Registration of marriages has been the responsbility of the Department of Health since 1896. Prior to that time, responsibility was in several agencies. However, records from these agencies which have survived are now either in the Department of Health or the State Archives. The few records preceding the first law requiring registration (1842) were kept by the missionaries who performed the marriages. Some of these are now at the State Archives, others may still be with the churches where the ceremonies were performed.
Getting Started
Marriage records are located at the Hawai'i State Archives and the Department of Health. At the Hawai'i State Archives, you will need to consult their marriage indexes to find certificates issued during the Kingdom of Hawai'i and the early years of the Territory of Hawai'i. If you need to get the certificate from the Department of Health, you need to know the following information:Name of Groom, Name of Bride, Date of Marriage, and Place of Marriage.
Where can you find all this information?
In order to find this exact information, you need to consult the marriage indexes. The marriage indexes are located at the Hawai'i State Archives and Hawai'i State Library (478 S. King St.).
Microfilm in Hamilton Library's Microforms Room.
Windward Community College Library