Hawaii Marriage License: Step-by-Step Guide for 2027
By the Hawaii Vendors team · 4 min read ·
Everything you need to get legally married in Hawaii: how to apply, what it costs, what to bring to your license appointment, and what happens after you say “I do.”
Getting a Hawaii marriage license is simpler than most couples expect, even if you’re flying in from the mainland a few days before the wedding. There’s no blood test, no waiting period, and no residency requirement. There is, however, one step you can’t do from home: you both have to meet a state marriage license agent in person before the ceremony. Here’s exactly how the process works in 2027, what it costs, and how to fit it into a destination wedding week on Oʻahu.
Requirements come from the Hawaii State Department of Health and can change. Confirm the details on the Department of Health marriage license page before your wedding. Last checked September 2026.
Who can get married in Hawaii?
Anyone 18 or older can get a marriage license in Hawaii. You don’t need to live in Hawaii, and you don’t need to be a U.S. citizen. Hawaii doesn’t require blood tests, and there’s no waiting period between getting your license and holding the ceremony.
If either of you was previously married and the divorce was finalized within 30 days of picking up your license, bring proof of the original divorce decree. The same applies to a death certificate if a previous spouse passed away within that window.
Step 1: Apply online
Start with the Department of Health’s online application at emrs.ehawaii.gov. You’ll enter both of your details and pay the $65 fee ($60 for the license plus a $5 portal fee). The fee is non-refundable, so double-check your names and dates before you submit.
When you finish, you’ll get an authorization code (also called a locator ID). Write it down or print it. The license agent will use it to pull up your application.
Step 2: Meet a marriage license agent together
This is the step couples most often forget to plan for. Both of you must appear together, in person, before a marriage license agent to pick up your license. Proxies aren’t allowed.
Bring:
A valid government-issued photo ID for each of you (passport, driver’s license, or state ID)
Your authorization code from the online application
A divorce decree or death certificate, if either applies within the 30-day window above
Timing matters. You can meet with an agent no sooner than 30 days before your ceremony, and the license is void if you don’t marry within 30 days of getting it. For destination couples, that usually means booking an agent appointment for the first day or two after you land.
The Department of Health keeps a list of licensed agents across the islands on its license agents page. Many wedding planners know agents who work with their couples regularly, and this is one of the easiest things to hand off to a coordinator.
Step 3: Have a licensed officiant perform the ceremony
Every marriage in Hawaii has to be performed by an officiant who is licensed by the State of Hawaii. That includes a friend or relative you’d like to marry you. They can register online through the state’s marriage performer system. Have them do it well ahead of the wedding so there are no surprises.
Your Hawaii marriage license is only valid for a ceremony held in Hawaii. You can marry on any island, so a license picked up in Honolulu works for a ceremony on the North Shore or on Maui.
After the ceremony: your marriage certificate
After the wedding, your officiant records the ceremony details with the Department of Health through its online system. The Department notes that a temporary certificate becomes available about two business days after a registered officiant completes that step.
For official, certified copies of your marriage certificate, which you’ll need for a name change, order online through the state’s vital records portal. The fees are $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy, plus a $2.50 administration fee for up to five copies. Orders usually take four to six weeks.
Planning to change your name? Order a few certified copies at once. Social Security, the DMV, your bank, and your passport office may each want to see one.
How much does it cost to get legally married in Hawaii?
The legal paperwork itself is inexpensive:
Marriage license: $65 ($60 plus a $5 portal fee)
Certified copies: $10 for the first, $4 for each additional, plus a $2.50 administration fee
Officiant: varies. Many Oʻahu planners and elopement packages include one.
The bigger costs are the wedding itself. If you’re building a budget, our Get Quotes tool lets you describe your wedding once and hear back from several vendors.
A simple timeline for destination couples
3–6 months out: Decide who will officiate. If it’s a friend, have them register as a Hawaii marriage performer.
About 30 days out: Complete the online application and save your authorization code.
Your arrival week: Meet a license agent together, in person, with your IDs.
Wedding day: Your officiant performs the ceremony and records it with the state.
2–6 weeks after: Order certified copies for your name change and records.
Want someone else to handle the details?
Many Oʻahu planners and coordinators help couples fit the license appointment into the wedding week and line up a licensed officiant. Ask what’s included when you inquire. These are the planners and coordinators who list with Hawaii Vendors, in alphabetical order:
OahuVenue preferred
Your One Stop Event Planning Shop 1979Hawaii is a native Hawaiian owned business with intentions to create a sustainable Hawaiian community and restoring Hawaiian culture and practices. We utilize over 15 years of event production experience to produce high quality, memorable experiential events. We love working alongside our clients to bring their custom wedding dreams to life!
OahuVenue preferred
We Love Our Job And It Shows! 5 Stars: "We hired Aloha On The Rocks for their catering, bar and coordination services. We were really looking for a one stop shop for our wedding. We are soooo glad we went with Aloha On The Rocks!"
