Hawaii Apostille Services — Birth, Marriage, Diplomas, FBI & Business

Live in Hawaii and need to use aHawaii-issued document overseas? Whether it’s abirth certificate apostillefor a visa in Europe,amarriage certificate apostillefor a consular filing,diplomas & transcripts apostillefor a university abroad,a court-certifieddivorce decree apostillefor remarriage,or a notarizedpower of attorney apostilleto manage property overseas,foreignauthorities typically require anapostille. An apostille isa one-page certificate recognizedbycountries in theHague Apostille Convention; itauthenticates thesignature, seal, and capacity ofthe issuer soyour document is trustedabroad.

This guide explainsHawaii apostille servicesfrom the ground up—who issues them, whichdocuments qualify,how to prepare paperworkcorrectly, realistic timelines, and how toavoid rejections and re-mail cycles. We’vetuned thecontent forlocal SEO so searches like“apostille Honolulu,” “Hawaii apostilleservice,” “apostille near me Maui,”or“apostille Big Island” find exactly whatyou need. Throughout, you’ll seeinline internal links toour core guides:birth certificate apostille,marriage certificate apostille,divorce decree apostille,death certificate apostille,academic diplomas & transcriptsapostille, andpower of attorney & notarizeddocuments apostille.

Quick Answer

Authority: In Hawaii,apostilles are issued by theOffice of the Lieutenant Governorin Honolulufor documents originating in theState of Hawaii (vital records, courtrecords, Hawaii-notarized documents,registrar-verifiedacademic records, andcorporate filings).Federal documents (e.g., FBIbackground checks, IRS letters,FDA/USDA/USP/EPA certificates)must beapostilled by theU.S. Department of State inWashington, D.C. As a rule of thumb,follow the issuer.

Speed: DIY mail-in toHonolulu can take weeks, and errors causelengthy returns. With proper readinessandhand-carry filing,many Hawaii apostilles can be completedin ~24 hours. We send asame-day scan uponissuance,and we ship the original only ifyou request it.

Flat Rate:$145 per document —government fees included.Scans always included.U.S.shipping is $20 (optional).International shipping is quoted case bycase.

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is aninternationally recognized certificate usedby member countries of the1961 Hague Apostille Conventionto verify the origin of a public document.The apostille does not change yourdocument’scontent; rather, it authenticatesthesignature, seal, and officialcapacityof the issuing authority (e.g., aregistrar,clerk, or notary). ForHague-member destinations like Japan, SouthKorea, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal,Germany, Mexico, and Brazil,a state orfederal apostille is typically the finalstep.

If your destination isnot a Hague member (e.g.,United Arab Emirates, China, Vietnam,Qatar), the process isdifferent: yourdocument requiresauthentication by theappropriate U.S. authority followedbyembassy/consular legalization. We route Hawaii and federal documentscorrectly from the start and sequenceanyrequired translations at the proper stepto match the receiving authority’s rules.

Who Issues Apostilles in Hawaii?

TheOffice of the Lieutenant Governorissues apostilles forHawaii-origin documents, including:

• Vital Records — Certifiedcopies ofbirth certificates,marriage certificates,divorce decrees, anddeath certificates.
• Court Records — Certifiedjudgments, name changes, adoption rulings,probate orders, guardianship/custodydocuments.
• Notarized Documents —Hawaii-notarized affidavits, consentletters, andpowers of attorneywith compliant notary wording.
• Academic Records —Registrar-verifieddiplomas & transcriptsfrom the University of Hawaii system (UHMānoa, UH Hilo, UH West O‘ahu, UH MauiCollege), Hawaii Pacific University,Chaminade University, and otherinstitutions.
• Business Records —Certified Articles/Organization,Certificates of Good Standing, corporateresolutions, and bank/authority packets.

Federal documents (FBIIdentity History Summary, IRS Form 6166,FDA/USDA/USP/EPA certificates) requireafederal apostille from theU.S. Department of State inWashington, D.C. Submitting federal itemstoHawaii causes returns and weeks of losttime.

When Do You Need an Apostille?

For Hawaii residents, apostilles arecommonly required when documents are usedoutside the United States for:

• Immigration & Visas —Apostilledbirth certificates,marriage certificates, court orders, and afederal apostille on FBIbackground checks.
• Study Abroad & AcademicPlacement— Apostilleddiplomas & transcriptsfor foreign universities and ministries ofeducation.
• Marriage or Adoption Abroad— Apostilled vital records, courtjudgments, and notarized consents/POAs.
• Dual Citizenship & FamilyRegistry— Apostilledbirth,death, and historical marriage records;probate and name-change orders.
• International Banking &Business— Apostilled Articles, Good Standing,board resolutions, andcorporate POAs.
• Inheritance & Real Estate— Apostilled court orders anddeath certificatesfor cross-border estates or propertysales.

