About Hawaii Marriage Licenses Last updated:
04/19/2008 09:10:01 PM
Hawaii is a beautiful
place and a marriage here is an ideal way for a couple to start a life
together. You may be a visitor to the Islands, drawn to our year-round warm
and sunny weather, or you may be a resident wishing to celebrate a most
cherished moment in a place that you call home. Whoever you are, we welcome
you and hope that we can make your wedding day as free from worry as
possible. Aloha and best wishes!
For any person to
lawfully marry in the State of Hawaii, a license for that purpose must be
obtained from an authorized agent (HRS §572-1.7). Once the license has been
issued, there is no waiting period before the marriage can take place.
A marriage license and
marriage certificate are
different documents. The marriage license permits a marriage to take place.
The marriage certificate indicates that a legal marriage has been performed.
The marriage certificate
is prepared and filed by your licensed marriage officiate or performer with the Department of Health. A newly married
couple receives one (1) certified copy of the marriage certificate at no
extra charge, upon payment of the marriage license fee, which will be sent
to the couple by mail (60-120 days) after the marriage has been performed.
If a marriage certificate is needed sooner than this, you can apply for one
or more additional certified copies.
-
How to
obtain additional copies of the marriage certificate.
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Marriage performers must
be duly licensed by and in the State of Hawaii to perform the marriage
ceremony. If desired, you may request the marriage performer to present
his/her license for your inspection. Our officiates are licensed.
Who is Eligible to Apply
for a Marriage License?
- There are no
state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
- Blood tests
are not required.
- The legal age
to marry is 18 years for both males and females.
- Males or
females of 16 or 17 years of age who wish to marry require the written
consent of both parents, legal guardian, or the
family court. The parents or legal guardian do not have to be residents of
the state. Consent forms may be obtained from a marriage license agent.
- Males or
females of 15 years of age who wish to marry require the written consent of
both parents or legal guardian, and the written
approval of a judge of the family court. The parents or legal guardian do
not have to be residents of the state. Consent forms may be obtained from a
marriage license agent.
- Proof of age
is required. A certified copy of a birth certificate must be presented for
anyone 18 years of age or under. A valid I.D. or driver’s license may be
presented for anyone 19 years of age or over.
- Cousins may
marry. However, the blood relationship between the prospective bride and
groom cannot be closer than first cousins.
How to Apply for a Marriage
License:
The
prospective bride and groom must appear together in person before a
marriage license agent to apply for a marriage license. Proxies are not
allowed.
The
prospective bride and groom should be prepared to provide the necessary
proof of age and present any required written consents and approvals.
All of the necessary documents should be obtained prior to applying for a
marriage license.
The
prospective bride and groom must prepare an official application and file
the application in person with the marriage license agent. Applications
are provided by the marriage license agent or may be downloaded from this
site (see below). The application will not be accepted if sent by either
postal mail or e-mail.
Upon
approval, a marriage license is issued at the time the application is
made.
The marriage
license costs $60.00, payable in cash at the time the
application is made.
The marriage
license is good only in, but is valid throughout, the State of Hawaii.
The marriage
license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance,
after which it automatically becomes null and void.
If you do not
get married within the 30 days, return the unused license in the
pre-addressed envelope provided to you for invalidation.
- Marriage license
applications for downloading are in Adobe Acrobat portable document format
(PDF).
Download marriage license application
(25kb)
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