Find Divorce Records in Honolulu County
Honolulu County divorce records are filed and maintained through the First Circuit Family Court, which handles all dissolution cases for the island of O'ahu. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to check a case status, or are searching for an older record, this guide walks you through the main access points: the online eCourt Kokua portal, in-person courthouse terminals, mail requests to the Family Court division, and the Department of Health for certificates from the 1951 to 2002 period.
Honolulu County Overview
Where Honolulu County Divorce Records Are Held
Divorce records in Honolulu County are not held in one single place. The First Circuit Family Court at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex is the primary filing location for all new dissolution cases on O'ahu. That court holds current case files, docket entries, orders, decrees, and related documents. The Ka'ahumanu Hale courthouse at 777 Punchbowl Street also maintains family court records and handles mail requests. For older cases, records may be stored off-site, so it is worth calling ahead if the case is more than five years old.
The eCourt Kokua online portal is the main tool for searching active and recent divorce cases without going to a courthouse. It covers the First Circuit and lets you search by name or case number. You can view docket entries, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status at no cost. Downloading documents costs $3.00 per file for up to 30 pages, with $0.10 per page after that.
For divorce certificates issued between July 1951 and December 2002, the Hawaii Department of Health holds those records. The DOH stopped issuing new divorce certificates as of February 1, 2026, so only that historical range applies there. For cases predating modern court records, the Hawaii State Archives holds First Circuit divorce case files going back to 1848, with microfilm records covering cases 1 through 2415, indexed by the husband's name.
How to Search Honolulu Divorce Records Online
The fastest way to search Honolulu County divorce records is through eCourt Kokua, the Hawaii Judiciary's public case search system. Set the court location field to "O'ahu - First Circuit Family Court." Then run a party name search or enter a case number if you have it. To narrow results to divorce cases only, choose "DV - Divorce" from the case type drop-down menu. Results include filing dates, current case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. The search itself is free.
If you prefer to search in person, public access computer terminals are available at four O'ahu courthouses. Kauikeaouli Hale at 1111 Alakea Street in Honolulu is open for terminal access from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Kaneohe District Court at 45-939 Pookela Street runs terminals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wahiawa District Court at 1034 Kilani Avenue and the Waianae District Court at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex also provide public terminals during those same hours. Using the terminals is free. Copies cost extra.
A note on older cases: files more than five years old may have been moved to an off-site storage location. Call the court before making a trip specifically to review an older case. Staff can tell you where the file is and how to arrange access.
For a broader research view, the UH Manoa Library court records guide provides background on how Hawaii's court system is structured and what records are publicly available. It can help you figure out which court handled a case if you are not sure which circuit or division to search.
The First Circuit Court records request page outlines the process for obtaining divorce records directly from the O'ahu courts, including what to include in your request and how to submit payment.
The records request page is the starting point for any mail or in-person copy request at the First Circuit Family Court in Honolulu County.
Requesting Copies of Honolulu Divorce Records
To get a copy of a Honolulu County divorce record by mail, send a written request to the First Circuit Court Family Division at 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Your letter must include the full legal names of both parties, the approximate date the case was filed, the case number if you have it, and a copy of a government-issued photo ID. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and your contact information. Do not send cash. Payment must be by money order or cashier's check made out to "State Director of Finance."
Processing takes three to ten business days after the court receives your request. Delivery adds another three to five business days. Plan for up to two weeks from the time you mail your request to when the documents arrive.
Copy fees at the O'ahu Family Court run $3.00 to $5.00 per document. Certified copies add a $2.00 to $3.00 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. For eCourt Kokua downloads, certified copies cost an extra $2.00 per document. Subscribers can pay $125 per quarter or $500 per year for full document access.
For divorce certificates from the July 1951 to December 2002 window, contact the Hawaii Department of Health Vital Records office at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, Honolulu, HI 96813. You can also apply online through the eHawaii vital records portal. DOH certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy. Walk-in hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mail requests go to: State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring, Issuance/Vital Statistics Section, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801. Note that access to DOH divorce certificates is restricted to the parties involved, immediate family, legal representatives, and others with a direct tangible interest in the record.
