Find Divorce Records in Urban Honolulu
Urban Honolulu divorce records are filed and maintained by the First Circuit Family Court, which serves all of O'ahu. Whether you need to look up an old case, get a certified copy of a divorce decree, or find out where to file a new case, this page covers the main sources and steps. The court's online system, eCourt Kokua, gives free public access to case indexes, and in-person options are available at two Honolulu courthouses. If the divorce happened between 1951 and 2002, the Hawaii Department of Health may also have a certificate on file.
Urban Honolulu Overview
Where Urban Honolulu Divorce Records Are Filed
All divorces in Urban Honolulu go through the First Circuit Family Court, which is part of the Hawaii State Judiciary. This court handles all family law matters for Honolulu County, which covers the entire island of O'ahu. The court maintains every divorce case file from the initial petition through final judgment. Records are kept by the Family Division clerk and are part of the official court docket.
The primary filing location is the Kapolei Judiciary Complex. That is where new cases are filed and where most Family Court clerk functions are based. However, the 777 Punchbowl Street address in downtown Honolulu also handles mail requests and certain in-person services through Ka'ahumanu Hale.
| Court | First Circuit Family Court |
|---|---|
| Filing Address | Kapolei Judiciary Complex 4675 Kapolei Parkway Kapolei, HI 96707 |
| Phone | (808) 954-8000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Mail Requests | First Circuit Court, Family Division 777 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI 96813 |
All divorce filings in Urban Honolulu become part of the public court record unless the court has sealed a specific case. Case numbers use the format 1DV + year + 1 + six digits. The "1" prefix identifies the First Circuit. If you have a case number in this format, you can use it to pull up records instantly online or at the courthouse.
Searching Online with eCourt Kokua
The Hawaii State Judiciary runs eCourt Kokua, the official public search system for court records across all circuits. For Urban Honolulu divorce records, select "O'ahu - First Circuit Family Court" from the drop-down. You can search by party name or by case ID. The index is free to search.
eCourt Kokua shows party names, filing dates, case status, docket entries, and hearing information. If a document is available for purchase online, you can pay to download it directly from the system. Document fees are $3.00 for up to 30 pages and $0.10 per page after that. For users who need frequent access, the court offers quarterly subscriptions at $125 or annual subscriptions at $500.
Attorneys in Hawaii have been required to e-file through the Judiciary Electronic Filing System (JEFS) since April 25, 2022. Family court documents from adult civil cases filed through JEFS are available for purchase online via eCourt Kokua. Older or sealed cases may not appear in the online system.
The screenshot below shows the First Circuit Family Court records search through the Hawaii Judiciary's official portal at courts.state.hi.us.
Getting Copies of Urban Honolulu Divorce Records
You can get copies of Urban Honolulu divorce records in person, by mail, or by downloading documents through eCourt Kokua. Each method has its own fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are needed for legal or official use, such as remarriage, name change, or immigration purposes.
In-person copy fees at the courthouse are as follows: if you don't have a case number, a name search costs $5.00. Regular (non-certified) copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $2.00 plus $1.00 per page. If you mail in a request, the court asks that you allow 10 business days for processing. Send mail requests to the Family Division at 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.
For in-person document review, there are two locations in downtown Honolulu. Kauikeaouli Hale at 1111 Alakea Street has public access terminals on the Third Floor, Legal Documents Branch 2, with hours from 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM. You can reach that office at (808) 538-5629. Ka'ahumanu Hale at 777 Punchbowl Street also provides access and can be reached at (808) 539-4300.
The image below shows the Legal Documents Branch public access terminal locations, as described on the official Hawaii Judiciary site.
Note: You can also request court records online through the official court records request page for O'ahu.
Department of Health Divorce Certificates
The Hawaii Department of Health issued divorce certificates for divorces granted between July 1951 and December 2002. As of February 1, 2026, the DOH stopped issuing divorce certificates entirely. If the divorce you are looking for falls in that 1951 to 2002 window, a DOH certificate may still be available. For divorces outside that range, you need to go directly to the court.
DOH vital records are available in person and online. The in-person office is at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, Honolulu, with hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:45 AM to 2:30 PM. You can also order online through the state's portal at vitrec.ehawaii.gov/vitalrecords/. The main vital records site is at health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords/.
