In short
No official source gives a “typical” Hawaii closing-cost percentage, so add the costs up line by line. By state rule the seller pays the conveyance tax, $1,600 on an $800,000 sale at the 2025 schedule (Hawaii Department of Taxation). Recording a deed in the Bureau of Conveyances’ Regular System costs $41 per document up to 50 pages (as of October 2026).
Why there is no single “typical” total
Some Hawaii closing costs are set by a government body: the conveyance tax (the Legislature) and recording fees (the Bureau of Conveyances). Others are set by private companies: lender charges, escrow fees, title insurance, inspections and brokerage compensation. Prorated property taxes and insurance deposits depend on the home, the closing date and the loan.
So your total depends mostly on your loan, your contract and your closing date. The variable pieces appear on two federal forms. Your lender must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application, and must give you the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before you close (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). For a general walk-through, see closing costs explained.
Line by line: what each cost is
Conveyance tax (seller). Hawaii’s transfer tax is called the conveyance tax. The Department of Taxation’s rules say it “shall be paid by the seller or any other person conveying realty.” The rate runs from $0.10 to $1.00 per $100 of the full price, and from $0.15 to $1.25 when the buyer of a condominium or single-family home is ineligible for a county homeowner’s exemption. Details, brackets and exemptions are in our conveyance tax guide.
Recording fees. The Bureau of Conveyances is the single statewide recording office. Its fee schedule lists $41 per document up to 50 pages in the Regular System, and $36 in the Land Court system. A buyer’s deed and mortgage are separate documents, so each is recorded and charged separately.
Escrow fee. An escrow company holds the money and documents until closing. Under Hawaii law, a company that does this for compensation must be a licensed escrow depository, with exceptions for banks and trust companies, and for brokers and attorneys who charge no escrow fee (Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 449, §§ 449-3 and 449-5). The statute does not set the fee amount, and the sources I read give none, so ask for a quote.
Title insurance. The Insurance Division’s filing instructions say that rate and rule filing requirements do not apply to title insurance, while title policy forms need prior approval. I found no state-set premium table, so premiums vary by company. Ask for quotes and compare them on the Loan Estimate. See title insurance explained.
Lender charges. Origination, appraisal, credit report and underwriting fees are set by the lender and the companies it hires. Compare them across lenders on the Loan Estimate, which has the same layout for every lender.
Property tax proration. Honolulu’s tax year runs from July 1 to June 30, and bills are due August 20 and February 20. The city’s assessment division notes that buyers can negotiate property taxes into the price, escrow fees or the proration at closing. If the home has no home exemption and is assessed at $1 million or more, the tax can be much higher than the seller’s bill suggests; see Hawaii property tax.
Inspections, survey and attorney. These are set by the providers. See home inspection cost, land survey cost and when to hire a Hawaii real estate attorney.
Who pays what in Hawaii
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Conveyance tax | Seller, by the Department of Taxation’s rules (the buyer pays only if a government agency is the seller) |
| Recording fees | Not set by the sources I read; set in the purchase contract |
| Escrow fee | Set by the contract; the statute does not assign it |
| Title insurance | Set by the contract; the Insurance Division does not assign it |
| Appraisal, credit report, loan fees | Usually the buyer, as lender charges |
| Brokerage compensation | Set by written agreement; see real estate commission |
Your purchase contract and escrow instructions control who pays the items that state law does not assign.
What it costs: an example in Honolulu
This is an example, not a quote. Assume an $800,000 sale to a buyer who will live in the home and can claim the county homeowner’s exemption. Only the lines fixed by the state are calculated.
| Line | Rule used | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyance tax (seller) | $0.20 per $100, price $600,000 to under $1,000,000 | $1,600 |
| Same tax if the buyer is not eligible for the exemption | $0.25 per $100 | $2,000 |
| Recording the deed (Regular System, under 50 pages) | Bureau of Conveyances | $41 |
| Recording the mortgage (Regular System, under 50 pages) | Bureau of Conveyances | $41 |
| Escrow fee, title insurance, lender charges, inspection | Set by each provider | See your Loan Estimate and quotes |
| Tax proration | Depends on the tax bill and closing date | See your Closing Disclosure |
At a different price, redo the multiplication: a $1,200,000 sale owes $3,600 at $0.30 per $100.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the conveyance tax in Hawaii?
The seller, under the Department of Taxation’s rules. If the federal, state or county government is the seller, the buyer pays.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Hawaii?
As of October 2026, the Bureau of Conveyances charges $41 per document up to 50 pages in the Regular System and $36 in the Land Court system.
Does Hawaii set title insurance rates?
The sources I read show no state-set premium schedule. The Insurance Division says rate and rule filing requirements do not apply to title insurance. Premiums come from the title insurers, so compare quotes.
Does Hawaii require an escrow company?
Hawaii regulates escrow companies but the statute I read does not require one for every sale. It requires a corporation to hold a license to act as an escrow depository for compensation, with exceptions for banks and for brokers and attorneys who charge no escrow fee. Your lender or contract may require escrow.
When will I know my exact closing costs?
Your lender must send a Loan Estimate within three business days of your application. You must receive the Closing Disclosure, with the final figures, at least three business days before closing.
Compare with the other states: Closing costs by state.
More Hawaii guides
- Hawaii conveyance tax: rates, who pays and an example
- Honolulu property tax: the $3.50 rate and the home exemption
- What must a home seller disclose in Hawaii?
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Hawaii?
- Foreclosure process in Hawaii
- Home prices in Hawaii and Honolulu: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Hawaii: HHFDC and Honolulu
- How to verify a real estate license in Hawaii
- Hurricane, flood and lava insurance in Hawaii: what buyers need
Sources
- Instructions for Form P-64A, Rev. 2025 (Hawaii Department of Taxation) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 18, Chapter 247, Conveyance Tax, unofficial compilation as of 12/31/2025 (Hawaii Department of Taxation) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Recording Fees (Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances, Department of Land and Natural Resources) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Chapter 449, Escrow Depositories, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Hawaii General Instructions for rate, rule and form filings (Hawaii Insurance Division) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Frequently Asked Questions (City and County of Honolulu, Real Property Assessment Division) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- What is a Loan Estimate? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- What is a Closing Disclosure? (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) (consulted October 13, 2026)