GETTING YOUR HAWAI‘I MARRIAGE LICENSE
At Beach Glass Weddings, it is our privilege to make your entire wedding experience as seamless as possible. Every wedding package we offer includes assistance with coordinating your Hawai‘i marriage license appointment so the process feels simple and stress-free.
Prior to your wedding date, we will:
Provide you with the link to Hawai‘i’s online marriage license application
Guide you through the application process if needed
Coordinate your marriage license appointment
Help you choose the most convenient license agent based on your travel plans
After completing the online application, simply send us your Locator ID and we will take care of the appointment coordination for you.
Hawai‘i’s Marriage License Process
To legally marry in Hawai‘i, both applicants must appear together in person before an authorized marriage license agent and present a valid government-issued photo ID. Hawai‘i does not allow applications by mail or proxy.
We recommend completing the online application before traveling to Hawai‘i. The online application is valid for 1 year.
Your marriage license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued and may only be used within the State of Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i does not require a blood test, witnesses, or a waiting period, which makes it one of the easiest places in the United States to elope.
If either of you has been previously married, your divorce must be finalized before applying for a new marriage license. Hawai‘i does not require a waiting period after divorce. However, if your divorce was finalized within 30 days of applying for your marriage license, you may need to present a certified copy of your divorce decree at your appointment.
What Does This Mean for My Travel Plans?
When making your travel arrangements, we recommend arriving in Hawai‘i at least one business day before your wedding to allow time for your marriage license appointment.
Some marriage license agents are based at hotels and resorts, which can help make scheduling more convenient depending on where you are staying.
Please note that government offices are closed on weekends, Hawai‘i state holidays, and federal holidays. Private marriage license agents are often available outside regular business hours, though weekend availability can sometimes be limited.
Is There a Cost to Apply?
Yes. The State of Hawai‘i charges a $65 marriage license fee, which is paid directly through the online application system.
If you are traveling from outside the United States, you may need additional documentation, such as an apostille, to have your marriage officially recognized in your home country.
For A Marriage License Appointment, Call:
Kailua Kona
Labuen-Enos, Carla Kailua Kona 808-319-7182
Matele, Puamelia Kailua Kona 808-325-8072
Tanimoto, Sheena Kailua Kona 808-238-6666
Howard-Gillaspie, Kimberly Kailua Kona 808-854-4246
Balanay, Monica Kaupulehu Kona no number
Kamuela
Brandt, Tiffany Kamuela 808-887-8114
Spencer, Lahela Kamuela 808-989-3182
HiloDelfin, Rose Hilo 808-640-6179
Kuwahara, Letisha Hilo 808-974-6008
How to Obtain Your Hawaii Marriage Certificate with Apostille
A Step-by-Step Guide for International Couples
If you were married in Hawaii and your home country requires an apostille to recognize your marriage, you will need a certified Hawaii marriage certificate with an apostille.
An apostille is an official certification that verifies the authenticity of your marriage certificate for use in countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention.
You can request your certified marriage certificate and apostille together. You do not need to wait for your marriage certificate to arrive in the mail.
Please follow the instructions below after your wedding.
Step 1 — Your Marriage Is Registered
After your wedding, your officiant will electronically submit your marriage information to the State of Hawaii.
Once your marriage has been recorded, you can request your certified marriage certificate and apostille.
You do not need to order a marriage certificate separately before requesting your apostille.
Step 2 — Complete the Marriage Certificate Request Form
Download the official form from the Hawaii Department of Health:
Download Marriage Certificate Request Form (PDF)
Complete the form with the following information:
Both spouses' full legal names as listed on the marriage license
Date and location of your wedding
Your contact information and mailing address
Your relationship to the person named on the certificate
Reason for request: Write "Apostille for use in [name of your country]"
Your signature
Cost of Certified Marriage Certificate:
First certified copy: $10.00
Administrative fee: $2.50
Each additional copy: $4.00
Total for one certified copy: $12.50
Include a money order or cashier's check in US dollars for the exact amount, payable to:
Hawaii State Department of Health
Personal checks, cash, and credit card payments are not accepted for the mailed marriage certificate request.