Your Options at a Glance (DIY vs. Expedited)

Factor	DIY Mail-In (Hawaii)	Our Expedited Service
Typical Timeline	~2–6+ weeks via mail; longer withbacklogs or errors	~24 hours possiblefor many HI documents with readiness& hand-carry
Risk of Rejection	Higher — wrong authority, stalecopies, notary defects, missing fees	Lower — expert pre-check, correctrouting, compliant packaging
Status Visibility	Low — limited visibility after mailing	High — proactive updates +same-day scan on issuance
Effort Required	You research, assemble, mail, track,and troubleshoot	We review, hand-carry, monitor, scan,and (optionally) ship
Best For	Flexible timelines; experienced DIYers	Deadlines, visa appointments,onboarding, enrollment, closings

Pricing & ETA (Scans Included, ShippingOptional)

Hawaii Document Readiness (Vital, Court,Notarized, Academic, Corporate)

“Apostille-ready” is the difference betweena smooth ~24-hour turnaround and weeks ofdelay. In Hawaii, readiness means:

Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Divorce,Death)

Use certified copies fromthe Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) orappropriate county office. Photocopies orscans are not acceptable for apostille.Ifyourbirth certificate,marriage record,divorce decree, ordeath certificateis old, damaged, or unclear, order a freshcertified copy.

Court Documents

Judgments, adoption orders, guardianships,name changes, and probate records must becertified by the clerk withseal and signature.Uncertified printouts,minute orders, or plain PDFs are rejectedfor apostille.

Notarized Documents

Powers of attorney, affidavits, parentalconsents, and corporate authorizations mustbenotarized by a Hawaii notarywith complete certificate language, venue,date, signature, printed name, commissiondata, and seal.We align wording to thedestination when needed. See ourPOA & notarized documentsapostille.

Academic Records

Universities and colleges (UH Mānoa, UHHilo, UH West O‘ahu, UH Maui College, HawaiiPacific University, Chaminade University,Brigham Young University–Hawaii, and others)often require aregistrar letter orsealed packet prior toapostille.We coordinate the campus steps andthen complete thediplomas & transcripts apostillewith the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Business & Banking

For overseas accounts or registrations, youmay need certified Articles/Organization,Certificates of Good Standing, boardresolutions, andcorporate POAs.We source certified copies and assemble acompliant packet that fits the receivingbank’s or regulator’s requirements.

Step-by-Step: The Hawaii Apostille Process

High-level overview; we protect clientprivacy and proprietary workflows.

1. Identify the issuer —Hawaii issuer/notary → Hawaii LieutenantGovernor; U.S. federal issuer → U.S.Department of State (D.C.).
2. Readiness check —Certified copies (vital/court),Hawaii-compliant notarization, registrarverifications, and destination pathway(Hague vs. non-Hague).
3. Submission — We filein person with the LieutenantGovernor’s office for Hawaii documents andwith theU.S. Department of State forfederal documents.
4. Monitoring — We trackstatus and resolve issues quickly to avoidre-mail delays.
5. Issuance & delivery —We email asame-day scan when yourapostille is issued; original shipping isoptional ($20 U.S.; international byquote).

Document Playbooks (What to Expect)

Birth Certificate Apostille (Hawaii)

For visas, dual citizenship, schoolenrollment, or family registries overseas,obtain acertified Hawaii birthcertificatefrom DOH.We then complete thebirth certificate apostilleand send a same-day scan upon issuance.

Marriage Certificate Apostille (Hawaii)

For spousal visas or marriage registrationabroad, request acertified marriage certificatefrom DOH or county office.We handle themarriage certificate apostilleand keep you on the fastest lawful path.

Divorce Decree Apostille (Hawaii)

For remarriage, name changes, orcustody/inheritance issues overseas, obtaina court-certified copy ofyour decree.We complete thedivorce decree apostillewith the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Death Certificate Apostille (Hawaii)

For estates, inheritance, or insuranceabroad, request acertified Hawaii deathcertificateand we will process thedeath certificate apostillewith same-day scan when issued.

Diplomas & Transcripts Apostille(Hawaii)

Employers and foreign universities oftenrequire apostilled education records.Wearrange registrar letters or sealed packetsfor UH campuses, HPU, Chaminade, BYU–Hawaii,and others, then file thediplomas & transcripts apostille.

Notarized Affidavits & POAs (Hawaii)

Real estate, banking, adoption, or businessrepresentation abroad often hinges onclean notarization.Wepre-check Hawaii notary blocks forcompliance and then obtain thePOA & notarized documentsapostille.

