Hawaii Birth Records Online

Hawaii birth records are managed by the Department of Health and are partially restricted for privacy. The limit to the privacy laws is 75 years, so you will have no problem getting copies of Hawaii birth records when the date of birth was more than 75 years ago. For more recent records, you will have to be a relative of the person on the record but not necessarily an immediate relative like you do in most other states. Aunts, uncles, cousins and similar relations are all eligible. That includes spouses too.

You will be able to research Hawaii birth records back as far as 1842, when the state first started requiring registrations. Be aware that many older records may be in Hawaiian, not in English. You should also know that male children were marked with a "k" and female with a "w" though some older records did not record the sex at all.

You can either apply via the mail or go to the office in person. There will be a wait time either way as they do not issue records on a while-you-wait basis. If you drop it off in person, you can come back for your record in about 10 days. By mail, you'll be waiting 2 to 3 weeks.

For an in-person request for a Hawaii birth record, you need to go to the Health Department office at 1250 Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. There are forms there for you to fill out, or you can get a form online from the state website (http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/pdf/birth.pdf). Try not to plan your trip on a Friday as the office is often closed due to state furloughs.

For mailing purposes, send your completed forms to the State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, PO Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801 USA.

The forms will require the name of the person on the birth record, the birth date, place of birth and name of both parents. If the record is under 75 years old, you will also have to provide photo ID of yourself and indicate what your relationship is to the person on the record.

Along with the information on the form, you have to include the search fee. It will cost you $10 USD for each Hawaii birth record you request and they do not take personal checks. You can by in cash if you are doing your ordering in person, or by money order or certified check when sending in the mail. Checks need to be made out to the "State Department of Health". Additional copies of the same record can be ordered for another $4 each. If your record cannot be located, you will not get a refund.

Hawaii Birth Records Search

To request a copy of your Hawaii birth certificate, take the following measures:

Step 1.
Start by filling out the Hawaii Birth Certificate application.

Step 2.
Make a copy of your government ID if you are making a request by mail, or take it with you when making a request in person.

Step 3.
Take the completed application, along with a $10 money order, certified check or cashier's check, to the Department of Health. However, please note the office is closed to walk-in applications on all holidays and furlough days.

For more information about accessing your Hawaii birth record, you can contact the Hawaii Department of Health:

Hawaii Department of Health
Office of Health Status Monitoring
Issuance/Vital Statistics Section
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-4539

Hawaii Birth Records

Accessing your Hawaii Birth Records

Persons who are interested in accessing Hawaii birth records can do so through the Office of Health Status Monitoring. However, Hawaii birth records are considered confidential under state laws, and therefore can only be accessed by certain people.

How Can You Access Hawaii Birth Records?

You can request Hawaii birth records in person or by mail. In both instances, you will be required to fill out an application, provide your government-issued ID, and pay a fee to access the birth records.

Restrictions to the Access of Birth Records

Because all Hawaii vital records are considered confidential for 75 years, only certain people will have access to Hawaii birth records. To be able to access a record, you must be the person listed, a spouse or direct relative, or be able to demonstrate legal authorization. If you are unable to prove a tangible interest in the Hawaii birth record, your request will be considered invalid, and you will not be provided a copy.