Aloha Folks, Its been a minute,  hope you are all well.

 I was helping my friend's father sort out his old firearms.  He is considering giving me 2 pistols since he is getting old and never uses them.  However, he has one pistol that he cannot find the registration for.  Is there a way to obtain a copy of the registration from HPD?   Does he even need a hard copy of the registration to private sale/transfer it to another individual? 

I've bought a handgun through a private sale before (about 8 years ago) and the seller had to sign something, I forget what that piece of paper was, (it was not the bill of sale), I think it was backside of the registration, is that right?   

Correct me if I'm wrong, but other than that, all I would need to do is follow the handgun process right? (submit permit to acquire each handgun, wait 14 days, pick up permit to acquire, pick up firearm, bring it back to HPD for inspection and to register it)

Mahalo for your help!

My understanding for private handgun transfers is that you would need to sign the back of the seller's current handgun registration, which is why everybody reccommends completing the transaction at the police station.

When i did a private sale, they made us sign the back of the OG permit to acquire. (Carbon paper).

Hpd can reprint the reg there.

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Need to be sure the firearms are registered to the seller.  I came across this when my dad passed and were trying to transfer ownership to me.  HPD printed out a list of firearms registered to my dad.  There were two firearms that weren't on the list.  HPD was able to find them.  Seems like the hard copies were available, but just weren't transferred into the electronic system.  Anyways, if they didn't find that, it would have been trouble.  HPD will no release the name of who the firearms was registered to.

For all firearms confirmed registered to my dad, didn't need the registration. Just the usual info on the firearm for the PTA process.  In the OPs case, if no registration, believe just need documentation of sale or transfer of ownership. 

My understanding for private handgun transfers is that you would need to sign the back of the seller's current handgun registration, which is why everybody reccommends completing the transaction at the police station.

Not accurate, unless things have drastically changed in the last couple of years.

There's no requirement to provide the seller's registration -- signed or unsigned.  I think you're confusing signing the back of the permit to acquire with the registration.  The seller has zero participation in the registration process.  That's all on the buyer.

All you need is the registered owner's full name and the specs on the firearm -- make, model, caliber, action and serial #.

HPD can look the registration info up in their records.

It's a work-saver for HPD if you can provide the "G-" control number on the current registration, but it's not necessary.

There are a couple of reasons people recommended meeting at HPD:

#1 - Saves a visit.  The buyer can pick up his PTA on the day it's ready, the 2 can complete the sale (money for firearm), and the buyer can register -- all in one trip to HPD.

#2 - Complies with the Places to Keep laws.  HPD is a permissible location for both to possess the firearm.

#3 - Safety.  Less risky than meeting someone you don't know at 9PM in a dimly lit parking lot.

With the online delivery of permits and registrations, #1 is probably not as beneficial.

Need to be sure the firearms are registered to the seller.  I came across this when my dad passed and were trying to transfer ownership to me.  HPD printed out a list of firearms registered to my dad.  There were two firearms that weren't on the list.  HPD was able to find them.  Seems like the hard copies were available, but just weren't transferred into the electronic system.  Anyways, if they didn't find that, it would have been trouble.  HPD will no release the name of who the firearms was registered to.

For all firearms confirmed registered to my dad, didn't need the registration. Just the usual info on the firearm for the PTA process.  In the OPs case, if no registration, believe just need documentation of sale or transfer of ownership.

Thank you all, this is very useful info.

This is a similar situation for me, the owner is not exactly wishing to get any money out of it, just wants to get rid of the pistols to a responsible owner (me  ) before he passes away.   Thankfully he is still in decent health, the guy is in late 70s and still work out in the hot sun everyday!

Let me get this straight: for the pistol that is missing the registration paper, I could potentially submit the permit to acquire for it, and wait to see if it gets approved?  This pistol, he purchased from a friend a long time ago, he couldn't remember how many years ago but its a Springfield XD so I'm guessing within last 20 years, and he doesn't remember if it was purchased and registered legally etc etc. 
If for example HPD finds that the registered owner is NOT my friend's father then there will be a problem right? 
But will my friend's dad suffer any repercussions if HPD finds a discrepancy between the name of owner I put on the Permit to Acquire (friend's dad) and the registered owner HPD has on file (if for some odd reason it is not my friend's dad)?   
Because if that's the case I won't bother trying to acquire that pistol (the one that is missing registration paper) and he can hold on to the pistol, and all things would remain the same.

