How much do death certificates cost in Hawaii?
Certified copies from the Hawaii Department of Health cost $10 each. County-level offices charge the same fee.
| Source | Cost per copy |
|---|---|
| Department of Health (state) | $10 per copy |
| County vital records offices | $10 per copy |
| Third-party online services | State fee + processing fee |
Hawaii has some of the lowest death certificate fees in the country.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest for new deaths)
Your funeral director orders the first batch as part of their services. This is the simplest and fastest route for recently filed death certificates.
From the Department of Health
The Hawaii Department of Health handles vital records for deaths that occurred anywhere in the state.
- Online: Order through the Department of Health's e-services portal. Processing takes roughly 2 to 3 weeks.
- By mail: Send a completed application with a check or money order payable to "State Department of Health." Include a copy of your ID. Mail orders take 4 to 8 weeks.
- In person: Visit the state vital records office in Honolulu. Same-day service may be available.
From your county office
Each of Hawaii's 4 counties (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii/Big Island, Kauai) has a vital records office.
- Honolulu: Issuance Center at the Department of Health building
- Maui, Hawaii, Kauai: District health offices on each island
In-person requests at county offices are often faster than mail or online orders.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| State or county office (in person) | Same day to 5 business days |
| Online portal | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Mail order | 4 to 8 weeks |
If you are on a neighbor island and need copies quickly, visit your local district health office rather than ordering from Honolulu.
How many copies do you need?
Order at least 8 to 10 certified copies. You will need one for each bank, insurance company, retirement account, and government agency you contact. Some institutions keep the copy you submit.
For a complete breakdown of where you will need certified copies, see our guide on how to get death certificates.
Who can order?
Hawaii restricts certified death certificates to:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parent, child, or sibling of the deceased
- Grandparent or grandchild
- The executor or personal representative of the estate
- A legal guardian or attorney acting on behalf of the family
- Anyone with a court order
- A registrant (the person named on the certificate, for non-death records)
You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased when ordering.
What to know about Hawaii specifically
Island logistics matter. Hawaii's geography means mail between islands and the mainland can add days to processing. If you are on the same island as a vital records office, in-person requests are significantly faster.
$10 per copy is among the cheapest nationwide. At this price, ordering extra copies is inexpensive. It is better to have a few extra than to need more later.
Uniform Probate Code state. Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Probate Code. If you are also handling the estate, personal property under $100,000 (excluding motor vehicles) may qualify for transfer by affidavit without full probate. Probate is handled through the Circuit Court. See our guide on how probate works in Hawaii for details.
You can track all of your estate tasks with our interactive checklist.
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