehicle.

County-specific processing differs slightly. In the City and County of Honolulu, vehicle ownership transfers are not express window transactions and require an appointment scheduled online. Honolulu recommends that the buyer and seller complete the transaction together in a single appointment to ensure that any document discrepancies are identified immediately and the transfer is legally finalized. Joint buyer-seller transactions for a single vehicle ownership transfer can be processed in one appointment at any Honolulu satellite city hall. Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County also recommend that the donor and recipient complete the transfer together or that the donor's signature be notarized to prevent rejection due to signature discrepancies.

Hawaii Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Transferring a vehicle as a gift in Hawaii requires compliance with several state and county rules governing title transfer, name verification, registration deadlines, insurance, and tax certification. Many of these requirements vary by county.

Title Status

All motor vehicles required to be registered in Hawaii must have a valid certificate of title. The title serves as evidence of ownership and lists the registered owner or owners. The certificate of title is maintained at the county motor vehicle office where the vehicle is registered and is transferred when ownership changes hands.

When completing a title transfer, the owner's name on the title application must match exactly with the name shown on the certificate of title. Hawaii County motor vehicle offices will compare the signatures on the endorsed title with the registered owner's on file and may reject documents if the signatures do not match. If the vehicle is registered in joint ownership, the title transfer process depends on how the owners are listed on the title.

Notarization requirements differ by county. In the City and County of Honolulu, notarization of the seller's signature is optional but is recommended to prevent rejection for irregular or mismatched signatures upon comparison with the registered signature on file. Hawaii County also recommends that the owner's signature in Section A be notarized or that the owner accompany the buyer to complete the title transfer in person. However, the Honolulu and Hawaii County guidelines do not mandate notarization for all transfers. Maui County requires the owner's signature on the front of the title and does not specify a notarization requirement; however, Maui County forms indicate that notarization of the title may be requested. Kauai County does not impose a mandatory notarization requirement for standard private gift transfers, though notarization is recommended to expedite processing and prevent signature verification issues.

License Plates

When ownership of a vehicle is transferred, the outgoing owner is responsible for the license plates. Plates need not be surrendered in all transfer situations; however, individuals should confirm with their county motor vehicle office regarding plate procedures. If a valid plate is being transferred to another vehicle owned by the same registrant, a plate transfer fee applies. New plates are issued with the new registration if existing plates are not transferred.

Across all counties—Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai—the plate procedures are substantially similar, although each county may charge different fees for plate transfer or replacement.

Taxes and Fees

A true gift transfer receives exemption from Hawaii's motor vehicle use tax. To establish that a transfer qualifies as a gift, the transferor and transferee must execute Form G-27A, an affidavit certifying that no payment or consideration was exchanged and that no debt was assumed.

Regardless of whether the transfer qualifies as a gift, the recipient must pay a transfer fee to the county motor vehicle office. When a vehicle is registered for operation on public roads, registration renewal fees, state weight taxes, county weight taxes, and county registration fees apply. These fees are collected by the county motor vehicle office at the time of registration.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Hawaii

Completing a vehicle gift transfer in Hawaii requires sequential actions by both the transferor (donor) and the transferee (recipient), as well as the submission of documents to the appropriate county motor vehicle office. Procedures are largely similar across all counties, though some specific requirements vary.

Step 1: Prepare the certificate of title for transfer. The donor must sign and date the certificate of title exactly as the donor's name appears on the front of the title. This signature authorizes the transfer of ownership. If the vehicle is jointly owned and the owners are both required signatories, both owners must sign the title. The donor should verify the accuracy of all information on the title, including the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model year, and registered owner name.

Step 2: Complete the Notice of Transfer form and mail it within ten days. The donor must complete the Notice of Transfer form attached to the certificate of title, or, if the form has been previously detached, submit a replacement Notice of Transfer form. This form must be mailed to the motor vehicle registration office in the county where the vehicle is currently registered within ten calendar days of the date the vehicle was transferred to the recipient. The Notice of Transfer includes the donor's name and address, the recipient's name and address, and a complete vehicle description.

County-specific submission: The Notice of Transfer form is maintained uniformly across all counties and must be submitted to the appropriate county office:

• City and County of Honolulu: Submit to the Division of Motor Vehicles, 711 Kekaulike Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
• County of Hawaii: Submit to the county motor vehicle registration office where the vehicle was last registered (East Hawaii or West Hawaii office)
• Maui County: Submit to the County Motor Vehicle & Licensing Office where the vehicle was last registered
• Kauai County: Submit to the County Motor Vehicle & Licensing Office, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 466, Lihue, HI 96766

Step 3: Provide the required documents to the recipient. The donor must give the recipient the following: the certificate of title with the donor's signature on the front and the odometer reading completed; the most recent certificate of registration; and the current State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate. If there is an outstanding lien against the vehicle, the lienholder must also complete and sign the lien release section on the certificate of title.

Step 4: The recipient completes their portion of the title. The recipient must print and sign their name on the appropriate lines on the reverse side of the certificate of title in the section designated for the new registered owner. If the vehicle will be registered in joint ownership, all new owners must print and sign. The recipient must also enter the transfer date. If the vehicle is subject to a lien and a new lienholder is added, the lienholder's information and signature must also be provided on the reverse side of the title. If the recipient is registering the vehicle in a business name, a letter of authorization must be on file with the county motor vehicle office.

