Overview
Selling or buying a used vehicle in Hawaii? A bill of sale is your proof of the deal — it records who sold what, for how much, and on what date. Hawaii transfers ownership through the assigned certificate of title (Form CS-L(MVR)40 serves as the state bill of sale), but a bill of sale protects both sides: it locks in the price, the exact handover date, and the fact that the seller is no longer responsible for tolls, tickets, or accidents once the keys change hands.
Hawaii requirements
Is a bill of sale required in Hawaii?
Not for a standard sale — ownership transfers through the assigned certificate of title at a satellite city hall, and Hawaii provides Form CS-L(MVR)40 as its bill of sale. A bill of sale is strongly recommended as a receipt, and it is required (notarized) when the title is not in the seller's name.
Does it need to be notarized?
Sometimes. A standard title transfer does not require notarization, though counties recommend it to prevent rejection over a signature. If the title is not in the seller's name, you must provide a notarized bill of sale.
Title transfer deadline
The buyer must transfer the title at a county motor vehicle registration office within 30 days of the sale. Filing late adds a $50 penalty fee. The seller must also file a Notice of Transfer within 10 days to be released from liability.
Motor vehicle use tax
Hawaii charges a 4% use tax on the vehicle's purchase price, paid by the buyer at the time of transfer. On Oahu and some counties a small county surcharge may apply on top of the state rate.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires the odometer reading at the time of sale for vehicles under 20 model years old. Record it on both the bill of sale and the title.
How to fill it out
- 1
Enter the sale date and the Hawaii county where the sale takes place.
- 2
Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.
- 3
Describe the vehicle — make, model, year, color, and 17-character VIN.
- 4
Record the odometer reading and the federal odometer disclosure.
- 5
Enter the purchase price and choose 'as-is' or add warranty terms.
- 6
Both parties sign — then the buyer transfers the title at a satellite city hall within 30 days.
Ready to create your Hawaii bill of sale?
Fill the form, watch it build live, and download the PDF — free, no signup.
Open the free builderWhat to include
- Seller & buyer names and addresses
- Make, model, year, color & VIN
- Odometer reading + federal disclosure
- Purchase price & sales-tax note
- “As-is” statement or warranty terms
- Date of sale and signatures
Hawaii bill of sale by vehicle type
The same Hawaiibuilder works for more than cars — pick your vehicle and the form adapts: the right ID number (a VIN, a boat's HIN, or a serial number) and an odometer reading only where one applies.
- Car bill of sale
- Truck bill of sale
- SUV bill of sale
- Van bill of sale
- Motorcycle bill of sale
- ATV bill of sale
- RV bill of sale
- Camper bill of sale
- Trailer bill of sale
- Boat bill of sale
- Jet Ski bill of sale
- Snowmobile bill of sale
- Golf Cart bill of sale
- Tractor bill of sale
A few differ: boats and jet skis use a Hull ID Number (HIN) instead of a VIN and have no odometer; trailers, campers, snowmobiles, golf carts, and tractors have no odometer either; and boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles often register with a different agency (such as a wildlife, boating, or parks department) rather than your county motor vehicle registration office (satellite city hall). Confirm the details with your county motor vehicle registration office (satellite city hall).
Hawaii bill of sale FAQ
Does a Hawaii motor vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
Usually not — a standard title transfer doesn't require it, though counties recommend it to avoid a rejected signature. One exception: if the title is not in the seller's name, you must provide a notarized bill of sale.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Hawaii?
It isn't required for a normal sale (the assigned title handles the transfer), but it's strongly recommended as a receipt — and Hawaii provides Form CS-L(MVR)40 for it. It proves the price, the sale date, and that you're no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Where do I transfer the title in Hawaii?
At a county motor vehicle registration office — typically a satellite city hall (on Oahu, the Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits). The buyer brings the assigned title, the registration, a current safety inspection, and payment for the fees and use tax.
How long do I have to transfer the title in Hawaii?
The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to transfer the title at a satellite city hall, or a $50 late penalty is added. The seller should also file a Notice of Transfer within 10 days to be released from liability.
How much is sales tax on a used car in Hawaii?
Hawaii applies a 4% use tax on the purchase price, paid by the buyer at transfer, with a small county surcharge possible on Oahu and some islands. This is why an accurate sale price on your bill of sale matters.
Do both the buyer and seller need to sign?
Yes. Both parties should sign and date the bill of sale, and each keeps a copy. If there are two buyers or two sellers, every party signs.
Is a handwritten bill of sale valid in Hawaii?
Yes — a handwritten bill of sale is valid as long as it has the key details, though Hawaii also offers Form CS-L(MVR)40. A complete, typed document like this one is simply cleaner and far less likely to be questioned at the satellite city hall.
Is this Hawaii bill of sale really free?
Yes — completely. Fill it in, preview it live, and download the PDF with no signup, no credit card, and no watermark. Unlike sites that charge a fee or push a subscription to download, there's nothing to pay here.