How to Find Hawaii Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Hawaii Deaths

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Hawaii death records exist as early as 1849. Prior to 1896 it was the responsibiliy of the Board of Education to record deaths after which the Board of Health became the custodian of the records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1896 1896 thru Present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1896

Until 1896 the Board of Education was the custodian of death records with the teachers acting as registrars. The records are incomplete.

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

Hawaii Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try:
	1862-1919 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers.

If you are unable to locate your ancestor in the index you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc)	Church Records Census Tax Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1896 thru Present

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Hawaii Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try:
	1862-1919 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Libraryand Family Search Centers.
Try 2nd:
	1896-1929 - Hawaii State Archives Vital Statistics Collection	Free; index only; searchable by name or locality.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of death

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following location:

State of Hawaii Department of Health

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

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:

Try:
Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
	1937 to present at Genealogy Bank	Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent

Don't want to order the death record? Search other records with death information

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 75 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 75 years, you must be:

• 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
• Funeral director
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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