Welcome back! As we discussed in a previous blog, planning your wedding can be a hectic experience even for the most Zen among us. With so many details to attend to, it’s easy to let a few slip through the cracks, which could have a disastrous impact on your dream wedding in paradise. One of those persnickety particulars that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle regards remembering to actually complete the appropriate paperwork to make your marriage official and legally recognized. Don’t sweat it though, we’re here today to help you sort through the ins and outs to keep things on track and to help you navigate your way to having the wedding of your dreams in Hawaii!
Step 1: Apply Online with the Department of Health
In order for couples to become legally and lawfully wed on the island of Maui they will need to obtain a Hawaii marriage license prior to the big day itself. Obtaining a license will set you back $65, and can be obtained directly from the state’s website at https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/home.html.
- You only need to complete one joint application for both parties getting married.
- The application itself is fairly straightforward, but please don’t forget to print or write down the Locator ID number generated from the form! You’ll need this for Step 2.
Step 2: Make an Appointment with a Marriage License Agent
After you’ve successfully applied online for your marriage license, you’ll then need to make an appointment with a marriage license agent. These folks are able to verify your respective identities and provide you with the tangible license itself, which you’ll need to bring with you to the ceremony to be filled out!
Once you’ve made the appointment, make sure you each bring a photo ID (driver’s license, military ID) or a passport to the appointment. You do not need to bring a birth certificate if you are over the age of 19, and do not need any divorce documentation if it was finalized for at least a month prior.
There are no witnesses required to be married in Hawaii, and no initial waiting period either. Hip hip hooray! Once the Maui licensing agent has provided you with a license, it is valid to be used for the next 30 days anywhere in the Aloha State. Please keep this in mind, as you must use is or lose it within this time frame!
To make an appointment with a marriage licensing agent, you can look to contact any of the following:
In the West Maui region (Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Kapalua):
- Sherilynn Takushi
- 181 Lahainaluna Rd., Suite H Lahaina, HI 96761
- (808) 276-6919
- sherilynn.takushi@gmail.com
In the South Maui region (Kihei, Wailea, Makena), contact:
- Cynthia Wolfe
- 2561 Omiko Place (Keonekai Estate) Kihei, HI 96753
- (808) 875-8459
In East/Central Maui and Upcountry regions (Kahului, Wailuku, Pa’ia, Hana), contact:
- The Governor’s Liaison Office in Wailuku
- Leah Belmonte or Michelle Ankele-Yamashita
- 2264 Aupuni Street Wailuku, HI 96793, United States
- (808) 243-5798
Step 3: Get Hitched!
You’re almost there! All that’s left is to say “I do,” and to sign off on all the required paperwork along with your licensed wedding officiant. This will then be filed with the state, and your marriage will then be legal! You can download a temporary wedding certificate from the same website listed above by clicking on the ‘Check Status’ tab under the Couples heading. Your officially-official, legal marriage certificate will be mailed directly to your designated address, usually within 30-60 days.
There you have it! Why not hire a wedding planner extraordinaire who can not only take care of all of the above, but who can guarantee you and your beloved the island wedding experience of a lifetime? Happily Maui’d is here to turn your island fantasy into a reality — give us a call today!
