Find Divorce Decree Records in Maui County

Maui County divorce decree records are on file at the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku. The court covers Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, and holds case files going back well over a century. If you need to search for a divorce decree in Maui County, you can look up cases through the Hawaii State Judiciary's online system or visit the courthouse in Wailuku in person. Certified copies and court records requests are handled at the Legal Documents Branch. This page walks you through how to search, what to expect, and where to get help.

Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku

The Second Circuit Family Court at Hoapili Hale in Wailuku is the court that handles all divorce filings in Maui County. This includes cases from Maui itself, as well as residents of Molokai and Lanai, who must contact or write to the Wailuku office to file or request records. The court sits within a larger judiciary complex that also houses the law library, the self-help center, and the Legal Documents Branch where you go to get copies of court files.

The courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on state holidays. For most records requests you will deal with the Legal Documents Branch, which is in Room 106 of the same building. That office handles copy requests, file searches, and certified decree copies. If you are calling about a specific case or need to track down an older file, the Legal Documents Branch is your main contact. You can reach them at (808) 244-2752.

The court's Hawaii State Judiciary records page has more on how to submit requests and what types of documents are available. Residents who need ADA accommodations can call (808) 244-2855 for the District and Family Court or (808) 244-2929 for the Circuit Court.

Below is a view of the Hawaii State Judiciary's court records search portal, which covers Maui County and all other circuits statewide.

How to Search Maui County Divorce Decree Records

The main online tool for searching Maui County divorce decree records is eCourt Kokua, the Hawaii State Judiciary's public case search system. It lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. The system covers Second Circuit Family Court cases going back many years. You do not need an account to run a search. Visit courts.state.hi.us to access eCourt Kokua.

Online searches through eCourt Kokua give you case-level information: party names, filing dates, case numbers, and hearing entries. You will not get the full text of the divorce decree or certified copies through the online portal. For those, you need to contact the Legal Documents Branch directly or go in person to the Hoapili Hale courthouse in Wailuku.

To request copies by mail, send a written request to the Legal Documents Branch at 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, Maui 96793-1679. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, and the approximate year the case was filed. Attach a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for the copy fees. The office will process your request and mail back the documents. Processing time varies, so plan ahead if you need records fast.

Molokai and Lanai residents who cannot travel to Wailuku should write or call the Wailuku office. The Self-Help Center also serves Molokai, Lanai, and Hana residents by phone during its open hours, though it does not accept voice messages. Call (808) 463-1360 on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon when the center is open.

Divorce Decree Forms for Maui, Molokai, and Lanai

The Hawaii State Judiciary provides divorce forms specific to Maui, Molokai, and Lanai through its self-help web pages. These packets cover the whole process from filing a petition through getting a signed decree. You can download forms at no cost from the Maui, Molokai, and Lanai divorce forms page. There is also a broader set of Maui family court forms available at the Maui family court forms page.

If you need a paper copy of the forms or have questions about which packet applies to your situation, call the forms line at (808) 244-2969. You can also pick up forms in person at the Wailuku Circuit Court, 2145 Main Street, Room 106, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793. Molokai and Lanai residents who cannot visit should write or call that office and staff can guide them on what to submit and how.

Divorce in Hawaii proceeds under HRS § 580-1, which sets out the court's jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage. The grounds for divorce in Hawaii include no-fault dissolution under HRS § 580-41, which allows either party to end the marriage without proving fault by the other. Forms used in Maui County divorce cases track these statutory requirements.

Common documents in a Maui County divorce case file include the divorce petition, summons, financial affidavits, property settlement agreements, child custody and support arrangements, and the final divorce decree itself. If children are involved, you may also find parenting plan documents and records from the Kids First program, which is required for parents with minor children.

Self-Help and Legal Resources in Maui County

Maui County has a Self-Help Center at Hoapili Hale, the same building as the courthouse. It is open on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The center helps people who are not represented by a lawyer understand court forms and procedures. Maui residents must come in person. The center does not take phone messages, so if you call outside of Thursday hours no one will be available to respond. Molokai, Lanai, and Hana residents can reach the center by phone during its open hours at (808) 463-1360.

The Kids First program is required for parents filing for divorce in Maui County when minor children are involved. The program is designed to help parents focus on their kids during the divorce process. Call (808) 244-2770 for more information about requirements and scheduling.

The Second Circuit Court Law Library is in Room 207 of the Hoapili Hale judiciary complex at 2145 Main Street, Wailuku. Library staff can point you to Hawaii statutes, court rules, and legal resources. The phone number is (808) 244-2959. The law library is a good place to research the legal side of your case before you file.

For free or reduced-cost legal help in Maui County, several organizations offer assistance with divorce and family law matters. The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii has a Maui office at 24 North Church Street, Suite 401, Wailuku, HI 96793, reachable at (808) 244-3731. Their statewide line is (808) 536-4302. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii can be reached at (808) 528-7046. These groups serve people who qualify based on income and may help with forms, advice, or representation.

Records Retention in Maui County

Maui County divorce decree records are kept on a permanent basis. The Hawaii State Judiciary maintains divorce case files indefinitely under HRS § 92F and under the retention requirements of HRS § 602-5.5, which directs the judiciary to keep permanent archives of court decrees. This means a divorce decree from decades ago is still on file and can be retrieved through the Second Circuit Legal Documents Branch.

Beyond the decree itself, court records from Maui County divorce cases follow set retention schedules. Audio recordings of proceedings are kept for a minimum of ten years. Exhibits and evidence files are retained for at least ten years after the case closes. Transcripts of proceedings, like the decrees themselves, are kept permanently. The index of divorces filed in the Second Circuit is also a permanent record.

Historical Maui County divorce records go back to 1848. The Second Circuit divorce case files from 1848 through 1900, plus some 1915 cases, are preserved on microfilm (MFL 54), covering cases A1 through A319. Those files contain the original application for divorce, summons, affidavit of publication, the divorce decree, and statements from both parties. They record details like the date of marriage, the parties' residence, circumstances for divorce, children involved, and court fees paid. Historical case files are available through the Hawaii State Archives.

Are Maui County Divorce Decrees Public Records

In general, Maui County divorce decree records are open to the public. Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act, found at HRS § 92F, sets the rules for access to government records, including court files. Under this law, court records are presumed to be open unless a specific exemption applies. You do not have to be a party to the case to view or request copies of a divorce decree.

Some parts of a divorce case file may have restricted access. Financial source documents, such as tax returns or bank statements filed as exhibits, may be sealed by order of the court. Records involving minor children, including custody evaluations or guardian ad litem reports, may also have limits on who can access them. When in doubt, contact the Legal Documents Branch at (808) 244-2752 to ask whether a specific document is available to you.

For older historical records, some case details may be harder to find if files were not fully digitized or if microfilm copies are the only source. The Hawaii State Archives can help with pre-1900 Second Circuit divorce files. For cases from 1900 onward, the Legal Documents Branch at the Wailuku courthouse is your best starting point.

Cities in Maui County

The cities below are served by the Second Circuit Family Court. Divorce decree filings for residents of these communities go through the Wailuku courthouse.

Other communities in Maui County include Lahaina, Kula, Makawao, Paia, and Hana, as well as the islands of Molokai and Lanai. All divorce decree cases from these areas are filed with the Second Circuit Family Court in Wailuku.

Nearby Counties

If you are not sure which county handles your case, check where you live. Each county in Hawaii uses its own circuit court. The counties below are the others in the state.