Apostilles and Certifications

For assistance with any administrative functions, please contact us:

Phone: (808) 586-0255
Fax: (808) 586-0231
Email: [email protected]
Name changes: namechange.ehawaii.gov

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As of November 21, 2022, please anticipate extended processing times.

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The Lieutenant Governor serves as Secretary of State for the State of Hawaii. As Secretary of State, the Lieutenant Governor provides authentication services for    public documents notarized in the State of Hawaii to be used overseas.

The Hague Treaty was established at a convention held in 1961 at Hague, located in the Netherlands. This Treaty abolished the requirement of legalization of foreign    public documents. The convention provides for the simplified certification of public documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention, by use of a      special form called an Apostille. Effective October 16, 1981 the United States            recognized the Hague Treaty.

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 will be issued. If the country does not recognize the Hague Treaty, a Certification will be issued. The following link is a list of countries that          recognize the Hague Treaty.

STATEMENT OF LEGAL EFFECT OF AN APOSTILLE

Apostilles certify only that a document has been signed by, and bears the seal and stamp of, a duly commissioned Notary Public of the State of Hawaii OR was certified by the appropriate custodian of records (e.g. Court Clerk). An Apostille does not validate the substance, contents, and/or legal effect of the document, nor that the document has been approved and/or endorsed by the Lieutenant Governor, the State of Hawaii, or any court of competent jurisdiction.

Procedure for Requesting Apostille or Certification

 

It is the responsibility of the requestor to ensure the document has been properly prepared to meet the requirements in the foreign country it will be presented to. Per the above “Statement of Legal Effect of an Apostille” the function of the apostille is only to certify the State of Hawaii Notary Public or Custodian of Records.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor reserves the right to deny applications for Apostilles or Certifications that appear to be contrary to State or federal law, interest, or policy, or intended to be used for improper or illegal purposes.

We do not offer any type of expedited service; Apostille or Certification requests are completed in the order in which they are received.

1.  Complete, sign and submit the Application for Apostille or Certification of Documents. Note: Please do not staple your application to your document. An    incomplete or incorrect application will be returned for completion.

2.  Public Documents

To properly prepare public documents for issuance of an Apostille or Certification, it is suggested that public documents first be notarized and certified by the custodian of records. The certified copy must display the ORIGINAL SIGNATURE (not stamped) of the custodian of record and embossed raised seal of the state department of the    custodian of record or respective Court.

If the public document requires a Certification (Non-Hague Convention Country),      acknowledgements by a notary public of the State of Hawaii must first be submitted to the State of Hawaii, Circuit Court in the county in which the Notary Public is       commissioned for signature and commission verification by the Court. Please contact the Circuit Court on the island the document was notarized for more information on the requirements, fees, and processing time.

Public documents include:

  • Hawaii Notary Acknowledgements
  • Vital records such as:
    • Birth Certificates
    • Marriage Certificates
    • Death Certificates

NOTE: Please contact the Department of Health for any information on fees and processing time. IF YOU ARE REQUESTING AN APOSTILLE ON A BIRTH, MARRIAGE, OR DEATH CERTIFICATE, THE PROCESS WILL BEGIN AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PLEASE ORDER THE APOSTILLE DIRECTLY FROM THE HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.  PLEASE REFER TO THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON OBTAINING AN APOSTILLE.

  • Court documents such as:
    • Divorce decrees
    • Probated will
    • Judgements

Note: Please contact the respective Court for any information on fees and        processing time.

  • Documents on file in the State Bureau of Conveyances

Note: Please contact the State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances for any            information on fees and processing time.

Please see the below table for two options to properly prepare requests for submittal. Either option is acceptable. Please see below general preparation guidelines.

Type of Document Hague Convention Countries (Apostille) Non-Hague Convention Countries (Certification)
State of Hawaii Public document notarized by custodian of record at State Department (DOH, DCCA, CJDC, etc.) OPTION 1:

Notarized by custodian of record and DOES NOT REQUIRE Circuit Court Certification

OPTION 2:

Notarized independently by the requestor and REQUIRES Circuit Court Authentication

 OPTION 1:

Notarized by in-house notary and REQUIRES Circuit Court Certification

OPTION 2:

Notarized independently by the requestor and REQUIRES Circuit Court Authentication
Court Documents/Driver License Verification OPTION 1:

Certified document with original Clerk signature and seal from the Court

OPTION 2:

Notarized independently by the requestor and REQUIRES Circuit Court Authentication

 OPTION 1:

Certified document with original Clerk signature and seal from the Court

OPTION 2:

Notarized independently by the requestor and REQUIRES Circuit Court Authentication
General Document with Hawaii Notary Acknowledgement Submit to Circuit Court for certification Submit to Circuit Court for certification

Other Documents: Please contact the Office of the Lieutenant Governor at [email protected] or (808) 586-0255.

3. Once the document has been properly prepared, please submit the following:

  • Completed and signed Application for issuance of an Apostille or Certification
    • If you would like to pick-up the request upon completion, please select the “Pick-Up” option and provide a local, toll-free telephone number to be contacted for pick-up
    • If you would like the request to be mailed upon completion, please select the “Mail” option and provide a self-addressed stamped envelope via USPS is preferred for return
  • Properly prepared document being submitted for Apostille or Certification
  • Payment of $1.00 per Notary Acknowledgement/Certified Document
    • Please do not staple payment to the document
    • Payable by money order, cashier’s check, or cash. NO PERSONAL CHECKS OR BUSINESS CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
    • Please make payable to:

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

State Capitol, 5th Floor

415 So. Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

4. Please submit the request in person or by mail to the address below:

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

State Capitol, 5th Floor

415 So. Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

5. Please allow approximately 10 to 15 business days (does not include weekends or holidays) for processing time.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Lieutenant Governor at [email protected] or (808) 586-0255.