Hawaii Boat Registration Summary
Hawaii boat registration summary is a free resource designed to inform the boating public about registration requirements, recording methods, and title search guidelines for the State of Hawaii. The data is maintained as an open wiki forum where readers are encouraged to participate by sharing knowledge and experiences with this particular state. Simply click on the "Wiki-Share" link to contribute further details or suggest a revision.
This information is subject to change and should be confirmed with the respective agency.
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State of Hawaii
Department of
Land and Natural Resources
Division of Boating and Ocean Resources
Boat
Registration Website
Registration Overview
Hawaii issues registration and titles for non-exempt boats operating within its jurisdiction. These are administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Resources in Honolulu. Titling and registration of outboard motors is not provided in Hawaii. Registration is required for boat trailers but titles are not available. Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Certificate of Title Act for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for vehicles. This state also participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation. There is no sales tax on boats in Hawaii. However, businesses must pay a general excise tax on products sold which can be passed on to the consumer. There are approximately 12,355 boats registered in the State of Hawaii. This accounts for 0.4% of all nationwide registrations.Registration Requirements
Unless otherwise exempted, all boats must become registered in Hawaii. Exceptions include a vessel's lifeboat used solely for lifesaving purposes, a manually propelled recreational vessel, a recreational vessel eight feet or less in length propelled solely, and boats registered in another state for a visitation period of 90 days. USCG documented vessels used for recreational purposes are exempt from registration and titling. Hawaii does not have provisions for bonding or conditional registrations where sufficient proof of ownership is not otherwise available. The transfer, abandonment, theft, or destruction of a Hawaii registered boat must be reported to the Division of Boating and Ocean Resources within seven days.Marking Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Hawaii begin with an "HA" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along with periodic sticker tabs. All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. Owners with older boats may apply with the DBOR for a hull number assignment. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with the letters "HAZ" are available for home made boats and those without factory designations.Ownership and Liens
Hawaii issues titles for all non-exempt boats, therefore any security interests are recorded on the title certificate itself. Security interests on boats that are neither titled or Coast Guard documented will be recorded as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's registration database, recorded as UCC filings, shown on state revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office. There are no provisions for recording mechanic's liens or other non-secured claims against registered boats which are not documented. If the vessel is USCG documented, a security interest may be perfected by filing a preferred vessel mortgage. These are recorded with the National Vessel Documentation Center with the earliest submissions taking priority. Other lien claims can be filed in the same manner although these function as notifications only. All such filings are indexed on the vessel's underlying abstract of title.Boat Title Searches
Boat registration records in Hawaii are maintained by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. This agency does not facilitate online searches for the general public but registration information may be obtained by telephone or by submitting a registration information request form. Uniform Commercial Code filings are not available online in Hawaii, therefore a search must be ordered through the Bureau of Conveyances. This can be implemented by filing a UCC Record Request form or by using a public records service provider. State and Federal tax liens on boats are not always recorded in a consistent manner and are difficult to identify. If this is a matter of concern, the services of public record vendor that has access to a broad range of personal property lien recordings may be worthwhile. Ownership, mortgage, and lien search recordings for USCG documented vessels can be obtained by ordering an abstract of title and a copy of the certificate of documentation from the National Vessel Documentation Center. However, these are encoded and can be difficult to interpret, especially on older vessels with numerous recordings. It may be worthwhile to contact a professional vessel title company for assistance in this regard. Links to a recommended service or for placing your own order can be found in the resources module of this page . Non-recorded maritime liens may also be a factor when conducting boat title research in Hawaii. These include liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel, storage, parts, supplies, and damages which can become attached to the boat itself regardless of ownership. One of the most useful tools for doing this kind of research is our premier boat history search database. It is a gathering of eight nationwide databases into a single interface which can be searched by numerous criteria. These include records for stolen boats, marine lien claims, boating accidents, pollution incidents, auctioned boats, and factory recalls. Yacht brokers, documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee titles. It is therefore incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations. Of course it will be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent, non-cooperative, or can not be located. This calls for a thorough background check to ensure the owner's wherewithal for making good on any hidden liens or title deficiencies. Our recommendation is listed in the resources module of this page.Advertisement
