Hawaii Marriage License Signing & Legal-Only Weddings on the Big Island
Simple, official, and filled with aloha. Big Island Legal Weddings specializes in Hawaii marriage license signing and legal-only wedding ceremonies on the Big Island for couples who want an efficient, stress-free way to make it official.
Legal Signing Only
The most efficient way to get legally married on the Big Island. You come to the lawn of our home office location in the Kailua-Kona area, or (in special circumstances and for an additional fee) we will meet you at a mutually agreed-upon public location in and around Kailua-Kona solely to complete the basic legally required ceremony elements and to have your marriage license legally signed and filed.
Ready to go? Just fill out the form on the Contact page, and we'll call you back to get you scheduled ASAP.
Straightforward Legal Wedding Services
Simple Legal Ceremony
This is a short, basic ceremony containing only the legal essentials required by the State of Hawaii. Perfect for couples who prioritize the legal bond without the production of a full wedding, or for those who are planning a larger wedding at a later date (or who have already had one).
Courthouse Alternative
Since there are no judges on this island who perform legal-only weddings, we are here for you! Whether you come to us, or we send someone to meet you in and around the Kailua-Kona area, we provide a professional, private, and flexible legal alternative to a courthouse wedding at your preferred Kona location.
Effortless Speed
Ideal for local residents or destination couples needing immediate legal status. We prioritize fast processing and clear communication.
Why Legal-Only?
A legal-only ceremony offers a streamlined, dignified, and professional way to make your union official on the Big Island.
Perfect for couples who value simplicity, speed, and legal precision over elaborate production, or who need to make their marriage legal in a hurry (tax purposes, imminent deployment, citizenship considerations, etc.).
This is also appropriate for those who have had a larger, non-official wedding ceremony or for those who are planning one on another date.
Pure Simplicity
Eliminate the stress of planning. Focus on the core promise of marriage while we manage the legalities and license filings.
Local Expertise
Our authorized officiants handle every detail according to Hawaii state law, ensuring your marriage is valid and recognized worldwide.
Ready to go? Just fill out the form on the Contact page, and we'll call you back to get you scheduled ASAP.
Process & Logistics
Everything you need to know about making it official on the Big Island, without the complexity of a traditional ceremony.
What exactly is a 'legal-only' wedding?
A legal-only wedding focuses strictly on the state requirements. It involves verifying your marriage license and performing the minimum legal pronouncement required by Hawaii law. There is no traditional ceremony, floral decor, or formal seating—just the legal essentials.
How do we obtain our marriage license?
You must apply online through the Hawaii State Department of Health website. This may be done up to one year prior to your wedding date. You'll need to meet with a local license agent on the Big Island (or anywhere in the state of Hawaii) to verify your IDs and pick up the physical document no sooner than 30 days prior to getting married.
If you are coming from off-island, plan this for after your arrival on island and before our meeting. We then sign this document during our legal meeting. (See our About Page for more information!)
Where on the Big Island do we meet?
We typically have you come to our home office in the Kailua-Kona area, although for an extra fee, we can occasionally arrange to meet at a mutually agreeable public location in and around Kailua-Kona. The goal is efficiency and ease of access for both parties.
Will you come to the ceremony I've planned to just provide a legal ceremony?
No. Our legal ceremonies are just that - for those just wanting a quick, no-frills wedding for legal purposes only. No guests, no fuss. We will take a few cell phone photos for you, however! Most of our couples have a larger, symbolic ceremony sometime before or after their meeting with us.
NOTE: We do have referrals for officiant-only services at the beach, and, if you are looking for a stress-free, beautiful beach elopement or a more involved beach wedding, along with a full Hawaiian-style wedding ceremony, we highly recommend Simple Kona Beach Weddings.
Can we have a symbolic ceremony before or after our legal signing?
Yes! Many couples handle the legal requirements first to ensure their marriage is valid, allowing them to focus on a larger symbolic or destination celebration later without managing complex legal filings abroad. However, it is also okay to come to us after your non-official wedding here in the States or abroad. Your official wedding date will simply be whenever we meet.
Do we need witnesses?
No, Hawaii law does not require witnesses to be present or to sign the marriage license. Only the couple and the licensed officiant are required for the legal signing.
How long does the signing take?
The entire meeting usually takes less than 15 minutes. We verify your license, perform the legal pronouncement, and complete the required signatures. It is designed to be a prompt and professional process.
Do we get our marriage certificate the same day?
No. However, as long as the marriage license agent has provided you with two copies, you will receive a copy of your signed license immediately. The official State of Hawaii Marriage Certificate is typically mailed to you by the Department of Health two to six weeks after we file the documents electronically, and an electronic, temporary copy is usually available to you in about a week.
Who performs my legal-only ceremony?
Our ceremonies are conducted by state-licensed officiants who specialize in legal-only marriage services and Hawaiian state requirements.
How much does this cost?
Our base legal signing service starts at a set flat rate, with special rates for Hawaii residents. Please reach out to us for a custom quote, which will depend on the location of our appointment and a few other x factors.
Can I bring guests to our appointment?
Not normally. If coming for a basic legal signing at our home office, no guests are permitted. If we are meeting you at a public location, this is occasionally permitted. Please be sure to discuss this with us.
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