Hawaii Marriage License FAQ

Complete the quick marriage license application with the State of Hawaii. You must do this online before in order to receive a LOCATOR ID.  Follow this link for the application:

https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/application-type.html?

Our office is located in the Kahala area - very close to Kahala Mall. The address is:

4819 Kilauea Avenue

It is mandatory to meet in person to be issued a marriage license. At the meeting we will go over your details to ensure all your personal information is correct on the marriage application. You will both also need to provide a valid government issued ID such as a driver's license or passport.

A valid government issued ID and $50 cash payment.

Any one of the following:
- Driver's License

- State ID

- Passport

Only if you were divorce within 30 days of our meeting.  If you have been divorced for longer than 30 days, it will not be necessary.

Once you have your marriage license, you are legally able to get married by a licensed officiant. You can have a ceremony, an elopement or even just sign legal paperwork with the officiant. Hawaii Wedding Studio offers all of those options.

https://www.hawaiicivilwedding.com/

Yes, you can. Hawaii does not have a U.S. citizenship or residency requirement to get married. As long as you and your partner meet the eligibility requirements and have valid government-issued photo IDs, you can apply for a marriage license in Hawaii.

Here's a breakdown:

• Marriage: A marriage is a legal union between two people that is recognized by both the state and federal governments. This means that a married couple has access to a wide range of benefits, rights, and protections at both levels, including:
  
  • The ability to file federal taxes jointly.
  • Eligibility for Social Security and other federal benefits.
  • Immigration rights, such as the ability to petition for a foreign spouse to become a permanent resident.
  • Consistent legal recognition across all 50 states.
• Civil Union: A civil union is a legal status granted by a state, but it is generally not recognized by the federal government. While it may provide many of the same legal protections and benefits as a marriage at the state level, it does not offer the same federal protections. This can lead to significant differences, such as:
  
  • Inability to file federal taxes jointly.
  • Lack of access to federal benefits, such as Social Security survivor benefits.
  • Uncertainty about whether the union will be recognized if the couple moves to a different state.
  • The term and legal status of civil unions can vary significantly from state to state.

Historically, civil unions were created in some states as a way to provide legal recognition to same-sex couples before same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2015 made same-sex marriage legal across the country. Marriage now offers all couples the full range of both state and federal rights.