Hawaii Marriage Records

Hawaii began registration of marriage records in 1909. Before that, most counties and churches kept records of marriages within their jurisdiction, dating back to 1826. However, the record-keeping process was not uniform and may be inconsistent. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control shows that Hawaii has the 2nd highest marriage rate at 12.5 marriages per 1,000 residents. Its rate is significantly higher than the national average at over 50%, which has a rate of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Hawaii marriage records are documents certifying that two individuals met the state's conditions to get married legally. In Hawaii, these documents include:

• Marriage Licenses: A marriage license is a legal document issued by the county clerk before the wedding, granting two individuals permission to get married. Information typically recorded on marriage licenses includes the full legal names of both parties, their date and place of birth, current addresses, previous marital status, and name and credentials of the license-issuing agent.
• Marriage Certificate: A marriage certificate is a legal document issued after the wedding, validating that a marriage ceremony occurred. After the wedding ceremony, Hawaii law requires the officiant to sign and return the marriage license to the county clerk within 7 days of the ceremony. The county clerk documents the wedding and forwards it to the Department of Health, where the marriage certificate is created. A marriage certificate contains the certificate number, file number, full names and birthplaces of both spouses, date, and exact location of the ceremony. Name, title, and signature of the officiant, the date of recording, and the signature and seal of the issuing officer.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Hawaii?

You can look up marriage licenses and certificates from 1909 to the present at the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Vital Records Office. Generally, you may order the document online, by mail, or in person.

Online requests for certified marriage certificates are through the Vital Records Ordering and Tracking portal. The portal has records of Hawaii marriage certificates dating from July 1909 to the present.

Persons ordering the document by mail or at the state DOH Vital Records Office may download and complete the Request for Certified Copy of Marriage/Civil Union Record form. Mail the request to:

In-person requesters may drop off the application at:

Generally, all requests for certified copies of marriage records in Hawaii may include the following:

• The full names of the couple
• Date and place of the marriage ceremony
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
• A mailing address
• The fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Hawaii?

Marriage records are considered confidential vital records for the first 75 years from the marriage date. During the period of confidentiality, the marriage certificate is restricted to eligible persons, usually persons with a direct and tangible interest in the certificate, such as the married couple, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and persons ordered by the courts. The general public does not have access to certified copies of marriage records during the confidentiality period.

How Much Do Hawaii Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $10 to order a certified copy of a Hawaii marriage certificate from the state DOH Vital Records Office. Additional copies ordered at the same time are charged at $10. For online requests, there is a $2.50 portal administration fee.

The standard processing time for mail requests is 6 to 8 weeks. Online requests are processed slightly faster at 4-6 weeks. However, in-person requests at the State Vital Records Office may be processed on the same day if requested during business hours.

The Vital Records Office in Hawaii does not offer an official expedited process ig option for marriage records. The standard processing time applies regardless of the request method.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Hawaii?

Although state law makes marriage records confidential in Hawaii, the certificate cannot be made permanently confidential. Hawaii does not recognize confidential marriages, where couples can keep their marriage details private indefinitely. All marriage records in Hawaii become standard public records once the confidentiality period expires. Similarly, the state offers no legal mechanism to seal marriage records for privacy reasons.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Hawaii Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of a Hawaii marriage record is important for numerous legal and personal reasons, such as immigration or travel, claiming tax and insurance benefits, validating rights in probate matters, changing legal names, and processing divorce.

You may verify the authenticity of your Hawaii marriage records at the state DOH Vital Records Office. Generally, you may visit the office to view the original marriage certificate to ensure it is a replica of the document you possess. In addition, you may request certified copies of the record. Certified copies contain security features that guarantee the document's legitimacy.

A certified true copy of a Hawaii marriage certificate has a unique certificate number and carries the signature of the State Registrar. It has a raised or embossed seal from the Hawaii DOH and a Registrar Certification Statement declaring the document a true and correct copy. Certified copies of marriage certificates are usually printed on security paper with a watermarked Hawaii state seal, visible under light, preventing easy duplication of the document.

Can I Find Hawaii Marriage Records Online for Free?

Generally, only eligible individuals may access certified copies of Hawaii marriage records for a fee. Therefore, persons ineligible under state law may still access the document from alternative non-governmental platforms, which offer the public online access to informational copies of the documents at no cost.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy platform that offers a vast collection of indexed records and digitized images of the original Hawaii marriage certificates from 1842 to 1933. You may access information such as the names of the bride and groom, marriage dates, and location at no cost.

Ancestry.com's collection of historical marriage records includes scanned images of original marriage certificates and indexes. The database provides information, such as names, ages, marriage dates, and officiant names. Hawaii marriage certificates and indexes in its repository span from 1841 to 1944.

Hawaii State Archives houses vital statistics collections, including marriage records organized by county. It provides free access to marriage indexes from 1832 to 1929.

PublicRecords.us is a trusted third-party platform that hosts a vast repository of public records, including Hawaii marriage records. Its repository consists primarily of morn current marriage records aggregated from public records from various sources. It offers basic marriage information such as the couple's names, marriage date, and county of marriage, at no cost. Detailed access may require a minimal fee.

What Is Required to Get a Hawaii Marriage License?

To apply for a marriage license in Hawaii, both parties must meet certain state requirements and submit appropriate documentation to obtain the license. Generally, they include:

• Complete an online application, pay the marriage license fee online, and save your Authorization Code/Locator ID.
• Appear before an authorized agent together, not later than 30 days before your ceremony date.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicants under 19 may present a copy of their birth certificate and parental consent.
• Present a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of original divorce decree or death certificate presented to the agent if either party to the marriage was previously married and the event occurred less than 30 days before collecting the license.

The marriage license application fee in Hawaii is $60, with an additional $5 for portal fees. The online application is valid for one year. If the couple does not present the document to an agent, the application and fees expire. The couple has to reapply for the license online and pay the fees.

There is no waiting period in Hawaii. Once the agent issues the marriage license, the couple may get married immediately. Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days. If unused after 30 days, the license expires and cannot be extended. The couple must reapply for a new marriage license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Hawaii?

Hawaii permits corrections to marriage licenses and certificates for specific types of errors, including:

• Typographical errors, including misspelled names, incorrect date of birth, or wrong addresses
• Factual mistakes, such as errors in parental names, birthplaces, or marital status
• Administrative mistakes, such as missing or incorrect officiant signatures
• Name change

Amending a Hawaii Marriage License

If you discover an error on your marriage license before the ceremony, you must return the document to the same eHawaii Marriage Record System (EMRS) agent who issued your license to have it corrected. Both applicants must appear together with valid government-issued photo IDs and their Locator ID. Clearly state each erroneous information and provide the correct data. The agent will update the EMRS database and generate a new marriage license at no extra cost.

Amending a Hawaii Marriage Certificate

In Hawaii, an existing marriage certificate may be amended to correct or modify entries by writing an application to the State DOH Office of Health Status Monitoring, Corrections Section. State the existing details as they appear on the certified marriage certificate, then specify exactly how each item should read. Have the affidavit signed in front of a notary public. Include documents that support the correct information, such as birth certificates, driver's licenses, or a court order. Submit the amendment request to the Correction Section. There is a $3 fee charged for each request for amendment on a certificate.