How to Find Hawaii Death Records

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 FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Next, try:
	1831-1925 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index & images to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers.
	1841-1942 - at Ancestry	($); index & images
	1850-1950 - at Ancestry	($); cards, index & images

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

Death records from 1896 to the present are on file with the Hawaii State Department of Health.

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 FamilySearch Libraryand Family Search Centers.
Try 2nd:
	1831-1925 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; Name index & images to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Try 3rd:
	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 an index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following location:

Hawaii State Department of Health

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

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

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

Try:
United States Social Security Death Index U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete ($). U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($)
Or Try:
	Hawaii State Department of Health	included in fee The Department of Health will conduct a reasonable search for your ancestor. Provide as much information as possible.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

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 obtaining certificates of 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 registrant (person whom the record is concerned with)

*The registrant's spouse

*The registrant's parents

*A descendant of the registrant, such as child or grandchild

*A person having a common ancestor with the registrant (sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin)

*A legal guardian of the registrant

*A person or agency acting on behalf of the registrant

*A personal representative of the registrant's estate

*A person whose right to obtain a copy of the record is established by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction

*Adoptive parents who have filed a petition for adoption and need to determine the death of one or more of the prospective adopted child’s natural or legal parents

*A person who needs to determine the marital status of a former spouse in order to determine the payment of alimony

*A person who needs to determine the death of a nonrelated co-owner of property purchased under a joint tenancy agreement

*A person who needs a death certificate for the determination of payments under a credit insurance policy

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of the death.