How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section (state level - Honolulu) / District Health Offices (neighbor islands)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: Hawaii birth records are restricted. Eligible requesters include the registrant (if of legal age), parents, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or others who can establish a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Choose your method:
ONLINE (recommended): Order at vitrec.ehawaii.gov - requires upload of government-issued photo ID; payment by credit/debit card; certificates mailed to the address provided; APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED for pickup
BY MAIL: Complete application form (downloadable from health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords); include copy of photo ID, proof of relationship, and payment (money order or cashier's/certified check - NO personal checks, NO cash); mail to: Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801-9984
IN PERSON (Oahu): Visit DOH office, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, Honolulu; Mon-Fri 7:45 AM-2:30 PM; APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED; walk-in available between appointments as time permits
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS: Contact your local District Health Office or order online
Submit application with valid government-issued photo ID
Pay the fee and receive certificate (processing approximately 10 business days from receipt)

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID (upload for online; copy for mail; present in person - NO electronic/digital ID for in-person)
Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another person
Payment (credit/debit card online; money order or cashier's check for mail - NO personal checks, NO cash)

Fee

$10 first certified copy; $4 each additional copy of same record ordered at same time; $2.50 portal administration fee for online orders (per 5-copy batch); $10 search fee charged even if no record found

Processing Time

Online orders: typically mailed within 10 business days; mail orders: approximately 6-8 weeks; in-person: approximately 10 business days (not typically issued same day)

Online Option

Yes - vitrec.ehawaii.gov (highly recommended)

Where to Go

DOH Vital Records, 1250 Punchbowl St., Room 103, Honolulu (in-person with appointment); vitrec.ehawaii.gov (online); District Health Offices (neighbor islands)

Hawaii Notes

Important state-specific details

APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED for in-person service at the Honolulu DOH office - walk-in between appointments as time permits.
Hawaii birth records are state-maintained - there are no separate county vital records offices.
NO personal checks accepted - money order or cashier's/certified check only for mail orders.
Records available from 1842 to present (Hawaii has among the oldest vital records of any US state).
Letter of verification ($5): available as alternative to certified copy - verifies existence of a record without disclosing record details.
Electronic or digital ID: check current requirements at health.hawaii.gov - policy has varied; confirm before ordering online.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Hawaii DOH Vital Records - health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords | (808) 586-4539 | P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801-9984; online orders: vitrec.ehawaii.gov