Wedding Directory

Hawaii Wedding Guides

Hawaii Marriage License

$65. No waiting period. No blood test. No residency requirement. Valid 30 days from issue. Hawaii is one of the easiest US states to get married in — but the 30-day expiry trips people up.

$65

Total fee

30 days

License validity

0 days

Waiting period

Step-by-step

1

Both partners apply online (DOH portal)

Hawaii uses the state DOH online application. Both partners must individually create accounts and submit. Application is at the State of Hawaii Department of Health marriage license site. Don't apply more than ~30 days before the wedding — see step 5.

2

Pay the $65 fee

Paid online when you apply. Credit/debit. No paper checks accepted. This is a flat fee — no separate civil-union or ceremony surcharge.

3

Schedule an appointment with a Marriage License Agent

You must appear in person with a licensed agent. The DOH portal lists agents by island — some hotels, planners, and officiants are themselves licensed agents (saves a trip). If yours isn't, pick one on your wedding island.

4

Bring ID + the application

Government-issued photo ID for both partners. If either has been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the prior spouse. No witnesses needed at this step. No blood test required (Hawaii dropped that requirement decades ago).

5

License is valid 30 days from issue

The license expires 30 days after the agent issues it. Apply too early and you'll need to redo it. Most couples file 2-3 weeks out — gives buffer for any document corrections.

6

After the ceremony — officiant files within 3 days

Your officiant signs and returns the completed license to the DOH within 3 business days. The state issues the official marriage certificate ~30 days later (you can request expedited if you need it for name changes).

Common gotchas

  • No residency requirement — you don't have to live in Hawaii to marry here.
  • No waiting period — license is valid the day it's issued.
  • Minimum age is 18 (parental consent for 16-17, court approval below).
  • Same-sex marriage has been legal in Hawaii since 2013 — same form, same fee.
  • If you've changed your legal name (prior marriage, court order), the name on your ID must match what you put on the application.
  • Out-of-state couples: bring your marriage license home and update your state's records separately (Social Security, DMV, etc.).

Want the rest of it

The full Hawaii Wedding Toolkit

Marriage license walkthrough + DLNR permits + 12-month timeline + budget calculator + vendor vetting checklist + sample contract language. One-time $9.99.

See the toolkit

Note: This is a general guide based on Hawaii Department of Health public guidance as of 2026. Verify current fees and procedures on the official DOH site before applying. AlohaCalendar is not a legal or government service — for binding answers, contact the DOH Marriage License office directly.