How to Get Married in Hawaii

More than 20,000 marriages take place every year in Hawaii, and there are a score of gorgeous settings in which to tie the knot among the islands. You can do it on the beach, at a world-famous resort, under the sea, on a cruise, by a waterfall, inside a fern grotto, in a helicopter or in a church. Choosing the location may be the hardest part of getting married in Hawaii!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check out the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau web site at www.gohawaii.com/. There is a section devoted to weddings and honeymoons.

2. Decide which island you want to get married on. Choices include Oahu, Hawaii (the Big Island), Kauai, Maui and Lanai. (See Related eHows for more detailed information on individual islands.)

3. Arrange for a wedding planner if you are not a resident of the islands. The Visitors and Convention Bureau can supply you with suggestions, or with other wedding planning information if you want to make the arrangements yourself.

4. Apply for a marriage license, which is good in any part of the state. You and your partner must appear together at the local office of the Department of Health to apply for the license.

5. Find someone to perform the marriage. Call the Visitors and Convention Bureau at [phone] for suggestions if you don't already have someone in mind.

6. Get married and enjoy your tropical honeymoon!

Tips & Warnings

• There are no blood tests required in order to receive a marriage license. The legal age for marriage is 18. Proof of age is required at the time you obtain the license and you will need to pay a fee for the license.
• For information on where to go to get a license, call [phone] on Hawaii; [phone] on Kauai; [phone] on Maui; or [phone] on Lanai.
• If you don't get married within 30 days of receiving your license, you must apply for another one.
• Be sure to make travel and lodging arrangements far in advance of the wedding date, especially if you are booking a hotel on the smaller islands with limited lodging options.