Urban Honolulu Divorce Decree Records
If you need to find a divorce decree in Urban Honolulu, the First Circuit Family Court handles all dissolution filings for this area. Urban Honolulu sits at the core of Oahu and is the most populous part of Honolulu County. Divorce cases filed here go through the same court system as the rest of the island, but knowing the right locations and procedures saves time. This guide covers where to file, how to search divorce decree records online, how to get certified copies, and where to find help if you need it. Most records from recent decades are searchable through the state's free online portal.
Urban Honolulu Overview
Where Urban Honolulu Residents File for Divorce
Urban Honolulu residents file for divorce with the Family Court of the First Circuit. Two locations serve Oahu, and which one you use depends on your preference and the nature of your case. Most new filings and in-person records requests for divorce decree copies go through the Kapolei Judiciary Complex, which is the primary Family Court filing location for the island.
The Kapolei location is the Ronald T.Y. Moon Courthouse at 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, HI 96707. The phone number is (808) 954-8000. This facility handles the bulk of Family Court work for Oahu, including divorce petitions, hearings, and record requests. Even though it sits west of downtown Honolulu, it is the main hub for all First Circuit Family Court matters.
The downtown location, Ka'ahumanu Hale, is at 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813-5093. Urban Honolulu residents can also use this office for certain Family Court matters. It is convenient for anyone who works or lives near the capitol district. Staff there can assist with case inquiries, and some divorce decree records requests can be handled at this site as well.
Note: Call ahead to confirm which location handles your specific request, as some services and hearings may be assigned to one site over the other.
Searching Urban Honolulu Divorce Decree Records Online
The Hawaii Judiciary offers a free online search tool called eCourt Kokua. It covers court records for all circuits, including the First Circuit Family Court that serves Urban Honolulu. You can use it to look up divorce cases without leaving home.
The Hawaii Judiciary's eCourt Kokua case search portal lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. When searching for Urban Honolulu divorce decree records, select "Oahu - First Circuit Family Court" from the court dropdown. For the case type, choose "DV - Divorce." Results will show party names, case status, filed documents, and hearing history.
The eCourt Kokua portal shows what records exist in the system. It does not give you the full text of every document. Case files from older periods may not appear in the online index. For those, a trip to the courthouse or a written request is the way to go.
The eCourt Kokua system is updated regularly and reflects current case activity in the First Circuit Family Court serving Urban Honolulu.
How to Get Copies of a Divorce Decree in Urban Honolulu
You have a few options for getting a copy of a divorce decree in Urban Honolulu. In person is the fastest. Go to the First Circuit Family Court, either at Kapolei or at Ka'ahumanu Hale on 777 Punchbowl Street. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and are often required by agencies for legal matters such as name changes or remarriage.
Mail requests are another option. Send a written request to the First Circuit Family Court at 777 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813-5093. Include the case number or the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Add a check or money order for the copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time by mail takes longer than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.
As of February 1, 2026, the Hawaii Department of Health no longer maintains divorce records. Previously, the DOH handled divorce certificates for cases from 1951 through 2002. Those records have now moved to the First Circuit Family Court. If you were looking for a divorce certificate from that era through DOH, contact the court directly instead.
Hawaii State Archives for Historical Divorce Records
For Urban Honolulu residents researching older divorce decree records, the Hawaii State Archives is a key resource. The Archives holds historical judicial records from the First Circuit going back to the earliest period of Hawaii's court system. Records this old are not in eCourt Kokua, and the courthouse may not have them either.
The Hawaii State Archives is located at the Kekauluohi Building, 364 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. The phone number is (808) 586-0329. Researchers can visit in person to access microfilm collections and original documents. Staff can help direct you to the right collection. Appointments may be needed for some research visits, so call ahead.
The Hawaii State Archives in downtown Honolulu holds microfilm collection MFL 51, which covers First Circuit divorce records from 1848 through 1892. These are some of the oldest divorce decree records available for Oahu.
If you are doing genealogy research or need records from before statehood, the Archives is often the only place that has them. The collection covers cases from the Kingdom of Hawaii period and continues through the territorial era. Not all records from this period survived intact, but what does exist is preserved on microfilm and in some cases as original court documents.
Self-Help Resources for Urban Honolulu Residents
Filing for divorce on your own is possible in Hawaii. Urban Honolulu residents have access to self-help programs at both major courthouse locations. These programs do not give legal advice, but they can help you find the right forms, understand the process, and avoid common mistakes.
Ho'okele is the Family Court self-help center at the Kapolei Judiciary Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway. Call (808) 954-8290 to reach the program. Staff there can answer procedural questions and point you to the forms you need. The Kokua Aku, Just Resolve (KAJR) mediation clinic meets at this location on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Downtown Honolulu has a separate resource. The Access to Justice Room is on the third floor at 1111 Alakea Street, which is the Oahu First Circuit District Court building. It is open Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and on the first and third Fridays of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call (808) 538-5629 for more information. Urban Honolulu residents who work downtown may find this location more convenient.
Official divorce decree forms for Oahu cases are available at the Hawaii Judiciary's Oahu family court forms page. All forms are free to download. If children are part of the case, parents must complete the Kids First program before the court will finalize the divorce. Contact Kids First at (808) 954-8280 or visit kidsfirsthawaii.com for schedules and registration.
Two legal aid organizations serve Urban Honolulu. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii can be reached at (808) 536-4302. They help low-income residents with family law matters including divorce cases. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii provides similar assistance and can be contacted at (808) 528-7046. Both groups have income limits for eligibility, so call to find out if you qualify.
Are Urban Honolulu Divorce Decrees Public Records
Divorce decree records in Hawaii are generally public records. The Uniform Information Practices Act, found at UIPA Chapter 92F, governs access to government records in Hawaii. Under UIPA, court records are presumptively open unless a specific exemption applies.
Most divorce decree records in the First Circuit are accessible to anyone who requests them. That said, certain parts of a divorce file can be sealed or restricted. Financial records, records involving minor children, and records with sensitive personal data may be withheld or redacted. If a judge ordered the file sealed, you may not be able to get a copy without a court order.
Hawaii's divorce law is found in HRS section 580-1, which sets out the grounds and jurisdiction for divorce in the state. A decree becomes final under HRS section 580-41, which governs when the court enters the final order. Understanding these statutes helps clarify what the decree means legally and when it takes effect.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in Honolulu County and use the First Circuit Family Court for divorce filings.
Honolulu County Divorce Decree Records
Urban Honolulu is part of Honolulu County, which covers the entire island of Oahu. The county page has broader information about the First Circuit Family Court, countywide resources, and how the court system is organized for all Oahu communities.