Get a certified Hawaii Death Certificate

Hawaii does not record deaths that occur on U.S. military bases overseas. These deaths are registered with the U.S. Department of State if the deceased's parents were U.S. citizens at the time. https://www.vitalrecordsonline.com/glossary/consular-report-of-birth-abroad You can request the necessary documentation by contacting the U.S. Department of State and obtaining a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the Hawaii Department of Health and Social Services (DOH-OHSM) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Hawaii typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The DOH-OHSM issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: Age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation of the deceased.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

Hawaii death certificates are essential legal documents in the United States, serving as the only official proof of a person's death. They are crucial for various legal, financial, and personal matters. After someone has passed away, these vital records are necessary for managing financial affairs, processing benefit claims, verifying information for institutions, settling estates, and obtaining benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

The process to correct or amend a Hawaii death certificate depends on the type of correction required. When an amendment is made, the original certificate is not altered; instead, a new certificate is issued with the correct information.

Obtain the Necessary Form

To request an amendment or correction, you must complete the Hawaii Department of Health Request for Amendment form, which is used for most corrections. For more information about a death amendment or to speak to a DOH-OHSH correction staff, call (808) 586-4541 or send a written inquiry to: State Department of Health Office of Health Status Monitoring Corrections Section P.O. Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801

Gather Supporting Documentation

For minor corrections like spelling errors, a valid ID and proof of the correct information (such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or government ID) may be sufficient. For medical corrections like changes to the cause of death, you'll need a signed statement from the certifying physician or medical examiner. More significant changes, such as legal name changes, may require a court order.

Pay the Amendment Fee

The fee structure is $10.00 for the amendment and $4.00 for each additional certified copy requested at the same time. Payment methods include check or money order for mail applications, or credit card for in-person submissions.

Processing Time

Simple amendments typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process. More complex amendments that require medical or legal documentation may take longer, depending on the nature of the correction and whether additional review is required.

You can order an apostille directly through the Secretary of State or online through VRO’s Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State and are often required when filing a Hawaii death certificate with a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Hawaii Department of Health, you will need to provide the following items:

1. Forms Submission:
   Do not use the online process for apostille and authentication requests. Instead, print and fill out a paper request order form for any new birth, marriage, or death certificate needed for apostilles and authentication.
   Previously certified copies of vital records are not accepted.
   Download the necessary forms for birth, marriage/civil union, or death certificates. Clearly indicate “apostille” and specify the “country” as the reason for your request.
2. Apostille/Authentication Process:
   Download and complete the Office of Lt. Governor’s Apostille or Certification of Documents Form. You can find the form here.
   Include a separate money order or cashier’s check for $1 made payable to the Office of Lt. Governor.
   Additionally, enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for the fees associated with your birth, marriage, or death record request. This should be made payable to the Hawaii Department of Health. Please refer to the instructions provided with the form.
3. Eligibility Documentation:
   Include a copy of your government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
   You must also provide documentation that verifies your eligibility to obtain the requested vital record. For more information on eligibility, please click here.
4. Return Envelope:
   Enclose a pre-paid, self-addressed stamped envelope to ensure the completed documents can be returned to you.
5. Mailing Your Request:
   Assemble your completed request form, indicating the country for the apostille, a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, eligibility documentation (if applicable), the completed Office of the Lt. Governor form, all payment checks, and the pre-paid self-addressed stamped envelope.
   Send everything to: Hawaii Department of Health-Vital Records P.O. Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801

Note: If you are submitting the request on behalf of the registrant (the person named on the certificate), you will need to include a letter of authorization from the registrant granting you permission to request and obtain the document on their behalf. Additionally, provide a copy of their government-issued photo ID alongside your own.

Make sure all documents are completed and enclosed properly for a smooth processing of your request.

You can reach the office at (808) 586-4539  or https://health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords/apostilles/.

In-person/by mail (standard or express courier):

Requests by mail:

Ensure that you specify on the application form that you need an apostille and indicate the country to which the document will be submitted. The fee for a death certificate is $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy. The apostille fee is $1.00 per document.