Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce
certificates) for events that occurred in Hawaii are received and
preserved by the Office of Health Status Monitoring, a unit of the
Department of Health. In Hawaii, access to vital records is restricted
by statute (HRS §338-18).
Certified copies of these records may be issued to
authorized individuals and used for such diverse purposes as school
entry, passports, Social Security participation, driver’s
licenses, employment, sports participation, survivor’s benefits,
proof of property rights, and other needs.
Apostilles and the authentication of certified
copies of vital records for international legalization can be
provided.
Records of events that occurred more than 75 years
prior to the current year can be ordered by persons
working on genealogy projects. Since genealogy requests are not
considered urgent, they are not processed as priority requests.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce
certificates) on file with the Department of Health may be amended
(i.e., changes, corrections, additions, deletions, or substitutions)
upon submission of the required documentation.
Amended certificates of birth may be prepared and
filed with the Department of Health, as provided by law, for 1) a
person born in Hawaii who already has a birth certificate filed with
the Department of Health or 2) a person born in a foreign country.
Late registration, registration one year or more
after the date of the event’s occurrence, of certificates are
permitted subject to evidentiary requirements.
Requests to change an item (e.g., following a legal
change of name) on a Certificate of Hawaiian Birth will result in the
cancellation of the Certificate of Hawaiian Birth and the preparation
of a late birth certificate in lieu thereof, subject to the evidentiary
requirements specific to late registration in connection with
Certificates of Hawaiian Birth.
Getting Information on Vital Records by Telephone
Information on issuance of certified copies of vital records,
Apostilles, amendment of vital records, amended birth certificates (for
adopted persons, etc.), and late registration may also be obtained via
the telephone system, any day or any time, by calling (808)
586-4533.
Contacting this Office by E-mail
To send an e-mail message, click on vr-info@doh.hawaii.gov
now.
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