No notary is required.
Optional. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature.
In the official wording
"Notarization of seller's signature(s) is optional"
From Honolulu Customer Services: Vehicle Ownership Transfer, checked November 2026.
What else the signing needs
- 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.
"a notarized bill of sale must be provided."
- 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"
- 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."
- 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
No notary appointment needed for the title on the agency's page. If another paper in the sale needs one, such as a lost-title affidavit, a local notary or our mobile notary request can help.
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
Is notarization required to sign over a Hawaii car title?
No notary is required. Honolulu says notarizing the seller's signature isn't required, but it helps avoid a rejection for an irregular signature.
Is a bill of sale needed with a Hawaii title?
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.
How long does the buyer have to title the car in Hawaii?
The buyer transfers within 30 days of the seller's transfer date on the title; after that a $50 penalty applies.
Keep going
- Hawaii car title transfer
- Seller's checklist
- Car title rules in every state
- A bill of sale in Hawaii
- A power of attorney in Hawaii
- A will in Hawaii
A car title in another state: Colorado · Kansas · every state