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HRS §449-5

Who can act as an escrow depository in Hawaii

Only a corporation licensed by the state commissioner can act as an escrow depository in Hawaii. Unlicensed people cannot use the word "escrow" in their business name. Even from out of state, you need a Hawaii license to handle escrow for property in Hawaii.

businesses

The statute, as written — License required to act as escrow depository

(a) No person shall act as an escrow depository in this State unless it is a corporation licensed to do so by the commissioner. No person subject to the provisions of this chapter not licensed or exempted under this chapter shall transact any business under any name, title or descriptive term which contains the words "escrow", "escrow depository", or any other word or phrase having the same or similar meaning. (b) No person shall act as an escrow depository from an out-of-state location for property located in this State unless licensed to act as a Hawaii escrow depository by the commissioner.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.