Honolulu County Property Records
What Is Honolulu County Property Records
Honolulu County property records are official documents that contain detailed information about real estate properties within the City and County of Honolulu. These records include ownership history, property values, tax information, land descriptions, and various legal documents related to properties. They are maintained by several government agencies, primarily the Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division and the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances.
These records serve as the official history of a property, documenting all transactions, liens, and legal actions affecting the property over time. They are essential resources for property owners, potential buyers, real estate professionals, and researchers seeking accurate information about properties in Honolulu County.
Are Property Records Public Information In Honolulu County?
Yes, property records in Honolulu County are considered public information. Under Hawaii's public records laws, most property-related documents are accessible to anyone who wishes to view them. This transparency ensures that property ownership and transactions are conducted openly and helps prevent fraud.
The public can access these records through various government offices, including the Department of Planning and Permitting and the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances. Department of Planning and Permitting: 650 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
While most property records are public, certain personal information may be redacted to protect privacy. Additionally, some specialized documents might have restricted access based on state regulations.
How To Search Property Records in Honolulu County in 2025
To search property records in Honolulu County in 2025, you have several options:
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Online Property Search Portal: The City and County of Honolulu maintains a comprehensive online database through their Real Property Assessment Division website. Users can search by address, owner name, or Tax Map Key (TMK) number.
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Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances: For recorded documents like deeds and mortgages, the Bureau of Conveyances provides search services. Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances: 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 121, Honolulu, HI 96813
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In-Person Visits: You can visit the Real Property Assessment Division office to conduct searches with assistance from staff. Real Property Assessment Division: 842 Bethel Street, Basement, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Professional Title Companies: For comprehensive searches, many residents use professional title companies that specialize in property record research.
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GIS Property Information: The Honolulu Land Information System (HoLIS) provides geographic information system (GIS) data for properties.
For the most efficient search, have the property address, owner's name, or TMK number ready before beginning your search.
How To Find Property Records in Honolulu County Online?
Finding property records online in Honolulu County is straightforward through these digital resources:
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Real Property Assessment Website: The official portal at realpropertyhonolulu.com allows searches by address, TMK, or owner name. This site provides tax assessment information, property characteristics, and ownership details.
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Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances Online Search: Access recorded documents through the BOC's online portal. This system requires registration and may involve fees for document retrieval. Bureau of Conveyances Online Services: boc.ehawaii.gov
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Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP): The DPP's website offers access to building permits, zoning information, and development plans.
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Honolulu GIS Web Portal: The county's geographic information system provides map-based property information, including boundaries and some property characteristics.
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Judiciary eCourt Kokua: For property-related court cases, this system provides access to civil case information. Hawaii State Judiciary: 417 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Most basic property information is available free of charge, though some detailed documents may require payment of nominal fees.
Can You Look Up Honolulu County Property Records for Free?
Yes, many Honolulu County property records can be accessed for free, though some services do charge fees:
Free Resources:
- The Real Property Assessment Division's website offers free access to basic property information, including ownership details, assessed values, and property characteristics.
- The Honolulu GIS system provides free access to map-based property information.
- Basic property tax information is available without charge through the county's tax portal.
Fee-Based Services:
- Obtaining certified copies of deeds and other documents from the Bureau of Conveyances typically involves fees.
- Comprehensive title searches through professional companies will incur charges.
- Some historical documents may require payment for retrieval from archives.
For most casual research needs, the free online resources provide sufficient information. However, for legal purposes or comprehensive research, the fee-based services may be necessary to obtain official copies of documents.
What's Included in a Honolulu County Property Record?
Honolulu County property records typically include a comprehensive set of information:
Ownership Information:
- Current and previous property owners
- Dates of ownership transfers
- Purchase prices (in some public records)
Property Details:
- Tax Map Key (TMK) number
- Legal description of the property
- Lot size and dimensions
- Building characteristics (square footage, number of rooms, etc.)
- Year built and construction type
Financial Information:
- Assessed value for tax purposes
- Annual property tax amounts
- Tax exemptions applied
- Record of tax payments
Legal Documents:
- Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, etc.)
- Mortgages and trust deeds
- Liens and encumbrances
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs)
Government Information:
- Zoning designation
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations (if any)
- Flood zone designation
The depth of information available may vary depending on the specific property and the agency providing the records.
How Long Does Honolulu County Keep Property Records?
Honolulu County maintains property records indefinitely for most significant documents. The retention policies vary by document type:
Permanent Records:
- Deeds and ownership transfers
- Property tax assessment records
- Subdivision maps and plats
- Land court documents
- Major easements and covenants
Long-Term Records (20+ years):
- Building permits for major structures
- Property tax payment histories
- Zoning changes and variances
Medium-Term Records (7-20 years):
- Minor building permits
- Temporary easements
- Some code enforcement actions
The Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances, which maintains many property records, has preserved documents dating back to the Kingdom of Hawaii era in the 1800s. These historical records are particularly valuable for establishing chain of title and resolving boundary disputes.
Digital conversion efforts have been ongoing to preserve older paper records, with many historical documents now available in electronic format. For research purposes, records from any time period in a property's history should theoretically be available, though older records may require specialized assistance to locate.
How To Find Liens on Property In Honolulu County?
To find liens on property in Honolulu County, you can use several methods:
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Bureau of Conveyances Search: The most comprehensive way to find liens is through the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances. They maintain records of tax liens, judgment liens, mechanics' liens, and other encumbrances. Bureau of Conveyances: 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 121, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Online Document Search: The Bureau's online portal allows searches for recorded liens by property address, owner name, or TMK number.
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Circuit Court Records: For judgment liens, check the First Circuit Court records. First Circuit Court: Kaahumanu Hale, 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
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City and County Tax Office: For property tax liens, contact the Treasury Division. Treasury Division: 530 South King Street, Room 115, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Title Company Search: Professional title companies can conduct comprehensive lien searches, which is recommended for property purchases.
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Federal Tax Lien Search: For federal tax liens, check with the Bureau of Conveyances or use the PACER system for federal court records.
When searching for liens, it's important to have the correct legal name of the property owner and the accurate property description or TMK number. For complete assurance, many professionals recommend using a title company, as some liens may be filed under variations of owner names or may affect the property through previous owners.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Honolulu County?
The Property Owner Rule in Honolulu County refers to a set of regulations and responsibilities that apply to property owners within the jurisdiction. These rules govern various aspects of property ownership:
Property Tax Obligations:
- Property owners must pay annual real property taxes based on assessed values
- Owners are responsible for notifying the county of any changes in ownership or mailing address
- Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt owners from payment responsibility
Disclosure Requirements:
- When selling property, owners must disclose known material defects
- Special disclosure requirements exist for properties in flood zones, with historic designation, or subject to special assessments
Maintenance Responsibilities:
- Property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties in compliance with county codes
- This includes sidewalk maintenance adjacent to the property
- Vegetation must be controlled to prevent encroachment on public rights-of-way
Building and Development Rules:
- Owners must obtain proper permits before construction or major renovations
- Properties must comply with zoning regulations and land use ordinances
- Special rules apply in historic districts and special design districts
Rental Property Regulations:
- Owners of rental properties must comply with additional requirements
- Short-term vacation rentals are subject to specific zoning and permit requirements
Property owners should contact the Department of Planning and Permitting for specific questions about regulations affecting their property. Department of Planning and Permitting: 650 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813