The Hawaii State Archives charges $0.25 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee for copies of older records. Contact the Archives at (808) 586-0329. They are located at the Kekauluohi Building, 364 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Honolulu County Divorce Filing Process
Divorce cases in Honolulu County are filed with the First Circuit Family Court. Under HRS Chapter 580, specifically HRS §580-1, Hawaii courts have jurisdiction when at least one spouse is domiciled in the state. Hawaii eliminated its old six-month residency requirement in 2021 with Act 69, so there is no minimum time you must have lived here before filing.
Hawaii uses a no-fault divorce standard. Under HRS §580-41, the sole legal ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to prove fault or assign blame to either spouse. The court focuses on resolving practical issues: property, support, and any matters involving children.
When you file, an Automatic Temporary Restraining Order (ATRO) takes effect immediately under HRS §580-10.5. This order applies to both parties. It prohibits transferring or hiding assets, making changes to insurance policies, and relocating children out of state. Neither party can take these actions until the divorce is finalized or the court says otherwise.
Filing fees are $215 for cases without minor children and $265 for cases involving children. The higher fee includes a $50 parent education surcharge. Parents in cases with minor children are required to complete a parenting education program. Kids First Hawaii is the state-approved provider for the First Circuit. The program covers how to help children through family transitions and is a required step before the case can close.
Forms for First Circuit divorce cases are available through the O'ahu Family Court forms page. The court's divorce self-help section also walks through the steps for people who are not working with an attorney.
What Honolulu Divorce Records Contain
A complete Honolulu County divorce case file typically includes the original petition or complaint, the summons, any responses filed by the other party, financial affidavits, and all court orders entered during the case. The final divorce decree is part of the file, along with any agreements on property, debt, spousal support, child custody, and child support. If the parties reached a written settlement, that agreement is also part of the record.
Property division in Hawaii follows the equitable distribution model set out in HRS §580-47. The court weighs 13 statutory factors to reach a fair division of marital assets and debts. This does not always mean an equal split. Factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial condition, and contributions to the marriage including non-financial ones like childcare. The court's property division order becomes a permanent part of the case file and is available as a public record once the case is closed.
Some parts of a divorce case file may be restricted. Financial affidavits and documents containing sensitive personal data can be sealed or limited in access. Divorce certificates from the DOH are restricted to the parties themselves, immediate family members, attorneys of record, and those with a demonstrated tangible interest. Basic case information like filing dates, party names, and case status is generally available to anyone through eCourt Kokua.
The eCourt Kokua search portal is the primary online tool for locating Honolulu County divorce case records, with access to docket entries, filing history, and downloadable documents.
eCourt Kokua allows free case searches for the First Circuit Family Court, with per-document fees for downloading individual filings and decrees.
Legal Help in Honolulu County
Not everyone going through a divorce in Honolulu County uses an attorney, but legal support is available if you need it. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii provides free civil legal services to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce and can advise on rights related to property, support, and custody. If you qualify, they may be able to represent you or help you prepare your paperwork.
The Hawaii Judiciary operates a Self-Help Center for people who are handling their own cases. The judiciary's divorce self-help section includes step-by-step guides, downloadable forms, and instructions for filing in the First Circuit. You can also find forms directly through the O'ahu Family Court forms page.
The UH Manoa Library guide to Hawaii court records is a useful free resource for anyone who wants to understand how the court system is organized, how to find older records, and what to expect when searching for case files across different circuits and time periods.
Note: The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii has income eligibility requirements. Contact them directly to find out if you qualify for services before relying on their help for your case.
Cities in Honolulu County
Honolulu County covers the island of O'ahu and includes many cities and communities. Divorce filings for all of these areas go through the First Circuit Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Hawaii's other counties each have their own court circuits for divorce filings. If a case was filed outside O'ahu, check the county where the filing occurred.