Marriage in Hawaii

Getting Married in Paradise

Countless couples with visions of “happily ever after” flock to the Hawaiian Islands to start their new lives together in paradise. Saying “I Do” just may be the most important two words you’ll utter in a lifetime. And what better backdrop to celebrate this union than Hawaii? The mild and sunny year-round Hawaiian climate, the spiritual power of the ocean and the awe-inspiring lush scenes of Hawaii help to create an incredibly memorable and profound wedding experience. Many couples married in Hawaii return annually, or during big anniversaries, to renew their vows and celebrate their life together.

The wedding planning options in Hawaii are diverse and plentiful. From the simple to the sublime, any type of creative celebration can take place here. Choose formal attire, or casual island-style attire, or go completely casual in your bathing suits and board shorts! Arrange a fresh flower lei exchange and symbolically adorn the parents of the bride and groom during the ceremony. Original music, tropical flowers, beachside ceremonies… whatever you vision may be, the islands can accommodate. Hawaii is a relatively easy location to get married in. There’s very little red tape and no waiting period.

Hawaii Marriage License

The happy couple must obtain a state license to legitimize their union for a small fee. It is recommended that you apply for your marriage license about a month prior to your ceremony. As soon as the license is issued, a ceremony may take place. You’ll need to have birth certificates and other proof of identification documents, tax information and a few other important documents on hand. If you or your partner were previously married, documentation will be required. You will sign the document in the presence of a witness, the official license will be mailed to you, and then you will need to have your marriage performer sign the document on your wedding day.

Find out how to apply on the Hawaii State website:

How to apply for a marriage license.

Hawaii Marriage Certificate

Once a ceremony has taken place, a marriage certificate must be signed to show the union is complete and officiated. Your chaplain or ceremony performer will prepare the document and file the signed certificate with the Department of Health. Newly married couples will receive a copy of the certificate.

Marriage Performer

You must choose a person to perform your ceremony who is licensed in the state of Hawaii. For further information about obtaining a marriage performer, you can visit the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau at www.hvcb.org.

Who is Eligible to Apply for a Marriage License?
(courtesy of the Hawaii State Department of Health)

• There are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
• Blood tests are not required.
• The legal age to marry is 18 years for both males and females.
• Males or females 16 or 17 years of age who wish to marry require the written consent of both parents, legal guardian, or the family court. The parents or legal guardian do not have to be residents of the state.
• Consent forms may be obtained from a marriage license agent.
• Males or females of 15 years of age who wish to marry require the written consent of both parents or legal guardian, and the written approval of a judge of the family court. The parents or legal guardian do not have to be residents of the state. Consent forms may be obtained from a marriage license agent.
• Proof of age is required. A certified copy of a birth certificate must be presented for anyone 18 years of age or under. A valid I.D. or driver’s license may be presented for anyone 19 years of age or over.
• Cousins may marry. However, the blood relationship between the prospective bride and groom cannot be closer than first cousins.

How to Apply for a Marriage License
(courtesy of the Hawaii State Department of Health)

• The prospective bride and groom must appear together in person before a marriage license agent to apply for a marriage license. Proxies are not allowed.
• The prospective bride and groom should be prepared to provide the necessary proof of age and present any required written consents and approvals. All of the necessary documents should be obtained prior to applying for a marriage license.
• The prospective bride and groom must prepare an official application and file the application in person with the marriage license agent. Applications are provided by the marriage license agent or may be downloaded from the Hawaii State Department of Health website. The application will not be accepted if sent by either postal mail or e-mail.
• Upon approval, a marriage license is issued at the time the application is made.
• The marriage license costs $60.00, payable in cash at the time the application is made.
• The marriage license is good only in, but is valid throughout, the state of Hawaii.
• The marriage license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance, after which it automatically becomes null and void.
• If you do not get married within the 30 days, return the unused license in the pre-addressed envelope provided to you for invalidation.

