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Transferring a Car Title in Hawaii

Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Hawaii when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.

Short answer: When a vehicle is sold, the seller and buyer sign the certificate of ownership (title) in ink with their addresses; giving false information carries a $500-$1,000 fine. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 286-52; City and County of Honolulu, Vehicle Ownership Transfer

Transferring a car titleWhen a vehicle is sold, the seller and buyer sign the certificate of ownership (title) in ink with their addresses; giving false information carries a $500-$1,000 fine. The buyer must submit the endorsed title to the county director of finance within 30 calendar days (60 days if the lienholder has no office in Hawaii) or pay a $50 late fee; until the county issues new certificates, the transfer is not complete. A non-dealer seller must give the county notice of the transfer within 10 days on the official form (fine up to $100). For transfers by inheritance or operation of law, the personal representative or other representative signs the title. In the City and County of Honolulu, the buyer brings the endorsed title, the last registration and a current Hawaii safety inspection certificate to a satellite city hall; the transfer fee is $10 within 30 days, plus a $50 penalty if late.
Honolulu procedure: https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle-ownership-transfer/ . Other counties (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai) run their own motor vehicle offices.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 286-52; City and County of Honolulu, Vehicle Ownership Transfer

More Hawaii car insurance & vehicle laws

FAQ

How do you transfer a car title in Hawaii?
When a vehicle is sold, the seller and buyer sign the certificate of ownership (title) in ink with their addresses; giving false information carries a $500-$1,000 fine. The buyer must submit the endorsed title to the county director of finance within 30 calendar days (60 days if the lienholder has no office in Hawaii) or pay a $50 late fee; until the county issues new certificates, the transfer is not complete. A non-dealer seller must give the county notice of the transfer within 10 days on the official form (fine up to $100). For transfers by inheritance or operation of law, the personal representative or other representative signs the title. In the City and County of Honolulu, the buyer brings the endorsed title, the last registration and a current Hawaii safety inspection certificate to a satellite city hall; the transfer fee is $10 within 30 days, plus a $50 penalty if late.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.