How to Get Your Marriage License in Hawaii
Whether you’re planning a full size wedding, a micro-wedding, or even an elopement here on the islands of Hawaii there’s one common part of the planning process that every couple must take care of: getting their marriage license. This isn’t necessarily the most fun part of planning your wedding or elopement, but nevertheless it is essential. Thankfully, the Hawaiian islands have a pretty straightforward process when it comes to getting your marriage license, and we’re about to go through it step by step!
Step 1: Assure Your Eligibility
Before you can even start the application process for your marriage license in Hawaii you first must meet the requirements to receive said license. There are only 2 requirements that must be met, though there are some additional documents and pieces of information that you’ll need for later steps (which we’ll cover below!)
What You Need
You Both Must be Over the Age of 18 (Anyone Exactly 18 Must Present a Certified Birth Certificate)
You Must Not be Currently Married
Step 2: Apply for Your Marriage License Online
The next thing you’ll need to do is apply for the marriage license itself. With how popular it is for couples to plan a destination wedding or elopement in Hawaii, the state’s department of health has made this part of the process available online. This helps by allowing couples to start the application process before their trip to the islands begins, giving them more time to enjoy themselves instead of trying to acquire their marriage license.
What You Need
In order to apply online simply click this link and follow the directions on the Department of Health’s website. You’ll also need to pay the $65 fee for the application, but after that you are set here!
Note: Currently after applying online and paying the $65 fee you’ll then have the next calendar year to appear in person to receive your marriage license in Hawaii, which is the next step.
Step 3: Appear In-Person to Receive Your License
After applying online, ideally well before your trip to Hawaii, it’s time to receive your marriage license in-person. The main office is found on Oahu, but there are a number of offices and private agents throughout the islands that you can get your marriage license from. To schedule an appointment at the main office head to this link. For anyone looking to contact the offices of the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, or Molokai their numbers are as follows:
Big Island - (808) 974-6008
Kauai - (808) 241-3498
Maui - (808) 984-8210
Molokai - (808) 553-7870
Call the number of your chosen island to set up an appointment, or view the list of private agents here if you’d like to go that route.
What You Need
In order to receive your marriage license you’ll need to provide a few things when appearing at your in-person appointment, including:
Valid Forms of ID Such as a Driver’s License, Passport, or State Issued ID
Proof of Prior Divorce if Within the Past 30 Days
A Certified Copy of Any Legal Name Changes
Step 4: Have Your Ceremony
You’ve got your marriage license, now it’s time to celebrate your wedding or elopement here in Hawaii! There’s no waiting period for your license to be valid, so you can technically have your ceremony the same day you receive it. Once you do get your license it will be valid for the next 30 days, so your ceremony must take place within that time frame. After your ceremony, your officiant (known as a Marriage Performer here on the islands) will then submit your license to the department of health, at which point your marriage will be official!
A Note on Officiants and Witnesses
Here in Hawaii there’s no need for witnesses to be present for your ceremony, all you need for your marriage to be valid is a registered Marriage Performer. There are plenty of talented wedding performers throughout the islands, but if you have someone specific in mind that you’d like to officiate your ceremony be sure to have them register to do so. Send them this link where they can follow the process to become a registered performer for your ceremony!
Those are all the steps you need in order to get your marriage license here in Hawaii. As I mentioned before it is a very straightforward process which I love for couples looking to celebrate their love here amidst the beauty of the islands. For more wedding planning tips and info be sure to check out some of my other articles in my journal, and for anyone wanting to have me document their wedding or elopement head to my contact page to send me an inquiry today.
