Apostilles and Authentication of Certified Copies

How to Apply for an Apostille and Authentication

We do not accept cash, personal, or business checks. All payments must be a money order or cashier’s check. See below for specific payee instructions. Do not use the online process for apostilles and authentication.

 

The determination of whether an Apostille or Certification is issued depends upon which country the documents are bound for.  If that country recognizes the “Hague Treaty”, then an Apostille is issued.  If the country does not recognize the Hague Treaty, a Certification is issued.  Please follow steps below to assist in determining applicable fees.  Note: A request for a “new” birth, marriage, or death certificate must accompany the order. We do not accept certified copies provided.

 

Follow these steps:

1.  Forms (do not use the online process for apostille and authentication requests):

Mail-in a paper request order form for a new birth, marriage, or death certificate for apostilles and authentication.  We do not accept provided certified copies of vital records.   Download and complete applicable birth, marriage, or death certificate request forms. Indicate “apostille” and “country” for reason.

2. For Apostille/Authentication Fees

Check if the country is listed here:  Hague Convention Countries

  1. If yes, then the country is part of the Hague Treaty. Requires an Apostille fee of $1.00.  No authentication fee is required.
    1. Download and complete the Office of Lt. Governor’s Apostille or Certification of Documents Form. Click here:  FORM
    2. Enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for $1 payable to the Office of Lt. Governor
    3. Enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for fees applicable to birth, marriage, or death records request payable to the Hawaii Department of Health. Refer to form instructions.
  2. If no, then the country is not part of the Hague Treaty. Requires both Apostille and Authentication fees.
    1. Download and complete the Office of Lt. Governor’s Apostille or Certification of Documents Form. Click here: FORM
    2. Enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for $1.00 payable to the Office of Lt. Governor
    3. Enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for $3.00 payable to Chief Clerk, First Circuit Court
    4. Enclose a separate money order or cashier’s check for fees applicable to birth, marriage, or death records request payable to the Hawaii Department of Health. Refer to form instructions.

3.  Eligibility to Access Vital Record:    Enclose a copy of your government issued I.D. e.g. drivers license, state I.D., or passport

4.  Return Envelope:   Enclose a pre-paid, return self-addressed envelope for us to mail documents once completed.

5.  Mail all checks and forms to the Hawaii Department of Health-Vital Records, P. O. Box 3378, Honolulu, HI 96801

Processing Time and Additional Information

The Department of Health will coordinate with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the State Circuit Court to have the official forms prepared and attached to the certificate being issued.  Please plan accordingly as apostille request can take up to 6 weeks for processing.

For those foreign countries who are nations that have joined the 1961 Hague Convention, the authentication process requires just one official form called an Apostille to accompany the birth, death, or marriage certificate.

For nations who have not joined the Convention, the authentication process requires two separate forms to accompany the certificate. In Hawaii, one of these forms is called a Certification and is prepared by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The second form is called an Authentication and is prepared by the State Circuit Court.