Honolulu, and Hawaii generally, runs marriage licensing through a single statewide online portal rather than a traditional county clerk’s office — with no state residency or U.S. citizenship requirement, which is a major reason Hawaii processes so many destination weddings.
| License fee | $65 total ($60 application fee + $5 online portal fee). |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None — Hawaii has no statewide waiting period. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid photo ID for both applicants; no state residency or U.S. citizenship required. |
| License validity | 30 days from and including the date of issuance (Hawaii statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Complete the application entirely online at the state’s eMRS portal (emrs.ehawaii.gov) and pay the fee; a Marriage License Agent then issues the license, and one office is located at 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 101, Honolulu. |
| Office hours | The Honolulu license office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (the online application itself is available anytime). |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to be Hawaii residents or US citizens to get married in Honolulu?
No. Hawaii has no state residency or U.S. citizenship requirement for a marriage license, which is part of why it’s such a popular destination-wedding location.
How to get a marriage license in Honolulu (Oahu), step by step
- Start at the state’s eMRS portal (emrs.ehawaii.gov). Hawaii runs marriage licensing through one statewide online system, so the application is the same wherever on the islands you marry.
- Fill in the application for both of you and pay the $65 online ($60 application fee plus a $5 portal fee).
- A Marriage License Agent then issues the license. The Honolulu office is at 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 101, open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Bring valid photo ID for both of you. No Hawaii residency or U.S. citizenship is required.
- Marry within 30 days — the count includes the day the license is issued — and have your officiant return the completed certificate to the Department of Health.
What to bring to the Honolulu office
- Valid photo ID for both applicants
- The confirmation from your online application
- $65 total, paid through the online portal
- Your officiant’s details, so the certificate can be completed correctly after the ceremony
When to apply for your Honolulu license
Hawaii has no waiting period, so once you have the license you can marry that day. The important number is 30: the license is valid for 30 days counting the date of issue as day one. Destination couples should start the online application before travelling, but avoid getting the license more than a few weeks before the ceremony — a delayed trip or postponed date can push you past the window.
After the ceremony: filing your Honolulu license and getting certified copies
Your officiant completes and signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the state Department of Health, which records every Hawaii marriage statewide. The sources we found disagree on a fixed deadline (one says three business days), so ask your Marriage License Agent for the exact timing. After it is recorded, certified copies come from the Department of Health’s Vital Records office. (Filing rules checked September 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Local tips for Honolulu
- The online application is available at any hour, but the license office keeps weekday hours only. If your ceremony is on a weekend, plan to collect the license earlier in the week.
- Because there is no residency or citizenship requirement, Honolulu is one of the most destination-wedding-friendly processes we track.
More questions about getting married in Honolulu
Do we have to be Hawaii residents or U.S. citizens to marry in Honolulu?
No. Hawaii has no state residency or citizenship requirement for a marriage license.
Can the whole process be done online?
The application and payment are online, available at any time. A Marriage License Agent then issues the license, so plan for that step when you arrive.
How long is a Hawaii marriage license valid?
30 days, counting the date of issuance as the first day.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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