Department of Customer Services

It is highly recommended that the buyer and seller go together in person to transfer the vehicle title and registration (buyer) and submit notice of transfer (seller). This will ensure any discrepancies with the vehicle documents can be identified, and the seller can be confident that the ownership transfer is legally finalized.

All vehicles on Oahu are required to have a valid Registration, Certificate of Title, and State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate. Description of each document can be under General Information below.

Vehicle ownership transfer is NOT an Express Window transaction. Make an appointment online at AlohaQ.org.

All joint buyer-seller transactions for a single vehicle ownership transfer can be processed in a single appointment at any City and County of Honolulu satellite city hall.

All vehicles on Oahu are required to have a valid Registration, Certificate of Title, and State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate:

• Registration is held by the registered owner of the vehicle and kept in the vehicle.
  • A valid Certificate of Registration shows that all vehicle taxes and fees have been paid and the vehicle is allowed to be legally driven on Oahu.
  • Titles are used when selling, buying or making changes to the registered or legal/lienholder on the title.
  • Once a title is used to transfer ownership, a new registration will be printed to reflect the same changes made to the title.
  • In addition to the safety inspection emblem that must be displayed on the back of the vehicle, the safety inspection report must be kept in the vehicle with the current Certificate of Registration.
  • When renewing the registration or transferring the title to a new registered owner, if the city’s computerized records indicate an expired safety check, the owner must present proof of current safety inspection.

  Directions if you are buying a vehicle:
  Certificate of Title BACK: Section D, E

  • Complete Section D – Application for transfer by new registered owner(s); if the vehicle is to be jointly registered, both parties must sign.
    *If there is a new lienholder, the new lienholder must complete Section E – Application for transfer by new lienholder.
  • New owner(s) must bring the following to a satellite city hall to transfer the vehicle title and registration within 30 days of seller’s date of transfer on the Certificate of Title, Section A:
    • • Certificate of Title that is properly endorsed by the seller(s), buyer(s), and if applicable, lienholder(s).
      • Last-issued Certificate of Registration.
      • Current state of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
      • If you are an active duty military service member, you may also submit a properly completed Non-Resident Certificate form CS-L(MVR)50 or Resident Certificate form CS-L(MVR)50A, which are available from your military unit or military personnel office.
      • • Motor vehicle ownership title transfer fee is $10 if you complete the transfer within 30 days the seller’s date of transfer; if you fail to complete the transfer within 30 days, a $50 penalty will be added to the transfer fee.
        • If the last-issued Certificate of Registration has expired or will expired within 45 days, you will also be required to pay the annual registration renewal.
        • You can check on the annual registration fee cost for a specific vehicle that is already registered in the City and County of Honolulu online at Honolulu Motor Vehicle Inquiry. If the vehicle registration is delinquent, as the new owner, you will be assessed for all delinquent taxes for prior years that the vehicle has not been legally registered.
        • The total required fees and taxes will be determined by the satellite city hall when you present all required documents.

        Directions if you are selling a vehicle.

        Certificate of Title FRONT: Section A

        • Fill in the odometer reading for vehicles that are 10 years or less; vehicles 11 years or older are not required to have the odometer reading.
        • Date, print and sign your name; if there are joint owners, both owners must date, print and sign their name.
        • Note: Notarization of seller’s signature(s) is optional, however, notarization will prevent rejection for irregular signature(s) upon comparison with the signature(s) on file or for signature verification when transfer is recorded in another county.
        • If the title is defaced or mutilated, the legal owner(s) on record must apply for a duplicate title. CS-L(MVR)10 Application for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title.

        Certificate of Title BACK: Section B

        • If there is a lienholder, the lienholder must complete Section B.
        • If the lienholder did not complete Section B, than a lien satisfaction letter may be submitted in lieu of the lienholder’s endorsement.

