State Marriage Laws and Information
Since 2010, Open Ministry has been ordaining and helping people all over the world perform weddings, ceremony and other sacerdotal duties. This page focuses on requirements and information for Hawaii; Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to other states.
How to get ordained and perform a wedding in Hawaii
If you are planning to get ordained in Hawaii or you have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Hawaii, or simply need to to find an ordained minister in Hawaii to perform your wedding ceremony.
This ordination information forHawaii is provided below in an easy five step layout which is designed help walk you through the most common steps on registering to become a minister for Hawaii and how perform a wedding ceremony in Hawaii.
Step 1 - Get Ordained Online for free with Open Ministry
Step 1: Get Ordained in Hawaii with Open Ministry
Start your journey as an ordained minister in Hawaii with Open Ministry’s free, fully digital ordination process. Most applicants receive their confirmation email within 24 hours; printed hard copies are available for a nominal charge, so you’ll be ready to officiate ceremonies statewide!
When you get ordained in Hawaii through Open Ministry, you’ll enjoy:
- Free ordination - no fees, no delays.
- Emailed confirmation - arrive in minutes.
- Printed certificates available - visit our bookstore for details.
- Full officiation privileges - weddings, vow renewals, and more.
- Trusted since 2010 - join thousands across Hawaii.
How It Works
- Hit the Get Ordained in Hawaii link.
- Fill in your details on our secure form.
- Receive your digital confirmation by email; order printed certificates if you wish.
With your Open Ministry credentials, you’ll be a legally recognized minister in Hawaii, able to preside over wedding ceremonies anywhere in the state.
100% free ordination online-printed certificates available for a small reasonable fee.
Step 2 - Contact The County Clerk
How to Register to Officiate a Marriage in Hawaii
Next, contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk in Hawaii). Let them know that you are a ordained minister with Open Ministry in California, and ask them what information the will require of you, to officiate a marriage in Hawaii. Most clerks and governing agencies may require that you present them with a physical copy of your ordination record.
When speaking with the county clerk; it can be helpful to use the following phrases.
- What agency or department issues marriage licenses in your county and how may I contact them?
- I am an ordained minister with a church in California and I would like to register as a wedding Officiant in your county to perform and solemnize weddings.
- I have my Letter of Good Standing and/or Ordination Credential as proof of my ministry and ordination.
- What additional documentation is required for me to register as a wedding Officiant in your county or state?
Step 3 - Get registered to perform a Marriage
License to perform a wedding in Hawaii
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you will want to visit our bookstore to get physical copies official credentials for presentation and your records. (See Hawaii State Statutes for More Specific Requirements )
When registering in Hawaii you may be asked to display proof of your ordination to the county clerk's before they will accept the marriage license as having been legally solemnized. We typically advise ministers of Hawaii to get a Complete Minister Package for Hawaii which includes your Letter of Good Standing (the live signed and notarized physical copy of your standing with our ministry).
Having your physical copies credentials provides peace-of-mind to couples and others that you intend to marry. Additionally, we recommend at least 4 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials and are able to register in time. Please note that every state and county can impose different requirements. This may include other nominal fees and additional paperwork that may need to be completed before the ceremony can take place.
It is important to note that some county clerks in Hawaii may require wedding officiants to attach a statement which asserts some of the elements in the marriage license upon submission, including the following:
- The time and location at which the wedding took place
- The names and places of residence of all official witnesses
- The religious organization in which the officiant is ordained
- The printed name and address of the officiant
Please note that, when filling out a marriage license, that Hawaii State may request you use the title "Minister" or "Reverend". The County Clerks may also require you enter your denomination, you can use "Non-Denominational". Failing to state a denomination may result in rejection and could require a duplicate marriage license.
Step 4 - How to Perform the Wedding
How to perform a wedding in Hawaii
Once you have completed of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Hawaii state issued marriage license from the appropriate office. Hawaii marriage licenses valid for a set number of days, and there may be a waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Hawaii and when the ceremony may be legally performed in Hawaii. This information should be written on the license and followed to ensure the ceremony is recorded properly.
Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office in Hawaii before the time limit is reached. Check the marriage license for the exact dates. Once the the previous matters have been addressed, officiating a wedding in Hawaii can be a great and wonderful experience.
If you have any comments or issues as a wedding officiant in Hawaii, or after you have been ordained, or would like to just asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony in Hawaii. We recommend that all new Hawaii wedding ministers who have issues or concerns about the ceremony read over our helpful guides.
Hawaii
If you are or have been asked to perform a wedding in Hawaii. The county clerk will require you to have the Letter of Good Standing for Hawaii.
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.
Division 1: Government - Title 31: Family - Chapter 572: Marriage - Part 1: Requisites, Procedures
[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]
572-11 Marriage ceremony; license to solemnize
It shall not be lawful for any person to perform the marriage ceremony within the State without first obtaining from the department of health a license to solemnize marriages.
Division 1: Government - Title 31: Family - Chapter 572: Marriage - Part 1: Requisites, Procedures
[CC 1859, §1283; RL 1925, §2949; am L 1929, c 104, §5; RL 1935, §4639; RL 1945, §12360; RL 1955, §323-11; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §572-11; am L 1969, c 19, §1]
572-13 Record of solemnization; marriages, reported by whom; certified copies
(a) Recordkeeping. Every person authorized to solemnize marriage shall make and preserve a record of every marriage by the person solemnized, comprising the names of the man and woman married, their place of residence, and the date of their marriage.
Every person authorized to solemnize marriage, who neglects to keep a record of any marriage by the person solemnized shall be fined $50.
(b) Marriages, reported by whom. It shall be the duty of every person, legally authorized to perform the marriage ceremony, to report within three business days every marriage ceremony, performed by the person, to the agent of the department of health in the district in which the marriage takes place setting forth all facts required to be stated in a standard certificate of marriage, the form and contents of which shall be prescribed by the department of health.
(c) Certified copies of certificate of marriage. The department of health shall deliver one certified copy of the certificate of marriage or the contents or any part thereof as provided in section 338-13 to the persons married. The certificate shall be prima facie evidence of the fact of marriage in any proceeding in any court.
The department of health shall upon request, furnish to any applicant additional certified copies of the certificate of marriage or any part thereof.
Copies of the contents of any certificate on file in the department, certified by the department shall be considered for all purposes the same as the original.
The department may prescribe reasonable fees, if any, to be paid for certified copies of certificates.
Division 1: Government - Title 31: Family - Chapter 572: Marriage - Part 1: Requisites, Procedures
[L 1864, p 21; am L 1903, c 8, §2; am L 1911, c 23, §1; RL 1925, §2951; RL 1935, §4641; RL 1945, §12362; RL 1955, §323-13; HRS §572-13; am L 1974, c 31, §2; am L 1978, c 49, §2; am L 1981, c 202, §2; gen ch 1985]
572-13.5 Revocation or suspension of licenses to solemnize
Any license to solemnize marriages issued pursuant to section 572-12 may be revoked or suspended by the department of health, if the holder of the license has failed to comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter or of the rules of the department of health.
Division 1: Government - Title 31: Family - Chapter 572: Marriage - Part 1: Requisites, Procedures
[L 1981, c 202, §3]