Who is Eligible to Apply for an Apostille?

A certified copy of a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate issued by the State of Hawaii may need to be officially authenticated in order that it be recognized and accepted by government officials of foreign countries.

In the United States of America, each state has the authority to authenticate documents created within the state’s jurisdiction for international certification or legalization.

For those foreign countries who are nations that have joined the 1961 Hague Convention, the authentication process requires just one official form called an Apostille to accompany the birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate. In the State of Hawaii, Apostilles are prepared by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

For nations who have not joined the Convention, the authentication process requires two separate forms to accompany the certificate. In Hawaii, one of these forms is called a Certification and is prepared by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The third form is called an Authentication and is prepared by the State Circuit Court.

Any person applying for a certified copy of a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate is eligible to apply for its authentication, if necessary, for international purposes.

How to Apply for an Apostille

If you require a certified copy of a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate to be authenticated for international legalization, you may request authentication at the same time you request a certified copy of the certificate. The Department of Health will coordinate with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the State Circuit Court to have the official forms prepared and attached to the certificate being issued.

There are separate fees charged by each of the agencies involved in authenticating the certificate. Each fee must be paid separately.

If you are making the request in person, the clerk can assist you in determining which forms are needed and what the amount of the fees will be.

If you are making the request by mail, indicate that you want the certificate to be authenticated for international recognition and identify the foreign country that’s involved. If you do not know whether this foreign country has or has not joined the Convention, enclose three separate money orders or cashier’s checks (all payable in U.S. Dollars), and if it is determined that only an Apostille is needed, the unused money order or cashier’s check will be returned to you. Prepayment is required.

The first money order/cashier’s check should be made payable to the State Department of Health and will serve as payment for the certificate. The fee is $10 for the first copy of the certificate and $4 for each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same time.

A second money order/cashier’s check should be made payable to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and will serve as payment for either the Apostille or the Certification, whichever is needed. The fee is $1 per certificate to be authenticated.

A third money order/cashier’s check should be made payable to the Chief Clerk, First Circuit Court and will serve as payment for the Court Authentication, if it is needed. The fee is $3 per certificate to be authenticated.

Further Information and Assistance

If you require further information about applying for an Apostille or want to check on the status of an accepted request for an Apostille, call (808) 586-4539 or (808) 586-4542 during regular business hours.