How to Get Married in Hawaii (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Hawaii · Last updated 2026-05-18
Getting married in Hawaii means working through Hawaii-specific rules on the marriage license, the timing around it, and the ceremony itself. The waiting-period rule reads as follows: 0 days. License validity in Hawaii: 30 days. The state's common-law-marriage rule: Common-law marriages invalid. This guide walks the Hawaii marriage-license steps, the documents required, and the officiant rules that apply.
Key Considerations
Hawaii also imposes timing rules on either side of license issuance. The waiting period (if any) controls how soon after the license is issued the ceremony can lawfully occur: 0 days. See the state agency website. The validity window controls how long the license remains good: 30 days. Couples should calendar both dates against the planned ceremony date.
Once the license clears, two more Hawaii rules govern whether the marriage is legally formed. Common-law recognition: Common-law marriages invalid. Authorized officiants: § 572-12. Couples eloping in Hawaii or using an out-of-state officiant should confirm both before the ceremony.
Hawaii marriage-license applicants face two upfront filters: how much the license costs and whether both applicants meet the age requirement. Fee side: $65.00. See the state agency website. Age side: Whenever any person who is under the age of eighteen is to be married, the written consent of his or her parents, or guardian or other person in whose care and custody he or she may be, shall accompany the application for a license to marry. The state marriage code, not local custom, controls each one.
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Relevant Documents
A Hawaii marriage filing usually carries the marriage-license application, supporting identification documents, and any premarital-course completion certificate the couple intends to use for a fee or waiting-period reduction. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The Hawaii marriage-license fee is paid to the issuing clerk at the time the application is filed.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Hawaii Marriage License Requirements
In Hawaii, both parties must appear together before a marriage license agent to apply for a marriage license. The license costs $65 (payable in cash) and is valid for 30 days after issuance. No blood tests or waiting periods are required. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old, or have parental/legal guardian consent if between 16-17 years old (those under 16 cannot marry in Hawaii).
Hawaii Revised Statutes §572-1 - Requisites of Valid Marriage Contract
This statute defines the legal requirements for a valid marriage in Hawaii. It specifies that marriage is between two individuals without regard to gender, and both parties must consent to the marriage. This law is relevant as it establishes the fundamental legal basis for marriage in Hawaii since the state legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §572-5 - Marriage Ceremony Requirements
After obtaining a marriage license, the marriage must be performed by a licensed officiant (such as a minister, priest, judge, or person licensed by the state) within 30 days of license issuance. The ceremony must include the couple's declaration to take each other as husband and wife, or as spouses, and be witnessed by at least two persons over the age of 18.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §572-13 - Record of Solemnization
The officiant who performs the marriage ceremony must complete and sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Department of Health within three business days after the ceremony. This ensures the marriage is officially recorded with the state, which is crucial for legal recognition of the marriage.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §572B - Reciprocal Beneficiaries
Hawaii recognizes reciprocal beneficiary relationships, which provide certain rights to couples who cannot legally marry. While this may not directly apply to those getting married, it's important to understand the full spectrum of relationship recognition in Hawaii, especially for those who may have previously registered as reciprocal beneficiaries.
Regional Variances
Hawaii County
In Hawaii County, marriage licenses can be obtained from any authorized marriage license agent. The county has several agents across the island for convenience. There is a $65 fee for a marriage license, which is valid for 30 days from issuance. Both parties must appear together before the agent, and if either party was previously married, proof of divorce or death certificate may be required.
City and County of Honolulu
In Honolulu, marriage licenses are primarily issued through the Department of Health's office. The process is similar to other counties, requiring both parties to appear in person with valid ID. Honolulu offers more options for ceremony locations, including popular beaches like Waikiki and Ala Moana, but some locations may require special permits from the Department of Parks and Recreation if the wedding party exceeds a certain size.
Maui County
Maui County covers three islands: Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Marriage license agents are available on all three islands. For ceremonies on public beaches in Maui County, a permit may be required if the wedding party is large or if you plan to set up chairs, arches, or other structures. The county is particularly strict about beach wedding setups to protect the natural environment.
Kauai County
On Kauai, marriage licenses can be obtained from agents in Lihue and other locations. Kauai has specific regulations regarding beach weddings, particularly at popular locations like Hanalei Bay and Poipu Beach. Some beaches may have time restrictions for ceremonies, and commercial photography permits may be required separately from the marriage license.
Statewide Considerations
Throughout Hawaii, marriage licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance and can be used anywhere in the state, regardless of which county issued it. There is no waiting period after receiving the license, and ceremonies can be performed immediately. Hawaii recognizes same-sex marriages statewide. Blood tests are not required in any county. For non-residents, no residency requirement exists, making Hawaii a popular destination wedding location. However, all marriages must be performed by a licensed officiant registered with the state.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Submit the Hawaii marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after starting$65.00. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree.
Verify identification and any prior-marriage documents at the counter
Before the ceremony days after startingBoth applicants typically present current government photo ID; previously married applicants should bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate as proof the prior marriage has ended.
If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing.
Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date
Before applying days after starting30 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply.
Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony
Before the ceremony days after starting0 days. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day.
Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the Hawaii authorized-officiant list
At the ceremony days after starting§ 572-12. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside Hawaii should be confirmed against the Hawaii list, since reciprocity is not automatic.
Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office
After the ceremony days after startingThe officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit the Hawaii marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office | $65.00. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Verify identification and any prior-marriage documents at the counter | Both applicants typically present current government photo ID; previously married applicants should bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate as proof the prior marriage has ended. | - | Before the ceremony |
| If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date | 30 days. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply. | - | Before applying |
| Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony | 0 days. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the Hawaii authorized-officiant list | § 572-12. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside Hawaii should be confirmed against the Hawaii list, since reciprocity is not automatic. | - | At the ceremony |
| Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office | The officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
$65.00. Pricing is best confirmed against the issuing clerk's published fee schedule. In states with a premarital-course discount, the course-completion certificate is presented at the application appointment to claim the reduction.
0 days. If the state offers a premarital-course waiver of the waiting period, the course-completion certificate must be presented to the clerk at the application appointment to take advantage of the waiver.
Common-law marriages invalid. The practical test in Hawaii is whether the state's marriage code permits a marriage to be formed without a license and a ceremony; in most states it does not, and a couple that wants the legal status of marriage should plan on the license-plus-ceremony track.
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