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









