How to Replace Your Car Registration in Hawaii

1.

You are legally required to keep a copy of your vehicle registration in your car at all times. If you lose your car registration, you must replace it as soon as possible. Because most state DMVs require you to present identifying documents about yourself and your vehicle in order to obtain a duplicate car registration, few states will allow you to complete the transaction online. However, you can obtain online assistance to help you prepare all the right documents and fees. Our online guide will provide you with all the information you need to replace your registration with ease, by covering all the available application methods in your state. You can also learn how to renew your registration and how to update your name or address.

2. By Mail or Phone

Some states allow residents to replace their vehicle registrations through the mail. You may need to meet certain eligibility requirements to do so, and you will need to pay for your car registration copy with check or money order. Additionally, mail-in applications take the longest time to process, as applicants will need to wait for the postal service to deliver the application materials to the DMV and also wait to receive their new documents through the mail. Incorrect information on a submitted form can also delay the process. A select number of states allow their residents to replace their vehicle registrations over the phone. However, drivers will still need to wait for their DMV to mail them the new registration.

3. At a DMV Office

The most common way to replace your car registration in any state is to visit a DMV office in person. Most states will issue you a duplicate registration right after you pay the necessary fees and submit a Car Registration Replacement form. Some states, however, will send your documents through the mail. It is important to be aware of your state’s procedures, especially if you need your replacement registration right away. Most DMV offices’ business hours often interfere with the work schedules of vehicle owners, and long wait times are common.

When dealing with a stolen, mutilated, defaced or lost car registration in Hawaii, vehicle owners will be required to complete the corresponding replacement procedure in order to continue operating their motor vehicles legally on public roads within the state. A duplicate vehicle registration and replacement license plates may be obtained through the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HI DOT). However, the procedure of getting replacement documents or plates may differ based on the HI county in which you live.

Learn More About How to Replace a Car Registration

To obtain a copy of a vehicle registration in HI, motorists must first prepare certain paperwork and submit it to the HI DOT along with a payment for the applicable fees. Getting a copy of the registration or license plates will prevent motorists from getting a traffic ticket when pulled over by a law enforcement official. To learn more about replacing a registration in Hawaii, read the sections below.

When do you need to get a copy of your vehicle registration in Hawaii?

Vehicle owners need to obtain a Hawaii DMV copy of registration when their registrations are lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or when they become illegible. A DMV duplicate registration certificate may be obtained through the director of finance, who provides an application form to individuals who deal with one of the situations above.

Individuals who deal with lost or stolen license plates or emblems may also apply for replacements in their counties of residence. Note that each county may have different requirements for replacement of vehicle registrations that motorists must satisfy. Failing to replace the registration certificate may result in penalties, especially if you are stopped by a law enforcement officer.

Moreover, motorists who have their registration certificates stone run the risk of becoming victims of identity theft or fraud.

How to Obtain a Replacement Vehicle Registration in Hawaii

Residents of all four counties in Hawaii may perform an HI DMV registration replacement procedure in order to replace their registration certificates, license plates or emblems. The vehicle owner must apply for a duplicate by providing the mandatory documentation to the director of finance. The replacement procedure in most cases consists of the following steps:

  • Complete an application form, depending on the county of residence.
  • Provide the necessary information to the director of finance.
  • Pay the applicable replacement fees.

Hawaii County

In Hawaii County, vehicle owners may obtain a copy of a vehicle registration after completing an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Registration, provided by the director of finance. The application form for a duplicate vehicle registration should contain the following information:

  • License plate number
  • Emblem number
  • Registration expiration date
  • Make and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the car
  • Name, address and signature of the registered owner of record

In addition to the application form and the payment for the applicable fees, motorists may also need to provide the last issued certificate of registration along with a payment for a transfer fee, if applicable.

Honolulu County

Residents of the Honolulu County may replace a car registration by completing an Application for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Certificate of Registration. The application must be completed with the same information as the application form in Hawaii County and submitted at a local HI DOT office in Honolulu along with a payment for the applicable fees.

Note that when providing the documentation for a DMV registration replacement, you may also need to submit the current registration card, if you have it in possession.

Kauai County

In Kauai County, motorists may apply for a DMV copy of a registration by completing an Application for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Certificate of Registration and submitting it to the HI DOT along with the current registration certificate and payment for the applicable fees.

When completing this DMV registration replacement application form, applicants will have to provide more or less the same information as in the Hawaii County form. However, in this application form, motorists will have to submit their license numbers instead of the license plate numbers. Moreover, they will have to provide a name, address and signature not only of the registered owner of record, but also of the legal owner of record.

Maui County

Vehicle owners who reside in Maui County and want to replace a lost car registration need to complete an Application for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Certificate of Registration. This application form must contain the same details that are required when completing an application form in Kauai County. In addition to the application form, motorists will have to provide their current registration cards and payments for the applicable fees.

Hawaii Stolen Car Registration Requirements

When dealing with a stolen or lost car registration in Hawaii, vehicle owners run the risk of becoming victims of identity theft or fraud. Therefore, motorists are encouraged to file a police report when they suspect that their registration cards have been stolen.

Hawaii DMV Sticker Replacement

A Hawaii DMV sticker replacement is required when motorists deal with a lost or stolen emblem from their license plates. The motor vehicle registration emblem is attached to the upper right. To replace a stolen or lost car registration sticker, motorists will have to complete the appropriate application form for a duplicate emblem or a duplicate license plate from their county of residence.

Note that the application forms and fees may vary from county to county. If the license plate has been stolen or lost along with the emblem, vehicle owners will have to replace their license plates, as well.

Hawaii Vehicle Registration Replacement Fees

The fees for a Hawaii duplicate vehicle registration certificate are established by the county’s legislative body. Therefore, motorists need to pay different fees for a replacement car registration, depending on their county of residence:

  • Hawaii – $5
  • Honolulu – determined by the local DMV
  • Kauai – $5
  • Maui – $10

Get More Information About Vehicle Registration Replacement

Note: The DMV registration replacement fee for Honolulu County is to be determined by the local DMV, therefore motorists need to contact the DMV and inquire of the sum they need to pay.

Related Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Last updated on Friday, July 19 2019.

Sources

  1. Motor Vehicle Registration from Hawaii.gov
  2. Motor Vehicle General Information from HawaiiCounty.gov
  3. Vehicle Registration Information from Honolulu.gov