Hawaii Marriage License Guide – Step by Step Instructions

Hawaii’s breathtaking beaches and welcoming aloha spirit make it one of the most romantic places in the world to wed. What makes it even better? Getting married here is surprisingly easy. There’s no waiting period, no residency rule, and no witnesses required. Your marriage will be legally recognized everywhere; all you need is a license. Follow these quick steps, and you’ll be ready to get married in Hawaii!

Quick Facts At A Glance

• Eligibility: Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
• Cost: $65 when paid online ($60 application + $5 portal fee); in-person payment is $70 cash.
• Application window: Fill out the application and apply up to one year in advance
• Appointment window: You must meet an agent within 30 days of your ceremony
• License validity: Valid immediately for all islands, but expires 30 days after issuance.
• Documents needed: Government-issued photo IDs; certified divorce/death decrees if a prior marriage ended within the last 30 days; minors under 18 need a birth certificate and parental consent.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Getting Your Hawaii Marriage License

1. Check Eligibility and Gather Your Documents

Verify that both applicants meet the age and relationship requirements (18+ and not closer than first cousins). Gather government-issued photo IDs for both of you. If a previous marriage ended within the last 30 days, bring the certified divorce or death certificate. Applicants aged 16–17 need written parental consent.

See more information from the Hawaii Department of Health here.

2. Complete The Online Application

Go to Hawaii’s Electronic Marriage and Civil Union Registration System to fill out the application. You can do this up to a year before your wedding. Pay the $65 fee (via credit card) and save your Locator ID/Authorization Code for later.

Complete the application here online.

You can also fill out the paper version of the Hawaii Marriage License Application located here (hand written): https://goo.gl/F0hxZf or the Hawaii Civil Union Application located here (hand written): https://goo.gl/EAMQA and bring them to your marriage license appointment. 

3. Schedule Your In‑Person Appointment

Within 30 days of your ceremony, book an appointment with a marriage license agent (available on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, Molokaʻi, and Lāna‘i) or at the Department of Health office. Appointments are required and usually last 20–30 minutes. If you didn’t pay online, bring $70 in cash.

Schedule your appointment here.

For information about agents on all islands, please see the Current List of Agents.

Bring to your licensing appointment:

• $70 cash (unless paid online with a credit card already)
• Completed paper application or printed receipt from your online application
• Driver’s License, Military ID or Passport (Birth Certificate required if you are under 18)
•  Both people who will be involved in the marriage or civil union must attend the marriage license appointment

4. Attend the Appointment Together

Both partners must appear in person, bringing your IDs, Locator ID or paper application, and any required documentation. The agent will verify your information and issue your license immediately.

5. Hold Your Ceremony and File the License

Bring the physical license to your ceremony; your officiant must see it before the ceremony and will file it afterward on your behalf. Hawaii does not require witnesses, and ensure your officiant is licensed by the State of Hawaii.

6. Receive Your Certified Marriage Certificate

After your officiant files the paperwork, you can often see a temporary record online within a few days, and your certified marriage certificate will arrive by mail in about 4–6 weeks. For faster processing, you can request expedited copies if needed.

7. International Considerations

If one or both of you reside outside the U.S., check your country’s requirements; some require an apostille to recognize the certificate. Hawaii’s Department of Health can assist with obtaining this.

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FAQ On Obtaining A Marriage License In Hawaii

“How long will the marriage license be valid for?”

The Hawaii marriage license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance; after that, it automatically becomes null and void. The license is valid for any of the Hawaiian islands.

“How long does a marriage appointment last, and where does it take place?“

Call a marriage license agent before you arrive on the island to make an appointment. A marriage license appointment lasts about 30 minutes.

Here is the state of Hawaii marriage license agent list compiled for all the islands (Maui, Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai, Hawaii -Big Island). http://health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords/ license-agents/

“Is the license valid for all the Hawaiian Islands or just the one where you obtained the license?”

Any agent within the state of Hawaii can authorize your form to wed on all islands.

If you’re planning on getting married on another island than the one where you got your marriage license, that’s fine. Please ensure you bring your approved form to your marriage ceremony. 

“We live in another country. How do we make it legal?”

If you live in a country outside the United States, you will need what is called an apostille, which is a document authenticating your marriage license in the United States, therefore making it legal in your home country.

“We live in a country that will require an Apostille to make the marriage license legal — what do we do?“

When you make your appointment with the license agent, let them know that you will need an apostille and ask if you need to do anything ahead of time to make that happen.

You may also want to notify your officiant. Then, when you meet with the agent, they can give you the forms and instructions to request an apostille. Below is a link to a list of countries that accept an apostille for the authentication of marriage licenses, so they will be accepted as legal documents and therefore legal proof of marriage in their home country.

For more information, learn more about requiring an apostille.

“Do we need to bring the license to our wedding?”

Bring your Marriage License WITH YOU to your wedding! Your minister or officiant will complete it and file the license with the State of Hawaii.

“Is there a waiting period between meeting our agent and having our wedding ceremony?”

No, you can get married right after your license appointment. Some couples meet with the agent the same day as their wedding, but we suggest doing it at least the day before to have one less thing to worry about.

“Online, it says my license is valid for only 30 days – does that mean I need to wait 30 days before completing the online or paper form?”

The 30-day timeframe is how early you can meet with the agent before your wedding. You can complete the online form up to a year before that. You’ll just need to have your wedding within 30 days of meeting with the agent on the island.

“We will already be legally married — do we need to do anything in Hawaii for our marriage?”

No, if you’ve already had a legal ceremony back home or elsewhere, or are planning to make the marriage legal later, you can have a ceremonious wedding that would be just like if you were actually making it legal here. You also don’t need to bring anything to prove that you’re already legally married.

“What is the telephone number to call and get Hawaii marriage License information?”

+1 (808) 586-4545

Information on Hawaii marriage licenses may be obtained via the telephone system, any day or any time, by calling the number above.

“How do we receive our Hawaii marriage license?”

After your wedding, it takes about 3 weeks for the license to be processed, plus the time it takes for the certified copy to be mailed to you.

The state actually quotes a delivery of the marriage license of 60-120 days after the marriage has been performed. You can access it online sooner, but you will need the certified copy in order to make any legal name changes.

If you wish to receive your Hawaii marriage license sooner, ask the marriage license agent about paying for an expedited copy, which is currently a cost of $10.

Still have questions? Send us an email today!