Hawaii car — quick answer
In Hawaii, a car bill of sale is situational and notarization of the title transfer is situational. The state form used for titled vehicles is CS-L(MVR)40 / county forms. Titling and registration are handled by the County DMV.
Official Hawaii bill of sale forms by county
Hawaii vehicle paperwork is county-administered, so the right bill of sale form depends on where the car is registered. Start with the county form, then use the generator to create a clean private-sale copy with buyer, seller, VIN, odometer, price, and as-is terms.
City & County of Honolulu - CS-L(MVR)40
Honolulu lists CS-L(MVR)40 as its Vehicle Bill of Sale form. Use this when the vehicle is registered on Oahu or the Honolulu county office asks for the county bill of sale.
Open official county sourceHawaii County (Big Island) - County Bill of Sale
Hawaii County publishes a fillable bill of sale PDF for vehicle transactions. Check the county transfer page if title signatures, lien releases, or reassignment blocks are involved.
Open official county sourceMaui County - DMVL590
Maui County uses DMVL590, a bill of sale form for transferring the described vehicle to the buyer.
Open official county sourceKauai County - County DMV ownership-transfer forms
Kauai County handles title and ownership transfer through its Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing. Confirm the current bill of sale or transfer form with the Kauai DMV before signing.
Open official county sourceIs a car bill of sale required in Hawaii?
Situational. A bill of sale is used in the transfer; titling is handled by each county.
Seller signs the title; the buyer completes transfer at the county motor vehicle office for their island.
Does a Hawaii car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Situational (situational). A notarized bill of sale is required when the recorded owner is not releasing the title. Standard transfers use ink signatures on the title.
If the title is not in the seller's name or the recorded owner cannot release the title correctly, Hawaii county offices may require a notarized bill of sale or extra notarized proof. Confirm the exact situation with the county DMV before you sign.
For the full state-by-state explanation, read our guide to which states require notarization before you sign.
What to include on a Hawaii car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Hawaii
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title; the buyer completes transfer at the county motor vehicle office for their island.
- 3Register with the County DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the car, bringing County Vehicle Bill of Sale. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
Official sources
- County Motor Vehicle offices (Hawaii titling is county-administered)
- County Vehicle Bill of Sale (CS-L(MVR)40 / county forms)
- City & County of Honolulu - CS-L(MVR)40
- Hawaii County (Big Island) - County Bill of Sale
- Maui County - DMVL590
- Kauai County - County DMV ownership-transfer forms
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the County DMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
Hawaii Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Hawaii?
A bill of sale is situational in Hawaii. A bill of sale is used in the transfer; titling is handled by each county.
Does a Hawaii car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Sometimes. A notarized bill of sale is required when the recorded owner is not releasing the title. Standard transfers use ink signatures on the title.
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.