What are Hawaii Property Records?
Hawaii property records are papers, or ownership documents pertaining to a specific piece of real estate. These records are legal documents that feature information on real property and typically comprise the ownership, sale information, and description of a property. In addition to providing information on property assessments, these documents also provide information to community members regarding property taxes, assessor maps, and reappraisals following a change of ownership.
The Bureau of Public Conveyances is responsible for maintaining the record system for real property in Hawaii. Over 344,000 Regular System and Land Court papers are examined, recorded, indexed, and microfilmed by the Bureau. Additionally, the office validates the accuracy of the state's property records. Each county is responsible for maintaining records of recorded documents about properties within its jurisdiction. This includes deeds and mortgages, taxes, and assessments, and this data can be assessed through a statewide recorder's directory also maintained by the State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances. In Hawaii, there are two different ways to record documents: Regular System and Land Court System. The Regular System notifies a user that a record exists. The Land Court serves as a procedure for registering land ownership.
Are Hawaii Property Records Public?
Yes, Hawaii property records are public information and can be accessed by interested members of the public. Property records in Hawaii are accessible per the provisions of the Uniform Information Act, this law governs access to public records in the state, including property records and other records from government sources. Public access to property records is provided by governmental organizations or third-party aggregation websites. The majority of the time, third-party websites make it simple to get property records, and a property records search will reveal
- Parcel information
- Assessment information
- Historical Tax information
- Residential improvement information
- Property layout sketch
- Land information
Inquirer's can search for property records through each county's real property assessment division database. This database contains Property and tax information for every property in each county in Hawaii. Interested persons may also visit the county assessor's office in the county where the property is located to request the records in person.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property’s exact location.
- The property owner’s details.
What Information is Included in Hawaii Property Records?
The information contained in a property record varies with the type of record. The following are various information categories typically featured on a property's record:
Records of Property Ownership
Property ownership records contain information regarding the property's prior owners, the price they paid for it, and their contact information, including current locations and phone numbers.
Mortgages and Liens
Hawaii property documents contain information on mortgages taken on a particular property of interest. It is crucial to take mortgages and liens into account because they are a type of transferrable disability. This information includes the due date, information, mortgage amount recording date, deed information, assessed value, and other facts on liens and mortgages.
Property Tax Information
The annual charges that the city or municipality imposes against property are specified in its tax record. These charges are based on the assessed value of the property's buildings or land. Property owners are responsible for paying their property taxes or else risk losing their homes.
Plats
Hawaii property records include a plat, or a map showing the borders of a specific piece of property. Plats precisely represent a property's size, location, and actual property to landowners, real estate brokers, and lawyers. Plats can demonstrate, for instance, if a property extends to encompass a lake or pond.
Deeds
A Hawaii property deed is a formal document that is both written and signed and is used to transfer ownership of real estate from the grantor - the previous owner - to the purchaser (the grantee)
Where to Search Hawaii Public Property Records
Interested parties can search public property records using a variety of methods, depending on the specific document they're looking for. The bureau of conveyances database can be used to look for any document linked to estate transactions that occur during the sale of a property from one person to another or the transfer of property ownership between two companies. The county Real property tax office database can be used to search for property tax documents, and the Real property assessment division database can acquire general information on all other public property records in Hawaii. The land use commission also maintains links to information about properties in the state. These links can be used to find extensive information about property in Hawaii that cannot be found elsewhere.
How to Do a Property Records Search in Hawaii
According to Hawaii state law, interested citizens can access property records. To conduct a Hawaii property records search or obtain an Hawaii property record, the inquirer must provide information regarding the property's address, parcel number, or any other relevant legal information. Hawaii residents who are interested might use the information to contact their county assessors and ask to view and copy property records. This Data can also be utilized to do searches on websites or offices that handle real property taxes or real property assessments. Finally, anyone can conduct searches by contacting the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyance to seek pertinent records either online or in person.
How to Find the Owner of a Hawaii Property Using Public Records
In Hawaii, information regarding property ownership is public record. If anyone knows the address or parcel number of a piece of property, they can find out who owns it. In any three of the state's four counties, a search can be done using any of the databases maintained by the real property assessment division. After submitting the search, the owner's name can be found under "owner information," and a historical evaluation of the property will also include the former owners' names and the date on which ownership changed hands. However, Due to privacy issues, searches using an owner's name online are not available.
Public records can also be searched by visiting any county assessor's office in the state. and the Bureau of Public Conveyances, which is located at:
Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl St. #120
Honolulu, HI 96813
Ph: (808) 587-0147
Fax: (808) 587-0136
Email: dlnr.bc.faq@Hawaii.gov
What are Hawaii Property Records Used For?
Hawaii Property records are crucial for managing land taxes; if the records aren't kept up to date, there may be problems with liens or other encumbrances on the property in addition to property tax problems. By using the timeline of ownership history and confirming property ownership and the ability to sell the land, these property records are frequently used to settle ownership difficulties with a chain of title. A title search is frequently carried out and the property records are checked when ownership problems come up during the selling process. These records are also essential in real estate transactions because they help settle boundary line issues, define the rights granted by an easement, resolve existing lien problems, manage property ownership rights, and minimize mortgage and foreclosure.
How to Find Hawaii Property Tax Records
Hawaii property tax records can be found by contacting the real property tax office in Hawaii to inquire or by searching the office's online database for property tax records related to a specific address. The real property tax office can be found at
Kona Office
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy
Bldg D, 2nd Flr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hilo Office
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4
Hilo, HI 96720
What to Do When You Can’t Find Property Records in Hawaii
Property records in Hawaii are considered public records, so anyone can access them online by conducting searches made through public property record databases. However, when persons cannot find property records online, they can make enquires by paying a visit to any county assessor's office for these records.
Maui county assessors office
10 'Ala'ihi Street
Suite 110
Kahului HI 96732
Kahului county assessors office
Real Property Assessment
4444 Rice St.,
Suite 454
Lihue, HI 96766