Step 5: Submit completed documents to the county motor vehicle office within thirty days. The recipient must submit the properly endorsed certificate of title, the current certificate of registration, and the current State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate to the motor vehicle office in the county where the vehicle will be registered. This submission must be made within 30 days of the date the donor transferred the vehicle to the recipient. A late transfer fee of $50 will be assessed in addition to the transfer fee if documents are submitted after thirty days (or sixty days if the lienholder's office is not located in Hawaii). Submission timelines and locations are:

• City and County of Honolulu: Submit to the Division of Motor Vehicles or any satellite city hall; appointments must be made through AlohaQ.org
• County of Hawaii: Submit to the East Hawaii office (25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720) or West Hawaii office (74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740)
• Maui County: Submit to the County Motor Vehicle & Licensing Office, Kahului Service Center, 110 Alaihi Street, Suite 101, Kahului, HI 96732
• Kauai County: Submit to the County Motor Vehicle & Licensing Office, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 466, Lihue, HI 96766

Step 6: Pay the transfer fee and applicable taxes and fees. When submitting documents, the recipient must pay the county transfer fee. Transfer fees by county are:

• City and County of Honolulu: $5
• County of Hawaii: $5
• Maui County: $20
• Kauai County: $10

If the vehicle registration has expired or will expire within 45 days, the cost of registration renewal will also be assessed at this time. County registration personnel will collect state registration fees ($46), state and county weight taxes (which vary by county and vehicle weight), county registration fees ($20), and county issuance fees, depending on the vehicle type and classification.

Step 7: Obtain motor vehicle insurance and complete registration. Before a registration certificate and license plates can be issued, the recipient must provide proof of valid Hawaii motor vehicle liability insurance. The recipient must obtain a current State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate if the donor did not provide one. Once insurance and inspection requirements are met and all fees are paid, registration is completed, and license plates are issued. Processing timelines vary by county; the recipient should contact their county motor vehicle office for estimated completion times.

Step 8: File tax exemption affidavit if claiming gift transfer exemption. If the transfer qualifies as a true gift and the recipient wishes to claim exemption from motor vehicle use tax, Form G-27A must be completed by both the donor and recipient, certifying that no payment or debt assumption occurred.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Hawaii

The following documents are required to complete a vehicle gift transfer in Hawaii. Requirements are generally uniform across all counties, though specific county forms may vary:

• The current certificate of title, with the donor's signature and the odometer reading completed on the front and the recipient's signature completed on the reverse side
• The most recent certificate of registration for the vehicle
• A current State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate (no more than twelve months old)
• Proof of valid Hawaii motor vehicle liability insurance in the recipient's name
• The completed Notice of Transfer form, signed and dated by the donor
• A valid government-issued photo identification for the new registered owner
• Form G-27A, Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Transferred as a Gift (if claiming gift tax exemption)
• Form G-27, Motor Vehicle Use Tax Certification (if claiming gift tax exemption or if the vehicle is subject to use tax)
• A Letter of Authorization if the recipient is registering the vehicle in a business name (available from each county motor vehicle office)
• A completed Non-Commercial Vehicle Registration form if the vehicle is a pick-up truck or cargo van (required in Maui County and Kauai County; contact other counties for applicability)

County-specific forms and procedures:

• City and County of Honolulu: Complete form CS-L(MVR)1, Application for Registration; if there are joint owners, both owners must sign the form.
• County of Hawaii: Complete the notice of transfer form; if there is no lienholder on record, all registered owners must complete the form with a notary public or must all come in person with a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Maui County: Complete the Notice of Transfer Form (if detached from the title) and the Non-Commercial Vehicle Certification (if applicable for pick-up trucks or cargo vans).
• Kauai County: Complete the Notice of Transfer Form (if detached from the title) and the Non-Commercial Vehicle Registration form (if applicable for pick-up trucks or cargo vans).

If the vehicle is jointly owned and both owners are required to sign, both owners must provide government-issued photo identification. If the vehicle has an outstanding lien, the lienholder must complete and sign the appropriate section of the title or provide a written lien release letter from the lienholder.

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Hawaii

Transfer fees, registration fees, weight taxes, and inspection requirements vary by county. The table below summarizes the applicable transfer fees and county-specific registration costs:

Example: A 3,000-pound passenger vehicle transfer in each county would incur the following county weight tax:

• Honolulu: $210 (3,000 × 0.07 = $210, above the $12 minimum)
• Hawaii County: $37.50 (3,000 × 0.0125 = $37.50, above the $12 minimum)
• Maui County: $105 (3,000 × 0.035 = $105, above the $12 minimum)
• Kauai County: $60 (3,000 × 0.02 = $60)

State weight tax for the same 3,000-pound vehicle: $52.50 (3,000 × 0.0175) across all counties.

When a vehicle transfer qualifies as a gift, the transfer is not treated as a sale for motor vehicle use tax purposes. To claim this exemption, the donor and recipient must execute Form G-27A affirming that the vehicle was transferred without payment, promise of payment, or assumption of debt. If the vehicle is imported from another state and the transfer qualifies as a gift, the use tax exemption on the imported vehicle's value may apply if Form G-27A is properly executed and attached to Form G-27 at registration.

If the vehicle is being transferred between family members or the transferee intends to move it to another county, different rules or procedures may apply. Individuals should contact their county motor vehicle office for guidance specific to their situation.

Contact Information

City and County of Honolulu Division of Motor Vehicles
711 Kekaulike Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 768-4325
Official Website: City and County of Honolulu Motor Vehicle Services

County of Hawaii Vehicle Registration and Licensing
East Hawaii Office: 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8351
West Hawaii Office: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Official Website: County of Hawaii Vehicle Registration and Licensing

Maui County Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing
110 Alaihi Street, Suite 101, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: (808) 270-7363
Official Website: Maui County Motor Vehicle and Licensing

County of Kauai Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing
4444 Rice Street, Suite 466, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4366
Official Website: County of Kauai Motor Vehicles and Licensing