Find Divorce Records in Maui County

Maui County divorce records are filed with and maintained by the Family Court of the Second Circuit, based at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku. The Second Circuit covers Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i, and all divorce case filings go through that courthouse. You can search records online through the state's eCourt Kokua system, request copies by mail, or visit the courthouse in person. For older certificates issued before 2003, the Hawaii Department of Health is the right place to look. This page walks you through the process for accessing divorce records in Maui County, whether you need a single document or a full case file.

Maui County Divorce Records Location

The Family Court of the Second Circuit handles all divorce cases filed in Maui County. The courthouse, called Hoapili Hale, sits at 2145 Main Street in Wailuku. This is where you go to find divorce records, view case files, or submit a request for copies. The court is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone number for the court is (808) 244-2700, and the Records Division can be reached at (808) 244-2752. Cases from Moloka'i and Lana'i are also filed and stored here, including cases that were originally heard at Lahaina or Hana courthouses.

For people who want to search online first, the Hawaii State Judiciary's eCourt Kokua portal gives free public access to case records statewide. When searching for Maui County divorce records, select "Second Circuit" from the circuit dropdown. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Divorce case IDs in the Second Circuit start with the number 2 and use "DV" as the case type code. Not every document in a case will appear online, but you can confirm a case exists and get basic information before visiting the courthouse.

The courthouse also has public access terminals on the first floor. These terminals let you look up legal documents at no charge. For older certificates of divorce issued between July 1951 and December 2002, the Hawaii Department of Health Vital Records Office can issue certified copies. Be aware that the DOH stopped issuing new divorce certificates as of February 1, 2026. Also note that the Maui District Health Office does not offer pickup service. All certificates requested through the Maui office are mailed to the requester.

How to Search Maui Divorce Records

Searching for divorce records in Maui County starts with knowing where the case was filed. All Second Circuit divorces, whether the parties lived in Wailuku, Kihei, Kahului, Moloka'i, or Lana'i, are on record at Hoapili Hale. The online path is through eCourt Kokua. It's free and available any time. Type in a name or case number, pick Second Circuit, and see what comes up. You won't get scanned documents from older cases, but the index data is there for most cases going back many years.

If you need the actual documents, you'll need to visit in person or send a mail request. In-person access is the fastest option. Bring a photo ID and, if you have it, the case number. The Records Division staff at (808) 244-2752 can help you locate a case if you have basic information like the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Public access terminals on the first floor of Hoapili Hale let you view records without paying any fees. Copies cost extra and must be requested through the clerk.

The Hawaii State Judiciary's case search portal is the primary online tool for finding Second Circuit divorce records in Maui County.

The eCourt Kokua system is updated regularly and covers divorce filings across all four Hawaiian circuits, including the Second Circuit that serves Maui County.

Requesting Maui County Divorce Records

Mail requests for court records from the Second Circuit go to: Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Wailuku, HI 96793. Your request letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date the divorce was filed, the case number if you have it, a copy of your photo ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your contact information. Payment must be a money order or cashier's check made out to "State Director of Finance." Personal checks and cash are not accepted. Processing time varies, so call the Records Division at (808) 244-2752 to ask about current wait times before you send your request.

For certified divorce certificates covering marriages dissolved between July 1951 and December 2002, use the online request form at eHawaii Vital Records or contact the Hawaii Department of Health. The fee for a certified certificate is $10 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. The Maui District Health Office is located at 54 South High Street, Room 301, Wailuku, HI 96793, phone (808) 984-8210. Keep in mind there is no pickup service at this location. Certificates are mailed only.

If your request relates to county government records rather than court records, you may submit a UIPA (Uniform Information Practices Act) request to the Maui County Clerk's Office at 200 South High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, or call 808-270-7748. Divorce case files themselves fall under the court system, not the county clerk, but the county office can help direct you if you're not sure which agency holds the records you need.

