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

Great news! In just 3 business days after your wedding officiant certifies your marriage online, the Hawaii Department of Health will send you an email. This email is your official confirmation that your marriage has been recorded with the state and will include a link to download and print your Hawaii Marriage Certificate. Don't worry, a hard copy is also on its way and should reach you by mail in about 3-4 weeks.

When you pay, make sure to save the Locator ID # that appears on your receipt. This is your key to accessing your marriage certificate online whenever you need it.

Once you have your certificate, you're all set to use it for all sorts of important things, like changing your name on legal documents, adding your spouse to your health benefits, applying for housing (if you're in the military), and so much more.

Here is what your certificate will look like. Click here.

The State of Hawaii will mail you one official certified copy of your marriage certificate at no extra cost. This is an automatic process, and you can expect it to arrive in about 30 days after your ceremony.

If you need your marriage certificate before the standard 30 day delivery time, you can request a rush copy for an additional fee.

As soon as your wedding officiant certifies your marriage online, you have two options for getting your rushed copy:

• Pick it up in person: You can collect your certificate directly.
• Have it mailed to you.

When you pay, make sure to save the Locator ID # that appears on your receipt. This is your key to accessing your marriage certificate online whenever you need it.

Once you have your certificate, you're all set to use it for all sorts of important things, like changing your name on legal documents, adding your spouse to your health benefits, applying for housing (if you're in the military), and so much more.

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. Divorce decree if recently divorced (within a month prior)

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.

When you picked up your marriage license, the agent asked you both to review the information for any spelling errors or other mistakes.

If you don't notice a mistake until after you've received your Hawaii Marriage Certificate, you'll need to contact the Hawaii Department of Health at (808) 586-4545 to make the corrections. They're available to help from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hawaii Time.