Hawaii Vital Records

Are Hawaii Vital Records Open to the Public?

Most vital records in Hawaii are deemed confidential for the first 75 years from the date of the event, after which they become public records. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) officially manages these records through its Office of Vital Records.

What Information Shows Up in Hawaii Vital Records?

A Hawaii vital record refers to a government-issued document that provides an official account of significant life events in Hawaii. These records typically include birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates, and they provide legal proof of an individual's identity, age, and relationship status. Vital records are often required to obtain official documents or valid identification like a driver's license, passport, or Social Security card.

How Do I Obtain Hawaii Vital Records?

Various agencies in Hawaii are tasked with maintaining vital records, including the Hawaii DOH, the state vital records office, and local county clerks. Interested parties can request a vital record online, in person, or by mail through the appropriate agency. It is worth noting that standard search and copy fees apply to vital records requests, but costs vary depending on the method.

According to HRS § 338-18, all vital records requests in the state of Hawaii must be accompanied by a government-issued identification proving the requester's direct and tangible relationship to the record. Eligible persons include:

• The named person on the record.
• The immediate family members (excluding uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and inlaws).
• The legal representatives.
• Persons authorized by a certified court order.

Additional security documents needed depend on the requester's established relationship with the person(s) named on the record. For instance, individuals requesting their spouses' birth certificates must provide proof of marriage, i.e., the marriage certificate along with the government-issued ID. Similarly, an attorney must provide a notarized durable power of attorney signed by the client in question.

Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a convenient jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:

• The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
• The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.

Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:

• The registrant's name
• Date of the event
• Place of the event
• City or county where the life event occurred
• First and last name of parents
• Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)

What Information Do I Need to Search for Hawaii Vital Records Online?

Before the various third-party legal researchers process an online request, the requesting party must provide sufficient information about the record and appropriate ID supporting eligibility. The required basic information includes:

• The personal data of the requestor
• The personal data of the named party to the record
• The reason for record request (private use, insurance proceeds, authentication, death benefits, and other legal purposes)
• The date the event occurred
• The gender of the named party on the record (if applicable)
• The age of the named party on the record at the time the event took place (if appropriate)
• Scope of search required (statewide or county limited)
• Proof of ID revealing that the requestor has a direct and tangible interest (compulsory for all marriage, birth, and death-related searches, verification, and certification).
• The requestor's relationship to the named party in the record (father, mother, son, daughter, husband, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, legal guardian, etc.)
• The name of the city where the event occurred
• Father's name and mother's maiden name (for birth certificates only)

Certified Record and Authenticated Certificate: Understanding the Difference

In the state of Hawaii, most vital records are issued as certified copies. While these copies are used for legal purposes, officials may require further apostille and authentication for international legalization and foreign use. Essentially, authenticated records are usually requested at the same time the certified copy request is made. However, request channels featured for this purpose are in person or by mail. The requester is usually required to provide a written request or to complete a pre-provided application form. In addition to the standard fee of obtaining certified copies, applicants must cover the cost of authentication (where applicable). Typically, the Office of the Lt. Governor charges $1 per apostille for authentication, while the Clerk of Circuit Court charges $3 per authentication.

Are Hawaii Marriage Records Public Information?

Marriage records in Hawaii are confidential records for the first 75 years from the date of registration. As such, they cannot be accessed by unauthorized members of the public. Eligible persons include:

• The registrant named on the record
• The registrant's immediate family members, such as a parent, offspring, sibling, grandparent, uncle, aunt, and cousin
• The registrant's legal representative
• A person whose right to obtain a record has been established by order of a court of "competent jurisdiction".
• Individuals who need to establish the marital status of an ex-spouse to review alimony conditions

How Do I Obtain Marriage Records in Hawaii?

All marriage records filed in Hawaii are maintained by the vital records section of the State Department of Health. Public marriage records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail. In addition, the vital records office allows interested public members to order and purchase marriage records from the various third-party maintained online vendors. However, these sites are not government-affiliated and may charge an additional processing fee.

