Only in some cases.
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.
In the official wording
"a notarized bill of sale must be provided."
From Honolulu Customer Services: Vehicle Ownership Transfer, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- Title signature
- Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature.
"Notarization of seller's signature(s) is optional"
- Buyer's deadline
- The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies.
"within 30 days of seller's date of transfer on the Certificate of Title."
- Title fee
- $10 transfer fee within 30 days.
"transfer fee is $10 if you complete the transfer within 30 days."
- Odometer
- From the 2011 model year on, the odometer reading is recorded; 2010 and older are exempt.
"Starting with the 2011 model year, it is a requirement to record the odometer reading"
- Seller's report of sale
- The seller sends the Notice of Transfer within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered.
"within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered."
Next step
Sign by video with our New Jersey notary while you're in Hawaii, 7 AM to 9 PM Eastern, seven days a week, by appointment. New Jersey law lets a New Jersey notary notarize for a signer located in another state (N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.10). How Hawaii treats it: Hawaii lets an acknowledgment made in another state be taken before an officer authorized there. If the certificate is good where it was made, the instrument can be recorded in Hawaii, and the officer's signature is prima facie evidence of authority. More on Hawaii signers.
Ask City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Motor Vehicle) first whether it accepts an electronically notarized bill of sale.
Book an online notarization Request a mobile notary in Hawaii
In person, we look for a notary commissioned in Hawaii near you; you approve the price first.
If a local notary in Hawaii does it: Taking an acknowledgment, for each party signing, $5; Acknowledgment certificate on each duplicate original beyond one, for each person acknowledging, $2.50, under the state's fee rules (Hawaii notary fees).
Official sources
- Honolulu Customer Services: Vehicle Ownership Transfer (checked November 2026)
We are not lawyers, and this is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Rules change, and whoever receives the document decides what it accepts; we can't guarantee acceptance.
Common questions
Does a Hawaii bill of sale have to be notarized?
Only in some cases. 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.
And the Hawaii title itself?
Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature.
When does the Hawaii buyer have to title the car?
The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies.
Can I get a Hawaii bill of sale notarized online?
If City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Motor Vehicle) accepts an electronically notarized bill of sale, yes: our New Jersey notary can notarize it by video while you're in Hawaii. Ask the agency first.
What does a notary charge in Hawaii?
$5 for most acts, such as an acknowledgment for each party signing, under the state's fee rules. A mobile notary may add a travel fee; ask for the total first.
Keep going
- Hawaii car title transfer
- Seller's checklist
- Car title rules in every state
- A car title in Hawaii
- A power of attorney in Hawaii
- A will in Hawaii
A bill of sale in another state: Indiana · every state