The buyer and seller must sign in front of a notary public who will then notarize the document(s). This notarized form is then taken to the Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation after the boat has been duly registered. 

It’s important to note that the form must be notarized and that can only happen if it’s signed in front of a notary public.

Registering a boat/vessel in Hawaii

Irrespective of the size, any boat with a motor must be registered. If it’s a sailboat then all those over eight feet in length must be registered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). If this process is not carried out then it cannot be used on public waters. 

There are a few boats/vessels that are exempt from this regulation. Those include boats owned by the government, boats that are manually propelled, boats from another state. For the foreign boats, they cannot operate in Hawaii for more than sixty days before registration will become mandatory. 

Like vehicle registration, boat registration is valid for a year in Hawaii and must be renewed upon expiration. 

Registration forms for boats and other types of vessels 

• A duly completed bill of sale 

• The form for application of vessel registration certificate 

• The original certificate of title when no bill of sale exists. This usually applies when transferring a boat from outside the state. 

• If it’s a new boat then you’ll need the manufacturer’s certificate of origin

• Change of status form 

• A current certificate of boating safety education 

• A drivers license or other government-issued photo-ID that serves as proof of identity 

• The fees associated with registration