Search Hilo Divorce Records
Hilo divorce records are filed and maintained by the Third Circuit Family Court at Hale Kaulike on Kilauea Avenue. As the county seat of Hawaii County, Hilo is the hub for divorce filings across the Big Island. You can search for cases online through the eCourt Kokua public access system, review files at the courthouse on public terminals, or request certified copies by mail or in person. This guide walks through every way to find and access Hilo divorce records, from recent digital filings to historical case files dating back to the 1800s.
Hilo Overview
Where Hilo Divorce Records Are Filed
All divorce cases in Hilo go through the Third Circuit Family Court, Hilo Division. The court is housed at Hale Kaulike, which translates to "House of Justice" in Hawaiian. This building sits on Kilauea Avenue and holds the clerk's office, courtrooms, a public access terminal area, and a law library open to the public. Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, so this is the central filing location for the entire eastern side of the Big Island.
| Court | Third Circuit Family Court, Hilo Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Hale Kaulike 777 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, HI 96720 |
| Phone | (808) 961-7400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 3:00 PM (first come, first served); closed state holidays |
| Online Search | eCourt Kokua |
The Kona Division of the Third Circuit also handles divorces for residents on the west side of the island. That office is at Keahuolu Courthouse, 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, and can be reached at (808) 322-8700 or (808) 322-8750. If you live near Kailua-Kona, you may file there instead of Hilo. Both divisions are part of the same circuit, and records can be requested from either location.
Note: If the case you need is more than five years old, call the Hilo clerk at (808) 961-7400 before visiting. Older files may be stored off-site and may need to be retrieved before you can review them.
Searching Hilo Divorce Records Online
The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua system is the main tool for searching Hilo divorce records online. It is free to use and open to the public. To find Third Circuit cases, select "Third Circuit" or "Third Circuit - Hilo Division" from the court drop-down when you start a search. The system shows party names, case numbers, filing dates, and case status. You can also see docket entries and, for many cases, download individual documents.
Hilo divorce case numbers follow a set format. They begin with "3DV," then the two-digit year, then the digit 1, then a six-digit sequence number. For example, a 2022 case might appear as 3DV221000001. Knowing this format helps when you're searching by case number rather than party name. If you only have a name, the system lets you search by first or last name and will return all matching cases filed in the Third Circuit.
Document downloads through eCourt Kokua cost $3.00 per document, with an extra $0.10 per page beyond the first. Free viewing is available at the public terminals inside Hale Kaulike. The Legal Documents page on the Hawaii courts site has more detail on what you can access and how terminals work at each location.
The Hawaii Judiciary's courts website describes public access terminals at Hale Kaulike where you can review Third Circuit divorce case files at no charge.
Public Access Terminals at Hale Kaulike
Two public access computer terminals inside Hale Kaulike let you search and view case files for free. One terminal is on the first floor near the Legal Documents Section. The second is in the Law Library on the second floor. Both are available during regular court hours. Viewing records at the terminal costs nothing. If you want a printed copy, you will need to pay the copy fee at the clerk's window.
These terminals give you access to electronic case records in the eCourt Kokua system. For older paper files, you may need to request the physical folder from the clerk. Staff can tell you whether the file is on-site or stored at an off-site facility. If it's off-site, allow extra time for retrieval before your visit. Calling ahead at (808) 961-7400 is the best way to avoid a wasted trip.
Getting Copies of Hilo Divorce Records
You can get copies of Hilo divorce records in person at Hale Kaulike or by mail. In-person requests are handled at the Family Court clerk's window during regular hours. Staff pull the file and make copies while you wait, or they may ask you to come back later depending on how large the file is.
Copy fees at the Third Circuit are $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the certification plus $1.00 per page. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree to change a name on a passport or other document, plan for at least a few pages. Ask the clerk how many pages are in the order when you request the copy so you know the total cost.
To request copies by mail, send a written request to:
Third Circuit Court – Family Division
Hale Kaulike
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
Your request should include the full names of both parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if you have it. Attach a copy of a photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by money order or cashier's check made out to State Director of Finance. Processing takes about 3 to 10 business days after the court receives the request. Add another 3 to 5 business days for delivery. Do not send cash or personal checks.
Note: Certified copies from the court are the official legal version of the record. Plain copies are fine for personal reference but are not accepted for most legal or government purposes.
DOH Divorce Certificates: A Limited Resource
The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) issued divorce certificates for divorces that occurred between July 1951 and December 2002. These are statistical summary documents, not full court records. They show that a divorce happened and basic details like the parties' names and the date, but they don't contain the terms of the divorce, property division, or custody orders.
Starting February 1, 2026, the DOH stopped issuing divorce certificates entirely. If you need proof that a divorce occurred for a case in that date range, you may still find older certificates in circulation, but the department will no longer produce new ones. For divorces before July 1951, after December 2002, or for any case where you need the actual court record, the Third Circuit Family Court is the right place to go. You can search the DOH vital records system at vitrec.ehawaii.gov/vitalrecords/ or visit the DOH Vital Records page for more information. Fees were $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy while the program was active. Neighbor island residents could also contact their local District Health Office.