        Notice of Transfer: Top of Title

        • Detach the Notice of Transfer form that is located on the top of the Certificate of Title, complete the form including the name and address of new owner, and signature of seller, and submit it within 10 days to the county where the vehicle was last registered.
        • If the form has been previously detached, you may download, print, and complete the CS-L(MVR)53 Notice of Transfer form and submit it within 10 days.
        • This is very important step because it informs the city of a pending ownership transfer and can protect the seller from fines and other fees incurred after the date of sale. It is a good idea to keep a copy of this form because it has information about the vehicle, the new owner, and the date of transfer.
        • Penalty for failure to comply is subject to a fine up to $100.

        Provide documents to buyer/new owner:

        • Endorsed Certificate of Title.
        • Last-issued Certificate of Registration.
        • State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate

        Directions if you are transferring ownership of a vehicle that is physically located on Oahu and was last registered in Kauai, Maui or Hawaii County:

        • To transfer the vehicle title and registration, new owner(s) must bring the following to a satellite city hall within 30 days of seller’s date of transfer on the Certificate of Title:
          • • Certificate of Title that is properly endorsed by the seller(s), buyer(s), and if applicable, lienholder(s).
              • If the Certificate of Title is not released by the recorded owner, a notarized bill of sale must be provided.
              • If a lienholder is indicated on the Certificate of Title and has not released their interest on the certificate, a lien satisfaction letter or the original canceled contract stamped “PAID IN FULL” must be provided.
              • The motor vehicle ownership title transfer fee is $10 if you complete the transfer within 30 days of the seller’s date of transfer; if you fail to complete the transfer within 30 days, a $50 penalty will be added to the transfer fee.
              • If the last-issued Certificate of Registration has expired or will expired within 45 days, you will also be required to pay an annual registration fee.
                • The total required fees and taxes will be determined by the satellite city hall when you present all required documents.

                Vehicle ownership transfer is NOT an Express Window transaction and requires an appointment via AlohaQ.org.

                Directions if you are transferring ownership of a vehicle with a title from another state:

                • To transfer the vehicle title and registration, new owner(s) must bring the following to a satellitecity hall within 30 days of seller’s date of transfer on the Certificate of Title:
                  • • Certificate of Title from the other state that is properly endorsed by the seller(s), buyer(s), and if applicable, lienholder(s).
                      • If the Certificate of Title is not released by the recorded owner, a notarized bill of sale must be provided.
                      • If a lienholder is indicated on the Certificate of Title and has not released their interest on the certificate, a lien satisfaction letter or the original canceled contract stamped “PAID IN FULL” must be provided.
                      • • There is no transfer fee for an out-of-state title transfer on a vehicle that is not registered in Hawaii.
                        • If the vehicle holds an out-of-state permit, the transfer fee does not apply because only vehicles issued Hawaii license plates and registration are subject to transfer fees.
                        • If the vehicle is registered in Hawaii and has been issued Hawaii license plates, the motor vehicle ownership title transfer fee is $10 if you complete the transfer within 30 days of the seller’s date of transfer; if you fail to complete the transfer within 30 days, a $50 penalty will be added to the transfer fee.
                        • If the last-issued Certificate of Registration has expired or will expired within 45 days, you will also be required to pay an annual registration fee.
                          • The total required fees and taxes will be determined by the satellite city hall when you present all required documents.

                          Vehicle ownership transfer is NOT an Express Window transaction and requires an appointment via AlohaQ.org.

                          Directions for when you pay off a vehicle loan/change in lienholder:

                          When you pay off your vehicle loan and the lienholder has released the Certificate of Title to you, you may record a vehicle in your name as both the registered owner(s) and lienholder(s).

                          • Certificate of Title BACK: Section B
                            Make sure the lienholder has completed Section B.
                          • Certificate of Title BACK: Section E
                            • Complete the Application for transfer by new lienholder in Section E.
                            • If the vehicle is to be jointly owned/registered, both parties must sign.
                            • Certificate of Title that is properly endorsed by lienholder (release of lien), and owner(s).
                            • Last-issued Certificate of Registration.
                            • Current state of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
                            • Motor vehicle ownership title transfer fee is $10.
                            • If the last-issued Certificate of Registration has expired or will expired within 45 days, you will also be required to pay the annual registration renewal.
                            • You can check online for the annual registration fee cost for a specific vehicle that is already registered in the City and County of Honolulu at Honolulu Motor Vehicle Inquiry.
                            • The total required fees and taxes will be determined by the satellite city hall when you present all required documents.