ALSO for permit to acquire for handguns, if it fails, will HPD inform you in any way or would the only way to know be to go down to HPD's window and find out in person that the PTA was denied?

Thank you all, this is very useful info.

This is a similar situation for me, the owner is not exactly wishing to get any money out of it, just wants to get rid of the pistols to a responsible owner (me  ) before he passes away.   Thankfully he is still in decent health, the guy is in late 70s and still work out in the hot sun everyday!

Let me get this straight: for the pistol that is missing the registration paper, I could potentially submit the permit to acquire for it, and wait to see if it gets approved?  This pistol, he purchased from a friend a long time ago, he couldn't remember how many years ago but its a Springfield XD so I'm guessing within last 20 years, and he doesn't remember if it was purchased and registered legally etc etc. 
If for example HPD finds that the registered owner is NOT my friend's father then there will be a problem right? 
But will my friend's dad suffer any repercussions if HPD finds a discrepancy between the name of owner I put on the Permit to Acquire (friend's dad) and the registered owner HPD has on file (if for some odd reason it is not my friend's dad)?   
Because if that's the case I won't bother trying to acquire that pistol (the one that is missing registration paper) and he can hold on to the pistol, and all things would remain the same.

ALSO for permit to acquire for handguns, if it fails, will HPD inform you in any way or would the only way to know be to go down to HPD's window and find out in person that the PTA was denied?

There are a bunch of "what ifs" with different alternatives.  Best thing is to just go apply for your permit and take it from there.

If HPD needs more information, they will contact you before denying the permit.  They should not just deny it unless they find a reason -- i.e. you are ineligible to possess a firearm, the gun was reported stolen, etc.  if it's just a registration issue, they will tell you what they need from you.

Thank you all, this is very useful info.

This is a similar situation for me, the owner is not exactly wishing to get any money out of it, just wants to get rid of the pistols to a responsible owner (me  ) before he passes away.   Thankfully he is still in decent health, the guy is in late 70s and still work out in the hot sun everyday!

Let me get this straight: for the pistol that is missing the registration paper, I could potentially submit the permit to acquire for it, and wait to see if it gets approved?  This pistol, he purchased from a friend a long time ago, he couldn't remember how many years ago but its a Springfield XD so I'm guessing within last 20 years, and he doesn't remember if it was purchased and registered legally etc etc. 
If for example HPD finds that the registered owner is NOT my friend's father then there will be a problem right? 
But will my friend's dad suffer any repercussions if HPD finds a discrepancy between the name of owner I put on the Permit to Acquire (friend's dad) and the registered owner HPD has on file (if for some odd reason it is not my friend's dad)?   
Because if that's the case I won't bother trying to acquire that pistol (the one that is missing registration paper) and he can hold on to the pistol, and all things would remain the same.

ALSO for permit to acquire for handguns, if it fails, will HPD inform you in any way or would the only way to know be to go down to HPD's window and find out in person that the PTA was denied?

Sending you DM. . .

you do not need the old paper at all. just apply for the permit to acquire as you would normally.

Thank you all for the valuable info, thanks drck1000 for the DM

It sounds like I will have to submit a permit to acquire for the pistol and see what happens, as RANDAY said I don't need the registration paper in hand, and as others mentioned before I really only need the name and address of the seller and the pistol specs in order to submit a PTA.  If it gets denied, hopefully HPD will give me a reason and at least I can report it to my friend's dad and see how he'd like to handle it.   He's a savvy and safe fellow so I hope it was all registered legally etc etc and he just lost he registration paper.

I know of a guy who died 5 years ago and wasn't married, had no kids.  His brother took his shotgun and 9MM G17 which BTW, had rwo 17 rd mags. This is in Hawaii. Guns were never transferred and is registered to a dead person.

thats cool story. me personally, i dont know anyone who does anything illegal.

I know of a guy who died 5 years ago and wasn't married, had no kids.  His brother took his shotgun and 9MM G17 which BTW, had rwo 17 rd mags. This is in Hawaii. Guns were never transferred and is registered to a dead person.

That "guy" must not be a 2aHawaii forum member.

Nobody on here does anything illegal.

Regarding the 14 day waiting period, will they call to let me know if it has been denied or would I have to go down on the 14th day to find that out? 

And I believe I have 6 days to pick up the permit after the 14 day waiting period, does that 6 days include weekend days? Or is it 6 business days?

