We want to get married in Hawaii. What are the legal requirements?
In order to be legally married in Hawaii, you must apply for a marriage license from an authorized agent. The Department of Health oversees the licensing process and has information on who is an authorized agent for each island.
CLICK THE LINK TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE
The links below will take you to the county website where the city is located. Not all counties have forms on their site and might only list a contact and phone number.
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What does the application process consist of?
Both the bride and groom must appear in person to apply for the license.
Questions that the application asks for both parties include basic information such as:
• Full name and address
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Social security number
• Father’s full name and mother’s full maiden name
If the bride or groom has been married before, you will also need to give details about that marriage, such as how it ended, the date it ended, and where. If the marriage ended less than 30 days before you apply for your new marriage license, then you must also provide a certified copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse.
What else do we need to bring with us?
Identification is required for all applicants. If the applicant is 18 years old or younger, they must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate. For applicants that are at least 19 years old, a state issued driver’s license or passport will suffice.
When should we apply for the license?
Once you receive the license, you can marry immediately. However, the license is only good for 30 days after it is issued. Therefore, you should apply for the license no more than 30 days before the scheduled date of your wedding. Otherwise, the license will expire and any marriage using the license will not be legally recognized.
Is there a fee for the license?
Yes, you must pay $60 when filing your marriage license application for the license to be issued. This fee covers the marriage license that you need to legally marry. The license will be sent back to the Department of Health after the ceremony by the wedding officiant to officially record the marriage. Hawaii will also provide you with a complimentary marriage certificate that serves a legal record that the marriage took place. The certificate will be sent to you 60-120 days after the ceremony for your own records.