State Vital Records in Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Health - Vital Records Issuance Section issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Hawaii. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
Hawaii Department of Health - Vital Records Issuance Section
State Vital Records in Hawaii: key facts
- Administering office
- Hawaii Department of Health - Vital Records Issuance Section.
- Contact
- Phone 808-586-4539; email doh.issuanceQuery@doh.hawaii.gov.
- Office location
- Room 103, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu. Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 2:30 PM.
- Mail orders
- Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801.
- Certificate fee
- $10 for the first certified copy; $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Who may order
- Immediate family; Legal representative; Person with direct and tangible interest.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 115 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1853.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Hawaii — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order at vitrec.ehawaii.gov with debit/credit card
- By mail: Mail request with money order or cashier's check (no personal checks or cash)
- In person: Visit Room 103, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu (cash, money order, or cashier's check only)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Driver License, State ID, Passport)
Hawaii Department of Health - Vital Records Issuance Section
Phone: 808-586-4539
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by mail: Mail request with money order or cashier's check (no personal checks or cash). in person: Visit Room 103, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu (cash, money order, or cashier's check only). Mail orders go to Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Driver License, State ID, Passport). The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Hawaii primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Hawaii Department of Health - Vital Records Issuance Section