Corporate Records (Hawaii)

Hawaii companies and entities seekingrecognition abroad may need apostilledArticles, Good Standing, board resolutions,andcorporate POAsfor banking or registration.We obtaincertified copies and package them to fitforeign regulator expectations.

FBI Background Check (Federal Apostille)

The FBI Identity History Summary is afederal record. Hawaiicannot apostille it.We submit to theU.S. Department of State inWashington, D.C., deliver asame-day scan uponissuance, and ship the original only ifrequested.

Hawaii Use Cases & Scenarios(Transactional)

The product is for Americans in Hawaii whomust use U.S. documents overseas. Below arebuyer-intent scenariostailored to the islands, each mapped to theright apostille flow.

1) Immigration & Residency Abroad

Many Hawaii residents relocate for work orto join family in Japan,South Korea, Australia,New Zealand, Canada, orEU countries.Typical packet:apostilledbirth certificate,apostilledmarriage certificate(if applicable),court documents (adoption,name change, custody), and afederal apostille for theFBI background check.We stage thestate and federal tracks in parallel,provide same-day scans when each piececompletes, and ship originals only asneeded.

2) Study Abroad & Teaching Programs

UH students and graduates commonly head toJapan, Korea,Spain, France,Italy, Germany, orAustralia.The foreign university oreducation ministry often demands anapostilled academic packet:registrar-verifieddiplomas & transcripts apostille, sometimes with a notarized statement orprogram letter.We coordinate directly withthe registrar where needed, ensuring thepacket satisfies the destination’s exactacceptance rules.

3) Marriage Abroad (Destination Weddings& Registration)

Couples from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, or the BigIsland getting married in Italy,Greece, Mexico, orBali typically need amarriage certificate apostille, sometimes with a single-status affidavit(notarized & apostilled).We confirm theconsulate’s checklist, pre-check notarylanguage, and file the correct path(apostille vs. authentication/legalization),then deliver a same-day scan.

4) Adoption & Family Matters

Families adopting from thePhilippines, Thailand,Vietnam, orSouth Korea face rigorous documentcontrol.Expect a mix of apostilledbirth records, court orders, FBI background checks(federal apostille), medical letters, andnotarized statements/POAs.We sequence state and federal filings andresolve format issues before they derailtiming.

5) Dual Citizenship (Ancestry-Based)

Hawaii has many residents ofJapanese, Filipino,Portuguese, Irish, andother ancestries.Consular applications oftenrequire apostilled vital records acrossmultiple generations:birth,marriage,divorce, anddeath certificates, plus court name changes.We source newercertified copies if your records areoutdated and align the packet with consularexpectations.

6) International Banking, Work, &Property

Opening accounts or registering entitiesabroad often requires apostilled Articles,Good Standing, board resolutions, andcorporate POAs.For individuals managing property orestates overseas, apostilled court ordersanddeath certificatesare common.We compile banking-ready packetsand ensure notarized documents meetacceptance standards for the destination.

7) Military Families Stationed Overseas

Hawaii’s military presence (Pearl Harbor,Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps BaseHawaii) means frequent overseasmoves.Typical needs: apostilledmarriage certificates,children’sbirth certificates,andPOAsfor housing, school enrollment, and on-baseadministration in the host country.We movequickly and provide same-day scans so youcan complete paperwork even before originalsarrive.

8) Healthcare & Professional LicensingOverseas

Nurses, physicians, engineers, attorneys,and teachers from Hawaii may need apostillededucation credentials and notarized lettersfor regulators overseas.We coordinateeducation apostilles, confirm registration authorityrequirements, and sequence translationswhere necessary.

Hawaii Cities & Islands We Serve

We support residents across all islands viasecure intake, hand-carry filing inHonolulu, same-day scans, and optionalshipping:

• O‘ahu — Honolulu, EastHonolulu, Kailua, Kāne‘ohe, Pearl City,Waipahu, Mililani, Kapolei, ‘Ewa Beach,Wahiawā, Aiea, Mānoa
• Maui — Kahului, Wailuku,Lahaina, Kīhei, Pukalani, Makawao, Hāna(document prep & shipping)
• Hawai‘i Island (Big Island)— Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Waimea (Kamuela),Pāhoa, Volcano, Honoka‘a
• Kaua‘i — Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a,Princeville, Kōloa, Hanapēpē
• Moloka‘i & Lāna‘i —Kaunakakai, Lāna‘i City

County & Campus Coverage

Apostilles are processed for all counties:Honolulu County,Maui County (Maui, Moloka‘i,Lāna‘i), Hawai‘i County (BigIsland), and Kaua‘i County.Academicwork spans UH Mānoa,UH Hilo, UH West O‘ahu,UH Maui College,Hawaii Pacific University,Chaminade University,BYU–Hawaii, and community colleges.

