Process for Obtaining a Hawaii Marriage License

To marry legally in Hawaii, you must first acquire a Hawaii marriage license. From time to time, the rules on applying for it may vary, and these rules may also be slightly different from one county to another. So it is always better to check them out at the County Clerk of Court's office to learn about updated regulations before submitting your application.

You'll typically need to apply for your Hawaii marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. When you are doing this, you will have to send in both of your birth certificates, tax information and other official documents. Besides proof of identification and age, these documents must include all information about previous marriages as well, if any.

You will need a witness to your application, so bring your maid of honor or best man along. Brides need to specify the married names that will go on their marriage certificates when they apply for their marriage license. A marriage license in Hawaii is valid for 30 days, and can be used only within Hawaii.

To qualify for a Hawaii marriage license, two proofs of ID must be produced from among a driver’s license, birth certificate, a U. S. passport, Armed Forces ID card, or Resident Alien ID card.

Both the bride and groom must complete a Marriage License Application Form that can be downloaded or available from a Hawaii marriage license agent, with whom it must be filed in person – not sent by postal service or e-mail. Upon approval, a marriage license is issued.

Please Remember the Following:

•    Currently, you do not have to be a Hawaii resident or a U.S. citizen to apply
•    Hawaii does not stipulate any waiting period
•    Hawaii marriage license fees are $60, payable by cash only
•    Blood tests are not required

The legal age of marriage is 18 years for both men and women. Proof of age is a requirement – a certified copy of the birth certificate must be presented for anyone likely to be around that age.  Anyone aged 19 or over should present a valid ID or driver’s license.

Applicants under 18 years of age must have written consent from both the parents, the legal guardian or from a family court. Those of age 15 must also have a written consent of both the parents or a legal guardian and a judge of the family court. Consent forms may be obtained from a marriage license agent.

Proxy marriages are not allowed in Hawaii. Cousins may marry in the state, but the blood relationship between bride and groom cannot be closer than first cousin. The Hawaii Gay Marriage Bureau has a registration, referral and informational forum on same-sex marriages.

Do also remember that your marriage license does not mean you are married. That happens only after the wedding official has signed and sent it to the State Department of Health. If it is a church marriage, any minister authorized by his or her church to perform the wedding will do that.

A newly married couple receives one certified copy of the marriage certificate if they have paid the marriage license fee, which will be sent to the couple by mail (it could take anywhere between 60 to 120 days) once the wedding has taken place. If you need it sooner, you can apply for one or more additional certified copies.