Replacing a Lost Registration

There are four possible things you might somehow lose involving vehicle registration: First, you may discover your inspection sticker missing; second, you may open the glove box and fail to find your actual registration document; third, if you own a decal supporting a nonprofit, that might disappear; and, finally, your vehicle license plate may mysteriously go AWOL.

Although the state legislature regulates the process for obtaining new registration material, each county may have individual quirks. Thus, it is best to check with a local DMV office to find out the specific details for a particular county.

Lost Inspection Sticker

If you notice an inspection sticker is no longer attached to your car, getting a replacement sticker is easy. Simply go back to the shop that inspected the vehicle. Make sure you have any documents the shop gave you during the inspection. If everything checks out, you will get a replacement inspection sticker for free without having the vehicle undergo another inspection.

Lost Registration Card

City and County of Honolulu

To replace a lost registration card you first need to fill out an Application for Duplicate Motor Vehicle Certificate of Registration. Once completed, mail the form to the address noted on the form with a $5 check.

If you simply head into a local satellite office without the form, make sure to jot down a few important numbers prior to leaving: license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the month of the registration expires.

Hawaii County

Hawaii County also provides an online form to those seeking a duplicate registration card. Once you've completed it, you can either mail the form to the address noted on the document or take it in person to a local office. The fee is also $5.

Maui County and Kauai County

Although these islands offer some of the best sights in the state, neither offers an online form for a duplicate registration. Thus, a trip to a local DMV office is in order: Maui offices; Kauai office.

Ask for a duplicate registration form and explain your situation. The cost remains $5 for the duplicate.

Lost Nonprofit Decal and/or License Plate

Decals and license plates tend to fall into the same category and are usually replaced together. Although it is possible to lose (or have stolen) a decal while the plate remains intact, if the plate is gone chances are the decal is missing as well. Thus, obtaining a replacement for either involve the same form.

Step One―Complete the Proper County Form

• City and County of Honolulu online form.

• County of Hawaii online form.

• County of Maui―Use Form MVR 14 available at each DMV office.

• County of Kauai―Use Form MVR 1 available at the DMV office.

Step Two―Take in or Mail the Forms

If you have the option of completing an online form, you can mail the document to the address listed on the form along with the necessary fees. However, in most cases (e.g., turning in plates) you will need to visit a local county office:

• City and County of Honolulu

• County of Hawaii

• County of Maui

• County of Kauai

Step Three―Return all Plates

If the reason for the replacement is due to plate mutilation or damage beyond recognition, you will need to turn it over to the DMV. The other plate, even if it remains undamaged, also goes back to the DMV. If you realize your plate is stolen, you'll still need to turn the other one in to the DMV before you receive a replacement.

Step Four―Pay the Replacement Fee

Depending on your county, fees may range from $.50 for a replacement decal to $5.50 for both a replacement decal and plates. However, if the replacement decal represents a nonprofit group, you will also have to pay another $25 organization fee.