How to Find Hawaii Marriage Records

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Hawaii has a very long history and early marriage infromation was often passed down through oral family tradition. The islands became combined into one united kingdom between 1782 and 1810. During the reign of the kings and queens some marriage records were officially recorded. In 1894 the kingdom was abolished and the Republic of Hawaii was formed. Four years later Hawaii became a territory of the United States, and was admitted as a state in 1960.

Finding Hawaii Marriage Records

 * 1826–1850 The Islands started keeping records, they are few in number.
 * 1851–1895 There are sparse records from all islands.
 * 1896–1929 There are two types of marriage records, some in Hawaiian and some in English.
 * 1930 to the present the marriage records are more complete.
 * Marriages occurring within 75 years are restricted to individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the records

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Marriage Records
 * Choose a time period:
 * Before 1826
 * 1826 to 1929
 * 1930 to Present
 * Marriage year unknown


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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1826

 * Before 1826, it will be difficult to locate marriage records.
 * Many family records have been passed down through oral family history.



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Marriages 1826 to 1929

 * These records are sparse.
 * They are gathered together now, but were originally kept by individual islands.
 * The Hawaii State Archives is the custodian of the records.

STEP THREE: Finding Marriage Certificate or Record
With the exact date of the marriage from one of the indexes you may:


 * view Family History Library microfilms
 * contact the Hawaii State Archives
 * order the certificates from Hawaii State Department of Health

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Marriages 1930 to Present
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

Currently there are no online indexes to marriages for this time period.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

If you know the name of the bride and groom and the date of the marriage you may obtain the certificate from the Hawaii State Department of Health.

See list of restrictions for ordering marriage records

Restrictions for Obtaining Marriage Records
Restrictions for persons who married within the last 75 years: To obtain a copy of the marriage certificate for those who married within the last 75 years, you must be:


 * The registrant (person whom the record is concerned with)
 * The registrant's spouse
 * The registrant's parents
 * A descendant of the registrant, such as child or grandchild
 * A person having a common ancestor with the registrant (sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin)
 * A legal guardian of the registrant
 * A person or agency acting on behalf of the registrant
 * A personal representative of the registrant's estate
 * A person whose right to obtain a copy of the record is established by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction
 * Adoptive parents who have filed a petition for adoption and need to determine the death of one or more of the prospective adopted child’s natural or legal parents
 * A person who needs to determine the marital status of a former spouse in order to determine the payment of alimony
 * A person who needs to determine the death of a non-related co-owner of property purchased under a joint tenancy agreement
 * A person who needs a death certificate for the determination of payments under a credit insurance policy
 * NOTE: A copy of the marriage record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of the marriage.

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