Oahu
Successful Hawaiian Wedding Celebrations Guaranteed Sugako Johnson, the founder of Bliss Bridal, is a highly experienced wedding planner in Hawaii with over 20 years of expertise. Her fluency in English and Japanese and knowledge of Asian, American and Hawaiian cultures allows her to understand and meet the needs of couples from diverse backgrounds. Sugako's meticulous attention to detail, keen eye for aesthetics, and excellent communication and organization skills ensures flawlessly executed weddings, whether they are intimate house weddings, lavish ballroom affairs, or laid-back beach ceremonies. With an extensive network in Oahu's wedding industry, she collaborates with top professionals to bring her clients' visions to life, relieving them of stress and providing a personalized and unforgettable Hawaii wedding experience. Sugako graduated from Tsuda College in Tokyo with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. She has been calling Hawaii home since 1998. She has planned and coordinated more than 500 weddings.
OahuVenue preferred
Heartfelt, refined, luxury weddings & events Sandra began her career in the event industry in 2002, by working with various non-profit organizations in planning million dollar fundraising events in Southern California. Sandra’s passion, creativity and eye for design led her to utilize her talents into complete wedding design and planning. In 2004, she officially launched Finishing Touch in Hawaii and instantly attracted clients on a local and national level. Known for her sense of style, creativity and attention to details, each of Sandra’s events are unique and memorable in design. Sandra’s optimism, strong work ethic, calm demeanor, and personable approach, help her clients create their dream event through a stress free and fun planning process.
OahuVenue preferred
Tessa has been planning weddings for the past decade. While she loves creating timelines, designing event spaces, getting to know her couples, and creating close relationships with vendors, her die-hard love for wedding cake is the real reason she loves what she does.
OahuVenue preferred
After seven years in the wedding industry, I founded Oahu Bridal Company with a simple vision: to create a planning experience that feels personal, intentional, and genuinely supportive. Over the years, I came to believe that exceptional weddings are about far more than beautiful design. They are created through thoughtful planning, trusted relationships, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Oahu Bridal Company was founded on that belief combining elevated design, seamless execution, and a heartfelt dedication to serving each couple with care and professionalism. Our role is to anticipate the unexpected, advocate for your vision, and thoughtfully guide you through every stage of the planning journey. By managing the details behind the scenes, we allow you to remain fully present, so you can focus on celebrating this season of life with the people you love most. Because for us, Planning To Perfection is more than a mantra it is the standard by which we serve every celebration.
OahuVenue preferred
We Provide Hassle and Stress-Free Wedding Planning and Coordination Through Organizing Details and Time Management. Wedding Planner 808 was established on June 5th, 2004 in the State of Hawaii with the purpose of creating hassle & stress-free wedding planning and coordination for local and destination brides and grooms. Although this company is continuing to grow, I have had over 15 years of wedding planning and coordination experience for family and friends prior to becoming a full-time wedding planner. My experience with planning and coordination started when I was 15 years old as I planned for my very own Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party with a guest list of over 350 guests. My experiences and resume grew over the past 30+ years as I got involved with planning & coordinating for friends and family that included the following special occasions: Anniversaries, Bachelor /(rette) Parties, Baptismal, Birthdays, Bridal & Baby Showers, Christenings, Graduations, Funerals, Luaus, and Retirement. My experiences did not stop there, after high school I started working for corporations and non-profit organizations that benefited from my skills by utilizing them to organize Special Themed Events that included the following: Seminars, Workshops, Shows, Installation Banquets, Grand Openings, Company Picnics, Office Parties and Seasoned Parties. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations with extraordinary customer service.
OahuVenue preferred
It all started in 2016 when we were inspired by our actual wedding day. Lauran being a dedicated teacher found that all those years in the classroom had made her meticulously organized and an expert at keeping things on track. Planning our wedding sparked a passion for weddings that Lauran became a natural at. What started off as a custom local wood furniture rental company turned into an amazing planning and coordination company. Lauran is extremely dedicated to her clients and your wedding day takes the front seat for her and her team.
See full profiles on the Hawaii wedding planners page, or explore Oʻahu wedding venues next.
Cover photo: Michele Coelho Photography. Hawaii Vendors features businesses that list with us.
Frequently asked questions
- Do we need a blood test to get married in Hawaii?
- No. Hawaii doesn’t require blood tests, and there’s no waiting period after you get your license.
- Do we need to be Hawaii residents or U.S. citizens to marry in Hawaii?
- No. Hawaii has no residency or U.S. citizenship requirement. You both need to be at least 18 and bring valid government-issued photo ID to your license appointment.
- How long is a Hawaii marriage license valid?
- 30 days from the day a license agent issues it, and only for ceremonies held in Hawaii. You can pick it up no sooner than 30 days before your wedding.
- Can a friend or family member officiate our wedding in Hawaii?
- Yes, as long as they’re licensed by the State of Hawaii before the ceremony. They can register online through the Department of Health’s marriage performer system.
- How do we get a certified copy of our Hawaii marriage certificate?
- Order online through Hawaii’s vital records portal. Copies cost $10 for the first and $4 for each additional, plus a small administration fee, and usually take four to six weeks.
Ready to start collecting quotes?
Tell us about your wedding once and hear back from Hawaii vendors that fit your date and budget.
Get free quotes