DOH certificate fees are $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. There is also a $2.50 administrative fee per application. Keep in mind that a DOH certificate shows only that a divorce occurred. It does not include the full decree or the terms of the settlement. For property, custody, or legal name change use, you will need the court's certified copy of the Final Decree of Divorce.
Filing for Divorce in Urban Honolulu
Urban Honolulu residents file for divorce at the First Circuit Family Court. Hawaii uses a no-fault divorce system. Under HRS §580-41, the only ground required is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." You don't need to show fault or wrongdoing by either spouse.
To file in Urban Honolulu, you must meet the residency requirement. Under HRS §580-1, as amended by Act 69 of 2021, at least one spouse must be domiciled on O'ahu for at least 3 months and in the state of Hawaii for at least 6 months before filing. Military personnel stationed in Hawaii qualify under the same rule. The prior minimum state residency requirement was removed by Act 69.
Filing fees are $215 for cases without children and $265 for cases involving children. The $265 fee includes a $50 Kids First surcharge, which covers the mandatory parent education program. These fees are paid when you file your petition at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex. You can get all the forms needed for a divorce filing at the First Circuit family court forms page or through the court's self-help divorce section.
One important feature of Hawaii divorce law is the Automatic Temporary Restraining Order that goes into effect the moment a petition is filed. Under HRS §580-10.5, this ATRO immediately prohibits both parties from selling or transferring marital assets, changing insurance beneficiaries or coverage, and removing children from the island without court permission. The ATRO applies to both spouses from the moment the case is filed and served.
For cases involving property, Hawaii courts apply HRS §580-47, which uses an equitable distribution model built around an "economic partnership" concept. The court looks at 13 statutory factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and the standard of living. Equitable does not always mean equal, and contested property divisions often require a hearing before a family court judge.
If your case involves children, Kids First Hawaii is a mandatory parent education program. Classes alternate Wednesdays at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex and Honolulu Circuit Court. Registration is at 4:30 PM and the program runs from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The $50 surcharge is already included in the filing fee. Contact Kids First at (808) 954-8280 or kidsfirst@courts.hawaii.gov. More information is available at kidsfirsthawaii.com.
Historical Urban Honolulu Divorce Records
For very old divorce cases, the Hawaii State Archives holds First Circuit divorce case files dating from 1848 to 1892. These are cases numbered 1 through 2415 and are available on microfilm (MFL 51). The Archives is located at the Kekauluohi Building, 364 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. You can reach them at (808) 586-0329.
The State Archives site at ags.hawaii.gov has a genealogy research guide specifically covering divorce case files. That resource walks through what each file typically contains and how to request access. Researchers looking for 19th-century divorce records on O'ahu should start there.
Records from 1893 onward through the mid-20th century are held by the court and are not available through eCourt Kokua. To access those files, you would need to contact the First Circuit Family Court directly or visit in person. The older the case, the more likely it is to be on microfilm rather than available as a paper copy.
Legal Help for Divorce in Urban Honolulu
Several resources are available for people who need help with a divorce case in Urban Honolulu. Some are free for people with low income. Others provide general information for people representing themselves.
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii at legalaidhawaii.org is the primary source of free legal help in the state. They handle family law cases for people who qualify based on income. You can apply through their website or call their main office to find out if you are eligible.
The First Circuit Family Court runs a Self-Help Center. Call (808) 954-8290 to reach the Self-Help Center staff. They can help you understand the process, find the right forms, and figure out what steps to take next. They can't give legal advice, but they can explain how the system works.
The UH Library also maintains a helpful guide to Hawaii court records and research tools at guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiicourts. That guide covers eCourt Kokua, the State Archives, and other resources that are useful for both researchers and people with active cases.
Note: The court's official self-help page for divorce is at courts.state.hi.us/self-help/divorce/ and covers forms, instructions, and an overview of the process for uncontested cases.
Honolulu County Divorce Records
Urban Honolulu is part of Honolulu County, and all divorce cases on O'ahu go through the First Circuit Family Court. The county page covers the full court system, additional local resources, and details that apply to other communities across O'ahu beyond the urban core.
Nearby Cities
These nearby O'ahu communities also have divorce records through the First Circuit Family Court.