How Do I File Probate in City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii?
A step-by-step guide to filing at the First Circuit Court—what documents you'll need, where to go, and what happens after you file.
If you're handling probate yourself in City and County of Honolulu, you can file your documents in person at the First Circuit Court or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file, families filing without an attorney are exempt and can use paper forms.
Your Filing Options
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in City and County of Honolulu, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
- •Wills submitted for probate proceedings
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Factors like estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree can determine if self-filing at the First Circuit Court is realistic for your situation. City and County of Honolulu has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
For a detailed cost comparison and filing checklist, see the full City and County of Honolulu Self-Filing Assessment.
City and County of Honolulu Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
Ex Parte Petitions: Do NOT efile directly through JEFS. Submit unfiled original in paper form to Estate and Probate Branch. Email list of interested parties in Excel format to EstatesAndProbate.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov. Ex parte petitions efiled directly will be processed without opportunity for correction.
Case Type Notation: Documents must note proceeding type (Small Estate, Informal, Supervised, Will Deposit, Demand for Notice, No Fault, or Determination of Death). When a proceeding changes form, the same case number (P. No.) is used throughout.
Document Requirements
Death Certificates: Must be filed as sealed documents per Hawaii Rules of Probate Rule 3 (confidential by rule).
Getting to the First Circuit Court
Parking
Courthouse parking at South Street Garage (corner of South and Pohukaina Streets) and Makai Garage (Halekauwila Street). Municipal rates apply.
In-Person Filing
The First Circuit Court is located at Ka'ahumanu Hale, 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813-5093. Phone: 808-539-4399. Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM, Mon-Fri (except State holidays).
What to Bring
Bring the original will, a certified death certificate, and a list of heirs and beneficiaries to the First Circuit Court. You'll also need to provide an overview of the estate's assets and any known debts.
Court Resources
The First Circuit Court offers a self-help center for people handling probate without attorneys.
The center can review your paperwork for completeness and explain filing procedures, though they can't provide legal advice about your specific case.
Additional resources, forms, and fee schedules are available on the First Circuit Court website.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the First Circuit Court in City and County of Honolulu, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($100). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
At minimum: petition for probate, application for letters testamentary or of administration, notice to heirs, and an oath for the personal representative. City and County of Honolulu uses the standard Hawaii probate forms — the court's website lists the current versions.
Hawaii allows informal (unsupervised) probate, which many families handle themselves for simple estates. The First Circuit Court in City and County of Honolulu does not require attorney representation. Use the Hawaii self-filing assessment to see if your estate qualifies.
Yes. The First Circuit Court in City and County of Honolulu accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Assets stay locked, creditors can still pursue them, and beneficiaries cannot sell real property or close accounts. After a few years, interested parties can petition to open probate themselves. Waiting rarely helps. Families who set up a revocable living trust ahead of time bypass this problem entirely.
First Circuit Court
City and County of Honolulu
Ka'ahumanu Hale, 777 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-5093
Phone:
808-539-4399Fax:
808-539-4314
Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:15 PM, Mon-Fri (except State holidays)
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