If they don't call you then you're good

This may or may not apply to you but this has happened to me twice:  I purchased a handgun (one from a private individual, one from a LGS), applied for the permit (s), picked up permit (s), got the handgun (s)  and took it/them to HPD.  At the registration window (once HPD had possession of the handgun) I was informed that the handgun was not registered to the person/LGS that sold it to me.  HPD contacted both sellers and I believe both guns were subsequently destroyed.  I got my money back from both sellers (no problems there) and I wasn't in any trouble with HPD but HPD will make sure they get control of the firearm before informing you that for whatever reason you can't take possession of it.

So, if the seller can show you his/her registration for the firearm in question there should be no problems transferring the firearm.  If they can't remember if it was legally registered/transferred to themselves in the first place, there may or may not be a problem. 

Regarding the 14 day waiting period, will they call to let me know if it has been denied or would I have to go down on the 14th day to find that out? 

And I believe I have 6 days to pick up the permit after the 14 day waiting period, does that 6 days include weekend days? Or is it 6 business days?

Permit expiration date is calendar days.  Buyers have to plan carefully, especially if the gun store has scheduled weekdays they close or work short days, if there are holidays (store might be open, but not HPD Firearms Section), etc.

Always best to show up the day the permit is ready, then pick up the purchase and register all in the same day -- assuming you intend to do everything in person.  Procrastination will bite you in the butt if you aren't 100% sure you still have time.

Except for sales to dealers licensed under section 134-31, or dealers
licensed by the United States Department of Justice, or law enforcement
officers, or where a license is granted under section 134-9, or where any
firearm is registered pursuant to section 134-3(a), no permit shall be issued
to an applicant earlier than fourteen calendar days after the date of the
application; provided that a permit shall be issued or the application denied
before the twentieth day from the date of application.  Permits issued to acquire
any pistol or revolver shall be void unless used within ten days after the date
of issue.

But wait!  There's more!

Every person who acquires a firearm pursuant to section 134-2 shall register
the firearm in the manner prescribed by this section within five days of acquisition.

So, even though the permit period includes a 14 day wait and 10 more days to be used, once you pick up the purchase, your timeline may be less than the 10 days from date of issue.  if you pick up the gun the same day you pick up the permit, you then only have 5 days to register, not the 10 days reflected in the permit timeline.

Since you used the permit (acquired the gun) before the 10 day deadline, registering late won't mean having to reapply.  You'll get a friendly reminder from HPD to register if you haven't.  I haven't heard of any drama caused by late registrations.

This may or may not apply to you but this has happened to me twice:  I purchased a handgun (one from a private individual, one from a LGS), applied for the permit (s), picked up permit (s), got the handgun (s)  and took it/them to HPD.  At the registration window (once HPD had possession of the handgun) I was informed that the handgun was not registered to the person/LGS that sold it to me.  HPD contacted both sellers and I believe both guns were subsequently destroyed.  I got my money back from both sellers (no problems there) and I wasn't in any trouble with HPD but HPD will make sure they get control of the firearm before informing you that for whatever reason you can't take possession of it.

So, if the seller can show you his/her registration for the firearm in question there should be no problems transferring the firearm.  If they can't remember if it was legally registered/transferred to themselves in the first place, there may or may not be a problem.

I didn't realize that was the procedure.

I knew there was a good reason for the seller providing the "G-" registration form control number to the buyer.  Might avoid this scenario if the seller can't produce it.  Also might be a good way to nudge the seller into registering before you try to acquire/register an unregistered gun.

Actually, I think it's a pretty clever way for HPD to confiscate unregistered firearms:  the "average" gun buyer is going to jump through all of the hoops then present the gun to HPD Records Division where they'll THEN inform you that for whatever reason you can't take possession of it and the piece is confiscated.  I don't think it happens too often, though.

IDK what HPD would do if you registered the roscoe online; my guess is that they'd have you bring it in to "verify" the serial number....

Actually, I think it's a pretty clever way for HPD to confiscate unregistered firearms:  the "average" gun buyer is going to jump through all of the hoops then present the gun to HPD Records Division where they'll THEN inform you that for whatever reason you can't take possession of it and the piece is confiscated.  I don't think it happens too often, though.

IDK what HPD would do if you registered the roscoe online; my guess is that they'd have you bring it in to "verify" the serial number....

from what I gather: Private sale and out of state firearms NEED to be brought in for inspection,  guns purchased at LGS or FFL dealer do not need physical inspection so they can be registered online