Filing for Divorce in Hilo
If you're starting a divorce case in Hilo, you file at the Third Circuit Family Court. Hawaii changed its residency rules in 2021. Under HRS §580-1, there is no minimum residency period required before you can file. Act 69 of 2021 removed the old six-month rule. Military service members stationed in Hawaii also qualify to file here regardless of where they were born or previously lived.
Hawaii is a no-fault divorce state. Under HRS §580-41, the only ground for divorce is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You don't have to prove that either spouse did something wrong. One party simply states the marriage cannot be saved, and the court accepts that as sufficient. This keeps the process from turning into a blame dispute, which makes things faster in uncontested cases.
Filing fees are $215 for cases without minor children. If children are involved, the fee is $265, which includes a $50 Kids First surcharge. Kids First Hawaii is a mandatory education program for parents going through divorce when children are part of the case. The Third Circuit's schedule for this program may differ from Oahu. Check with the court or visit kidsfirsthawaii.com for scheduling. You can also reach Kids First at (808) 954-8280.
When you file, the court issues an Automatic Temporary Restraining Order under HRS §580-10.5. This ATRO goes into effect automatically and restricts both parties from taking certain actions during the case. It prevents either spouse from selling or hiding assets, canceling insurance policies, or taking children out of state without agreement. The ATRO is served with the divorce papers. All forms for filing a divorce in Hilo are available on the Hawaii Courts self-help divorce page and through the Third Circuit family court forms page.
Property and Support in Hawaii Divorces
Hawaii uses an "economic partnership" model for dividing property in divorce. Under HRS §580-47, the court looks at 13 factors when deciding how to split marital property and whether to award spousal support. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, what each person contributed to the marriage, and the standard of living the couple maintained. The law aims for equitable distribution, which means fair rather than strictly equal.
Marital property generally covers what was earned or acquired during the marriage. Separate property, like assets one spouse owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance, is treated differently. The court can deviate from an equal split when the circumstances call for it. Each case is different, and the record created during the divorce proceeding becomes the permanent document showing how the court resolved these issues.
Historical Hilo Divorce Records at the Archives
The Hawaii State Archives holds Third Circuit divorce case files going back to 1854. Cases 1 through 424, covering the years 1854 to 1899, are available on microfilm reel MFL 56. These are physical case files, not digital scans, and you access them through the archives reading room. Pre-1890 records from the Hamakua, Hilo, and Puna districts are also included in Series 015 of the archives collection.
The Hawaii State Archives genealogy research guide explains how to access Third Circuit divorce case files on microfilm, including cases from the Hilo and Puna districts dating to the mid-1800s.
The Hawaii State Archives digital collection also has some materials online. For genealogy research involving Hilo or the Big Island, this is the most complete source for cases before 1900. The University of Hawaii at Manoa Library also has a research guide for Hawaii courts that can help you find older records using different search strategies.
Note: Historical case files from this era may include handwritten documents and older Hawaiian legal terminology that differs from current practice.
What Hilo Divorce Records Contain
A Hilo divorce case file is made up of multiple documents filed over the life of the case. What's in the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested, and what issues were involved. Most files include a complaint for divorce or divorce petition, proof that the other party was served, any financial disclosure forms, and the final divorce decree signed by the judge.
Cases with children also include a parenting plan, a child support order, and documentation from Kids First Hawaii. Cases involving significant property or spousal support may include financial statements, asset lists, and hearing transcripts. The final decree is the key document. It states that the marriage is legally dissolved and sets out all terms the court approved. If you need to prove a divorce occurred or enforce any part of the order, the certified final decree is the document you need.
Some information in divorce files is sealed. Records involving minor children may have portions restricted under court rules. If you request a file and part of it is withheld, the clerk will tell you what is restricted and under what authority. You can ask for a review if you believe you are entitled to access a restricted portion.
Legal Help for Divorce Cases in Hilo
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii serves the Big Island and may be able to help with divorce cases for people who qualify based on income. Legal aid can help you understand your rights, review court forms, or represent you in court in some cases. Contact them through their website to find out what services are available and how to apply.
The Hawaii Courts website has a dedicated self-help divorce section with guides for people filing without a lawyer. The Third Circuit also has a Legal Documents section on the first floor of Hale Kaulike where staff can direct you to forms and general information. Court staff can't give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and tell you what the court needs.
For attorney referrals, the Hawaii State Bar Association maintains a directory of licensed attorneys. If your divorce involves complex property, business interests, or contested custody, talking with a family law attorney before you file can save time and reduce the chance of mistakes that are hard to fix later.
Hawaii County Divorce Records
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County, and all divorce cases filed in Hilo go through the Third Circuit Family Court that serves the entire county. For more information about the court system, other offices, and resources that cover the whole island, visit the Hawaii County divorce records page.
Other Big Island Divorce Filings
Hilo is the only qualifying city on the Big Island for this site. Other divorce matters on the Big Island go through the same Third Circuit, with the Kona Division serving the west side at Keahuolu Courthouse in Kailua-Kona, 74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue, (808) 322-8700.