In Hawaii, certified death certificates are issued by Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section, Hawaii State Department of Health. The state fee is $10 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Hawaii
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $10 |
| Each additional copy | $4 |
$4 each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same time, plus a $2.50 fee per 5 certificates (e.g. $5.00 for 6-10). Mail orders: cashier's check, certified check or money order only.
Who can order a certified copy
Only those with a direct and tangible interest: spouse, parent(s), descendants (child, grandchild), anyone sharing a common ancestor (sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin), legal guardian, a person or agency acting for the registrant, the personal representative of the estate, a person with a court order, and a few specified others (e.g. joint-tenancy co-owners, credit insurance).
How to order
- Online (state site)
- In person
In person at the Honolulu office; neighbor-island District Health Offices are listed 'for assistance'.
How long it takes
The office does not publish a processing time. Ask when you order, especially if an insurer or bank is waiting.
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The funeral home’s role
The office’s pages do not describe the funeral home’s role. Many families ask the funeral director to order the first copies when arrangements are made.
Online orders go through the state's eHawaii portal (vitrec.ehawaii.gov); ID and eligibility documents must be uploaded. A $5 letter of verification is available instead of a certified copy, but eligibility rules are the same.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Hawaii
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Hawaii.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Office of Health Status Monitoring, Vital Records Section, Hawaii State Department of Health
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Hawaii)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.