                            Vehicle ownership transfer is NOT an Express Window transaction and requires an appointment via AlohaQ.org.

                            Directions for transferring ownership upon the death of owner(s).

                            If the vehicle is jointly owned , the survivor may transfer ownership:

                            • Certificate of Title FRONT: Section A
                              • Fill in the odometer reading for vehicles that are 10 years or less; vehicles 11 years or older are not required to have the odometer reading.
                              • Date, print and sign your name (the surviving owner).
                              • Complete the Application for transfer by new registered owner in Section D.
                              • Certificate of Title that is properly endorsed in sections A and D as noted above.
                              • Last-issued Certificate of Registration.
                              • Current state of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
                              • A state-certified copy of the decedent’s official death certificate.
                                * Photocopies are not acceptable.
                              • Motor vehicle ownership title transfer fee is $10.
                              • If the last-issued Certificate of Registration has expired or will expired within 45 days, you will also be required to pay the annual registration renewal.
                                • If the vehicle registration is delinquent, you will be assessed for all delinquent taxes for prior years that the vehicle has not been legally registered.
                                • The total required fees and taxes will be determined by the satellite city hall when you present all required documents.

                                If the vehicle is registered only in the name of the decedent, download and print the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (CS-L (MVR) 39) form, and call (808)768-4324 or go to a satellite city hall for guidance on transferring ownership.

                                Vehicle ownership transfer is NOT an Express Window transaction and requires an appointment via AlohaQ.org

                                Fees:

                                • • If the transfer is completed and the documents are returned to the Motor Vehicle Section within 30 days, the transfer fee is $10.00;
                                  • If the transfer is completed and the documents are returned to the Motor Vehicle Section after 30 days of the transfer, the transfer fee with penalty is $60.00;
                                  • Additionally, if the vehicle registration expires within 45 days of the ownership transfer, the new registration fees must also be paid; see Certificate of Registration section below for details.

                                  Required Documents:

                                  • Vehicle’s current and valid Certificate of Title, with the following:
                                    • Section A: Assignment of Title by Seller, required;
                                    • Section B: Release of Lien, if applicable;
                                    • Section D: Application for Transfer by New Registered Owner(s), required;
                                    • Section E: Application for Transfer by New Lienholder, if applicable.
                                    • If the registration is valid and current, no additional registration fees are required, only the transfer fee is due;
                                    • If the registration period expires within 45 days of the transfer, the new registration fees are required to be paid, so please go online to calculate the amount for the new registration:
                                      • Visit Honolulu Motor Vehicle Inquiry at https://mvinquiry.hnl.info/;
                                      • Click on “Registered Vehicle Fees”;
                                      • Input the required information, including the last four numbers of the vehicle’s VIN and the license plate number;
                                      • Click the “I’m not a robot” box;
                                      • Click “Submit”;
                                      • When the new window opens up, answer a few more questions and click “Submit”;
                                      • Scroll to the bottom of the webpage for the “Estimated Total” that includes the new registration fee plus the applicable transfer fee.

                                      Payment:

                                      A check, made payable to “City and County of Honolulu.”

                                      Mail all required documents and payment to:

                                      Department of Customer Services
                                      Division of Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permits
                                      P.O. Box 30330
                                      Honolulu, HI 96820-0330

                                      Additional information:

                                      • Buyer is responsible for submitting motor vehicle transfer documents and fee payment.
                                      • Seller is responsible for submitting a completed Notice of Transfer form within 10 days of signing over the Certificate of Title to the buyer.
                                      • For additional information, please call 808-768-4325.