Same-Sex Marriages

In 1997, the state of Hawaii passed a law under the Reciprocal Beneficiary Act that extended many different-gender marital rights and benefits to gay couples. Although same-sex unions are not yet recognized by the state, reciprocal benefit laws allow couples, who are prohibited from marriage, to receive certain rights and benefits that traditionally were only available to married couples.

In a monumental trial court decision in the controversial Baehr v. Miike case, Circuit Judge Kevin Chang ruled that the refusal of the state of Hawaii to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples violated the Hawaii State Constitution. However, Judge Chang has delayed ordering the state to issue same-sex marriage licenses until the Supreme Court hears the state's appeal. Although same-sex marriage is not legalized yet, couples can still celebrate their spiritual reunion with a personal and intimate commitment ceremony.

Same-sex couples can obtain a reciprocal beneficiary certificate from the State Department of Health. They must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have not married and are not part of any other reciprocal beneficiary relationship.
• Be legally prohibited from marrying the partner under the Hawaii marriage law.
• Have not agreed to the reciprocal beneficiary relationship because of force, duress or fraud.
• File and sign a notarized declaration of the relationship with the State Department of Health.
• Pay a small registration fee.

Hawaii – A Truly Romantic Place to Marry

If you’re planning a wedding, consider the awe-inspiring beauty of Hawaii as your wedding backdrop. Hawaii is considered by many to be the most romantic place on Earth. The islands offer an amazing wedding location and honeymoon spot all rolled into one! Exchange vows in the sand and be whisked away on a sunset cruise, or stroll along the beach with your new partner as you contemplate your future.

Whether you celebrate your union on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Lanai, Molokai or the Big Island of Hawaii, you are sure to have an amazing and memorable experience here in the islands. Here are a few inspirational wedding day phrases that may be used on invitations or keepsakes:

Hawaiian phrases for your wedding day

Mau Loa ~ Forever
Pomaika`i ~ Good Luck
'Aha'aina Male ~ Wedding Feast
Aloha Au Ia 'Oe ~ I Love You
Aloha Aku No, Aloha Mai No ~ I give my love to you, you give your love to me
Aloha Kaua ~ May there be love between us (said to one person)
Aloha Kakou ~ May there be love between us (said to more than one person)
Aloha No Au Ia 'Oe ~ I Truly Love You
Aloha Nui Loa ~ All my love
Aloha Pumehana ~ Warm love, affection
E Hoomau Maua Kealoha ~ May our love last forever
E Kipa Mai ~ Come to me
E Ku'u Aloha ~ My Love
Eia Au, Eia 'Oe ~ Here I am, here you are
Hele Mai 'Oe I Ko Maua Male 'Ana ~ Come to our wedding
Ho'i Hou Ke Aloha ~ Let us fall in love all over again
Ia Iho Ke Aloha ~ To my love
Ka Honi Mai Me Ke Aloha ~ And with love is a kiss
Ke Aloha ~ Beloved
Kipona Aloha ~ Deep love
Ko Aloha Makamae E Ipo ~ Sweetheart you are so precious
Ko`u Aloha ~ My Love
Ku`u Lei ~ My beloved
Ma'ane'i No Ke Aloha ~ For love is here and now
Mahalo E Ke Akua No Keia La ~ Thanks be to God for this day
Male 'ana ~ Wedding
Male Ana E Pili Mai Aloha Kaua ~ We two will cling to love in marriage
Mau Loa ~ Forever
Mea Aloha ~ loved one
Me Ke Aloha ~ With love
Me Ke Aloha Pumehana ~ With the warmth of my love
Nau ko`u aloha ~ My love is yours
Na'u `oe ~ You're mine
No Kau a Kau ~ For Eternity
No Keia La, No Keia Po, A Mau Loa ~ From this day, from this night, forever more
Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua ~Thank you for celebrating with us
Nou No Ka `I`ini ~ I desire you
'O Ku'u Aloha No 'Oe ~ You are indeed my love
Pa'ipunahele ~ An expression of love for a favorite
Pilialoha ~ To be in a bond of love
Ahu lio ~ Groom
Wahine male ~ Married woman
Wahine male hou ~ Bride
Kane male ~ Married man
Ku`uipo ~ Sweetheart