Hawaii car title transfer

At a glance

Seller's signature

Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature.

Bill of sale

Only when the title wasn't released by the recorded owner in an out-of-county or out-of-state transfer; then the bill of sale must be notarized.

Odometer

From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt.

Buyer's deadline

The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies.

Title fee

$10 transfer fee within 30 days.

Seller's report

The seller sends the Notice of Transfer within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered.

Agency

City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Motor Vehicle)

If you're selling

1. Find the title and clear any lien. Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien.
2. Sign the title over. Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly.
3. Write down the mileage. From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt.
4. Give the buyer a bill of sale. Only when the title wasn't released by the recorded owner in an out-of-county or out-of-state transfer; then the bill of sale must be notarized.
5. Report the sale. The seller sends the Notice of Transfer within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered.
6. Cancel insurance and keep copies. Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report.

If you're buying

1. Check the title against the car and the seller. The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it.
2. Watch the title get signed. Seller: Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature. Buyer: the pages we read don't say whether your signature needs a notary.
3. Get a bill of sale. Only when the title wasn't released by the recorded owner in an out-of-county or out-of-state transfer; then the bill of sale must be notarized.
4. Check the mileage entry. From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt.
5. Insure the car before you drive it. Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away.
6. Title it in your name in time. The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies.
7. Plates and fees. Not confirmed whether the plates come with the car. Title fee: $10 transfer fee within 30 days.

Sold on the first of a month? See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale.

Your own checklist, marked step by step: seller · buyer.

In the agency's words

Seller

"Notarization of seller's signature(s) is optional"

Bill of sale

"a notarized bill of sale must be provided."

Deadline

"within 30 days of seller's date of transfer on the Certificate of Title."

Report of sale

"within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered."

Worth knowing

Hawaii's counties run vehicle titles. These are the City and County of Honolulu's rules; Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties may differ.

Not stated on the pages we read: the buyer's notary rule, what happens to the plates.

Official sources

• Honolulu Customer Services: Vehicle Ownership Transfer (checked November 2026)

General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency.

Common questions

All states: car title notarization by state · Georgia · Kansas