Step 3 — Apply for Your Apostille Online
Visit the Hawaii Office of the Lieutenant Governor's official online apostille application:
Start Your Apostille Application
Complete the online apostille application.
Identify your document as a Hawaii marriage certificate.
Enter the country where your marriage certificate will be used.
Select the option to have your completed documents mailed back to you.
Pay the $3.00 apostille fee online by credit card.
Check your email for the payment receipt and a separate email containing your application.
Print the document titled "Application Document."
Important: You must include the printed Application Document with your marriage certificate request when mailing your paperwork.
You can have copies made at Office Max
If you paid the apostille fee online, do not include an additional $3.00 payment. You do not need to include your payment receipt.
The apostille fee is $3.00 through December 31, 2026, and increases to $5.00 on January 1, 2027.
Step 4 — Prepare Your Prepaid Return Envelope
The Hawaii Department of Health requires a self-addressed, prepaid, stamped return envelope to return your completed certified marriage certificate with apostille.
This is especially important for couples who live outside the United States.
How to prepare your return envelope:
Obtain a large envelope suitable for mailing official documents. We recommend a document-size envelope to avoid folding your certificate.
Write your full name and home mailing address on the envelope, including your country and postal code.
Purchase sufficient US postage for international delivery from Hawaii to your home country.
Affix the postage to the return envelope.
Leave the return envelope unsealed.
Place it inside the larger envelope containing your applications and supporting documents.
Important for International Couples:
We recommend visiting a United States Postal Service (USPS) office before leaving Hawaii. Explain that you need a prepaid return envelope for official documents being mailed from Hawaii to your home country.
The postal clerk can help determine the required international postage based on the envelope's size, weight, and destination.
Postage stamps from your home country cannot be used for return mail originating in Hawaii.
If you have already returned home and cannot obtain prepaid US postage, contact the Hawaii Department of Health to confirm acceptable international return shipping arrangements before mailing your application.
Step 5 — Prepare Your Complete Application Package
Before mailing, make sure you include all of the following:
Completed and signed Marriage Certificate Request Form
Printed Apostille Application Document from the Lieutenant Governor's online portal
Photocopy of the requesting spouse's government-issued photo ID, such as a valid passport
Money order or cashier's check payable to Hawaii State Department of Health for the certified marriage certificate ($12.50 for one copy)
Apostille fee payment, only if you have not already paid online
Self-addressed, prepaid return envelope with sufficient US postage for delivery to your home country
Step 6 — Mail Everything to the Hawaii Department of Health
Place all your paperwork, payment, and prepaid return envelope together in one mailing envelope.
Mail to:
Hawaii State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Vital Records Issuance Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
USA
Do not mail anything separately to the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
The Hawaii Department of Health will prepare your certified marriage certificate and forward it to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for the apostille.
The completed documents will then be returned using the prepaid return envelope you provided.
We recommend using a mailing service with tracking when sending your application.
Step 7 — Receive Your Apostilled Marriage Certificate
The Hawaii Department of Health advises that apostille requests can take 3–4 weeks for processing, plus mailing time.
Please allow additional time for international delivery and possible processing delays.
Once you receive your certified Hawaii marriage certificate with the attached apostille, you can present it to the appropriate government authorities in your home country.
Some countries also require a certified translation of the marriage certificate. Please check with the local authorities in your country to confirm their requirements.
Government Fees
ServiceFeeFirst certified marriage certificate$10.00Administrative fee$2.50Apostille (2026)$3.00Total (2026)$15.50
The apostille fee increases to $5.00 on January 1, 2027, bringing the total to $17.50 for one certified certificate with apostille.
Additional copies, mailing costs, and applicable online payment processing fees are not included.
Questions or Additional Assistance
For questions regarding your certified marriage certificate, apostille application, or international return shipping, please contact:
Hawaii Department of Health — Vital Records
Phone: +1 (808) 586-4539, option 2
Official Hawaii Department of Health Apostille Instructions
Office of the Lieutenant Governor — Apostille Information
Information verified October 2026. Government fees, application procedures, and processing times are subject to change. These instructions are provided as a courtesy to our international couples. Please confirm your home country's document recognition and translation requirements with the appropriate authorities.
