How to make your Hawaii elopement legal
Every state has different requirements for applying for and receiving a marriage license, and the State of Hawaii is simple in some ways, but not-so-simple in others. In order to apply for your marriage license, you’ll need an ID – state issued or a passport works – and a copy of a divorce decree if either you or your partner have previously been married. You can begin this process online, but you’ll still need to make an appointment to validate your information and obtain the physical copy of your marriage license.
The state of Hawaii does not require a waiting period nor a witness (so if you’re planning on eloping alone, you don’t have to worry about finding a kind stranger to witness your big day). The total application fee is $65.
It is crucial to receive your marriage license prior to attending your ceremony, otherwise your union will not be legally recognized as a marriage! Set an alert on your phone; write it down in your daily planner; do anything and everything you can do to remind yourself to bring your license! To make an appointment with an agent to receive your marriage license, please click here.
How to prepare for the day of your elopement
Planning an elopement is enough to give anyone the pre-wedding jitters. It’s a big, important moment that you’ve likely been waiting for, so if you’re got a bundle of nerves, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
We’ll send you an itinerary of your elopement details prior to your ceremony, which ensures everyone is one the same page for details concerning time, location and series of events. Be sure you’re clear on where you’re meeting and where you intend to hold your ceremony. Your team can always make suggestions if you’re unsure – that’s what they’re here for! Always ensure to bring the hard copy of your marriage license with you, as all parties present will sign.
If you’re eloping without a coordinator, a great way to make sure you’ve not forgotten anything is by creating a checklist for yourself. Your checklist should include things like your marriage license, your vows, any additional details you want your photographer to capture, and gratuity for your vendors. We know that Aloha time is a very real thing, so make sure you leave plenty of time in between each portion of the day to ensure you don’t stress about running late!
Whether you’re still figuring out the beginning stages of how to elope in Hawaii or if you’ve already got your plane tickets book, having all of this information at the ready will help make you feel less stressed and more focused on what really counts – the person you’re choosing to spend forever with.