Hawaii County Marriage Records

Hawaii County marriage records are kept by the Hawaii District Health Office in Hilo, which covers the entire Big Island. You can order certified copies of marriage records online, pick them up in person by appointment, or use them to trace family history through the state's digital archives. The county has been recording marriages since the 1800s, and those records stretch across offices in Hilo, Kamuela, and several private marriage license agents located throughout the island. This page walks you through how to search Hawaii County marriage records, get certified copies, find a license agent, and dig into older historical documents.

Hawaii District Health Office in Hilo

The Hawaii District Health Office handles all vital records for the Big Island, including marriage records. It sits at 75 Aupuni Street, Suite 201, in Hilo. The phone number is (808) 974-6008. This office serves people who need marriage licenses, certified copies of marriage certificates, civil union licenses, home birth registration, and Voluntary Establishment of Paternity forms. It is the main contact point for anyone dealing with Hawaii County marriage records.

If you want to pick up certified copies in person, you go to the Kamuela District Health Office instead. That office is at 67-5189 Kamamalu St., Kamuela, HI 96743, and the phone is (808) 887-8114. Pickup hours are limited. The office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, and only by appointment. You cannot just walk in. All orders must be placed and paid online before you can schedule a pickup time.

You can reach the Hawaii District Health Office vital statistics page online for the most current info on hours, services, and contact details. This is the official source for what the office provides and how to get in touch.

The screenshot below is from the Hawaii District Health Office vital statistics page, which shows the services available for Big Island residents.

The vital statistics section of the Big Island health office covers everything from birth and death records to marriage and civil union licenses, all under one office in Hilo.

Hawaii County Marriage License Agents

To get a marriage license in Hawaii County, both people must appear together in front of a licensed agent. You cannot do it by mail or online on its own. You first fill out the online application at emrs.ehawaii.gov, then you meet with an agent who reviews your documents and issues the license. The license fee is $65, which includes a $60 base fee and a $5 portal fee. Both people must show valid photo ID at the appointment.

Hawaii County has several licensed agents spread across the island. At the Hilo District Health Office, Letisha Kuwahara takes appointments at (808) 974-6008. In Waimea, Tiffany Joaquin works out of the Waimea District Health Office and can be reached at (808) 887-8114, also by appointment only. There are also private agents if the health office times don't work for you. Rose Delfin covers Hilo at (808) 640-6179. Puamelia Mataele works in North Kona at (808) 325-8072. Vicki Roach is in South Kona at (808) 765-8462 and prefers contact by text.

The screenshot below is from the state's marriage license agent directory, showing agents listed for Hawaii County and the surrounding areas.

The full statewide agent list at health.hawaii.gov is updated regularly and shows current agents for each island and district.

Once an agent issues your license, the ceremony can take place anywhere in the state. The officiant sends the signed license back to the state, and the record becomes part of the permanent file. That permanent file is what you request when you need a certified copy later.

Hawaii County Marriage License Details

The marriage license application process in Hawaii County starts online. Both applicants go to emrs.ehawaii.gov and fill out the required form before the in-person appointment. There is no waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can happen. The license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued, so plan your ceremony date accordingly.

The screenshot below is from the state's marriage and civil union license information page, showing requirements that apply across Hawaii including Hawaii County.

You can read the full requirements at the Hawaii County marriage and civil union license page. That page covers what ID you need, how the online application works, and what happens after the ceremony.

Both people must be at least 16 years old. Those under 18 need parental consent. There is no state residency requirement to get married in Hawaii. People come from all over the country and the world to get married on the Big Island, and the license process is the same for everyone.

Note: Civil union licenses in Hawaii County follow the same process and fees as marriage licenses, and the same agents handle both.

Getting Certified Copies of Hawaii County Marriage Records

You can order certified copies of Hawaii County marriage records through the state's online portal at vitrec.ehawaii.gov. The first certified copy costs $10. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4. There is also a $2.50 portal fee per order. All fees are non-refundable, so make sure you have the right information before you submit.

Processing takes about 6 to 8 weeks for mailed copies. If you want to pick up in person at the Kamuela office, you still need to place and pay online first, then schedule an appointment for Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 9:00am and 2:00pm. Walk-ins are not accepted. The Kamuela office phone is (808) 887-8114.

Who can request a certified copy? Under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 338-18, access to vital records is restricted. You must show a direct and tangible interest in the record. That typically means you are one of the people named in the record, a close family member, or a legal representative with proper documentation. Marriage records that are 75 years old or older are open to the public without that restriction.

Historical Hawaii County Marriage Records

Hawaii County was created in 1905, but marriage records from the Big Island go back much further. The Hawaii State Archives holds marriage records from as far back as 1832. For genealogy research, that is a significant depth. The Third Circuit Court held marriage records from 1905 to 1950, and those are now on microfilm under the reference number MFL 71 at the archives.

The Vital Statistics Collection at the state archives covers South Hilo records in the H-93 to H-111 series, dating from 1896 to 1929. These records include marriage licenses, records of issue, and records of marriage from South Hilo, North Hilo, South Kohala, Kona, Kau, and Honokaa. If you are tracing family lines on the Big Island, these collections are worth knowing about.

The Hilo Public Library also holds birth record indexes from 1896 to 1909. You can search the Hawaii State Archives Digital Collections online at digitalarchives.hawaii.gov. FamilySearch has a dedicated wiki page at familysearch.org for Hawaii County genealogy, which lists many of the specific collections and how to access them.

Records from the early plantation era and the Kingdom of Hawaii period are scattered across different collections. Some are at the State Archives, some are held by churches that kept their own registers, and some are in newspaper archives. The Digital Archives is the best starting point for older records before you try to track down more obscure sources.

Who Can Access Hawaii County Marriage Records

Access to Hawaii County marriage records follows state law. Under HRS section 338-18, the state restricts certified copies to people with a direct and tangible interest. This means you, your spouse, immediate family members, or a legal representative. A court order can also grant access.

Records 75 years old or older are open to the public. Anyone can request them without showing a relationship to the people named in the record. Older historical records at the State Archives and in the digital collections are generally accessible for research purposes. If you are doing genealogy work, this open-access rule for older records makes a big difference.

The state does not make a simple index of all marriage records available for free online searches. You need to request specific records through the vital records portal or through the State Archives for older documents. Some indexes have been published by genealogy organizations and are searchable through sites like FamilySearch.

Cities in Hawaii County

Hawaii County covers the entire Big Island. All marriage licenses issued on the island go through the Hawaii District Health Office system, with agents in multiple districts.

Other communities on the Big Island include Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Captain Cook, Pahoa, and Naalehu. Marriage licenses for all of these areas are handled through Hawaii County's district health offices and licensed agents.

Nearby Counties

Hawaii is divided into four counties. Marriage records for each island are handled by that island's county, with state vital records maintaining the official statewide archive.