How to Find Hawaii Birth Records

Statewide registration of births began in 1842 in Hawaii, but most records begin in 1896, with general compliance by 1929.

Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source]

Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's birth record:

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births before 1842[edit | edit source]

Before 1842, no births were recorded by the county or state. You must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

Records that give birth information:

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 1842[edit | edit source]

Statewide registration of births began in 1842 in Hawaii, but most records begin in 1896, with general compliance by 1929. Delayed birth records also exist. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]

For births that exist during the time period, try the following database:

Hawaii Births Database - Includes Index Only
	Hawaii, Births, Marriages, and Death Cards, 1850-1950	Ancestry - ($), index and images
	Hawaii Births, 1852-1933	FamilySearch - Free; index only; incomplete
	Hawaii, Births and Baptisms, 1843-1909	FamilySearch - Free; index only; incomplete

Can't find your ancestor online in the index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor?		Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With full names, dates and places of an event, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from the Hawaii Department of Health or VitalChek.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

The person on the certificate
The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
The spouse of the person on the certificate
The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
The sibling of the person on the certificate
The aunt, uncle, or cousin of the person on the certificate
The legal guardian of the person on the certificate
Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the birth certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

Pre-1860 Births
Local government authorities and clergymen recorded some pre-1860 birth records. You will find these at the Hawaii State Archives, the Department of Health, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Honolulu.

Birth Records on Microfilm
Some birth records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date when the birth took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.

Search Hawaii in the place search box.
Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records that fit your time frame.
Some microfilms may be available to view at a local Family Search Center.

Delayed Birth Records on Microfilm
Delayed birth records are also available on microfilm through the FamilySearch Library 1859-1903 and 1904-1925.

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years, you must be:

The person on the certificate
The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
The spouse of the person on the certificate
The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
The sibling of the person on the certificate
The aunt, uncle, or cousin of the person on the certificate
The legal guardian of the person on the certificate
Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate