Everything you need to know to get a Hawaii marriage license and get married in Hawaii

It’s very simple and easy to get married in Hawaii.  You do not need any witnesses, and the process for obtaining your marriage license is straightforward, simple, and low cost.

Here are the steps-

1. 1. Apply for your marriage license online
   2. Make an appointment with an authorized license agent
   3. Go to your appointment in person
   4. Have your wedding ceremony
   5. Receive your marriage certificate in the mail

1. Apply for your marriage license online 

You will go to the state of Hawaii Health Department website to apply for your marriage license.  It is $65 to apply which you pay directly to the state.  You can fill out this application up to one year prior to your wedding date, after a year it expires and you would need to complete a new one.  Once you have completed it, they will provide you with a “Locator ID” reference number.  Take note of this number as you will need it for the next step.  Below is the link to the application-

Marriage License Application- State of Hawaii

2. Make an appointment with an authorized license agent

Once you have completed the application and have your reference number, you are ready to make an appointment with an authorized license agent.  Each island has a handful of license agents, and they are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours.  However, many of them will work on the weekends, so be sure to check with the ones on your island to see if they would be available.  Below is the list of all the current license agents in Hawaii by island-

Marriage License Agents by island

3. Go to your appointment in person

Yes, you must meet with your license agent in person, and it needs to be within 30 days of your wedding date.  The appointment is quick and easy and usually takes no more than 15 minutes.  They will check your ID’s (driver’s license is good), look over your application, and provide you with your actual marriage license (a physical piece of paper).  This is what you must take with you to your wedding ceremony.  There is an agent fee of $5 cash (some take venmo) so be sure to bring some cash with you.  There is no waiting period after your receive your license to have your ceremony, you could do it the same day if you needed to (we recommend at least the next day so you have less to think about).  It must be done within 30 days of when you went to your appointment.

4. Have your wedding ceremony

Be sure to remember to bring your marriage license paper to your actual wedding ceremony.  Your officiant will perform your ceremony, and then afterwards the two of you plus your officiant will sign it.  From there, your officiant will take the license and file the information online with the state of Hawaii.  

5. Receive your marriage certificate in the mail

After your officiant files the information, you can view a temporary record of the marriage usually within a few days online.  Then your official marriage certificate will arrive by mail in about 4-6 weeks, and you are officially and legally married!

For more information be sure to check out the State of Hawaii Health Department website-

State of Hawaii Marriage and Civil Union Licenses

If you have a friend of family member who you would like to marry you and legally perform your ceremony, be sure to check out our resource How to Officiate a Wedding or Elopement in Hawaii Legally.  It has all the information that they need to know to register with the State of Hawaii, it’s pretty simple too.

And if you are looking for officiants to marry you on the island of Maui, be sure to check out our resource with the 20 Best Wedding and Elopement Officiants on Maui.

 

xx, Tara Lee

 

Tara Lee Photography is a destination wedding and elopement photographer based in Maui, Hawaii. From spectacular wedding celebrations to small adventure elopements across Hawaii and beyond.

Follow us on social media for Hawaii wedding & elopement photo inspiration @taralee.photography

Interested in hearing more about photography for your Maui wedding or elopement? Click here to learn more and here to get in touch!