Getting Married in Hawaii: Honolulu & Maui Wedding Guide
Hawaii is one of the simplest places to marry legally. Apply online through the state's eHawaii marriage system ($60 application fee plus a $5 portal fee), then both of you meet a license agent in Hawaii in person to collect the license — no residency, U.S. citizenship or blood test is required, and you must be 18. The license is valid for 30 days and only in Hawaii, and your ceremony must be performed by an officiant registered with the state.
Step by step: the legal process
- Apply online. Both of you complete the application on the Hawaii Department of Health's eHawaii marriage system and pay by card. Applications by post or email are not accepted.
- Note your Locator ID. After paying, continue to the receipt page for your Locator ID and the list of license agents on the island of your ceremony.
- Meet a license agent together. Both of you must appear in person, together, before a license agent in Hawaii with valid government photo ID (such as a passport). Proxies are not allowed.
- Hold the ceremony within 30 days. The license is valid for 30 days and only within the State of Hawaii. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license is void.
- Use a registered officiant. Your officiant must be registered with the Department of Health. After the ceremony they certify it electronically.
- Get your certificate. Once the officiant certifies the ceremony, you can access an electronic temporary marriage certificate; order certified copies from the Department of Health for name changes and records.
Fees and key rules
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| License application | $60 + $5 portal fee | eHawaii marriage system |
| Residency / citizenship | Not required | Hawaii Department of Health |
| Blood test | Not required | Hawaii Department of Health |
| Minimum age | 18 | Hawaii Department of Health |
| License validity | 30 days, Hawaii only | Hawaii Department of Health |
| Unused online application | Can be issued by an agent for up to one year, no refunds | eHawaii marriage system |
Fees are non-refundable. Check the Department of Health page before you apply, as fees and agent arrangements can change.
What to tell your guests
- Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu and Kahului (OGG) on Maui are the main airports; inter-island flights connect the islands.
- Guests from the mainland U.S. don't need a passport; international guests should check U.S. entry requirements early.
- Beach ceremonies may need a permit and have rules about set-up — say what guests can expect (sand, sun, no shade).
- Share time-zone notes: Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time.
- Suggest reef-safe sunscreen and footwear for sand and lava rock.
Official sources
- Hawaii Department of Health — Marriage and Civil Union Licenses
- Hawaii Electronic Marriage and Civil Union Registration System (eHawaii)
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to live in Hawaii to get married there?
No. There are no residency or U.S. citizenship requirements, but both of you must appear together in person before a license agent in Hawaii.
How much does a Hawaii marriage license cost?
$65 in total: a $60 application fee plus a $5 portal fee, paid online and non-refundable.
How long is a Hawaii marriage license valid?
30 days, and only within the State of Hawaii.
Do I need a blood test to marry in Hawaii?
No. Blood tests are not required.