Filing for Divorce in Maui County

Under Hawaii law, you file for divorce in the Second Circuit if you are domiciled in Hawaii at the time of filing. The old six-month residency requirement was eliminated by Act 69 of 2021 under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 580-1. Hawaii is a no-fault state. You don't need to prove fault or wrongdoing. The legal standard is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken," which is set out in HRS section 580-41.

Filing fees at the Second Circuit are $215 for divorces without minor children and $265 for divorces involving children. The higher fee includes a $50 surcharge for the parent education program. Hawaii law requires parents in divorcing families to complete an approved parent education course. Kids First Hawaii is the main provider for this program and offers classes on Maui. When you file, the court automatically issues an Automatic Temporary Restraining Order under HRS section 580-10.5. This order applies to both parties and restricts certain actions involving assets, children, and insurance until the divorce is final.

Court self-help forms and filing guides are available through the Hawaii State Judiciary's divorce self-help page. If you're not using an attorney, the self-help center at Hoapili Hale can answer procedural questions, though staff there can't give legal advice.

What Maui County Divorce Records Contain

A divorce case file in the Second Circuit can hold many types of documents depending on how the case progressed. Common contents include the original divorce petition or complaint, responses from the other party, court orders issued during the case, the final divorce decree, and any property settlement agreements. Cases with children also include custody orders, child support agreements, and parenting plan documents. Contested cases may have financial affidavits, hearing transcripts, and evidence submitted to the court.

Hawaii Revised Statutes section 580-47 governs how courts divide property. Hawaii uses an "economic partnership" model, which treats marriage as a shared financial venture. Judges weigh 13 statutory factors when dividing assets, including the length of the marriage, each party's financial contributions, and their respective earning capacity after divorce. The details of these decisions often appear in written court orders that become part of the permanent case file.

Divorce case records in Maui County are kept permanently. The Second Circuit also maintains paternity case files for 75 years after final judgment, adoption records permanently, and juvenile case files until the subject turns 25, or permanently for serious matters. Most divorce case records are public, though sealed portions, such as financial account details or records involving minors, may require a court order to access.

The Hawaii State Archives holds original Second Circuit divorce case files dating back to the mid-1800s for researchers and genealogists.

Archive staff can help locate older Maui County divorce records not available through the court system or online databases.

Historical Maui County Divorce Records

For researchers looking at older divorce cases, the Hawaii State Archives holds Second Circuit records going back to 1848. The collection is cataloged as Series 011: Divorce Case Files of the Second Circuit Court and covers the period from 1848 through 1900, with some 1915 records also included. The series contains cases A1 through A319 and takes up about 3 cubic feet of storage. These materials have been microfilmed as MFL 54, which makes them accessible without handling the original documents.

The Second Circuit archive materials cover cases from Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i, reflecting the full geographic scope of the circuit. Documents in the collection are in both Hawaiian and English, which is common for court records from the Kingdom of Hawaii era. Minutes from these proceedings also appear in the Civil and Criminal Minute Books of the Second Circuit Court, cataloged as Series 242. The State Archives divorce research guide provides a full breakdown of how these records are organized and how to request access. The archives are located in Honolulu, so Maui residents may need to request materials by correspondence or plan a trip to view originals.

Legal Help for Divorce in Maui County

If you need legal help with a divorce in Maui County and can't afford a private attorney, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii serves residents across the state, including Maui. They can help low-income individuals with family law matters and may be able to assist with divorce paperwork or represent clients in court depending on eligibility. Call their intake line to find out if you qualify.

The self-help center at Hoapili Hale is another resource. It's open to the public and staffed by people who can help you understand court procedures and fill out forms correctly. They can't tell you what to do legally, but they can explain what the forms ask and how to file. The University of Hawaii at Manoa also maintains a Hawaii courts research guide through the law library, which includes resources on family law and how the court system works. The Wailuku Public Library branch at 251 High Street, Wailuku, phone (808) 243-5766, offers public computers and can help you access online court resources if you don't have internet at home.