Hague vs. Non-Hague: Choosing the CorrectPath

If the destination country is in the HagueConvention, a Hawaii or federal apostille issufficient.Non-Hague destinations requireauthentication by thecorrect U.S. authority (state or federal)and thenconsular legalization.Wewill set the exact path and the order ofsteps (including certified translations) soyour paperwork is accepted withoutback-and-forth.

Timelines, Risks & Contingency Planning

Government volumes fluctuate—especiallyduring travel seasons and academicdeadlines. DIY mail-in is slower anderror-prone; small mistakes (wrong fee,outdated certificate, notary flaw, missingregistrar letter) cause returns.To protectyour timeline:

• Front-load readiness —obtain fresh certified copies and ensurenotarization/registrar paperwork iscorrect before filing.
• Hand-carry filing —essential when you have fixed consularappointments, onboarding dates, orsemester starts.
• Leverage same-day scans —many consulates, schools, and banks willpre-process from asame-day scan whileoriginals ship.
• Parallel tracks — when acase includes both state and federalitems, we run them simultaneously tocompress the calendar.

Top Hawaii Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong authority — Sendingan FBI report to the Lieutenant Governor’soffice or a Hawaii birth certificate tothe U.S. Department of State.
• Uncertified or stale copies— Photocopies, faded stamps, or outdatedformats are rejected.
• Notary defects — Missingseal, wrong venue, incomplete certificate,or remote notarization not accepted by thedestination. Use Hawaii-compliantlanguage; when in doubt, ask us topre-check.
• Skipping registrar steps— University records without the requiredletter or sealed packet often bounce.Follow theacademic apostilleworkflow.
• No destination check —Hague vs. non-Hague dictates the path.Confirm before filing to avoid detours andre-mailing.
• Late starts — Mail cyclesplus re-mailing derail appointments;hand-carry filing reduces risk.

Readiness Checklist (Hawaii)

• Is your documentstate-level (Hawaii) orfederal (U.S. agency)?
• For vital/court records, do you have acertified copy (not aphotocopy)? Start here if not:birth,marriage,divorce,death.
• For notarized items, is the notarizationHawaii-compliant (venue,date, signature, printed name, commission,seal)?SeePOA & notarized documentsapostille.
• For academic records, has theregistrar provided therequired letter or sealed packet?Seediplomas & transcripts apostille.
• Is the destinationHague (apostille) ornon-Hague (authentication+ legalization)?
• Do you have adeadline (visaappointment, onboarding, semester start)that merits hand-carry filing andproactive monitoring?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues apostilles for Hawaiidocuments?

TheOffice of the LieutenantGovernorin Honolulu issues apostilles forHawaii-origin documents: vital records,court orders, Hawaii-notarized documents,registrar-verified education records, andcertified corporate filings.

Can Hawaii apostille my FBI backgroundcheck?

No. The FBI Identity History Summary is afederal document and mustbe apostilled by theU.S. Department of Statein Washington, D.C. We handle the federalfiling and provide a same-day scan uponissuance.

How fast can a Hawaii apostille becompleted?

DIY mail-in can take weeks. With readinessand hand-carry filing,~24 hours is possible formany Hawaii state documents. We send asame-day scan on issuance; shipping theoriginal is optional.

Do apostilles expire?

The apostille certificate doesn’t formallyexpire, but many consulates, banks, anduniversities prefer recent issuance(commonly within 90 days). If timingmatters, expedite and plan yourappointment windows accordingly.

Is shipping required?

No.Shipping is optional. Wealways provide asame-day scan. U.S.shipping is $20; international shipping isquoted.

Can you handle multiple documents at once?

Yes. We can runparallel tracks for stateand federal items and return same-dayscans as each completes. This is commonfor visas, dual citizenship, or adoptionpackets.

Do you provide certified translations?

Yes—when required by the destination.We’ll confirm whether translation mustoccur before or afterapostille/legalization to comply withlocal rules.

Are you a government office?

No. We are a private expert service thatprepares, files, monitors, and deliversapostilles end-to-end (state and federal),with same-day scans andoptional shippingincluded in our workflow.

Related Guides

• Birth Certificate Apostille
• Marriage Certificate Apostille
• Divorce Decree Apostille
• Death Certificate Apostille
• Academic Diplomas & TranscriptsApostille
• Power of Attorney & NotarizedDocuments Apostille

Disclaimer: Requirements and timelinescan change without notice. We advise basedon current practices of the Hawaii Officeof the Lieutenant Governor and the U.S.Department of State at the time of yourorder.