In addition to online verifications and searches, requesters can also obtain marriage records by traveling to the office physically. In this respect, the requesting party will need to provide a written request form and a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID to the state office. The estimated costs of searching (and copying) marriage records are $10 for the first copy and $4 for every additional copy of the same document ordered simultaneously.

By mail, interested parties must download, print, and complete the marriage record application form accompanied by a photocopy of valid ID such as driver's license, as well as appropriate payment to:

State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801

How to Get a Hawaii Marriage Certificate

Obtain a Hawaii marriage certificate from the Hawaii State Department of Health or the county office where the license is issued. Certificates are typically restricted to persons named on the record, their legal representative or those authorized by judicial order.

Are Hawaii Divorce Records Public Information?

Yes. Divorce records in Hawaii are considered public records that can be viewed and obtained by anyone. Most often than not, records pertaining to divorce, annulment, and termination of reciprocal relationship are managed and disseminated by the particular court where the case was heard (circuit court)

How Do I Obtain Divorce Records in Hawaii?

Interested persons can view and inspect divorce records online, in person, or by mail by providing the essential information specific to the record in question, such as case number, party names, place of divorce, and approximate date of divorce. In addition, the state judiciary maintains an online portal known as Hoohiki Case Search, where inquirers can view some details about divorce.

Interested persons can also find divorce records in person or by mail by contacting the particular court where the case was filed. If certified copies are needed, the requesting party may need to provide proof of identification. Additionally, requesters are required to cover the cost of obtaining records before a request is processed.

How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Hawaii

Divorce certificates can be obtained from the family court where the divorce was granted or the Hawaii State Department of Health. Only the named individuals, their legal representatives, or those with a court order can obtain a divorce certificate.

Are Hawaii Birth Records Public Information?

Hawaii birth records that occurred within the past 75 years are not public information and are restricted to eligible persons. However, birth records that are 75 years or older are public records, provided they haven't been sealed by court order. Essentially, to be eligible to order birth certificate replacements or copies, the requestor must sufficiently prove a direct and tangible interest in the record of interest. As such, the following persons are eligible to access these records:

• The registrant
• Parents or legal guardians of the registrant
• The biological or adopted offspring of the registrant
• Siblings and grandparents of the registrant
• The spouse or legally recognized civil union partner of the registrant
• Persons authorized by the registrant or by court order.

How Do I Obtain Hawaii Birth Records?

Hawaii birth records are maintained and issued by the Health Status Monitoring Unit of the State Department of Health. To obtain a record, interested and eligible persons are required to download and complete the Hawaii birth certificate application. Completed applications must be accompanied by the indicated fees and the appropriate ID requirements and submitted in person or via mail to:

State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801

Are Birth Certificates Public in Hawaii?

Hawaii birth certificates are not public records. The Hawaii Revised Statutes §338-18 outlines the provisions for the disclosure of birth certificates, limiting access to the individual, immediate family, legal representatives, or those with a court order.

Are Hawaii Death Records Open to the Public?

Hawaii death records, which are 75 years or older, are considered public information accessible to interested members of the public. However, records yet to hit the 75-year mark are restricted from public access. Only immediate family members and persons legally authorized by court order are permitted to perform a restricted death certificate search.

How Do I Obtain Death Records in Hawaii?

Requests for public death records in Hawaii can be made by downloading and completing the Hawaii death certificate application. For a death record search by name, completed forms must be notarized, accompanied by the indicated fees and ID requirements, and delivered in person or via mail to:

State Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801

How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Hawaii?

Interested persons can access confidential and sealed vital records by legally challenging the document for substantial reasons. They can do this by petitioning the court to obtain a subpoena or court order. Upon receiving the summons, the requesting party presents the document and the appropriate application form to the record custodian in charge of disseminating the record of interest.

What are Vital Statistics in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, vital statistics refer to data about significant life events. They provide essential data for public health planning, policy development, and resource allocation. The Hawaii State Department of Health collects and maintains vital statistical information on persons in state limits.