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
|
Whether
you need transportation to and from Honolulu Airport or want a
customized, private tour of Oahu, Island Express Transport covers it
all. 
