Your Guide to the Hawaii Marriage License
Photos by LT² Photography
So you’ve chosen a wedding date. Now there’s a piece of paper standing between you and “you may kiss the bride,” and it has a few rules worth knowing before you book your flights.
The good news? Hawaii’s marriage license is one of the simplest in the country for destination wedding couples. There’s no residency requirement and no waiting period. There is, however, one appointment you’ll need to plan your arrival around.
💍 Do You Need to Live in Hawaii to Get Married Here?
No. Hawaii has no state residency requirement and no U.S. citizenship requirement for a marriage license.
Both of you do need to be at least 18, and each of you will need a valid government-issued photo ID.
How to Get a Marriage License in Hawaii, Step by Step
1. Apply online. Complete the application through the state’s online system and pay the non-refundable $65 fee ($60 for the application plus a $5 portal fee).
2. Meet with a licensing agent, together, in person. This is the step that shapes your travel plans. You’ll meet with a marriage license agent no sooner than 30 days before your ceremony. The agent reviews your application, checks your photo IDs and any other documents, and issues your license on the spot. Both of you must be there. Proxies aren’t allowed.
On Oahu, the main office is in Honolulu at City Financial Tower, 201 Merchant Street, and appointments can be booked online or by email. On a neighbor island? The Department of Health lists a phone number for each island to help you find a licensing agent there, along with a list of private agents.
3. Hold your ceremony within 30 days. Your license is valid for 30 days from the day you pick it up. Miss that window and it’s void, so pick it up close enough to the wedding that the date is comfortably inside it.
One detail to plan around
If either of you was previously married and the divorce or the death of a spouse happened less than 30 days before your appointment, bring the divorce decree or death certificate.
Is a Hawaii Marriage License Valid Anywhere Else?
Your license only works for a ceremony held within the State of Hawaii. You can’t pick it up here and marry back home, and a license from your home state won’t cover a ceremony on Oahu or a neighbor island.
When Should You Schedule the Appointment?
Think of the license appointment as the first stop of your wedding week, not a last-minute errand. Booking it a few days after you land gives you breathing room if a flight is delayed, and it means the paperwork is finished before your family arrives and the week fills up.
A few must-dos:
- Bring both IDs, and make sure the names match your application.
- Leave buffer time. Downtown Honolulu traffic and parking are generally a nightmare regardless of the day of the week and time of day. Traffic and hunting for parking can add more time than you’d expect.
- Keep it within 30 days of your ceremony, but not so close that one hiccup puts the date at risk.
After the Wedding: Getting Your Marriage Certificate
Your license and your marriage certificate are two different documents. The license gives you permission to marry; the certificate records that you did.
Once your marriage is recorded, you can order certified copies online through the Hawaii Department of Health. The first copy is $10, each additional copy ordered at the same time is $4, and there’s a $2.50 administration fee. I recommend ordering at least 4 or 5 copies to start. When Demetrius and I got married, we quickly realized the 2 free copies our state gave us were not enough. It seemed like everything we did after getting married required an original copy of our marriage certificate. And strangely everyone wanted to keep said original copy. *heavy sigh* *eye roll* *bombastic side eye* Name change? Original copy no return. Health insurance? Original copy no return. Anything military related? Just print 12 and hope you go home with 1. But I digress… The Hawaii Department of Health can take up to four to six weeks for processing, so if you need copies for a name change or anything else, order a few copies as early as you’re able.
🌊 Do You Need a Permit for a Beach Wedding on Oahu?
Usually, yes. This surprises a lot of couples, because the beach looks public and the park next to it belongs to the city.
Here’s why: on Oahu, the sandy beach is generally under the State’s jurisdiction, even when it sits next to a county beach park. A ceremony on the sand typically needs a right-of-entry permit through the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), known as a Wiki Permit.
What that permit means for your day:
- One permit covers the whole event. It’s usually held by your wedding coordinator, though the state allows a bride, groom, parent or friend to apply. Your photographer, officiant and other vendors each carry a copy of that permit during the event.
- Two hours, total. Setup, ceremony and cleanup all fit inside a two-hour window.
- Keep it simple on the sand. Arches, altars, chairs, tables, tents and signage aren’t allowed. Loose flowers, lei, bouquets, unamplified music (yes, a conch shell counts), cameras, and a small podium or cake stand are. A few chairs are permitted for guests who are elderly or need them.
- No alcohol on the beach, and you can’t ask members of the public to move.
- Small is the norm. The state says the average permitted beach event has around 10 people. Permits go through for groups of up to 25. For a larger group you must contact the state before applying, and don’t be surprised if a larger group is denied.
- Apply early. The state suggests applying at least a week or two ahead, and the applicant needs a liability insurance policy with at least $1 million in total coverage, naming the State of Hawaii.
A few beaches follow different rules. Waikiki isn’t covered by these permits, and the state directs couples to the City and County of Honolulu for Ala Moana Beach and Magic Island. If you’d like a larger guest count, chairs or an arch, a private venue with ocean views, like Loulu Palm, gives you far more freedom. The Oahu wedding venues guide is a good place to start.
TL;DR: The Short Version
- No residency, citizenship or blood test required.
- Apply online, then meet an agent together in person, no sooner than 30 days before the ceremony
- $65, non-refundable
- Valid for 30 days, only in Hawaii
- Beach ceremonies on the sand need a state permit, with strict rules about what’s allowed
Requirements change from time to time, so check the Hawaii Department of Health and DLNR pages before you book.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a marriage license in Hawaii?
There’s no waiting period. Once your online application is complete, the license is issued at your in-person appointment.
Can we get our Hawaii marriage license before we travel?
You can complete the online application from home, but you’ll pick up the license in person, together, in Hawaii, no sooner than 30 days before your ceremony.
How much is a marriage license in Hawaii?
$65, which includes a $5 portal fee. It’s non-refundable.
Do we need a permit to get married on the beach on Oahu?
In most cases, a ceremony on the sand needs a State (DLNR) permit, usually held by your coordinator. A few beaches, including Waikiki, follow different rules.
Planning your Oahu wedding from the mainland? Start with the full guide to planning a wedding in Hawaii, then 👉🏾 check your date with LT² Photography
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