Source: https://getordained.org/state-marriage-laws/hawaii
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 13:08:00
Document Index: 405634528

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1285', '§2950', '§6', '§4640', '§12361', '§323', '§572', '§2', '§1']

Hawaii Marriage Laws - Get Ordained
Hawaii Wedding Laws
Welcome! If you've come to this page it's a good bet that you either want to know how to get married in Hawaii, or learn how to become a wedding officiant to perform a wedding there. Ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church have performed thousands of legal marriages in the Aloha State. Below you will find sections explaining how to become ordained, how to marry someone, and how to ensure the ceremony is legal in the state of Hawaii.
Hawaii Ordination Facts
Hawaii Marriage License Facts
How to Become an Ordained Minister in Hawaii
How to Officiate a Wedding in Hawaii
Unlike most other states, in Hawaii marriage licenses are handled at the state level - not by individual counties. Ordained ministers, including those of the Universal Life Church, must register through the State of Hawaii Department of Health to become "Licensed Religious Marriage Performers". After you become ordained, register at the following link: State of Hawaii Minister Registration. The process is relatively simple, but it's recommended that you complete it at least two weeks in advance of the ceremony. Once registered, you will be issued an official Hawaii minister license certificate and number.
Important: the local offices that distribute marriage licenses may require further documentation from you in addition to the state certificate. Below you will find information for Dept of Health offices in each county - we recommend contacting them to figure out what is required.
Select your county to view information for each office:
-- Select Your Department of Health -- City and County of Honolulu Hawaii County Kalawao County Kauai County Maui County
City and County of Honolulu website »
25 Aupuni St
Hawaii County website »
Kalawao County website »
(808) 241-3498
Kauai County website »
200 S. High St. Kalana O Maui Bldg, 6th fl.
Maui County website »
The Hawaii state flower, the Hawaiin Hibiscus
What Do You Need to Perform a Wedding in Hawaii
The most commonly requested documents are the Letter of Good Standing and the Ordination Credential. These documents, as well as anything else you might need, are available in the Church Supplies section of our website. Even after you've registered in the state, it's possible the local marriage office will ask you to present proof of your ordination before they will accept the legality of the ceremonies you've performed. Keep in mind that the couple may like to see your ordination credentials as well. Please try to place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get a Hawaii Marriage License
Licenses are issued by local marriage offices, and will be picked up by the couple. and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, it's your responsibility to know how marriage licenses work in Hawaii and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Hawaii County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Hawaii County. In Hawaii, the license is valid for 30 days, and there is no mandatory waiting period before the ceremony can take place. Finally, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office before it expires. If the couple is headed off on their honeymoon, you might offer to return it for them.
After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will be required to provide the license number issued to you by the State Department of Health. Witnesses are not required to sign. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Don't forget that the completed license must be resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!
Hawaii marriage law is primarily directed by Chapter 572 Title 31 of the state's Codified Statutes. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Hawaii, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
572-12 By whom solemnized. A license to solemnize marriages may be issued to, and the marriage rite may be performed and solemnized by any minister, priest, or officer of any religious denomination or society who has been ordained or is authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of such denomination or society, or any religious society not having clergy but providing solemnization in accordance with the rules and customs of that society, or any justice or judge or magistrate, active or retired, of a state or federal court in the State, upon presentation to such person or society of a license to marry, as prescribed by this chapter. Such person or society may receive the price stipulated by the parties or the gratification tendered. [CC 1859, §1285; RL 1925, §2950; am L 1929, c 104, §6; RL 1935, §4640; RL 1945, §12361; RL 1955, §323-12; HRS §572-12; am L 1969, c 19, §2; am L 1974, c 15, §1]
In adultery, testimony of clergy who was authorized to solemnize and perform marriage is admissible. 10 H. 440. If record introduced, not necessary to prove that celebrant had authority to solemnize. 10 H. 442. No ceremony necessary, but license is. 25 H. 397, rev'g 16 H. 377. Cited: 74 H. 530, 852 P.2d 44.