Everything you'll Need to Know to
Legally Get Married in Hawaii.
Wedding License & More
Hawaii is a beautiful place and a marriage here is an ideal way for a couple to start life together. You may be a visitor to the Islands, drawn to our year-round warm and sunny weather, or you may be a resident wishing to celebrate a most cherished moment in a place that you call home. Whoever you are, we welcome you and hope that we can make your wedding day as free from worry as possible. Aloha and best wishes!
For any person to lawfully marry in the State of Hawaii, a license for that purpose must be obtained from an authorized agent. Once the license has been issued, there is no waiting period before the marriage can take place. No blood tests are needed, and no witnesses are required.
A marriage license and marriage certificate are different documents. The marriage license permits a marriage to take place. The marriage certificate indicates that a legal marriage has taken place & been performed.
Who is eligible to apply for a Wedding License in Hawaii?
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In applying for a marriage license, both the prospective groom and bride must appear in person before a marriage license agent.
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A marriage license is issued immediately after the application is accepted by a marriage license agent, and it is valid statewide. A marriage license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance.
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There are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
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Blood tests or witnesses are not required.
The legal age to marry is 18 years for both males and females. -
Males or females of 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.
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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.
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Cousins may marry. However, the blood relationship between the prospective bride and groom cannot be closer than first cousins.
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If previously married, proof of original divorce decree or death certificate needs to be presented to the marriage agent by the applicant if the divorce or death was final within 30 days of applying for a marriage license. NO FAX COPY WILL BE ACCEPTED.
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The fee for a wedding license is payable online by credit card upon completion of the application.
THREE
Simple
Steps
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Apply for your Wedding License Online.
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Make an appointment to Meet with a License Agent in Kauai to verify your identity and pick up the legal license.
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Bring your License to your Beach Wedding. We’re responsible for filing it with the State of Hawaii.
Step 1: How to apply for a Wedding License.
The prospective bride and groom must apply for their Wedding license online (link below in pink box) but, must also appear together in person (Step 2 below) before a marriage license agent once they arrive in Kauai, and prior to the actual wedding ceremony, to validate the marriage license application in the agent's presence. Proxies are not allowed.
Step 2: Wedding License Agents in Kauai.
After you have completed Step 1 above you'll have to meet one of the Kauai Wedding License Agents below, who'll verify your identity and will issue your legal wedding license on paper. You’ll need to obtain your Wedding License prior to your wedding ceremony and bring it with you to the beach. Please follow Step 1 above before completing Step 2. The wedding license will cost you $65.
Your wedding license once issued by one of the agents above, is valid anywhere within the State of Hawaii
for 30 days. This means that you must have your wedding ceremony within 30 days of having picked it up in Kauai or your license to marry will expire.
Step 3: Getting married.
Meet us on the beach to get married! Don't forget to bring your wedding license and your rings. We'll bring all your flowers, and our experienced staff of minister, photographer, videographer and musician will assure you'll have a wonderful time. Your event will take a total of about 1-2 hours depending on the wedding package you are choosing, with your wedding ceremony taking about 15 minutes.
Once the marriage is completed and the form finalized a temporary license can be printed from the State of Hawaii web site (where you made your online application - Step 1 above) from beneath the tab "Check Status" under "Applicants". Your final legal marriage certificate will be mailed to you directly from the State of Hawaii in Honolulu.
DLNR Beach Use Permits.
The DLNR (Department of Land & Natural Resources) requires beach use permits for all weddings performed on Hawaiian beaches. These permits must be applied for by a wedding officiant who is licenced in the State of Hawaii - the couple can not do this themselves. The State also requires adequate insurance coverage of all vendors. All Beach Use Permits must be applied for and obtained, for a specific date and time and the event must not exceed 2 hours per Permit. Kauai Island Weddings will apply and obtain this Beach Use Permit on behalf of your group.
