--- title: "Hawaii Car Title Transfer: No Notary, Buyer Has 30 Days" description: "Selling a car in Hawaii: seller notary not required, buyer has 30 days, bill of sale, plates and fees, from the agency's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/car-title-transfer-hawaii" --- Car title transfer · Hawaii # Hawaii car title transfer What the seller and buyer sign, whether a notary is needed, and what City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Motor Vehicle) says about the bill of sale, the deadline, fees and reporting the sale. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature. The buyer has 30 days to title the car. ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **Write down the mileage.** From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt. - **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. - **Report the sale.** The seller sends the Notice of Transfer within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered. - **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 - **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. - **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. - **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. - **Check the mileage entry.** From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt. - **Insure the car before you drive it.** Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away. - **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. - **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](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=hi&role=buyer&date=2026-12-01). Your own checklist, marked step by step: [seller](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=hi&role=seller) · [buyer](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=hi&role=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](https://www.honolulu.gov/index.php/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/6442-vehicle-ownership-transfer.html) (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 **Does the seller's signature on a Hawaii title need a notary?** Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature. The agency's page: "Notarization of seller's signature(s) is optional." **How long does a buyer have to title a car in Hawaii?** 30 days. The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies. **Is a bill of sale required in Hawaii?** 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. **Does a Hawaii seller have to report the sale?** The seller sends the Notice of Transfer within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered. **What is the title fee in Hawaii?** $10 transfer fee within 30 days. All states: [car title notarization by state](/notary/car-title-notarization-by-state) · [Georgia](/notary/car-title-transfer-georgia) · [Idaho](/notary/car-title-transfer-idaho) ## Need a vehicle title notarized in New Jersey? [See vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)